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Alzheimer's Disease Is Sharply Rising, But You Can Lower Your Odds
Sarah Baldauf

Nations around the globe are staring down a rising tide of people who will grapple with the ravages of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. According to Alzheimer's Disease International, some 35.6 million people worldwide will have a form of dementia in 2010. That number is expected to nearly double every 20 years. Research is mounting that diet, exercise, and social and mental engagement play a protective role.

Staying Attuned to Blood Pressure
Harvard Health Letters

Maybe your blood pressure has been normal for as long as you can remember, but that doesn't mean you should let it slip beneath your health radar. The older we get, the greater our chances of developing high blood pressure (also known as hypertension). Even if you don't have high blood pressure by age 55, your chances of developing it eventually are 90 percent.

What Causes Ice-Cream Headache
Celeste Robb-Nicholson, M.D.

Ice-cream headache, also known as "brain freeze" or cold-stimulus headache, is a headache some people get when they consume a cold food or beverage quickly. The pain is usually in the forehead or both temples, and it usually lasts less than five minutes. The cause is ...

Vitamin D Deficiency Common But Easily Treated With Supplements
Philip Hagen, M.D., Preventive Medicine, Mayo Clinic

It's well established that vitamin D helps with calcium absorption and helps keep bones strong. There's also evidence that vitamin D helps reduce the risk of common cancers, muscle and joint pain and perhaps even multiple sclerosis. For some people, it's difficult to get proper amounts of vitamin D from the usual sources, which are diet and sunshine. Dr. Philip Hagen of the Mayo Clinic provides suggestions in this article to compensate for Vitamin D defiency.

Osteoporosis - Bone Up On Bone Health
by Randy Boyer and Andrea Donsky

Osteoporosis is a silent condition in which bones become less dense and more likely to fracture. It's a major health threat for an estimated 10 million Americans with the disease and 34 million Americans with low bone mass. Often called a pediatric disease with geriatric consequences, bone density decreases partly because hormone levels (such as estrogen and testosterone) decrease as people age.

8 Facts to Know About Palliative Care: Misconceptions abound
Sarah Baldauf

The term "palliative care" often conjures tones of a death knell, but the reality of what such services provide -- and when they can and should be recruited -- might be surprising. While death might ultimately become a part of the conversation, recruiting such care is not just about dying.

Can You Avoid Arthritis Knee Pain by Building Thigh Muscles
Deborah Kotz

Millions of older women suffer the pain and stiffness of arthritis, especially in their knee joints, which can severely curtail everyday activities like climbing stairs or getting out of a car. It turns out there may be a way to protect our knees and avoid the discomforts of aging: strong thigh muscles.

Long-Distance Caregiver: Careful Planning Key to Protecting Aging Parents
Christopher J. Gearon

Adult children often first realize that Mom or Dad needs help when there's a sudden hospitalization or a frantic call from an overwhelmed parent. In many instances, a child will discover evidence of a parent's deterioration during a visit. If you're too far away to monitor a parent, you have a couple of options ...

Finding Health Coverage Before Medicare: A Primer
Susan B. Garland

It's bad enough that your retirement savings are evaporating. But if you lost your job, retired early, or are turning to self-employment, you'll need to budget for health coverage. And the tab could be hefty. However, You do have options if you need to find insurance on your own ...

Mayo Clinic: Hip Pain May be Relieved by Treatments Other Than Surgery
Edward Laskowski, M.D.

Hip pain can be a sign of many medical conditions. Some disorders, such as severe arthritis could, in time, require a hip replacement. But others, such as bursitis, can be managed with much less invasive treatment options. Exercise may help in some situations, but not all. Before you pursue treatment for hip pain

Calorie-Restricted Diets and Other Ways to Avoid Aging
Deborah Kotz

University of Wisconsin researchers found that feeding rhesus monkeys 30 percent fewer calories over a 20-year period seemed to slow down the aging process, protecting them from age-related illnesses like diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. Animals fed less "appear to be biologically younger than the normally fed animals," the study authors wrote.

