Insider tips to maximize your doctor visit

The average length of a doctor visit ranges from 10 to 20 minutes. There are ways to maximize every moment. For example, it helps to prepare and prioritize questions for the doctor in advance, and tell the doctor as soon as possible that there are questions that need to be answered before the end of the visit. When the doctor asks about the reason for the visit, one should give a brief summary. (Locked) More »

5 overlooked symptoms that may signal heart trouble

Pain in the chest sometimes is a symptom of heart disease. But heart problems aren’t always obvious. Fatigue, unexplained aches and pains, shortness of breath, swollen feet or ankles, and heart palpitations may also indicate heart trouble. Consult a doctor about symptoms that start with activity and are relieved with rest; if several of these symptoms occur at one time; or if they occur in someone with heart disease or factors that raise the risk for it (like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or smoking). (Locked) More »

Fitness over 50: Rebooting your workout

Jumping back into a workout after a long period of being sedentary sets people up for injury. Before rebooting a workout regimen, one should get the all-clear from a doctor, and make sure there aren’t any underlying health problems that could make exercising dangerous. Choosing a new exercise routine should include a current assessment of abilities and limitations. Then, one should ease into exercise with a low-intensity workout for 20 or 30 minutes, and increase the intensity and length over time. More »

Is that dry skin really something more serious?

Sometimes it’s hard to discern if dry skin is a sign of a more serious condition. Common conditions include eczema and contact dermatitis, which both include dry, cracked, itchy skin. Psoriasis causes thick, raised, red or silvery patches of scaly skin on the elbows, knees, scalp, and trunk. A concerted effort to moisturize the skin throughout the day may be all it takes to get rid of itching and dryness and build up the skin’s moisture barrier. When moisturizing alone isn’t enough, a trip to the dermatologist may be in order. (Locked) More »

Sexually transmitted disease? At my age?

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are on the rise in people of all ages. There were more than two million reported cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis in 2016, with significant increases in cases among middle-aged and older adults. For example, among people ages 55 to 64, reports of chlamydia cases nearly doubled between 2012 and 2016, from 4,950 to 9,321. The most common types of STDs include genital herpes, human papillomavirus, chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and human immunodeficiency virus. (Locked) More »

Is your home a haven for allergens?

A study published Nov. 30, 2017, in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology found that 90% of homes have three or more allergens, with at least one allergen at high levels in 73% of homes. More »