Critical Brain Chemical Shown to Play Role in Severe Depression
Mar 6th 2010: The next advance in treating major depression may relate to a group of brain chemicals that are involved in virtually all our brain activity, according to a study published today in Biological Psychiatry. The study is co-authored by Drs. Andrea J. Levinson and Zafiris J. Daskalakis of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)... More
New Generation of Rapid-Acting Antidepressants?
Mar 6th 2010: Conventional antidepressant treatments generally require three to four weeks to become effective, thus the discovery of treatments with a more rapid onset is a major goal of biological psychiatry. The first drug found to produce rapid improvement in mood was the NMDA glutamate receptor antagonist, ketamine... More
Identifying Older Drivers at Risk of Crashes
Mar 5th 2010: (HealthDay News) -- Occupational therapists can play a key role in identifying older drivers who are at risk for crashes, a new study suggests... More
Hearts of Hospice Patients Being Needlessly Shocked
Mar 4th 2010: (HealthDay News) -- Hospices that care for people who are dying often forget to turn off their implanted defibrillators, causing unnecessary discomfort, new research has found... More
Vitamin D Lifts Mood During Cold Weather Months, Researchers Say
Mar 3rd 2010: A daily dose of vitamin D may just be what people in northern climates need to get through the long winter, according to researchers at Loyola University Chicago Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing (MNSON). This nutrient lifts mood during cold weather months when days are short and more time is spent indoors... More
Glaucoma Begins in Mid-Brain, Not in Eye, Research Shows
Mar 3rd 2010: (HealthDay News) -- Early signs of glaucoma can be detected in the brain, according to a new study that may trigger a major change in how the disease is treated... More
Whole Grains Take a Bite Out of Type 2 Diabetes Risk
Mar 3rd 2010: (HealthDay News) -- Brown rice is better than white rice at reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes, but whole grains are the most effective at lowering the risk, study findings show... More
Potassium-Rich Foods Do a Heart Good
Mar 3rd 2010: (HealthDay News) -- Eating plenty of potassium-rich foods such as leafy greens, potatoes and bananas may reduce the risk of stroke and coronary artery disease, according to Italian researchers.. More
Chocolate May Make Some Strokes Less Likely
Mar 3rd 2010: (HealthDay News) -- In news that's sure to delight chocolate lovers, a Harvard study finds that a couple of squares of dark chocolate a day might reduce the risk of a hemorrhagic stroke, by 52 percent... More
A Purposeful Life May Stave Off Alzheimer's
Mar 2nd 2010: (HealthDay News) -- People who say their lives have a purpose are less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease or its precursor, mild cognitive impairment, a new study suggests... More
Death After Discharge Rates Higher in Elderly ICU Patients
Mar 2nd 2010: (HealthDay News) -- Elderly patients discharged from the hospital after a stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) have a high rate of death in the following three years, new research shows... More
DSM-5 Draft Criteria Available
Mar 1st 2010: The draft criteria for the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders are available online at www.dsm5.org. The APA encourages those affected by mental illnesses to provide comment on proposed changes... More
Scans Might Monitor Success of Alzheimer's Drugs
Mar 1st 2010: (HealthDay News) -- Noting that brain scans suggest that a new drug reduces plaque deposits in the brains of certain Alzheimer's patients by 25 percent compared to a placebo, researchers say the scans could become a useful tool to study treatments for the disease... More
Clot Buster More Critical for Female Stroke Victims
Mar 1st 2010: (HealthDay News) -- Female stroke patients who aren't given the clot-busting drug tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) have worse outcomes than men who don't receive the drug, a new study finds... More
Cutting Salt Could Prevent Almost 500,000 Heart Attacks
Mar 1st 2010: (HealthDay News) -- A combined government-industry initiative to reduce U.S. sodium consumption by as little as 10 percent would save thousands of lives and billions of dollars, according to new research... More
Video Games May Help Combat Depression in Older Adults
Feb 28th 2010: Research at the Sam and Rose Stein Institute for Research on Aging at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine suggests a novel route to improving the symptoms of subsyndromal depression (SSD) in seniors through the regular use of "exergames" -- entertaining video games that combine game play with exercise. In a pilot study, the researchers found that use of exergames significantly improved mood and mental health-related quality of life in older adults with SSD... More
Cutting Off Blood Flow Limits Damage During Heart Attack
Feb 26th 2010: (HealthDay News) -- Cutting off the flow of blood to the arm by repeatedly inflating a blood pressure cuff appears to reduce the amount of tissue damaged during a heart attack, a new Danish study shows.. More
Wii-Gaming Could Aid Stroke Rehab
Feb 25th 2010: (HealthDay News) -- Recovering stroke patients whose physical therapy regimen is built around Wii video games appear to improve better than patients treated with standard therapies, a new Canadian study reveals... More
Happy Marriage Cuts Men's Risk for Stroke
Feb 24th 2010: (HealthDay News) -- Single or unhappily married men seem to run a greater risk of dying from a stroke than those with good marriages, a new Israeli study indicates... More
Health Tip: Risk Factors for Deep Vein Thrombosis
Feb 23rd 2010: (HealthDay News) -- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs when a blood clot forms within a deep vein, most often in the calf or thigh area... More
Vision problems linked to higher dementia risk
Feb 23rd 2010: NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Elderly adults with poor vision, particularly untreated vision problems, may have a higher risk of developing dementia than those with better vision, a new study suggests... More
Hospital Stays May Spur Brain Decline in Seniors
Feb 23rd 2010: (HealthDay News) -- Elderly people who have been hospitalized have an increased risk of cognitive decline... More
When Seniors Tutor Kids, They Sharpen Their Own Minds As Well
Feb 19th 2010: (HealthDay News) -- After retiring from her job as a Salvation Army pastor, Elizabeth Reed felt she still had more to offer... More
