How clinical trials help fight disease
Clinical trials are necessary for finding new ways of preventing, detecting or treating diseases. Often, though, limited participation creates challenges for meeting clinical trial goals. Despite decades of effort and strategies to identify and address barriers to recruiting and enrolling study participants, recruitment challenges persist, particularly among women, older adults and... READ MORE
What to do about nighttime leg cramps
Q: I get these brutal leg cramps at night that wake me from sleep. I can never predict when and why they happen. Are there ways to prevent them? A: Leg cramps are muscle spasms that happen when nerves that power muscle contractions go into a nonstop firing mode. They are more common among people with foot problems like flat feet or high arches, metabolic disorders, or neurological ... READ MORE
No-bake chocolate treats taste decadent
These truffle-like treats hit the spot as the ultimate homemade chocolate snack, without requiring the hassle of an oven. Crushed chocolate sandwich cookies create fudgy base, which is bound together with melted chocolate chips, butter and sweetened condensed milk. After chilling, an extra layer of melted chocolate adds more complexity and creaminess. No-Bake Fudgy Chocolate... READ MORE
Medicare telehealth coverage ends soon
Prior to the Covid pandemic, Medicare covered telehealth (virtual doctor visits over the Internet) only for those in rural areas (with certain exceptions). Even then, patients were required to travel to an approved “originating site,” such as a clinic or doctor’s office in order to receive telehealth services. To address the need to keep an eye on patients during Covid and all... READ MORE
Earwax can dangerously block ear canal
Dear Savvy Senior, I’ve heard that excessive earwax can cause serious health problems in older adults. What can you tell me about this? — Caregiving Daughter Dear Caregiving, Excessive amounts of earwax can indeed cause problems, including hearing loss or ringing in your ears. Some people experience vertigo, which increases the risk of falling. And there’s also a... READ MORE
Can diet override genetic disease risk?
The question of “nature versus nurture” usually refers to a person’s personality and weighs which is most likely to determine who you will be as an adult. But the question of nature versus nurture is also relevant to your risk of developing certain diseases. Your genetic makeup, passed onto you from your parents, determines everything from the color of your eyes and hair... READ MORE
Gadgets to diagnose and monitor health
Today, we’re diving into how AI (artificial intelligence) and advanced gadgets are transforming diagnostics, telehealth and personal health management. Let’s start with diagnostics. Imagine you have a lump or need some imaging for your abdomen or knee, for example. AI can now quickly analyze your x-rays, MRIs and pathology slides and catch details that might have slipped past even... READ MORE
Procedure targets high blood pressure
Nothing doctors prescribed controlled Michael Garrity’s dangerously high blood pressure — until they zapped away some nerves on his kidneys. If that sounds weird, well, kidneys help regulate blood pressure in part through signals from certain nerves. The new treatment disrupts overactive renal nerves. “My blood pressure would spike and I’d run out of breath and feel tired, ... READ MORE
Ultra-processed foods may damage brain
Americans love their ultra-processed foods, whether they come as cereal (like Cap’n Crunch, a favorite of mine as a kid), snack foods (like Cheetos), entrees (like hot dogs), or desserts (like Twinkies). Sure, loading your plate with vegetables, fruits, fish, healthful oils, and grains in a Mediterranean-style diet boosts heart and brain health. But if you also eat some... READ MORE
Why our risk of heart attack doubles in winter
Dear Savvy Senior, I’ve heard that people with heart problems need to be extra careful during the winter months because heart attacks are much more common. What can you tell me about this? —AFib Alan Dear Alan, Everyone knows winter is cold and flu season, but many don’t know that it’s also the prime season for heart attacks too, especially if you already have a... READ MORE
Health 2025
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