Good for your teeth, bad for your bones?

By Robert H. Shmerling, M.D.
Posted on October 08, 2020

Regular brushing and flossing are the cornerstones of good oral health. But what if you learned that your toothpaste was good for your teeth, but bad for your bones? That possibility has been raised by a recent study. The cause of this unprecedented finding may be triclosan — an antibacterial agent added to toothpaste to reduce gum infections and improve oral health. However, it may... READ MORE

Hand sanitizers to use, others to avoid

By Suzy Cohen
Posted on October 07, 2020

As the country has opened up these past few months, I find myself carrying hand sanitizer with me wherever I go. Hand sanitizers are a must if you travel because they quickly eliminate 99.9% of germs (at least the ones tested!), and you can carry them in your purse or pocket and keep them in the car. With the pandemic this year, hand sanitizers became instantly essential. A lot of them... READ MORE

Injectable drug helps heal broken bones

By Chris Adam
Posted on October 06, 2020

A Purdue University-affiliated startup known for its novel injectable drug to heal broken bones is growing and adding additional scientists to its team. One of those scientists is using his experience recovering from being hit by a truck to help other patients. Novosteo Inc. was co-founded by father-son team Philip S. Low, the Presidential Scholar for Drug Discovery and the Ralph C.... READ MORE

Beacon 50+Expos go virtual for first time

By Staff
Posted on October 05, 2020

For the past 20 years, the Beacon Newspapers has attracted thousands of people each year to its 50+Expos in Montgomery County and Northern Virginia, featuring speakers, exhibits, entertainment and more. For the same number of years, the Howard County Office on Aging & Independence has produced its own 50+Expo for its residents, and Baltimore County has similarly done so for more than... READ MORE

Advice for making healthier fish choices

By Lori Zanteson
Posted on October 02, 2020

We know fish is important for health — it’s high in protein; low in saturated fat; a good source of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids; rich in vitamins, such as vitamins D and B2, and minerals, including iron, iodine, magnesium and potassium. Research shows that eating fish once or twice a week may reduce risk of several chronic conditions, including stroke, depression, Alzheimer’s ... READ MORE

Can a ketone drink help you think better?

By Margaret Foster
Posted on October 01, 2020

Maybe you’ve heard of the “keto diet,” a high-fat, low-carb fad. Or you’ve wondered about those expensive ketone drinks athletes rave about. Maybe you’ve never heard of ketones — chemicals your liver makes when you can’t get energy from glucose. This fall, the National Institute of Aging is enrolling people in a study to see if a citrus-flavored ketone supplement can give... READ MORE

Dr. Rx: Recognize stroke’s signs and symptoms

By Kelsey Tate
Posted on September 15, 2020

Q: Last year my father had a stroke, and I didn’t know what to do. What are the signs of a stroke that I should be aware of — and how should I respond? A: Strokes are relatively common yet very dangerous. According to the CDC, they are the fifth-leading cause of death in the United States. Strokes can lead to severe injury and permanent disability in many adults. It is important... READ MORE

Time to rethink how we study Parkinson’s

By Alberto Espay and Benjamin Stecher
Posted on September 15, 2020

A decade ago, one of our colleagues was asked at a conference, “When will we have a cure for Parkinson’s disease?” “It could happen at any time,” he replied. “It could happen next year. It could happen in 10 years. It could happen tomorrow.” Our colleague’s optimism was well-founded. Talented researchers were hard at work in laboratories throughout the world, and money ... READ MORE

Kids, parents take DIY tests for science

By Lindsey Tanner
Posted on September 15, 2020

In a comfy suburb just outside Nashville, a young family swabs their noses twice a month in a DIY study seeking answers to some of the most vexing questions about the coronavirus. How many U.S. children and teens are infected? How many kids who are infected show no symptoms? How likely are they to spread it to other kids and adults? “The bottom line is we just don’t know yet the... READ MORE

Tips to get better sleep in the hospital

By Melissa Bartick, M.D.
Posted on September 15, 2020

If you or any of your loved ones has ever been hospitalized, one of the complaints you may have heard most is how hard it is to sleep in the hospital. There are lots of things about hospital routines that can make things difficult for patients to sleep, besides noise and illness. While some hospitals have taken steps to ensure that patients are not interrupted unnecessarily at night,... READ MORE