Simple home medical gadgets to protect your health

The modernization of standard home medical devices has made monitoring health easier than ever. These gadgets include thermometers, scales, blood pressure monitors, and pulse oximeters. Gadget features that are especially helpful for older adults are easy operation and large, lighted readouts. It’s important that some home medical devices, such as blood pressure monitors and pulse oximeters, have a seal of approval from an accredited agency, such as the FDA for pulse oximeters or the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation for blood pressure monitors. (Locked) More »

Why can’t we develop COVID-19 treatments faster?

It will take time to find a medication to treat COVID-19. Doctors must learn how the virus that causes COVID-19 is built, since the virus might have a weak spot that can be attacked. Scientists must also determine how the virus attaches to and then enters into a person’s cells, and how it multiplies once it’s inside the cells—so they can create or find a drug that blocks those steps. Doctors will also have to test a potential treatment on a large number of people to see if it works and causes side effects. (Locked) More »

Tips to defuse a meltdown

There are several ways to escape a meltdown—an overwhelming feeling of stress or anger. One strategy is to calm the body with slow breathing. Another strategy is to shift one’s thought patterns. This can be done by paying attention to one’s inner dialogue, trying not to believe one’s thoughts automatically, asking if the thoughts are fact or opinion, thinking about the big picture, and realizing that these emotions will fade. Someone who is experiencing frequent meltdowns should consider speaking to a doctor. More »

Relief for sore backsides

Too much sitting can lead to a sore backside. The pain may be the result of a bulging disc in the back, irritated hamstring or buttocks muscles, or a type of bursitis. Ways to relieve pain include standing up and moving for a few minutes every hour, stretching the muscles in the buttocks, strengthening the core and back muscles, and using pillows when sitting to cushion the bones in the buttocks and support the lower back. (Locked) More »

COVID-19 or something else?

Many COVID-19 symptoms—such as fever, cough, or muscle aches—overlap with the symptoms of other respiratory conditions, such as influenza, a common cold, or asthma. But there are differences among the conditions. For example, a bout of the flu or a cold will not cause shortness of breath the way COVID-19 will. And while asthma can cause shortness of breath, it won’t cause a fever or body aches the way COVID-19 will. A person who’s experiencing concerning symptoms of respiratory illness should report them to a doctor. More »

How to get your prescriptions when you can’t leave home

There are many ways to have prescription medications delivered right to one’s home, such as using a grocery delivery service or finding a drugstore that contracts with a courier service to make home deliveries. Online pharmacies provide medications by mail. While convenient, prescription delivery has drawbacks, too, such as delays in receiving medications, or missed packages if the recipient isn’t home at the time of a delivery. When ordering prescription refills, it’s best to order well in advance, such as day 21 for a 30-day prescription. (Locked) More »

Does alcohol help protect the brain?

An observational study published online June 29, 2020, by Jama Network Open found a potential link between low-to-moderate alcohol drinking in middle age and better cognitive skills in older age. More »