Anxiety Disorder Patients Process Emotions Differently
Feb 18th 2010: (HealthDay News) -- For those with the common mental illness known as generalized anxiety disorder, a new study has found that the brain processes emotions in abnormal ways... More
Kidneys From Older Donors Suitable for Seniors
Feb 18th 2010: (HealthDay News) -- Too many American seniors who need a new kidney have to wait longer than necessary for a transplant, researchers say... More
Stem cell experiment reverses aging in rare disease
Feb 17th 2010: WASHINGTON (Reuters) - In a surprise result that can help in the understanding of both aging and cancer, researchers working with an engineered type of stem cell said they reversed the aging process in a rare genetic disease... More
Ibuprofen May Help Stave Off Parkinson's
Feb 17th 2010: (HealthDay News) -- Regular use of ibuprofen, a common anti-inflammatory drug, significantly lowers the risk for developing Parkinson's disease, Harvard researchers report... More
Happiness Protects Your Heart
Feb 17th 2010: (HealthDay News) -- People who are enthusiastic and content are less likely to develop heart disease than less happy people, researchers from Columbia University report... More
Women Need More Help After Heart Attack
Feb 16th 2010: (HealthDay News) -- Women are in greater need of social support in the critical year after a heart attack than men, new research shows... More
Advance Toward Test for Aggressive Prostate Cancer
Feb 15th 2010: (HealthDay News) -- Harvard researchers report what they say is a major advance toward the long-sought goal of a genetic test that can distinguish between aggressive prostate cancers that require urgent treatment and slow-growing tumors that can safely be left alone... More
Diabetes Drugs Avandia, Actos Tied to Fractures in Women
Feb 15th 2010: (HealthDay News) -- Women who take diabetes drugs known as thiazolidinediones, which include Avandia and Actos, are at a greater risk of bone fractures, a new study finds... More
Health Tip: Signs That a Loved One May Have Dementia
Feb 11th 2010: (HealthDay News) -- Dementia is a brain condition that describes a collection of symptoms that may include difficulty remembering, communicating, comprehending and learning... More
New Diagnostic Guidelines for Mental Illnesses Proposed
Feb 10th 2010: (HealthDay News) -- For the first time in more than a decade, the American Psychiatric Association has announced proposed changes to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), long considered the "Bible" of psychiatry... More
Too Many With End-Stage Dementia Get Feeding Tubes
Feb 9th 2010: (HealthDay News) -- Larger hospitals and those that are set up to make a profit are more likely to use feeding tubes in patients with advanced dementia, despite evidence that the practice does not prolong life or help with bed sores and other problems... More
Drug Cures Osteoporosis in Mice
Feb 8th 2010: (HealthDay News) -- An experimental drug that inhibits serotonin in the gut cured osteoporosis in lab mice and rats, a new study has found... More
Handgrip Strength Helps Predict Death Risk in Elderly
Feb 8th 2010: (HealthDay News) -- Decreased handgrip strength in the elderly is associated with increased risk of death, researchers say... More
Older Stroke Patients Are Getting Better Treatment
Feb 8th 2010: (HealthDay News) -- Older Americans who have strokes are getting better treatment, possibly because of a nationwide program encouraging use of guideline-recommended therapies, a new study shows.. More
Mediterranean Diet May Help Keep You Smarter
Feb 8th 2010: (HealthDay News) -- Eating a Mediterranean-style diet -- one rich in olive oil, whole grains, fish and fruit -- may protect aging brains from damage linked to cognitive problems, a new study finds.. More
High Blood Pressure May Predict Dementia in Some Seniors
Feb 8th 2010: (HealthDay News) -- High blood pressure may predict dementia in older adults with impaired executive function (difficulty organizing thoughts and making decisions), but not in those with memory problems, a new study has found... More
Glaucoma Drugs May Play Role in Longer Life
Feb 8th 2010: (HealthDay News) --People who take medication to treat glaucoma appear to outlive those who don't treat the eye disease, new research has found... More
Alzheimer's drug Dimebon helps Huntington's: study
Feb 8th 2010: WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Dimebon, a pill being developed for Alzheimer's disease, helped people with Huntington's disease improve their thinking, learning and memory skills, U.S. researchers said on Monday... More
Scientists Spot Genes Tied to Aging
Feb 7th 2010: (HealthDay News) -- Scientists have discovered genetic variants that are associated with biological aging, a finding that could explain why some people seem to age faster than others... More
Untreated, Mild May Become Major Depression
Feb 4th 2010: (HealthDay News) -- For many people whose depression goes untreated, symptoms persist and worsen over time, eventually leading to a diagnosis of major depression, according to new research... More
Hormone replacement tied to lower colon cancer risk
Feb 4th 2010: NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can carry serious health risks, but a new study adds to evidence that menopausal women who use the hormones may have lower odds of developing colon cancer... More
Brain Damage Seen in People With Severe Sleep Apnea
Feb 3rd 2010: (HealthDay News) -- People with severe obstructive sleep apnea have reduced concentrations of gray matter in multiple areas of the brain, new research shows... More
Caregivers of ICU Patients Are Collateral Damage of Critical Illness, Say Researchers
Feb 1st 2010: ScienceDaily Intensive care unit patients are not the only ones likely to be severely depressed in the aftermath of hospitalization. Family and friends who care for them often suffer emotional and social hardship, too, according to a prospective study from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine that is the first to monitor patients and caregivers during a one-year period for predictors of depression and lifestyle disruption... More
Poor Mental Functioning May Predict Stroke
Feb 1st 2010: (HealthDay News) -- Problems with memory or thinking abilities could signal an increased likelihood for a stroke in the future... More
Antidepressants After Stroke May Boost Mental Ability
Feb 1st 2010: (HealthDay News) -- Taking antidepressants after a stroke may help repair the damaged brain and improve mental functioning, a new study suggests... More
