Lifelong Health from Creators Syndicate

Early Treatment Can Slow Progress of Memory Loss for 04/17/2008

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0700

The Alzheimer's Association recently issued a report indicating that for adults who live beyond age 55, the lifetime risk of developing Alzheimer's disease averages 17 percent in women and 9 percent in men.

However, in the past several years many researchers have identified a form of memory decline referred to as minimal cognitive impairment that may provide early indication of more seri ...

Updated: Thu Apr 17, 2008

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Heartsaver CT Scan More Often a Heartbreaker for 04/24/2008

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0700

Once again, new information about CT scans of the heart muddies the waters on the procedure, its effectiveness and its role in detecting heart disease. An article just published in the New England Journal of Medicine demonstrated that measuring the amount of calcium in coronary arteries using a heart CT scan is a sensitive predictor of heart attacks in men and women of all ethnic groups (blacks ...

Updated: Thu Apr 24, 2008

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Variant Gene Increases Risk of Cancer in Smokers for 05/01/2008

Thu, 01 May 2008 00:00:00 -0700

More often than not, cigarette smoking leads to a long list of health problems. From cancer to heart failure, the effects of long-term smoking can arise in nearly every function of your body. And yet every once in a while, I see a patient who, at 85, has smoked for decades and gotten off virtually scot-free.

For those rare healthy smokers, we typically pass off their unlikely healthfulne ...

Updated: Thu May 01, 2008

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Egg a Day Could Be OK, Based on 20-Year Study for 05/08/2008

Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:00 -0700

A remarkable study just published in the very influential American Journal of Clinical Nutrition examined the effects of eggs on the risk of heart attack and stroke in middle-aged and older men.

Egg yolks contain high concentrations of saturated fats and cholesterol, and for years it has been assumed that too many eggs would increase cholesterol levels, predisposing egg lovers to heart a ...

Updated: Thu May 08, 2008

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Drugs That Cure One Problem Can Cause Even More Concerns for 05/15/2008

Thu, 15 May 2008 00:00:00 -0700

When it comes to managing medications, it is paramount that you understand every drug you use, whether prescribed, over the counter, or "natural."

Negative drug interactions are a common cause for hospital admission. With age, taking multiple medications is more and more common. Understanding your own medications can be difficult enough, but for the caregiver of a dependent lov ...

Updated: Thu May 15, 2008

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Declining Life Expectancy Is An Inexcusable Scandal for 05/22/2008

Thu, 22 May 2008 00:00:00 -0700

I have spent the past 30 years of my life digging deep roots in the state of Arkansas, a place I love with all my heart and soul.

With its beautiful mountains, pristine waters and down-to-earth community, Arkansas has provided me an amazing opportunity to pursue my own American dream.

With such great pride in my state, I was naturally horrified to read a study published by the Pub ...

Updated: Thu May 22, 2008

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Healthy Blood Pressure Critical Regardless Of Age for 05/29/2008

Thu, 29 May 2008 00:00:00 -0700

In the last year, there has been a great array of information regarding blood pressure and disease prevention. While everyone agrees that managing high blood pressure and lifelong health go hand in hand, there is some debate on exactly what range is ideal. This is especially true with advancing age.

Recently, a variety of research has shown that what was previously called a normal blood ...

Updated: Thu May 29, 2008

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Age-Related Osteoporosis Weakens Men's Bones, Too for 06/05/2008

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0700

For years, osteoporosis, or severe thinning of the bones, was thought to be exclusively a woman's disease. We now know that this is not the case; millions of men have osteoporosis, as well.

Osteoporosis typically is viewed as a "woman's disease" because often it is associated with a deficiency of estrogen that occurs following menopause. While accelerated bone loss does occur f ...

Updated: Thu Jun 05, 2008

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Dignified Woman Given Dignified Death In Hospice for 06/12/2008

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0700

Today I paid my last visit to Mrs. Jane Woodruff, a patient who has touched me greatly. As I watched her navigate her final months and days with peace and fortitude, this brave and dignified woman taught me more about life than I could ever convey.

I met Jane nearly six months ago, when she came to see me complaining of progressive weakness in her arms and legs. Over the past year, she h ...

Updated: Thu Jun 12, 2008

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Harder For Women To Quit Dependence On Alcohol for 06/19/2008

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0700

In recent years, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of women who are drug-or alcohol-dependent. Not only is the risk of dependency increasing, but also "kicking the habit" is much more difficult for women. Today, about one third of all alcoholics are women, compared to less than 10 percent 30 years ago.