Alzheimer's Caregiving: Day-to-Day Challenges

Alzheimer's Caregiving: Day-to-day Challenges
Harvard Health Watch

Bath time, mealtime, and bedtime are among the hardest parts of the day. The Alzheimer's disease has a profound emotional impact on the family members who must cope with a loved one's irrevocable decline.

Research Finds that Many Older People Can't Get Up After a Fall
Harvard Health Letters

About 35 percent of people over age 65 fall in their homes at least once each year. That figure increases to 50 percent for those ages 75 and over. Most of the resulting injuries are minor, but falls can also cause major lacerations, fractures, head trauma, and other injuries that may lead to hospitalization, disability, nursing home care, and premature death.

Falls in Older Individuals May Be Preventable
Eric Tangalos, M.D. - Mayo Clinic Medical Edge

With a little effort and some medical problem solving, many falls might be preventable. The Rand Corporation, a nonprofit research group, conducted a large study called Assessing Care of Vulnerable Elders (ACOVE). One focus of the study was falls and how to prevent them. The research wasn't a single study, but an analysis of hundreds of previously published studies. Some of the key findings from ACOVE and updates that have been published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society include ...

A New Model for Aging in Place
Howard Gleckman

As all of us age, we face a difficult choice: Should I stay in my home, or move to a senior community or perhaps an assisted-living facility? Now, a growing number of neighborhood networks are providing the resources to help the elderly remain independent for as long as possible.

Genes Linked to 'Pot' Belly
Title: Genes Linked to 'Pot' Belly
Category: Health News
Created: 11/5/2009 4:10:00 PM
Last Editorial Review: 11/6/2009

H1N1 Swine Flu Deadly in All Age Groups
Title: H1N1 Swine Flu Deadly in All Age Groups
Category: Health News
Created: 11/4/2009 10:29:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 11/4/2009 10:29:07 AM

High Blood Pressure Likely in Alzheimer's Offspring
Title: High Blood Pressure Likely in Alzheimer's Offspring
Category: Health News
Created: 11/2/2009 4:10:00 PM
Last Editorial Review: 11/3/2009

Diet Soda, Sodium Tied to Kidney Trouble: Studies
Title: Diet Soda, Sodium Tied to Kidney Trouble: Studies
Category: Health News
Created: 11/2/2009 4:10:00 PM
Last Editorial Review: 11/3/2009

Fructose May Raise Blood Pressure
Title: Fructose May Raise Blood Pressure
Category: Health News
Created: 10/30/2009 8:10:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 10/30/2009

Preventive Antibiotics Help Some Kids Fend Off Urinary Infections
Title: Preventive Antibiotics Help Some Kids Fend Off Urinary Infections
Category: Health News
Created: 10/28/2009 4:10:00 PM
Last Editorial Review: 10/29/2009

Health Tip: At Risk for Another Heart Attack?
Title: Health Tip: At Risk for Another Heart Attack?
Category: Health News
Created: 10/29/2009 8:10:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 10/29/2009

Migraine With Aura Can Double Stroke Risk
Title: Migraine With Aura Can Double Stroke Risk
Category: Health News
Created: 10/27/2009 6:10:00 PM
Last Editorial Review: 10/28/2009

Where You Put on Pounds May Influence Clot Risk
Title: Where You Put on Pounds May Influence Clot Risk
Category: Health News
Created: 10/26/2009 4:10:00 PM
Last Editorial Review: 10/27/2009

Adding Drug Doesn't Help Control Blood Pressure
Title: Adding Drug Doesn't Help Control Blood Pressure
Category: Health News
Created: 10/23/2009 4:10:00 PM
Last Editorial Review: 10/26/2009

Cocoa in Chocolate May Be Good for the Heart
Title: Cocoa in Chocolate May Be Good for the Heart
Category: Health News
Created: 10/23/2009 8:10:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 10/23/2009

Obese Women Retain More Pregnancy Weight
Title: Obese Women Retain More Pregnancy Weight
Category: Health News
Created: 10/22/2009 10:47:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 10/22/2009 10:47:14 AM

