Drug companies test flu + Covid vaccine
Older adults have a lot of vaccine requirements: a seasonal flu shot, a series of shingles shots, and now a COVID-19 booster, too. To streamline the vaccination process, Pfizer and BioNTech have developed a single dose, mRNA-based combination vaccine that protects against both seasonal influenza and Covid. The drug companies are testing the vaccine candidate now in a phase 1... READ MORE
Prescription drugs promising weight loss
WeightWatchers, the 60-year-old diet firm, announced in March it would acquire a telehealth company whose providers prescribe anti-obesity drugs for growing numbers of eager online subscribers. The $132 million deal with Sequence is just the latest commercial push into the red-hot market for prescription drugs that promise significant weight loss. For months, the diabetes drug Ozempic ... READ MORE
What is dyspepsia and how is it treated?
Dear Mayo Clinic: I have dealt with digestive issues for much of my 30s. Ulcers run in my family. My doctor said that while I could have an ulcer, testing could determine if it is functional dyspepsia. What is the difference, what causes functional dyspepsia, and is it treatable? A: Functional dyspepsia, also called nonulcer dyspepsia, and peptic ulcers can feel much the same. But... READ MORE
Tools and methods to safely trim toenails
Dear Savvy Senior, Can you recommend some good toenail clipping solutions? My toenails have gotten increasingly thick since I’ve gotten older and have become very difficult for me to reach down and cut. —Almost 80 Dear Almost, Trimming your toenails is a task that can become very challenging as we get older. For many, toenails can become thicker and harder to cut, and our... READ MORE
Pulse oximeters show racial disparities
The clip-on devices that use light to measure oxygen levels in the blood are getting a closer look from U.S. regulators after recent studies suggest they don’t work as well for patients of color. The devices, called pulse oximeters, usually snap onto a finger and are widely used in hospitals across the globe to help guide treatment. At-home versions became popular during the Covid... READ MORE
Q&As on memory and statin side effects
Q: What are some ways to help remember names and decrease other memory slip-ups? A: While recurring or worsening memory issues should always be checked out, everyday lapses can be managed. Here are some tips on how to overcome some common memory situations: Names. When you meet someone for the first time, make the connection meaningful. Many times, we forget a name because we didn’t ... READ MORE
Southern Spain’s best-kept secret recipe
Espinacas con Garbanzos is a hyper-regional dish native to Seville with strong Moorish influence. It’s a substantive dish that’s full of flavor. Briefly simmering canned chickpeas (uniformly tender, well-seasoned and convenient) in a combination of chicken broth and chickpea canning liquid tenderizes them and infuses them with savory flavor. A picada (a paste of garlic and bread... READ MORE
Drug interactions with foods and drinks
Dear Mayo Clinic: I’ve heard I should avoid certain foods like grapefruit and broccoli, as well as alcoholic beverages, when taking certain medications. Why is that? How can I be safe from any potential issues? A: Certain foods and beverages can interfere with several kinds of prescription and nonprescription medications. Problems arise because natural chemicals or nutrients in... READ MORE
Not everyone needs a daily multivitamin
Are you among the one in three Americans who gulps down a multivitamin every morning, probably with a sip of water? The truth about this popular habit may be hard to swallow. “Most people would be better off just drinking a full glass of water and skipping the vitamin,” said Pieter Cohen, M.D., an associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and an internist at... READ MORE
New connections can counter loneliness
Loneliness is complicated. You can feel lonely when you lack friends and miss companionship or when you’re surrounded by people — even friends and family. Either way, loneliness can have devastating health effects. It boosts the risk of coronary artery disease, stroke, depression, high blood pressure, declining thinking skills, inability to perform daily living tasks, and even an... READ MORE
Health 2024
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