Prostate Cancer Hormone Therapy May Increase Heart Risk
Feb 1st 2010: While hormone therapy is beneficial for many men with prostate cancer, there is growing concern that it may increase heart disease risk factors, according to a report by leading health organizations... More
Health Tip: Testing a Walker Before You Buy
Jan 29th 2010: (HealthDay News) -- If you've been advised to buy a walker to help with mobility and balance, it's important to find the right fit... More
Diet changes improve older adults' cholesterol too
Jan 29th 2010: NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Older adults can cut their cholesterol levels by revamping their dietary fat intake -- even if they are already on cholesterol-lowering statins, a new study finds... More
Mammograms may be overused in women with dementia
Jan 29th 2010: NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Some elderly women with severe cognitive impairment are getting mammography breast cancer screening even though they are unlikely to ever benefit from it, a new study finds... More
Over 70 and Overweight May Add Years to Life
Jan 28th 2010: (HealthDay News) -- Despite the warnings that being overweight will kill you, a new Australian study finds that overweight adults over the age of 70 are less likely to die over a 10-year period than their normal-weight peers... More
Virtual Colonoscopy a Good Bet for Elderly
Jan 28th 2010: (HealthDay News) -- Virtual colonoscopy is a safe and effective way to screen older patients for colorectal cancer, a new study indicates... More
Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Brings Lasting Benefits, New Study Finds
Jan 27th 2010: Science Daily - Psychodynamic psychotherapy is effective for a wide range of mental health symptoms, including depression, anxiety, panic and stress-related physical ailments, and the benefits of the therapy grow after treatment has ended, according to new research published by the American Psychological Association... More
Too Much Alcohol Impairs Seniors' Thinking
Jan 27th 2010: (HealthDay News) -- Elderly people who are heavy drinkers are more likely to suffer memory and cognitive problems than mild-to-moderate drinkers, a new study shows... More
Raising Co-Pays for Doctor Visits Raises Seniors' Hospital Use
Jan 27th 2010: (HealthDay News) -- Boosting co-pays for doctor visits and other outpatient care reduces seniors' use of those services, but it also may have the unintended consequence of sharply increasing hospitalizations, a new study suggests... More
FDA Announces Class I Recall of Certain Infusion Set Needles
Jan 26th 2010: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today announced a Class I recall of Exel/Exelint Huber needles, Exel/Exelint Huber Infusion Sets and Exel/Exelint Securetouch Safety Huber Infusion Sets, manufactured by Nipro Medical Corporation for Exelint International Corporation... More
Video Gaming Just Might Fight Aging
Jan 22nd 2010: (HealthDay News) -- Slaying orcs, charting military campaigns and gunning down bad guys might not sound like things seniors would be interested in pursuing for fun or exercise.But they might want to start, some experts on aging say... More
Tylenol, Motrin, Benadryl, St. Joseph Aspirin, Rolaids Recall
Jan 15th 2010: Because of a sickening smell in some containers, 54 million packages of 27 different over-the-counter remedies now are being recalled... More
More Evidence That Statins Cut Stroke Risk
Jan 14th 2010: (HealthDay News) -- One of the largest analyses of the effect of statin drug therapy on the risk of stroke confirms the benefits of these widely used drugs... More
Stress of Caring for Disabled Spouse Raises Stroke Threat
Jan 14th 2010: (HealthDay News) -- The stress of caring for a disabled spouse increases the risk of stroke substantially, and the increased risk is greater for husbands than for wives, a new study finds... More
Diabetes ups risk of dementia for mildly impaired
Jan 14th 2010: NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Diabetes may hasten progression to dementia in older people with mild thinking impairment, new research shows... More
Leading COPD Drug Won't Harm Heart: FDA
Jan 14th 2010: (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Thursday said it found no good evidence that the Spiriva HandiHaler boosts heart risks in patients who use it to help control chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)... More
Dementia Gene
Jan 13th 2010: Dementia Video.. More
New Anti-Clotting Drug Outperforms Plavix
Jan 13th 2010: (HealthDay News) -- A new clot-busting drug, Brilinta, may soon take the place of Plavix in treating patients with acute coronary syndrome, which includes angina and heart attack... More
Doctors Put Off End-of-Life Talks With Terminally Ill
Jan 12th 2010: (HealthDay News) -- Terminally ill patients have much to consider, from whether they want to die at home or in the hospital to whether they want doctors to continue aggressive treatment or focus on making them comfortable during their final weeks or months... More
Long-Term Statin Use Best Way to Cut Cardiovascular Deaths
Jan 12th 2010: (HealthDay News) -- A 50 percent increase in patients adhering to long-term treatment with cholesterol-lowering statins could prevent twice as many deaths from heart attack and stroke, British researchers say... More
With Pancreatic Cancer, Age Factors Into Familial Risk
Jan 12th 2010: (HealthDay News) -- People with a family member who had pancreatic cancer before age 50 face a greatly increased risk for the disease, a new study has found... More
Gene Variant Could Lower Alzheimer's Risk
Jan 12th 2010: (HealthDay News) -- A gene variant that is good for the heart also appears to be good for the brain, slowing age-related decline in mental function and cutting the odds for Alzheimer's disease, a study indicates... More
Men, Women Respond to Stress Differently
Jan 12th 2010: (HealthDay News) -- The brains of men and women handle stress differently and that alters the way their bodies experience chronic diseases such as depression, cardiovascular disease and autoimmune disorders, U.S. researchers report... More
Vitamin D Plus Calcium Guards Against Fractures
Jan 12th 2010: (HealthDay News) -- Daily supplements of calcium and vitamin D reduce the risk of fractures in women and men of all ages, even if they've suffered previous fractures, but vitamin D supplements alone don't offer significant protection, a new study has found... More
Some Blood Pressure Drugs May Stave Off Dementia