MedicineNet High Blood Pressure General
MedicineNet High Blood Pressure General

High Blood Pressure Likely in Alzheimer's Offspring
Title: High Blood Pressure Likely in Alzheimer's Offspring
Category: Health News
Created: 11/2/2009 4:10:00 PM
Last Editorial Review: 11/3/2009

Surgery, Illness Not Linked to Mental Decline in Seniors
Title: Surgery, Illness Not Linked to Mental Decline in Seniors
Category: Health News
Created: 10/30/2009 4:10:00 PM
Last Editorial Review: 11/2/2009

Flu Deaths Higher Among Seniors With Dementia
Title: Flu Deaths Higher Among Seniors With Dementia
Category: Health News
Created: 10/30/2009 4:10:00 PM
Last Editorial Review: 11/2/2009

Big, Beefy Football Players May Face Heart Problems Later
Title: Big, Beefy Football Players May Face Heart Problems Later
Category: Health News
Created: 10/26/2009 12:10:00 PM
Last Editorial Review: 10/27/2009

Does Diabetes Slow Alzheimer's?
Title: Does Diabetes Slow Alzheimer's?
Category: Health News
Created: 10/26/2009 4:10:00 PM
Last Editorial Review: 10/27/2009

Swine Flu Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Vaccination
Title: Swine Flu Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Vaccination
Category: Doctor's Views
Created: 10/23/2009 11:51:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 10/23/2009 11:51:45 AM

American Cancer Society Stands By Cancer Screening Guidelines
Title: American Cancer Society Stands By Cancer Screening Guidelines
Category: Health News
Created: 10/21/2009 4:10:00 PM
Last Editorial Review: 10/22/2009

Health Tip: You Need Vitamin B-12
Title: Health Tip: You Need Vitamin B-12
Category: Health News
Created: 10/21/2009 8:10:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 10/21/2009

Web Surf to Save Your Aging Brain
Title: Web Surf to Save Your Aging Brain
Category: Health News
Created: 10/19/2009 2:10:00 PM
Last Editorial Review: 10/20/2009

Drinking Your Way to Health? Perhaps Not
Title: Drinking Your Way to Health? Perhaps Not
Category: Health News
Created: 10/18/2009 8:10:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 10/19/2009

Late-Dementia Suffering Often Unnecessary
Title: Late-Dementia Suffering Often Unnecessary
Category: Health News
Created: 10/15/2009 10:09:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 10/15/2009 10:09:14 AM

Nuts, Vegetables, Fish Cut Alzheimer's Risk
Title: Nuts, Vegetables, Fish Cut Alzheimer's Risk
Category: Health News
Created: 10/14/2009 10:21:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 10/14/2009 10:21:06 AM

MedicineNet Alzheimer's General
MedicineNet Alzheimer's General

Health Tip: What's Behind Hip Bursitis?
Title: Health Tip: What's Behind Hip Bursitis?
Category: Health News
Created: 11/6/2009 8:10:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 11/6/2009

Restless Legs May Vary by Race and Gender
Title: Restless Legs May Vary by Race and Gender
Category: Health News
Created: 11/2/2009 2:10:00 PM
Last Editorial Review: 11/3/2009

Study Eases Arthritis Drug Cancer Fears
Title: Study Eases Arthritis Drug Cancer Fears
Category: Health News
Created: 10/30/2009 10:05:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 10/30/2009 10:05:56 AM

Better Drug Emerges for Steroid-Induced Bone Loss
Title: Better Drug Emerges for Steroid-Induced Bone Loss
Category: Health News
Created: 10/29/2009 12:10:00 PM
Last Editorial Review: 10/30/2009

New Clues to How Fish Oils Help Arthritis Patients
Title: New Clues to How Fish Oils Help Arthritis Patients
Category: Health News
Created: 10/28/2009 2:10:00 PM
Last Editorial Review: 10/29/2009

Tai Chi May Help Ward Off Knee Pain in Seniors
Title: Tai Chi May Help Ward Off Knee Pain in Seniors
Category: Health News
Created: 10/29/2009 8:10:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 10/29/2009

