Diseases & Conditions Archive

Breaking up periods of sitting by standing up every so often and walking or performing some other exercise for a few minutes can help prevent diabetes.

Findings from a large clinical trial reported in The New England Journal of Medicine add to previous evidence that undergoing a flexible sigmoidoscopy every three to five years reduces the risk of developing colorectal cancer later in life. This is important because sigmoidoscopy is less invasive and easier to prep for than full colonoscopy, which uses a longer instrument to examine the entire colon. Some people might choose to undergo sigmoidoscopy who might otherwise avoid screening.

"Sigmoidoscopy has fewer complications, easier prep and no sedation," says Dr. William Kormos, editor in chief of Harvard Men's Health Watch. "It is reasonable start for people at average risk."

Q. I have suffered with bleeding hemorrhoids for many years. Changing my diet, adding fiber, and having sitz baths have not improved the problem. My doctor suggested surgery. Is this risky?

A. Hemorrhoids are swollen veins around the anal canal. Internal hemorrhoids are located inside the anus but can sometimes protrude to the anal opening; bleeding is the major problem with these. External hemorrhoids are located at the rim of the anus; these can also cause bleeding as well as itching and pain.

Q. I'm 50 years old, and lately I've been wheezing when I play tennis. Can I get asthma at my age?

A. You can get asthma as an adult, without ever having had it in childhood. And your wheezing might be caused by asthma, but it also can be caused by other conditions.

Q. I have trouble seeing things clearly at night. Should I change my glasses, or could it be a more serious eye problem?

A. Particularly as people reach age 60 and older, trouble seeing at night is a common problem. The problem could be with your glasses, or with your eyes.

Millions may be suffering needlessly.

You're not alone if you have trouble hearing and you're not doing anything about it. An estimated 27 million Americans could benefit from the use of hearing aids but aren't currently using them, according to a recent study in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

Researchers found that from 1999 to 2006, only 14% of adults 50 and older who needed a hearing aid actually used one.

Study links long-term air pollution exposure to heart, lung problems.

Fungus mimics cancer in American southwest.

Asthma treatment underutilized among older adults.

Has your doctor suggested a high-fiber diet to prevent diverticular disease? A study in Gastroenterology suggests that advice may not have the promised payoff.

In diverticulosis, small pouches (diverticula) develop and bulge out through weak spots in the walls of the colon. About 40% of men and women develop diverticulosis by age 60. The diverticula usually do not cause any symptoms, but about a third of people develop more serious forms of the disease. These include diverticulitis (infected and inflamed diverticula) and diverticular bleeding.