Aging well, and with attitude
Look good for a longer period of time. Find out what you need to know and what products, attitude and social circle make your wiser years even better.
1:12 PM EST, January 26, 2012
BOOSTER SHOTS: Oddities, musings and news from the health world
Many with rheumatoid arthritis are inactive, despite benefits of exercise
Regular exercise can be beneficial to people with rheumatoid arthritis, but a study finds that two out of five people with the disease may not be active at all.
5:27 PM EST, January 25, 2012
BOOSTER SHOTS: Oddities, musings and news from the health world
Older men may experience more memory loss than women
A study suggests that older men may be more vulnerable to developing mild cognitive impairment and memory loss compared with women.
2:24 PM EST, January 25, 2012
After $35 tablet computer, pacemakers may be next
A huge banner in Davos trumpets India's launch of a $35 tablet computer and U.S. group Medtronic Inc is hoping to launch a similar low-cost revolution in medical devices like pacemakers.
6:07 PM EST, January 19, 2012
BOOSTER SHOTS: Oddities, musings and news from the health world
Sex is possible after heart trouble or stroke
Sexual activity is safe for many people who have experienced heart problems or stroke, experts said Thursday in a statement containing recommendations for safe sexual activity.
2:31 PM EST, January 18, 2012
BOOSTER SHOTS: Oddities, musings and news from the health world
Exergaming may offer older people cognitive benefits
Exergames — exercise combined with virtual reality — might give a cognitive boost to older people more than regular workouts, researchers have found.
January 18, 2012
Trying to get ahead of Parkinson's
It has been a year since Delores Slezak noticed something unusual with her body.
January 18, 2012
New implant addresses hearing loss caused by inner-ear damage
Since her teens, Lesa Merlo, of Hinsdale, had learned to compensate as her hearing declined. She used the television's closed-captioning feature. She read lips and paid attention to body language. Often, it meant only being able to do one thing at a time, explained the mother of three young children.
11:18 PM EST, January 17, 2012
Parkinson's patients give dance a whirl
At first glance, most wouldn't think that dancers and those with Parkinson's disease have much in common, said dance instructor David Leventhal. But they do.
1:40 PM EST, January 16, 2012
BOOSTER SHOTS: Oddities, musings and news from the health world
Pilates may be as good as regular exercise for low back pain
Pilates was found to be as effective for easing lower back pain as a general exercise program, a study found.
January 16, 2012
In-Your-Face Fitness: Go ahead, run into old age
Every time some post-middle-age person tells me he or she had to give up their running habit, I fear a little bit for my future.
5:29 PM EST, January 9, 2012
BOOSTER SHOTS: Oddities, musings and news from the health world
Nicotine patch may boost memory in elderly who are mildly impaired
Older people with mild cognitive impairment may get some help from a nicotine patch, a study suggests.
January 9, 2012
Hearing-impaired people need friends and some patience
Imagine yourself in a country where nobody speaks your language. It becomes a necessity to rely on your other senses and hone your powers of observation. You welcome the times when you can "fill in the blanks" and get the gist of a conversation. Each situation is stressful: Will you be a participant or an observer?
1:33 PM EST, January 6, 2012
BOOSTER SHOTS: Oddities, musings and news from the health world
Worried about mental decline at 45? Don't freak out, but be vigilant
Cognitive decline may start earlier than previously thought — about age 45, according to a study released this week — but that doesn't mean those hitting middle age should think their brain functions are doomed.
2:31 PM EST, December 30, 2011
BOOSTER SHOTS: Oddities, musings and news from the health world
Fencing may help improve some cognitive functions in older people
With maturity comes some cognitive declines. But a few sports might provide enough of a mental challenge to curb that age-related wear and tear, a study finds.
3:28 PM EST, December 29, 2011
Estrogen helps nighttime hot flashes, not sleep
Women who wake up at least three times during the night from bothersome hot flashes wake up less when they take estrogen, but the quality of their sleep remains the same, according to a new study.
3:01 PM EST, December 29, 2011
BOOSTER SHOTS: Oddities, musings and news from the health world
Being obese could increase the risk of falling in older people
Older, obese people may be more prone to falls than their thinner peers, a study finds, and some may also be more prone to disability.
3:17 PM EST, December 28, 2011
Medical screenings: Time is of the essence
Deep down inside, we all know it: It's inevitable, this living, breathing, beautiful, multipart machine, the human body, is — at some point, somewhere — going to break down.
2:07 PM EST, December 21, 2011
Fashion alert on medical bracelets
After Eileen Smith was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes four years ago, she went in search of a medical ID bracelet to wear in case she suffered a hypoglycemic episode away from home.
1:35 PM EST, December 19, 2011
BOOSTER SHOTS: Oddities, musings and news from the health world
Men who walk faster may be able to outpace the Grim Reaper
How fast do you have to walk to stay ahead of the Grim Reaper? About 3 miles an hour.