According to the National Institutes of Health, approximately ...

Updated: Thu Jun 19, 2008

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Warning Signs Of Stroke? Most Folks Flunk That Quiz for 06/26/2008

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0700

In a survey of 71,000 adults in 13 states, the Centers for Disease Control revealed that few people know the warning signs of a stroke.

Information obtained from the 2005 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey found that only 16.4 percent of adults could identify all of the five warning signs of an impending stroke. Incredibly, very few respondents were able to tell what sympt ...

Updated: Thu Jun 26, 2008

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Ads For New Drugs Are End Run Around Physicians for 07/03/2008

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0700

In recent years, the relationship between the health-care industry and physicians has been questioned. In years past, industry representatives courted physicians with gifts, meals and trips to exotic destinations — all in the name of educating us on a new therapy, treatment or piece of equipment. Not surprisingly, many health-care professionals are concerned that such a courtship creates ...

Updated: Thu Jul 03, 2008

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Cardiac Arrest Can Occur Even With Few Risk Factors for 07/10/2008

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0700

We are all saddened by the untimely and sudden death of Tim Russert, a true American legend. Russert's fatal cardiac arrest was particularly surprising because he had very few risk factors for heart disease: He did not drink or smoke, he paid attention to his diet, exercised and had just taken a vacation. Even more alarming, Russert had a normal stress test just a few weeks ago. Now Americans e ...

Updated: Thu Jul 10, 2008

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Drinking More Coffee Can Extend Life: Who Knew? for 07/17/2008

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0700

I must confess — I am totally addicted to coffee. I love my morning cup and usually have at least five or six cups by lunchtime. I'm not alone in my love for java — 50 percent of Americans consume three or more cups of coffee daily, at a cost of $18 billion per year. It is widely believed that coffee is not particularly healthy. The potential adverse effects of coffee are relatively ...

Updated: Thu Jul 17, 2008

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Medication Is Not Enough To Treat Memory Loss Well for 07/24/2008

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0700

In recent years, primary care physicians have seen a growing number of adults complaining of memory problems. Unfortunately, most of the patients are given a prescription and sent home — only to wait for the problem to get worse. As the country's population of older adults continues to grow, the medical community needs to take a new look at how to care for those with memory problems. Medi ...

Updated: Thu Jul 24, 2008

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Independent Life Is Risky But Possible At High Ages for 07/31/2008

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0700

It is remarkable to me how some people are able to live to age 90 and beyond and remain totally independent and as sharp as a tack. Having long-lived parents is an important predictor of a long life, indicating that genes play a central role in longevity. But there are many other features characterizing the oldest of the old.

Almost always they are fit, exercise frequently and have a uni ...

Updated: Thu Jul 31, 2008

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Any Recommended Diet Can Work, If It's Followed for 08/07/2008

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700

At long last, the results of a head-to-head battle among the most commonly recommended diets were published in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine. Amazingly, researchers found that no specific diet was overwhelmingly better than the rest, but rather, each diet, when followed in a measured and healthful manner, could lead to long-lasting change. The results of this intensive study p ...

Updated: Thu Aug 07, 2008

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Screening, Monitoring Key To Pre-Diabetes Treatment for 08/14/2008

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700

While we have all heard about the enormous rise in Americans diagnosed with Type II Diabetes, there has been little education about the early warning signs, a condition called pre-diabetes.

Affecting 56 million Americans, pre-diabetes is a major risk factor for heart attacks, kidney disease and blindness. In the United States today, one in every six health-care dollars is spent on treati ...

Updated: Thu Aug 14, 2008

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Sacroiliitis Is Often Missed In Diagnosing Back Pain for 08/21/2008

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700

More than 80 percent of Americans have back pain at some point in their lives.

For some, the pain is caused by inflammation of the sacroiliac joint that attaches the sacrum (the lowest part of the spine) to the pelvis. Often this condition is missed or inappropriately treated.

The disease is called sacroiliitis, and in people under age 60 an underlying medical condition is often p ...

Updated: Thu Aug 21, 2008

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Health Policy Fixes Must Address Care, Not Coverage for 08/28/2008

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700

In this election year, plans for health care are front and center. I urge that we all examine the presidential candidates' health proposals closely and take each plan into consideration when deciding for whom to vote.

Sen. John McCain and Sen. Barack Obama agree that our health-care system is in crisis, yet each candidate offers a different solution. Unfortunately, the discussion of the ...

Updated: Thu Aug 28, 2008

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