Jan 12th 2010: (HealthDay News) -- Blood pressure drugs that block the protein angiotensin appear to reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia, a new study finds... More
Loss of Smell Could Be Early Sign of Alzheimer's
Jan 12th 2010: (HealthDay News) -- New research in mice suggests that loss of smell could serve as an early indicator of Alzheimer's disease... More
TV Watching May Shorten Your Life
Jan 11th 2010: (HealthDay News) -- Every hour spent watching TV each day may increase your risk of an early death from cardiovascular disease by as much as 18 percent, Australian researchers say... More
Exercise May Stave Off Mental Decline
Jan 11th 2010: (HealthDay News) -- Exercise appears to help prevent and improve mild cognitive impairment, two new studies show... More
Antipsychotics Still Widely Used in U.S. Nursing Homes
Jan 11th 2010: (HealthDay News) -- Many Americans in nursing homes still get powerful antipsychotic medications, despite recent attempts by the U.S. government to rein in the practice, two new studies show... More
Baby Boomers Still Doing Drugs as Seniors
Jan 8th 2010: (HealthDay News) -- Almost 5 percent of aging Baby Boomers in the United States are abusing drugs, a new government report shows... More
Nutrient 'Cocktail' Appears to Improve Dementia Symptoms
Jan 8th 2010: (HealthDay News) -- A combination of three nutrients might help improve memory in Alzheimer's patients by stimulating the growth of new brain connections (synapses), a new study shows... More
Slim Risk of Death After Joint Replacement
Jan 7th 2010: (HealthDay News) -- Patients who undergo knee or hip replacement surgery have a slightly increased risk of death for only 26 days after the procedure, contends a study that challenges earlier findings... More
Assisted Living More Accessible to Well-Off
Jan 7th 2010: (HealthDay News) -- Assisted living facilities for older people are most often located in areas with higher levels of income, education and home values, a new study shows... More
Leading COPD Drug May Raise Chances of Heart Trouble
Jan 7th 2010: (HealthDay News) -- New research suggests that the drug ipratropium bromide (Atrovent), used widely among patients who have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), may raise the risk of heart attack and heart failure, while a separate study of the COPD drug tiotropium (Spiriva) shows it may well lower the risk of heart problems and death... More
Diabetes Meds May Be Falling Through 'Doughnut Hole'
Jan 7th 2010: (HealthDay News) -- Medicare's so-called "doughnut hole" could be forcing many American seniors to skip their diabetes medications, a new study suggests... More
Health Tip: Prevent Denture Problems
Jan 7th 2010: (HealthDay News) -- Dentures can cause pain and discomfort if they're not worn properly and cleaned thoroughly... More
New Brain Scan May Help Spot Alzheimer's
Jan 6th 2010: (HealthDay News) -- A new type of brain scan might give doctors more insight into whether patients with memory loss are suffering from Alzheimer's disease, researchers say... More
Could Your Cell Phone Help Shield You From Alzheimer's?
Jan 6th 2010: (HealthDay News) -- Cell phone addicts of the world, listen up: Electromagnetic waves emanating from these ubiquitous gadgets may prevent or even reverse Alzheimer's disease, researchers say... More
More U.S. Patients Receive Multiple Psychotropic Medications
Jan 5th 2010: ScienceDaily (Jan. 5, 2010) An increasing number of U.S. adults are being prescribed combinations of antidepressants and antipsychotic medications, according to a report in the January issue of Archives of General Psychiatry, one of the JAMA/Archives journals... More
Most Depressed Adults Going Without Treatment
Jan 4th 2010: (HealthDay News) -- Most depressed adults in the United States don't get the minimum recommended treatment, and the vacuum is especially dramatic among minority populations... More
Many antipsychotic users not getting needed tests
Jan 4th 2010: NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - People who take newer drugs for schizophrenia and other psychotic conditions are supposed to have their blood sugar and cholesterol levels checked regularly but many don't, according to a study released today... More
Combination Therapy Better Than Leading Drug for Bipolar Disorder, Study Suggests
Dec 31st 2009: ScienceDaily People with bipolar disorder are less likely to suffer a relapse if they are taking both lithium and sodium valproate rather than the drug valproate alone, an Oxford University study has shown... More
As U.S. Ages, Health Care May Need to Change
Dec 31st 2009: (HealthDay News) -- America is getting older, and experts say the nation's health-care system is not prepared to deal with the coming "elder boom.".. More
Diabetes on the rise among older Mexican Americans
Dec 31st 2009: NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The percentage of Mexican Americans with type 2 diabetes, the kind closely linked to obesity, has nearly doubled since 1993, new research shows... More
Volunteering May Keep Elderly Stronger
Dec 31st 2009: (HealthDay News) -- Volunteering one's time and energy might help stave off frailty among the elderly... More
As Problems Accumulate, Frailty May Set In
Dec 31st 2009: (HealthDay News) -- "Frail" and "elderly" don't always have to go together, say experts who have begun to shine a brighter light on the condition of frailty in older adults... More
J&J expands recall of Tylenol arthritis caplets
Dec 29th 2009: WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A voluntary recall of Tylenol Arthritis Pain Caplets is being expanded because of consumer reports of an unusual moldy odor with the 100-count bottles, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said late on Monday... More
Caution Can Help Keep Elderly Safe During Winter
Dec 29th 2009: (HealthDay News) -- Winter's icy sidewalks and frigid temperatures can be challenging for anyone, but they pose extra hazards for elderly people, experts say... More
Elderly Report Rising Rates of Disability After 20-Year Decline
Dec 28th 2009: (HealthDay News) -- The disability rate among U.S. senior citizens is on the rise, a surprise considering the rate had been falling since the 1980s, new research has found... More
Flu Vaccine for Seniors Approved
Dec 24th 2009: (HealthDay News) -- Fluzone High-Dose, a seasonal flu vaccine for people 65 and older, has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the agency said in a news release... More
Stress speeds mental decline in impaired elders