2:39 PM EST, December 14, 2011
Thriving through touch
The woman — in her 80s — hadn't spoken in months. The nursing home staff figured she had lost the ability. But after six silent months of regular massage sessions, massage therapist Dawn Nelson heard a soft voice utter: "That feels good."
6:06 PM EST, December 12, 2011
BOOSTER SHOTS: Oddities, musings and news from the health world
Treating ocular hypertension may reduce the risk of glaucoma
Medication to treat ocular hypertension may drastically cut the frequency of developing a common form of glaucoma, a study finds.
Pulmonary hypertension woman stays active
Joan Stevenson has pulmonary hypertension but still leads an active life.
12:40 AM EDT, October 16, 2011
Weight-lifting gives ex-smoker a new lease on life
With 225 pounds of weight hoisted above his head, his arms begin to shake as he reaches the final repetition. His breathing, however, remains unchanged, steady and rhythmic, "do-phew, do-phew, do-phew."
2:12 PM EST, November 9, 2011
BOOSTER SHOTS: Oddities, musings and news from the health world
Balance exercises for older people: A study seeks the best ones
Maintaining a good sense of balance is important as we get older, since it helps prevent potentially dangerous falls. But what exercises are best to do? A meta-analysis of balance studies finds several that might be key.
2:36 PM EST, November 9, 2011
Ellen Warren: Exercise can keep you from losing your mind
It's not news that we should exercise. We know it, but we don't do it. It's hard to get started and harder still to keep at it. It's so easy to come up with excuses.
October 31, 2011
Seeing through skin supplements' claims
You wouldn't last very long without oxygen. But just as rust slowly eats away at a nail, oxygen can age your body. As your cells use this vital element, they produce free radicals — unstable molecules that can damage your tissues and add wear and tear to your entire body, including your skin.
12:16 PM EDT, October 27, 2011
Soy supplement may improve crow's feet
An experimental supplement derived from soy may help postmenopausal women smooth their "crow's feet" a bit, a small pilot study suggests.
October 17, 2011
Robot-assisted hair restoration?
Hair-transplant surgery could become cheaper and more accessible with a new robot that plucks hair follicles from the back and sides of the head so they can be moved to the top and front of a balding pate.
2:00 PM EDT, October 12, 2011
How old do you feel inside?
Those of us lucky enough to grow old must contend with the miserable stereotypes of what it's like: the frailty, the forgetfulness, the early bird specials.
5:13 PM EDT, October 2, 2011
Brain gyms that work out mind and body gain in popularity
Hop off the treadmill. Hit the weight machines. Then head over to the computer for some push ups for your cerebellum. Programs and centers that combine physical and mental exercise are springing up, with a new one recently opening in South Florida.
1:49 PM EDT, September 28, 2011
Future focused? Creating a Plan B
With national unemployment stuck at 9.1 percent, a record number of home foreclosures and a national landscape of pessimism, backup plans are a stark and prevailing reality. They're necessary and grown-up and fiscally responsible.
September 21, 2011
Hearing aids can help dementia patients
Hearing aids might help increase memory, reduce anxiety and increase social interaction among dementia patients, local health experts say.
4:02 PM EDT, September 14, 2011
Always running to the bathroom?
For the 25 million U.S. adults with urinary incontinence, a little leakage can carry a lot of shame. But many people don't do anything about it.
2:20 PM EDT, September 13, 2011
Straighten up, sloucher
Poor posture can make you look 10 pounds heavier. It could sabotage a promotion. And slumped or hunched shoulders are a major reason why back pain affects 80 percent of Americans at some point in their life.
2:18 PM EDT, August 31, 2011
The midlife review
Ladies, it's never too late to benefit from a little talk therapy
By midlife, you've probably spent years thinking of yourself as a certain kind of person — outgoing or introverted, high-strung or easygoing, optimistic or pessimistic. You may have become accustomed to certain roles and styles of communication in your relationships and certain ways of coping with stress. Even if you're dissatisfied with those roles and your patterns of coping aren't working so well anymore, you may think it's too late or too bothersome to question your perceptions or seek changes in important relationships.
August 31, 2011
Too few with arthritis are exercising, study finds
Though research has shown that exercise can reduce pain, ease stiff joints, fight depression and help with a host of other health problems, a study published this month by researchers at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine found that even fewer people with arthritis than previously thought are getting enough exercise.
12:22 PM EDT, August 23, 2011
Men, boomers fuel growth in spa industry
In the United States, men wanting to look younger to compete in a tough job market are heading to spas. "Twenty five years ago hardly any man would go to a spa. Now in some spas half of their clientele are men," said Ellis.
5:11 PM EDT, August 18, 2011
How healthy behaviors improve your mortality risk
After countless studies on the positive effects of not smoking, eating healthful foods, exercising a bit and limiting how much alcohol you drink, a new study finally tells Americans how much they could gain from those behaviors.