Cell Phone May Reduce Bone Density in Hips
Title: Cell Phone May Reduce Bone Density in Hips
Category: Health News
Created: 10/26/2009 4:10:00 PM
Last Editorial Review: 10/27/2009

Short-Term, High-Dose Vitamin D2 May Ease Deficiency
Title: Short-Term, High-Dose Vitamin D2 May Ease Deficiency
Category: Health News
Created: 10/27/2009 8:10:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 10/27/2009

6 Million U.S. Kids Lack Enough Vitamin D
Title: 6 Million U.S. Kids Lack Enough Vitamin D
Category: Health News
Created: 10/26/2009 8:10:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 10/26/2009

Study: No Benefit to Costly Arthritis Drugs
Title: Study: No Benefit to Costly Arthritis Drugs
Category: Health News
Created: 10/22/2009 10:28:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 10/22/2009 10:28:58 AM

Glucosamine Fails Osteoarthritis Test
Title: Glucosamine Fails Osteoarthritis Test
Category: Health News
Created: 10/20/2009 2:10:00 PM
Last Editorial Review: 10/21/2009

Cancer Drug May Help Scleroderma
Title: Cancer Drug May Help Scleroderma
Category: Health News
Created: 10/20/2009 4:10:00 PM
Last Editorial Review: 10/21/2009

MedicineNet Arthritis General
MedicineNet Arthritis General

Early Morning Colonoscopies May Find More Polyps
Title: Early Morning Colonoscopies May Find More Polyps
Category: Health News
Created: 11/6/2009 8:10:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 11/6/2009

What to Do if You Think You Have H1N1 Swine Flu Virus
Title: What to Do if You Think You Have H1N1 Swine Flu Virus
Category: Health Facts
Created: 11/5/2009 10:55:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 11/5/2009 10:55:39 AM

New Cure for 4-Hour Erections?
Title: New Cure for 4-Hour Erections?
Category: Health News
Created: 11/5/2009 10:27:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 11/5/2009 10:27:31 AM

Swine Flu
Title: Swine Flu
Category: Diseases and Conditions
Created: 4/21/2009
Last Editorial Review: 11/5/2009

Americans Gaining Awareness of COPD: Survey
Title: Americans Gaining Awareness of COPD: Survey
Category: Health News
Created: 11/4/2009 12:10:00 PM
Last Editorial Review: 11/5/2009

Will New Anemia Drug Top Current Treatments?
Title: Will New Anemia Drug Top Current Treatments?
Category: Health News
Created: 11/4/2009 4:10:00 PM
Last Editorial Review: 11/5/2009

Gene Discovery Gives Clues to Crohn's Disease, Colitis
Title: Gene Discovery Gives Clues to Crohn's Disease, Colitis
Category: Health News
Created: 11/4/2009 4:10:00 PM
Last Editorial Review: 11/5/2009

Health Tip: Triggering Abdominal Bloating
Title: Health Tip: Triggering Abdominal Bloating
Category: Health News
Created: 11/5/2009 8:10:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 11/5/2009

FDA Issues Warning for Diabetes Drug
Title: FDA Issues Warning for Diabetes Drug
Category: Health News
Created: 11/3/2009 12:10:00 PM
Last Editorial Review: 11/4/2009

Deadly Stomach Bug Making Inroads Outside Hospitals
Title: Deadly Stomach Bug Making Inroads Outside Hospitals
Category: Health News
Created: 11/3/2009 4:10:00 PM
Last Editorial Review: 11/4/2009

Severe Swine Flu Can Kill Young, Old Alike
Title: Severe Swine Flu Can Kill Young, Old Alike
Category: Health News
Created: 11/3/2009 4:10:00 PM
Last Editorial Review: 11/4/2009

How Safe Are Popular Reflux Drugs?
Title: How Safe Are Popular Reflux Drugs?
Category: Health News
Created: 11/4/2009 8:10:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 11/4/2009

MedicineNet Digestion General
MedicineNet Digestion General