Healthy men 55+ sought for paid research
Some studies show that when you get cold, you burn more calories to keep your body warm. A kind of body fat called brown fat may be especially good at burning calories. Brown fat is a special kind of fat, typically having a greater number of blood vessels, that can quickly generate warmth. For many years, hibernating animals and infants have been known to have brown fat. Recently, it has ... READ MORE
Why is ‘more study’ so often needed?
Q: Why is it that I so often hear about medical news with a wishy-washy conclusion and the last words being “more study needed”? A: It’s true. When medical research is described in the news — no matter how promising — the last line is usually a disclaimer about how more research is needed. That may seem surprising given the positive results and often dramatic implications of ... READ MORE
Ways to maximize your Medicare benefits
Medicare is vital to the health of nearly 60 million Americans. Yet many of its benefits are overlooked, underused or misunderstood. Consider the annual “wellness” visit, during which a doctor will assess your health risks, take your blood pressure and other routine measurements, check for cognitive impairment, and offer personalized health advice. It’s free. Yet less than 11... READ MORE
Compression stockings help leg swelling
Dear Mayo Clinic: My doctor prescribed compression stockings to prevent my legs from swelling during the day. How will that help, and are they all the same? A: Compression stockings aren’t like regular stockings. They’re typically prescribed with certain specifications, and require professional fitting. A number of tips and tricks can help to properly use and care for them so that ... READ MORE
Phone apps to prove people take their pills
Take two tablets and a selfie? Your doctor’s orders may one day include making a smartphone video to prove you took your medicine. Smartphone apps that monitor pill-taking are now available, and researchers are testing how well they work when medication matters. Experts praise the efficiency, but some say the technology raises privacy and data security concerns. Selfie medicine... READ MORE
OTC drugs better than opioids at pain relief
A yearlong study offers rigorous new evidence against using prescription opioids for chronic pain. In patients with stubborn back aches or arthritis of the hip or knee, opioids worked no better than over-the-counter drugs or other non-opioids at reducing problems with walking or sleeping. And they provided slightly less pain relief. Opioids tested included generic Vicodin, oxycodone... READ MORE
Experts answer your health questions
Q: I was recently diagnosed with dry eyes. But my eyes seem to be watery all the time. How do you explain this? A: Usually, people with dry eyes have too few tears. But as strange as it may sound, dry eyes can also be watery. Tears are a mixture of oil, mucous and water. Dry eyes will water if there is not enough oil or mucous in the mixture. As we age, our tear production slows. If... READ MORE
Local students envision a winning city
If you could design a city that facilitated aging, what would you include? Students at the Edlin School, a private school in Reston, Va., did just that — and recently won a first-place award for their innovations. Students Vinay Ayala, Lucas Ribeiro, Nikhita Kuntipuram and Nikhil Kuntipuram recently competed in the 26th Annual Future City Competition. This contest, open to sixth... READ MORE
Look for new, more secure Medicare cards
Q: I remember reading that Medicare will start sending out new cards this year that don’t include Social Security numbers. How can I find out when I’ll receive my new card? Do I need to do anything to get it? A: In an effort to protect against identity theft, Medicare has been preparing to replace everyone’s Medicare cards with new ones that include a unique 11-digit Medicare... READ MORE
Understand burns and how to treat them
Dear Mayo Clinic: What’s the best way to treat a minor burn? At what point does a burn require medical care? The level of care needed for a burn depends on how extensive the tissue damage is from the burn. Minor burns can often be treated at home without seeing a healthcare provider. Burns considered “minor” include first-degree burns and second-degree burns that are no larger... READ MORE