Dec 24th 2009: (Reuters Health) - Chronic stress can speed up memory decline in older people who already have some impairment in their mental function, a new study in the American Journal of Psychiatry shows... More
Omega-3s help stave off age-related vision loss
Dec 24th 2009: (Reuters Health) - Want to keep your eyesight sharp as you age? Eating lots of fish packed with healthy omega-3 fatty acids could help, new research suggests... More
Alzheimer's May Stave Off Cancer, and Vice Versa
Dec 23rd 2009: (HealthDay News) -- Researchers have uncovered a bittersweet relationship between two major illnesses: cancer and Alzheimer's disease... More
Spiritual Needs Rank High as Death From Cancer Nears
Dec 18th 2009: (HealthDay News) -- Addressing the spiritual needs of someone with advanced cancer could be just as important as taking care of their medical needs, a new study suggests... More
Elderly Most at Risk for Major Depression Identified
Dec 17th 2009: University of Rochester Medical Center researchers have pinpointed the prime factors identifying which elderly persons are at the highest risk for developing major depression... More
High-dose vitamin C may boost women's cataract risk
Dec 17th 2009: NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Women who take high-dose vitamin C supplements may be increasing their risk of age-related cataracts, hint findings of a Swedish study... More
Videos may aid end-of-life care decisions
Dec 17th 2009: NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Videos that depict different options for end-of-life care may help terminally ill cancer patients decide on what they want, a new study suggests... More
Music and the Arts Fight Depression, Promote Health
Dec 16th 2009: ScienceDaily If you paint, dance or play a musical instrument -- or just enjoy going to the theatre or to concerts -- it's likely that you feel healthier and are less depressed than people who don't, a survey of nearly 50,000 individuals from all socio-economic backgrounds from a county in mid-Norway shows... More
Life Expectancy in U.S. Hits New High
Dec 16th 2009: (HealthDay News) -- Average life expectancy in the United States has reached almost 78 years, a record high, federal health officials said Wednesday... More
Treating depression helps with blood sugar control
Dec 16th 2009: NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Treating depression may help people with diabetes get their blood sugar under control... More
Mastery of Physical Goals Lessens Disease-Related Depression and Fatigue
Dec 15th 2009: ScienceDaily Physical activity is known to reduce depression and fatigue in people struggling with chronic illness. A new study indicates that this effect may stem from an individual's sense of mastery over -- or belief in his or her ability to achieve -- certain physical goals... More
Normal Cholesterol Doesn't Guarantee Healthy Heart
Dec 15th 2009: (HealthDay News) -- People with normal levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol still need to be screened for a marker of inflammation in order to identify those who may benefit from cholesterol-lowering statin therapy to reduce their long-term risk of heart attack, stroke and death, say U.S. researchers... More
Stress From Prostate Cancer Diagnosis May Be Fatal
Dec 15th 2009: (HealthDay News) -- Emotional stress can put newly diagnosed prostate cancer patients at increased risk for cardiovascular events and suicide, a new study has found... More
Fat Hormone May Protect Against Alzheimer's
Dec 15th 2009: (HealthDay News) -- High blood levels of leptin, a hormone that regulates appetite, may guard against Alzheimer's disease, new research suggests... More
FDA Approves Generic Aricept to Treat Dementia Related to Alzheimers Disease
Dec 15th 2009: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first generic versions of Aricept (donepezil hydrochloride) orally disintegrating tablet s on Dec. 11. Donepezil hydrochloride is indicated for the treatment of dementia related to Alzheimers disease... More
Amyloid Deposits in Cognitively Normal People May Predict Risk for Alzheimers Disease
Dec 14th 2009: For people free of dementia, abnormal deposits of a protein associated with Alzheimers disease are associated with increased risk of developing the symptoms of the progressive brain disorder, according to two studies from researchers at Washington University in St. Louis.. More
Increased Risk of Death, Stroke in Postmenopausal Women Taking Antidepressants, Study Finds
Dec 14th 2009: ScienceDaily Women participating in the Women's Health Initiative study who reported taking an antidepressant drug had a small but statistically significant increase in the risk of stroke and of death compared with participants not taking antidepressants. The authors of a report in the December 14 Archives of Internal Medicine note that their findings are not conclusive but may signify a need for additional attention to patients' cardiovascular risk factors... More
Americans may live longer and cost more: study
Dec 14th 2009: WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Americans may live significantly longer in the future than current U.S. government projections, and that could mean sharply higher costs than anticipated for Medicare and other programs, researchers reported on Monday.. More
Hardship in Childhood May Affect Long-Term Health
Dec 13th 2009: (HealthDay News) -- Children who experience mental, economic or social hardship can develop long-term emotional, immune and metabolic problems that increase their risk of age-related diseases in adulthood, researchers say... More
Contributors to Heart Failure Identified
Dec 13th 2009: (HealthDay News) -- U.S. researchers have pinpointed a dozen genetic variants in a single gene linked to heart failure.. More
Blood Thinner Combos Risky for Heart Attack Patients
Dec 11th 2009: (HealthDay News) -- Heart attack patients face a higher risk of being admitted to the hospital for bleeding when they take more blood-thinning drugs, such as warfarin and aspirin, a new study has found... More
Devices for pelvic disorder often have side effects
Dec 11th 2009: NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Vaginal inserts designed to treat a condition called pelvic organ prolapse may have high rates of complications in the long term, a new study suggests... More
A few extra pounds may help elderly live longer
Nov 20th 2009: (Reuters Health) - Prior to reaching the golden years, too much body fat tends to increase the risk of dying, but extra weight may have the opposite effect for older adults, a new study hints... More
Diet, Cognitive Ability May Play Role in Heart Disease
