Midlife, and What to Do About It
Perhaps our emphasis in midlife shouldn't be about "getting older" so much as "staying healthy." Sure, libido can falter with age, bones can thin, and the likelihood of various health problems can rise. But what to do about these conditions, that's up to us. In this collection of articles, you'll discover which treatments and screenings you should have -- and which you can often safely ignore. You'll also learn about options for a flagging libido, the risks and benefits of hormone replacement therapy, and the perils of turning normal biological changes into medical conditions. So take charge of the aging process, before it takes charge of you.
2:37 PM PDT, May 16, 2011
Seniors' sex lives are up — and so are STD cases around the country
Across the nation, and especially in communities that attract a lot of older Americans, the free-love generation is continuing to enjoy an active — if not always healthy — sex life.
May 16, 2011
In Practice: Midlife doesn't have to be a crisis
"Fish out of water," Gladys said with pride as she took a seat in my office. "That's me."
1:55 PM PDT, May 11, 2011
Staying safe during a hospital stay
Hospitals may be even more dangerous than previously suspected. One out of every three people admitted suffers a medication mix-up, a fall, a bed sore, or another problem related to the way care is delivered, according to research published in April in the health policy journal Health Affairs.
May 12, 2011
Iron-pumping seniors find new workout space
When the longtime power-lifters lost their gym, group member Bob Evans moved his tools aside to make way for barbells in his garage.
4:04 PM PDT, May 10, 2011
BOOSTER SHOTS: ODDITIES, MUSINGS AND NEWS FROM THE HEALTH WORLD
Some patients receive repeat colonoscopies too soon, and some elderly get unnecessary ones
Many patients receive repeat colonoscopies more quickly than are recommended by screening guidelines, increasing the risk that they will have rare, but significant, adverse outcomes from the tests, researchers reported this week. In a separate study, another group of researchers showed that many elderly who are sick or debilitated from other illnesses receive colonoscopies despite the fact that the procedures are probably not beneficial and may cause problems.
3:44 PM PDT, May 9, 2011
BOOSTER SHOTS: oddities, musings and news from the health world
Weight-loss surgery as safe for those over 65 as for younger people
Gastric bypass surgery for weight loss is as safe for the elderly as it is for younger patients, researchers said Monday. Several small studies reported previously have yielded mixed results about safety in those over 65, but a new study on a much larger group of patients finds no increased risk from the procedure. Elderly patients do end up spending more time in the hospital after the surgery, however, said Dr. Robert B. Dorman of the University of Minnesota at a Digestive Diseases Week meeting in Chicago.
11:57 AM PDT, May 3, 2011
BOOSTER SHOTS: ODDITIES, MUSINGS AND NEWS FROM THE HEALTH WORLD
Even a few extra pounds in midlife can increase the risk of dementia, study finds
Packing on even a few extra pounds in midlife can increase the risk of developing dementia, such as Alzheimer's disease, by 70% or more, Swedish researchers reported Monday.
10:00 AM PDT, May 3, 2011
Live health chat
Web chat: Older men's sexual health
Join us at noon CT (1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT) on Tuesday, May 3, to chat about older men's sexual health with Tribune reporter Judy Graham and panelists, Dr. Laurence Levine and Dr. Andy McCullough.
May 2, 2011
Midlife
How much medical testing is too much?
Midlife brings with it a host of health concerns — the risk of heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes and osteoporosis, to name a few. So as people reach middle age, they're bombarded with an overwhelming number of recommendations for screenings, tests and to-be-on-the-safe-side preventive measures.
May 3, 2011
Expert talks about the very real option of hormone replacement therapy
Hormone treatment may not deserve its bad rap, at least for women in their 50s.
May 2, 2011
Midlife
Drop in testosterone can affect sexual desire in men and women
A dizzying number of factors can conspire against sexual desire as midlife approaches: depression, medications, illness, career worries, financial pressures, marriage troubles, young children in the home (or an empty nest), the sense that life is half over … and then there's testosterone.
May 2, 2011
Midlife
How to pick the right screenings
How to choose medical care that you truly need:
May 3, 2011
Midlife
PSA tests and the risk of overdiagnosis
Many people are diagnosed with a condition or even a cancer that won't affect them in any significant way. Medical experts call this "overdiagnosis."
April 30, 2011
Osteopenia doesn't mean osteoporosis — so should you treat it?
As women age, they find themselves at greater risk of developing a variety of health problems. Should osteopenia be one of them?
April 30, 2011
Reducing the risks
A diagnosis of osteopenia is meant to warn a patient that he or she may be on track to develop osteoporosis, a severe thinning of the bones that increases the risk of a hip, spine or other serious fracture. To reduce the risk of osteoporosis, the National Institutes of Health recommend the following:
May 2, 2011
In Practice
When sex drive brakes to a stop
Think back to things you used to like that now hold no appeal to you. It could be playing with toy soldiers or marbles, or launching yourself off a rope swing on a hot summer's day. (OK, that last one still sounds good, even to this half-centenarian.)
