Medications and treatments Archive

Science has made astonishing progress in the past 60 years in many areas. Examples include the ability to repair certain defective genes, use stem cells to treat certain diseases, detect and fight many cancers, fight viruses with medications, make organ transplants work, and prevent disease with vaccines and lifestyle changes. Thanks to technological advances, doctors can also see clearly inside the body and use artificial intelligence to speed the development of new medications.

Several tools can help people with incontinence stay dry and comfortable. Tools can include medications; basic supplies, such as protection pads, leakproof underwear, adaptive clothing, and portable urinals; bedwetting alarms; and bathroom locator apps. Some of the most important tools aren't pills or gadgets, but strategies-such as controlling underlying conditions that can lead to incontinence (such as diabetes), weight loss, lifestyle or behavioral changes, and pelvic floor training.

Prescription eye drops, such as pilocarpine hydrochloride (Vuity, Qlosi) and aceclidine (VIZZ), can ease blurry close-up vision that occurs in middle and older age. The eye drops temporarily shrink the eye's pupil, which focuses light and makes near vision sharper. The eye drops are considered generally safe to use daily or occasionally, depending on preference. However, they can have side effects, such as dim vision and headaches. In rare cases, they might cause retinal problems.

Increasing numbers of older adults are using cannabis over recent years. People over 50 report using it to relax, sleep better, feel good, relieve pain, improve mood or mental health, or treat medical conditions. But older adults are more vulnerable to cannabis side effects, such as falls or interactions with prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Many older adults aren't aware that cannabis products today are far more potent than in decades past. Medical visits related to cannabis use rose more than 27-fold among adults 65 and older between 2008 and 2021.

Home health technologies have made it easier for people to monitor their health at home. These handy home devices can track certain health markers, such as blood pressure, blood sugar, heart rhythm, heart rate variability, and oxygen saturation. Checking this information periodically may help some people identify possible problems or manage existing conditions.

Men who could benefit from therapy often resist it because it carries a negative stigma for them and they feel uncomfortable about seeking help. For these individuals, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) may be an option. Many men find CBT appealing because it is short-term, structured, and focused on current issues. CBT is regularly used to treat depression and anxiety disorders, but it can help with managing other common ailments, such as insomnia, chronic pain, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and migraines.

The 2025 blood pressure guidelines recommend starting drugs to treat hypertension if people don't meet blood pressure goals after three to six months of lifestyle changes. The guidelines also recommend that everyone with high blood pressure be screened for primary aldosteronism, and suggest that people with resistant hypertension (stubbornly high blood pressure) consider renal denervation, a procedure that disrupts some of the nerves around the arteries supplying blood to the kidneys.

A 2025 analysis of 19 randomized controlled trials involving 6,500 people found that tramadol, a widely prescribed opioid drug, was only mildly effective at reducing chronic pain. It increased the risks for both mild and serious side effects, including heart problems.

The long-term outlook for men diagnosed with prostate cancer continues to improve. These medical advances, however, have also drawn attention to the mental health challenges many survivors encounter. It's still common for survivors to struggle with loss of masculine self-esteem and changes in body image.

Women over 60 need less iron than they did before menopause, when they lost iron through menstruation. Many conditions can lead to iron loss and iron-deficiency anemia, when the body can’t make enough red blood cells to properly carry oxygen throughout the body. Signs of iron deficiency include pale skin, fatigue, shortness of breath, weight loss, and chest pain. Tests can reveal iron deficiency and underlying reasons for iron loss. People should not take iron supplements without checking with their doctor. Too much iron can damage organs.