Nov 19th 2009: (HealthDay News) -- Seniors who eat plenty of fruits and vegetables and who have good cognitive function are much less likely to die from heart disease than those who have poorer cognitive function and eat fewer fruits and vegetables, a new study has found.. More
Kidney Transplant, Sleep Disorder May Add Up to Trouble
Nov 19th 2009: (HealthDay News) -- Kidney transplant patients with sleep apnea are at increased risk for high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke, Hungarian researchers say... More
FDA Announces New Warning on Plavix: Avoid Use with Prilosec/Prilosec OTC
Nov 18th 2009: Patients should avoid using the stomach acid reducer Prilosec/Prilosec OTC (omeprazole) with the anti-clotting drug Plavix (clopidogrel), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned on Nov. 17... More
Lifelong Exercise Keeps Seniors Young at Heart
Nov 18th 2009: (HealthDay News) -- Lifelong exercise helps seniors keep their hearts healthy, new research shows... More
Lifelong Exercise Keeps Seniors Young at Heart
Nov 18th 2009: (HealthDay News) -- Lifelong exercise helps seniors keep their hearts healthy, new research shows... More
Researchers Identify Gene Mutations Underlying Risk for Most Common Form of Parkinson's Disease
Nov 16th 2009: International study reveals common gene variants in people of European descent.. More
High-Impact Activity May Be Good for Old Bones
Nov 14th 2009: (HealthDay News) -- Playing high-impact sports might help boost bone mineral density in mature athletes... More
Hip Fracture Odds Rise With Women's Age
Nov 13th 2009: (HealthDay News) -- Hip fracture risk is seven times higher in 70-year-old women than in 50-year-old women, according to a study that found that postmenopausal women's risk for hip fracture rises sharply with age... More
Early Use of NSAIDs Might Prevent Alzheimer's
Nov 10th 2009: (HealthDay News) -- Taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) from a young age might prevent early signs of Alzheimer's disease, according to the results of a new study in mice... More
Too Few Older Adults Get Recommended Screenings
Nov 9th 2009: (HealthDay News) -- Screening for cancer and other preventive health measures can prolong lives, but only 25 percent of adults aged 50 to 64 in the United States are getting these recommended screenings, a new report shows... More
Flu Deaths Higher Among Seniors With Dementia
Oct 30th 2009: (HealthDay News) -- Seniors with dementia are diagnosed with flu less often, have shorter hospital stays and are 50 percent more likely to die than those without dementia, says a U.S. study that looked at flu and pneumonia in adults 65 and older... More
Surgery, Illness Not Linked to Mental Decline in Seniors
Oct 30th 2009: (HealthDay News) -- Illness and surgery don't contribute to long-term cognitive decline in seniors and don't accelerate progression of dementia, researchers say... More
Stroke Centers May Offer Best Shot at Recovery
Oct 29th 2009: (HealthDay News) -- Stroke patients taken directly to a designated stroke center are much more likely to receive the clot-busting drug tPA than those taken to the nearest hospital, says a new study... More
Tai Chi May Help Ward Off Knee Pain in Seniors
Oct 29th 2009: (HealthDay News) -- Want to improve that osteoarthritis in your knee? New research suggests that regular Tai Chi exercise can reduce pain and help your knee function better... More
Alcohol may help women stay mobile
Oct 27th 2009: NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - For people in their 70's, light to moderate alcohol intake may offer women, but not men, some protection against loss of mobility, a study hints... More
Health Tip: Dietary Needs of Aging Women
Oct 26th 2009: (HealthDay News) -- As women age, their dietary needs change. A healthy diet is always important, but even more so as women get older... More
Stroke Treatment Window May Allow a Bit More Time
Oct 20th 2009: (HealthDay News) -- Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) treatment benefits stroke patients when used up to 4.5 hours after a stroke, according to German researchers who said their findings provide further evidence to increase the tPA treatment window from the current three hours to 4.5 hours.. More
Genes May Link Hip Fractures and Heart Disease
Oct 20th 2009: (HealthDay News) -- People with cardiovascular conditions such as heart failure and stroke -- and probably their close relatives as well -- may have an increased risk for hip fractures, a new study has found... More
Glucosamine Fails Osteoarthritis Test
Oct 20th 2009: (HealthDay News) -- Glucosamine takes a hit in a new study that finds it doesn't prevent cartilage loss in people with osteoarthritis of the knee, University of Pittsburgh researchers report... More
Depression In Older Cancer Patients Can Be Effectively Treated With Collaborative Approach
Oct 20th 2009: (Science Daily) Depression in older cancer patients is very common, and has debilitating effects on their quality of life both during and after treatment. University of Washington (UW) researchers are showing that there are ways to better this situation... More
Web Surf to Save Your Aging Brain
Oct 19th 2009: (HealthDay News) -- Surfing the Internet just might be a way to preserve your mental skills as you age... More
Bladder Control
Oct 19th 2009: Video on Bladder Control.. More
A DIFFERENT SORT OF ANTI-AGING TIP: DROP SOME WEIGHT TO PREVENT OSTEOARTHRITIS
Oct 17th 2009: PHILADELPHIA Weight loss may be more effective than weight maintenance in reducing knee osteoarthritis, according to research presented this week at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting in Philadelphia, Pa... More
Blood thinner may cause problems after an injury
Oct 15th 2009: (Reuters Health) - Warfarin, a common blood thinner used for preventing heart attacks and blood clots may also cause problems for individuals who suffer some form of trauma, particularly the elderly.. More
Families Need to Know When Dementia Becomes Terminal
Oct 14th 2009: (HealthDay News) -- Many people see end-stage dementia as affecting only the mind, but a new study shows that the disease's effects are far-reaching and eventually fatal... More
Alzheimer's and Diet
Oct 12th 2009: Video about Alzheimer's and Diet.. More
Drop in Certain Visual Skills May Precede Alzheimer's
Oct 12th 2009: (HealthDay News) -- The ability to perceive relationships between objects (visuospatial skills) may decline years before a person is diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, a new study suggests... More
Could vision problems be linked to earlier death?