May 2, 2011
Midlife
Balance doesn't have to slip away
You wobble slightly stepping off a curb, then down you go. In the second or two before you hit the pavement, you wonder what happened to that great sense of balance you used to have.
May 2, 2011
Simple exercises to improve balance
Improving your balance can be as easy as mastering the art of standing on one leg. That's a good exercise to start with, says exercise physiologist Michael Bracko.
4:31 PM PDT, April 12, 2011
BOOSTER SHOTS: Oddities, musings and news from the health world
Prostate cancer screening higher in older, not middle-aged, men
Prostate-cancer screening is at the center of a medical divide, with some medical experts saying men should be screened frequently and others saying too many are screened and that the false alarms aren’t worth the trouble. But both sides can agree on one thing: There’s little benefit in screening men with short life expectancies for what is often a slow-growing cancer.
3:40 PM PDT, April 11, 2011
BOOSTER SHOTS: Oddities, musings and news from the health world
Multi-tasking is more difficult for older people -- and their brains
Multi-tasking experts, be forewarned: The day may come when you read a news article online, look away to answer a text message, and then forget what you were just reading. Put simply, the ability to switch easily tasks fades with age. Researchers now better understand why.
April 11, 2011
By Roy M. Wallack, Special to the Los Angeles Times: Gear: How to get a grip
Good grip is a good thing. In daily life, you need strong hands, wrists and forearms to hold grocery bags, staircase railings, steering wheels and plenty of other things we take for granted. In athletics, your grip is the last link between you and your sport — whether it be gymnastics or tennis or rock climbing or ping-pong. New research even says your grip is an indicator of overall body strength — and also maybe how long you'll live. Bottom line: It pays to keep your grip strong, especially if you play hard or are older than 50, when strength wanes. Below are four ways to do it conveniently, even as you sit in front of the TV.
12:53 PM PST, March 9, 2011
Considering hormone replacement therapy?
In the past several years, many doctors have advanced the notion that it's safest to start hormone therapy soon after menopause, when women are most eager to find relief from hot flashes, mood swings and insomnia.
1:00 PM PST, March 10, 2011
BOOSTER SHOTS: Oddities, musings and news from the health world
Acupuncture can treat hot flashes and make other symptoms of menopause more bearable, study finds
Women who suffer from hot flashes and other uncomfortable symptoms of menopause may be able to find relief through acupuncture, according to a new study.
12:44 PM PST, March 9, 2011
Now hear this
It's a statistic that confounds and frustrates just about anyone who works to make sure the sounds of everyday living are heard: Only about 1 in 5 Americans with hearing loss actually uses a hearing aid.
February 28, 2011
Keeping sleep apnea sufferers' airways open
As Americans' waistlines continue to grow, so does the number of people who aren't getting a good night's sleep.
February 28, 2011
The Healthy Skeptic
Over-the-counter devices probably won't help sleep apnea
Big-time, bed-rattling snoring is more than just a detriment to good sleep or happy relationships. It's also a sign that airways aren't open and clear. In extreme cases, snorers spend chunks of the night gasping for breath, a dangerous condition called sleep apnea. If they could somehow open up their airways, they would breathe easier without all of the racket and without the risk.
February 28, 2011
Sleep apnea is often overlooked
Many people with sleep apnea are not aware that they have it. Because the disorder is so prevalent, sleep experts say that doctors should routinely ask patients about the quality of their sleep.
11:59 AM PST, February 25, 2011
BOOSTER SHOTS: Oddities, musings and news from the health world
Hot flashes: Healthy upside for menopausal women is fine, but what about relief?
Some women may have rejoiced at the news that hot flashes early in menopause might be a good thing for their hearts. Sufferers would like to think there could be a healthy upside.
4:02 PM PST, February 22, 2011
BOOSTER SHOTS: Oddities, musings and news from the health world
Simple tests may be able to determine who can drive after having a stroke
After suffering a stroke, driving a car may be challenging due to vision problems, weakness and loss of coordination. But a study finds that three simple tests done in a doctor's office could be effective at deciding who's going to be safe behind the wheel.
February 13, 2011
Strength training does more than bulk up muscles
Strength training has strong-armed its way beyond the realm of bodybuilding.
January 31, 2011
The Healthy Skeptic
Facial exercises to reduce wrinkles?
Humans can out-smile, out-smirk and out-glower every other animal on the planet, all thanks to an array of facial muscles lying just below the skin. The muscles flex and twitch throughout out the day whether we think about them or not.
January 17, 2011
Jane Fonda wants you to feel the burn — again
Jane Fonda — whose 1982 video "The Jane Fonda Work-Out" sold 17 million copies — is back in the fitness fray. Three decades ago, her signature leg warmers, striped leotards and pelvic lifts spawned a fitness revolution and a whole generation of women who "did Jane," sometimes with a group of friends, in their living rooms.
