New auto technologies improve safety
Advanced technologies designed to help drivers navigate intersections could address a third of the crashes that cause older driver injuries and fatalities, a new study from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety shows. “Left-turn assist and other, upcoming intersection-assistance technologies could deliver big safety benefits for drivers in their 70s and 80s,” said the paper’s... READ MORE
Microwave ovens can be safe and healthy
It didn’t take long for the microwave oven to become a must-have home kitchen appliance, not to mention an expected fixture anywhere food is prepared — restaurants, break rooms, dorm rooms, even man-caves — to thaw, heat and cook to near-instant gratification. Yet, a reputation as “nuking” or “zapping” food has cast a dark shadow on this radiation emitter. While health... READ MORE
Modern elbow replacements are reliable
Dear Mayo Clinic: I have bad arthritis in my elbow. After several failed surgeries, I have been told that my only option is elbow replacement. I’ve heard others say that elbow replacements do not work. Does Mayo Clinic have experience with elbow replacements? A: The surgeons at Mayo Clinic are considered world experts in elbow replacement. Traditionally, elbow replacement has been... READ MORE
Can low-carb, high-fat diets be healthy?
Various versions of low-carbohydrate diets have been popular for many years. The details of what is allowed and what is not vary quite a bit, and the amount of carbohydrates also differs. Too often these diets contain plates piled high with bacon, meat, eggs and cheese. Due to the high saturated fat content in these diets, doctors and nutritionists worry about their potential adverse... READ MORE
VA Annex hopes to prevent falls in veterans
As we age, we’re more likely to fall and, as a result, become injured or even disabled. More than one in three people over age 65 falls each year, according to the National Institute on Aging. Falls Prevention Week, September 18 to 24, 2022, is a time to raise awareness that falls are preventable. Public-service announcements this month may remind us to secure loose rugs around the... READ MORE
Skin tags aren’t harmful; can be removed
Dear Mayo Clinic: I have several unsightly skin tags on different areas of my body. As I age, I notice more of these appearing out of nowhere. What are skin tags, and are they harmful? Can I do something to get rid of them myself, or do I need to see a dermatologist? A: Skin tags are common and, as in your situation, they can become even more common as people age. It is not known... READ MORE
How to reduce risk of medication errors
Dear Mayo Clinic: My friend’s father recently died from a medication error. One of his prescriptions was filled incorrectly and caused a fatal reaction. I take multiple medications for various conditions. How can I reduce my risk for a medication error? A: Medication errors refer to mistakes in prescribing and dispensing medications. These errors injure hundreds of thousands of... READ MORE
Why are we growing stem cells in space?
Researcher Dhruv Sareen’s own stem cells are now orbiting the Earth. The mission? To test whether they’ll grow better in zero gravity. Scientists at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles are trying to find new ways to produce huge batches of a type of stem cell that can generate nearly any other type of cell in the body — and potentially be used to make treatments for many... READ MORE
Over-the-counter hearing aids here soon
Millions of Americans will be able to buy hearing aids without a prescription later this fall, under a long-awaited Food and Drug Administration rule finalized in August. The regulation creates a new class of hearing aids that don’t require a medical exam, a prescription and other specialty evaluations, the FDA said. That’s expected to increase competition and eventually lower... READ MORE
Why women more at risk for Alzheimer’s
Did you know that of the 6.2 million people with Alzheimer’s disease who are age 65 or older in this country, almost two-thirds are women? This means that Alzheimer’s disease is almost twice as common in women compared to men. Why is Alzheimer’s disease more common in women? Women live longer The first and most important reason is that women tend to live longer than men. If you... READ MORE