Oct 12th 2009: NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Poor vision is enough a hardship for the elderly. But such vision problems, when they can't be corrected, also appear to be tied to a shorter lifespan, according to a new study... More
Coffee does little to protect the aging brain
Oct 6th 2009: NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Sorry coffee lovers -- downing a few cups of coffee throughout the day may spark alertness, but it's unlikely to protect the aging brain from mental decline or dementia, according to researchers from Finland... More
Headphones May Threaten Heart-Device Performance
Oct 6th 2009: (HealthDay News) -- A U.S. study offers more evidence that portable headphones can create magnetic interference that might make implanted defibrillators and pacemakers malfunction... More
Hairstylists Often Privy to Older Clients' Health Issues
Oct 4th 2009: (HealthDay News) -- Hairstylists can do more than make their clients look good, they may also be helpful in getting some elderly people the health-care services they need, an Ohio State University study suggests.. More
Yoga may decrease age-related dowager's hump
Oct 2nd 2009: NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Are you at risk for dowager's hump? Findings from a small study suggest you may want to try yoga to decrease this age-related curve of the upper spine... More
Over 65? Take lots of vitamin D to prevent a fall
Oct 2nd 2009: NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Important news for seniors: A daily dose of vitamin D cuts your risk of falling substantially, researchers reported today... More
Uncertainty Surrounds Testing for Alzheimer's
Oct 2nd 2009: (HealthDay News) -- The earlier a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease is made, the earlier treatment can begin. On that, experts agree... More
New Treatments Hold Hope for Failing Eyes
Sep 27th 2009: (HealthDay News) -- Already a leading cause of vision loss among people older than 60, age-related macular degeneration is expected to skyrocket in numbers over the coming decades as the U.S. population grows older... More
Lack of sleep may play role in Alzheimer's: study
Sep 24th 2009: CHICAGO (Reuters) - A study in mice suggests lack of sleep may play a role in the development of Alzheimer's disease, U.S. researchers said on Thursday... More
Health Tip: Choosing a Nursing Home
Sep 24th 2009: (HealthDay News) -- If you're evaluating nursing homes for a loved one, there are many things to consider and a lot of questions to ask.The U.S. National Institute on Aging offers these guidelines:.. More
Pain and Aging
Sep 24th 2009: .. More
Preventing Second Stroke May Stave Off Dementia
Sep 24th 2009: (HealthDay News) -- The way to reduce the chances of developing dementia such as Alzheimer's disease after a stroke is to prevent a second stroke by concentrating on all the known stroke risk factors, a new British study suggests... More
Low vitamin D raises blood pressure in women: study
Sep 23rd 2009: WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Younger white women with vitamin D deficiencies are about three times more likely to have high blood pressure in middle age than those with normal vitamin levels, according to a study released on Thursday... More
Keeping the aging mind active cuts dementia risk
Sep 23rd 2009: NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Elders who work crossword puzzles, play cards, partake in artistic and organizational activities, and attend movie or theater productions may halve their risk for dementia, report researchers from France... More
FDA: Philips Lifeline Issues Safety Alert for Lifeline Pendant Personal Help Buttons
Sep 22nd 2009: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today cautioned users of personal emergency response buttons worn around the neck of a potential choking hazard associated with this product... More
Sex With New Partners Raises Widowers' Disease Risk
Sep 22nd 2009: (HealthDay News) -- Older widowers who recently lost their wives are more likely to have a sexually transmitted disease than their counterparts who are still married, a new study has found... More
Report: Alzheimer's cases to nearly double every 20 years
Sep 21st 2009: (CNN) -- The number of people with dementia globally is estimated to nearly double every 20 years, according to a report released Monday for World Alzheimer's Day... More
Mishandling Money May Foreshadow Alzheimer's
Sep 21st 2009: (HealthDay News) -- Money management difficulties may be a sign that people with mild memory problems will soon develop Alzheimer's disease, a new study suggests... More
Alzheimer's Soars, Global Focus Needed: Study
Sep 21st 2009: (HealthDay News) -- The prevalence of Alzheimer's disease is accelerating at a rapid pace, and by next year 35.6 million people around the world will suffer from dementia -- a 10 percent increase since 2005, a new report predicts.. More
Older Brains May Not Be So Small After All
Sep 21st 2009: (HealthDay News) -- Scientists have assumed that people's brains shrink as they age, but researchers now suspect that's not the case... More
New blood tests promise simple cancer detection
Sep 20th 2009: BERLIN (Reuters) - Two new blood tests could help doctors detect colon and stomach cancers simply, cheaply and early without the need for invasive procedures or unpleasant examinations, researchers said on Monday... More
Trouble With Daily Activities Could Point to Alzheimer's Risk
Sep 17th 2009: (HealthDay News) -- Problems carrying out daily chores or enjoying hobbies could predict which people with "mild cognitive impairment" will progress more quickly to Alzheimer's dementia, U.S. researchers report... More
Pesticides Linked to Parkinson's
Sep 15th 2009: (HealthDay News) -- People whose jobs bring them in regular contact with pesticides may be at increased risk for Parkinson's disease, a U.S. study finds... More
Activity adds years to life, even for octogenarians
Sep 14th 2009: NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Old people who are physically active are apt to live longer than their couch-potato peers, and are more likely to maintain their independence, new research from Israel shows... More
Hairdressers to help prevent suicide
Sep 10th 2009: Hairdressers and taxi drivers are being trained to help spot vulnerable people who might be contemplating taking their own lives in Belfast.. More
Even Mild Infections Hasten Decline With Alzheimer's
Sep 7th 2009: For people with Alzheimer's disease, even a minor infection can double the rate of memory loss, British researchers report... More
Severe, Lasting Depression Tied to Heart Patient Deaths