January 10, 2011
A Closer Look
Stem cell therapy for macular degeneration
About 10 million Americans suffer some degree of vision loss caused by age-related macular degeneration, and that figure is expected to grow as more baby boomers become senior citizens. There is no cure for the disease, but last week the U.S. Food and Drug Administration gave a green light to an unusual clinical trial that seeks to restore patients' sight by employing human embryonic stem cells.
November 8, 2010
Nutrition lab
Vitamin B and its role in improving memory
Forgot where you left your keys? The name of your neighbor's kid? Whether you locked the car?
September 11, 2010
Tiny implant holds promise in treatment of aging eyes
Orr was one of 19 patients to receive the telescope seven years ago at Charlotte Eye Ear Nose and Throat Associates. The Charlotte practice was the only one in the state to participate in the clinical trial in 2003.
October 5, 2010
Finger joint pain a common symptom of rheumatoid arthritis
DEAR MAYO CLINIC: How do I know if joint pain in my fingers is arthritis or something else? Will cortisone injections help joint pain and swelling in my fingers? If not, what are my options?
March 31, 2010
New hope for arthritis sufferers
Once they're finished attacking a virus or bacteria, immune cells are supposed to die. When they instead live on, multiply in the bloodstream, and start invading and attacking joints, they cause the swelling, pain and bone destruction of rheumatoid arthritis.
October 4, 2010
Solutions for over-40 acne
Are hormones wreaking havoc on your face? Doctors say an unprecedented number of women over 40 are suffering from acne eruptions. A recent issue of More, the lifestyle magazine for women over 40, shares why and what to do about it.
September 24, 2010
How to prevent (or at least delay) cataracts
Cataracts, a clouding of the eye's lens that blocks vision, are common in people 65 and older. But although age is a major risk factor, you may be able to slow the process. Some tips:
September 13, 2010
Social support network may add to longevity
The best medicine for a longer, healthier life may be the support of family and friends: That's the conclusion of an exhaustive July report looking at studies over three decades on social relationships and mortality.
September 6, 2010
The M.D.
Rough transition into menopause
I'm 46, and there are days when it feels like I'm completely losing my mind. I misplace my car keys, struggle to remember details of recent conversations, and can't recall seemingly anybody's name. To help cope with my mental cloudiness, I always keep an extra set of keys nearby, write endless sticky notes to myself, and frequently opt for the generic "hello" over more personalized greetings.
August 30, 2010
TNF inhibitors offer relief to arthritis sufferers
DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I've heard of doctors using TNF inhibitors to treat rheumatoid arthritis. What exactly are TNF inhibitors and are they safe to use?
July 19, 2010
People's Pharmacy
Joe Graedon, Teresa Graedon: Glucosamine, chondroitin fail to slow arthritis effect
My husband and I are in our 50s. We are having much pain from arthritis. His is in his knees. I have had my thumb joint removed due to osteoarthritis, and now I am told I need hip-replacement surgery.
June 8, 2010
Asthma and COPD May Require Multiple Treatments
DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I'm an active 84-year-old man and was diagnosed with asthma and COPD a few years ago. My pulmonologist prescribed two medications - Advair and Spiriva - that seem to do the same thing. Why would I need both medications and are there other options?
June 4, 2010
Moving through midlife
Hot flashes. Headaches. A tummy that won't go away no matter how many crunches you do. Menopause can be especially vexing for women trying to lose weight. As their estrogen levels drop, their testosterone exerts more influence. Because of the ensuing havoc, a woman's body will do what it can to retain whatever stores of estrogen it has. Alas, estrogen is stored in fat.
February 22, 2010
Nutrition Lab: Joint pain supplements examined
With more than 46 million Americans diagnosed with arthritis, the market for joint pain supplements is enormous — and only set to grow as baby boomers age. "I call it the quiet epidemic," says Dr. Thomas Vangsness, professor of orthopedic surgery and chief of sports medicine at the USC Keck School of Medicine.
March 22, 2010
GERD
If you have heartburn or acid reflux disease you should know about gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD is a severe form of acid reflux that, left untreated, can be extremely painful and cause serious complications.
April 23, 2010
STDs, midlife and beyond
Baby boomers, and even their parents and adult children, are experiencing a new type of boom-in acquiring sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Why are STDs on the rise in the 45+ population, and what should we do about it?
April 22, 2010
Midlife parents
There are tradeoffs to becoming parents, even when you're young. Here are some pros and cons associated with becoming a midlife parent.
January 21, 2008
MY TURN
Cataracts bring vision's value into focus
IT was an affront to my baby boomer self's illusion of eternal youth to experience a growing inability to decipher freeway signs. I was forced to rely upon passengers, including my teenage son's sharp vision (and tongue) for navigating.
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