How to find and evaluate a new doctor
Dear Savvy Senior, Can you recommend some good resources to help me locate some quality doctors in my area? I’m looking for an orthopedic doctor for my 77-year-old mother and a new internist for me, since my doctor retired last year. —Searching Susan Dear Susan, Finding and researching doctors is a lot easier than it used to be. Today, there are variety of websites you can... READ MORE
Myths and facts about urinary infections
Dear Mayo Clinic: As a woman in my mid-60s, I have been diagnosed with a urinary tract infection for the first time ever. I was surprised to find out that I don’t need antibiotics because I don’t have any symptoms. There’s a lot of conflicting information online about UTIs, like whether every infection needs to be treated and if sex causes an infection. Can you help me distinguish ... READ MORE
The science behind trending beverages
Functional beverages — or drinks promoted as offering mental or physical benefits beyond hydration — are growing in popularity around the world. Hundreds of companies have jumped into the market, hoping to get some buzz with trendy and sometimes unfamiliar ingredients. Here are some of the latest ones found in functional beverages and what scientists say about them: Adaptogens —... READ MORE
Latest Alzheimer’s drug off to slow start
The first drug shown to slow Alzheimer’s disease hit the U.S. market over a year ago, but sales have lagged, major hospital systems have taken months to start using it, and some insurers have rejected coverage. Doctors also expect some patients will hesitate to take Leqembi due to its limited impact and potential side effects. They say it will take years to learn how best to deploy the ... READ MORE
Pancreatic cancer symptoms, treatment
Dear Mayo Clinic: My mother was diagnosed with diabetes, but due to abdominal pain and other issues, her doctor suspects she might have pancreatic cancer. How is pancreatic cancer diagnosed, and what are the symptoms to watch for? A: I am so sorry to hear about your mother’s recent issues. It can be a scary time for everyone when there is uncertainty related to a cancer diagnosis,... READ MORE
Foods that can interact with medications
When I visited a nursing home the other day, I realized that everyone there takes so many medications. I’m pretty sure there could be a lot of food-drug interactions going on that no one is aware of. In the United States, an alarming trend shows that nearly half of us are on prescription medication, raising concerns about potential interactions with everyday dietary choices. As... READ MORE
Grilled chicken and asparagus, fruit dessert
High cholesterol is one of the major controllable risk factors for heart disease and stroke, with about 38% of American adults diagnosed with high cholesterol, according to the American Heart Association. Healthy eating doesn’t have to be difficult or require you to take favorite meals off your family’s menu. These cooking tips can help you prepare heart-healthy meals that could help ... READ MORE
Blood thinners can raise bleeding risks
Q: My doctor started me on Eliquis for atrial fibrillation. How does that prevent a stroke? When should I be worried about bleeding? A: Doctors prescribe medications to help prevent unwanted blood clots in the heart, arteries and veins, most often to prevent heart attacks, strokes and deep vein thrombosis. They are often referred to as “blood thinners,” even though they don’t... READ MORE
Foods can improve skin from the inside
Your skin is the biggest barrier between your body and the outside world. It works hard to protect against the sun and environmental pollutants that can cause damage. All that hard work can begin to show on your face — literally — through freckles, sunspots, hyperpigmentation, wrinkles and sagging, and even lead to development of skin cancer, said Felice Ramallo, RDN, lead dietitian... READ MORE
Medicare limits coverage for weight loss
Dear Savvy Senior, Does Medicare cover any weight-loss treatments for overweight retirees? I just turned 65 and need to lose about 100 pounds and would like to know if Medicare can help. —Overweight Owen Dear Owen, Traditional Medicare does cover some weight-loss treatments, like counseling and certain types of surgery for overweight beneficiaries. But unfortunately, it... READ MORE
