Starting a conversation about endings
Dr. Vanessa Rodriguez is no stranger to talking about death. As a palliative care doctor at New York’s Mount Sinai Hospital, she works with families of patients at the ends of their lives. Many family members are hesitant to talk about death before the fact since it means imagining a future without their loved one. Talking about death is never easy, but doing so early... READ MORE
Eyes may be a window into aging brains
What if an eye test could predict — or even delay — the onset of blindness or Alzheimer's disease? Researchers at The University of Maryland School of Medicine are studying how aging affects blood flow to the eyes. They hope that one day scientists can develop a diagnostic test to detect brain changes. “There’s a really strong connection between the eye and the brain.... READ MORE
Best CPAP alternatives for sleep apnea
Dear Savvy Senior, I’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea and have been trying to use a CPAP device for the past six months. But I can’t tolerate it. Are there any alternative treatment options you can tell me about? —Sleepy Sam Dear Sam, I’m sorry to hear your CPAP mask is keeping you awake at night, but I’m happy to hear that you’re addressing your... READ MORE
Heel pain? It might be plantar fasciitis
Dear Mayo Clinic: When I wake up in the morning and go to stand up, I have such excruciating pain in my heel that I have to sit back down on the edge of the bed. As the day goes on, it gets somewhat better, but my heel is still tender. What can be causing the pain and what can I do about it? A: “My heel is killing me!” is, without a doubt, one of the most common sentences... READ MORE
Let’s face it: why our faces show our age
Q: What are some of the main reasons for an aging face, and what can a person do to help slow it down short of injections or plastic surgery? A: Dozens of changes take place as the years add up, some of them obvious and familiar: foreheads expand as hairlines retreat ears often get a bit longer because the cartilage in them grows tips of noses may droop because... READ MORE
What? Another medical form to fill out?
You’re in a doctor’s office with a clipboard and a pile of medical forms on your lap. For the umpteenth time, you must now jot down your medical history — conditions, ongoing symptoms, past procedures, current medications, and even the health of family members. But how much information should you include? Which details are most important? And why are you slogging through paper... READ MORE
Studying how sleeping brains clear waste
A unique peek inside the human brain may help explain how it clears away waste like the kind that can build up and lead to Alzheimer’s disease. Brain cells use a lot of nutrients, which means they make a lot of waste. Scientists have long thought the brain has special plumbing to flush out cellular trash, especially during sleep — they could see it happening in mice. But... READ MORE
Ultra-processed foods can sometimes be healthy
Whether they know it or not, most Americans don’t go a day — or often a single meal — without eating ultra-processed foods. From sugary cereals at breakfast to frozen pizzas at dinner, plus in-between snacks of potato chips, sodas and ice cream, ultra-processed foods make up about 60% of the U.S. diet. For kids and teens, it’s even higher (about two-thirds of what they... READ MORE
Shingles are not just a band of blisters
Dear Mayo Clinic: A friend recently went through a bout of shingles. I really don’t know much about this condition, but I know it was painful. How do you get it? Is there a treatment or vaccine for it? A: Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a common condition caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which also causes chickenpox. Not everyone who has had chickenpox... READ MORE
Choosing next year’s Medicare drug plan
Dear Savvy Senior, What’s the easiest way to compare Medicare Part D prescription drug plans? My Part D premium is increasing again in 2025, so I would like to use the fall open enrollment to find and sign up for a cheaper plan. —Shopping Around Dear Shopping, I’m happy to hear you’re comparing your Medicare coverage options this fall! Research shows... READ MORE
Health 2025
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