4:34 PM EDT, August 10, 2011
It's time to make a useful journal of your health
A written record of your health history can help prevent many medical errors, doctors say. "If you record details when they're fresh in your mind, you won't forget to tell your doctor something important," says associate professor Dr. Michael Weaver.
Special Advertising Section
Animal assisted activity programs popular at senior communities
As any dog lover knows, canines have special powers. Dogs can engage us in ways humans can't. This is especially true with seniors. There is a growing body of medical research that shows how interacting with dogs (and other pets) improve seniors' emotional and physical well-being.
Special Advertising Section
Put your time, experience and passion to good use
If you are someone who wants to put your time and talent to good use — or learn new skills as you reap personal benefits, volunteerism is one step away from achieving those goals.
Special Advertising Section
Advocates navigate the health care hurricane
Our health care system is not exactly user-friendly for anyone, let alone seniors.
Special Advertising Section
Semi-retired pastor finds solace in familiarity
The Reverend Lee Iseley and his wife Jerrianne have called a lot of places home throughout the South and the Midwest. So as they get as close as they likely ever will to retirement, it was only fitting the senior living community they chose is called Monarch Landing.
Special Advertising Section
A procrastinators' guide to retirement savings
Everyone knows it pays to start saving early for retirement. But for some older adults, that didn't happen. Food, clothing, mortgages, vacations, college educations and other costs conspired to keep them from socking funds away for retirement.
Special Advertising Section
Devices help make it easier to stay healthy
These days, gadgets that promote health and wellness are everywhere. Here are some that use technology to keep you feeling good in clever new ways. Some are designed to make everyday activities easier and more comfortable, others help you keep track of things like blood pressure and medication.
Special Advertising Section
Primetime Views: More opportunities today to explore life after 55?
We asked several people: 'Do you think there are more opportunities today to explore life after 55 compared to past generations?'
2:10 PM EDT, July 27, 2011
How to prevent age spots
Ask any dermatologist how to prevent brownish spots as you get older and you'll likely get the answer given by Dr. Elizabeth McBurney, clinical professor of dermatology at Louisiana State University School of Medicine: "Sunscreens, sunscreens, sunscreens!"
July 13, 2011
Laughter is the test medicine
To an Alzheimer's patient, there's nothing funny about forgetting to turn off the oven, losing a telephone number or misplacing books from the library. But turning those mishaps into punch lines might turn out to be therapeutic.
1:00 PM EDT, July 26, 2011
Live health chat
Staying out of the nursing home
What are the most common reasons that seniors end up going to a nursing home? How can older people stave off problems, avoid giving up their independence and prepare to stay safely at home? We ask doctors who have devoted their careers to helping people live well in their communities as they age. This live health chat discussed just that.
11:41 AM EDT, June 8, 2011
BOOSTER SHOTS: Oddities, musings and news from the health world
Wrinkles might be linked to bone density in post-menopausal women
As if wrinkles weren’t enough to worry about: Deepening smile lines and crow’s feet just might indicate weak bones, a risk for future fractures, new research suggests.
May 30, 2011
Put your stress on vacation
Got stress? But if you answered yes, you're likely heartened by the arrival of vacation season. Just the ticket for a little stress-reduction. And that can have some big payoffs. It can lower your blood pressure, boost your immune system and help you live longer. It may even make you smarter.
3:11 PM EDT, March 30, 2011
How to keep joints healthy longer
Even youngish joints can feel creaky and painful without proper care. Luckily, lifestyle changes can help you stay active longer. "With an average life expectancy of more than 70 years, it's more important than ever for us to protect our bodies," says Dr. Kevin Bonner, an orthopedic surgeon who practices at Sentara Leigh Hospital in Norfolk, Va. Some tips:
Sodium countdown
How much does one teaspoon of salt hold? More and more Americans will likely find out the hard way, now that federal officials want people to reduce their daily sodium intake to less than 2,300 milligrams, or about 1 teaspoon of salt.
4:14 PM EDT, March 16, 2011
What is Qigong?
Sometimes called Chinese yoga, Qigong ("chee gong") is a mind-body practice that melds slow, graceful movements, mental focus and deep abdominal breathing to boost and balance a person's vital energy, or qi.
March 16, 2011
Taking stress out of mammograms
The words "party" and "mammogram" aren't used in the same sentence often.
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.
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:
August 11, 2009
The cataracts are gone
For the millions of baby boomers who will eventually need cataract surgery, here's some cheering news: New types of implantable lenses promise to restore your youthful vision. Unlike the standard single-power lenses doctors have been implanting for 30 years, the newer multifocal intraocular lenses and accommodating lenses allow patients to see near, far, and in between--and even to shed their glasses.
May 28, 2010
Senseless deprivation
As people age, the senses through which they come to know the world often deteriorate, altering what they can see and hear.