Sep 7th 2009: Certain depressed patients who suffer from heart disease have nearly double the risk of dying over a seven-year period compared with other depressed patients, researchers say... More
Trio of Gene Variants Discovered That May Raise Alzheimer's Risk
Sep 6th 2009: Two international teams of scientists have uncovered three gene variants that up the risk for Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia among the elderly and the seventh-leading cause of death in the United States.. More
Waist-Hip Ratio Good Gauge of Obesity in Elderly, Study Shows
Sep 4th 2009: Among the elderly, the ratio of waist size to hip size may be a better determinant of obesity than body mass index, say researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles... More
Medicare drug benefit gets good marks
Sep 2nd 2009: The Medicare drug benefit may have caused confusion when it was launched in 2006, but the program has since "exceeded expectations" in getting seniors coverage and trimming their medication costs, according to a new report... More
Health Tip: Keep Seniors Safe at Home
Sep 1st 2009: f a loved one with dementia is living at home with supervision, it's still important to eliminate potential dangers... More
Quick Check That Could Save Your Grandparents Lives
Sep 1st 2009: American Academy of Dermatology (Academy) recommends that people lovingly remind their grandparents to perform a skin self-examination... More
Oldest Heart Patients May Get Most From Warfarin
Aug 31st 2009: Older patients, or those with a prior history of stroke, are most likely to get a benefit when using warfarin to treat atrial fibrillation, a common heart rhythm disorder, a new study finds... More
End-of-Life Advice Not Always Welcome
Aug 25th 2009: When deciding whether to turn off life support for a loved one, family members aren't always interested in their doctor's advice, new research shows... More
MRI Might Find Early Alzheimer's
Aug 24th 2009: (HealthDay News) -- The brains of people in the very early stages of Alzheimer's disease might become hyperactive to compensate for disease-related deterioration, a new study suggests... More
Even modest fitness may extend lifespan
Aug 21st 2009: (Reuters Health) - People who stay even moderately fit as they age may live longer than those who are out-of-shape, a new study suggests... More
Life Expectancy in U.S. Hits a New High
Aug 19th 2009: (HealthDay News) -- Life expectancy in the United States has reached almost 78 years, a record high, federal health officials said Wednesday... More
Sleep Apnea Raises Risk of Death, Especially for Men: Report
Aug 18th 2009: (HealthDay News) -- The classic manifestations of sleep apnea -- loud snoring, interrupted breathing and sleep disruption -- nearly double the risk for chronic disease and premature death among middle-aged and elderly men, according to major new research... More
Caregivers Of People With Diabetes Studied
Aug 18th 2009: ScienceDaily (Aug. 18, 2009) The Hormone Foundation, the public education affiliate of The Endocrine Society, in collaboration with the National Alliance for Caregiving, has released key findings from a first-of-its-kind survey aimed at better understanding the daily needs and struggles of unpaid caregivers of people with diabetes... More
Elders lack knowledge of stroke signs, risk factors
Aug 17th 2009: (Reuters Health) - Older people poorly understand most of the important warning signs of stroke and factors that increase risk for this medical emergency, researchers from Dublin, Ireland, have found... More
More evidence that fish is brain food
Aug 14th 2009: (Reuters Health) - Older adults in developing countries who regularly eat fish seem to have a lower risk of dementia, a new study suggests... More
Rich, Poor See Similar Declines in Old Age
Aug 14th 2009: (HealthDay News) -- Socioeconomic status seems to make no difference in mental decline after the age of 70, according to new research... More
Osteoporosis-linked fracture rates up dramatically
Aug 14th 2009: (Reuters Health) - The number of Americans hospitalized for osteoporosis-related fractures and other injuries has climbed 55 percent since 1995, a U.S. government report finds... More
Seizures uncommon in Alzheimer disease: study
Aug 13th 2009: (Reuters Health) - Although seizures are more likely in people with Alzheimer disease (AD) than in the general population, they are not a common feature of AD, new research indicates... More
Abnormal heart rhythm more common in white elders
Aug 13th 2009: (Reuters Health) - Aging white adults appear to have a greater risk of developing the heart rhythm disorder atrial fibrillation than their black peers, new research suggests... More
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Improves Sleep And Pain In People With Osteoarthritis
Aug 13th 2009: ScienceDaily (Aug. 15, 2009) A study in the Aug. 15 issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine shows that the use of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is an effective treatment for older patients with osteoarthritis and comorbid insomnia... More
Advice for Patients: Serious Errors with Certain Blood Glucose Monitoring Test Strips
Aug 13th 2009: NEVER use GDH-PQQ* glucose meters or test strips if you are using drug products or therapies that contain certain sugars other than glucose... More
Study Ties Mini-Strokes to Memory Loss
Aug 10th 2009: (HealthDay News) -- Screening for areas of damage from a possible mini-stroke could help predict memory loss in the elderly, say U.S. researchers... More
Strengthening Activities and Older Adults
Aug 10th 2009: Muscle-strengthening activities can provide numerous health benefits, particularly as you grow older. There are many ways you can strengthen your muscles, whether it's at home or the gym. The activities you choose should work all the major muscle groups of your body (legs, hips, back, chest, abdomen, shoulders, and arms)... More
Stroke Doubles Risk of Hip, Thigh Fractures
Aug 6th 2009: (HealthDay News) -- The risk of a hip or thigh bone fracture is doubled for people who have a stroke, a new Dutch study finds... More
Fish Oils May Prevent and Treat Heart Disease
Aug 5th 2009: (HealthDay News) -- A new review shows that the omega-3 fatty acids found in certain fish not only prevent cardiovascular disease, but may even help treat it... More
Not-For-Profit Nursing Homes Fare Better in Studies
Aug 5th 2009: (HealthDay News) -- Non-profit nursing homes provide better care than for-profit facilities, say Canadian researchers who reviewed the results of 82 studies from 1965 to 2003... More
Midlife Heart Risk Factors Linked to Later Dementia
Aug 4th 2009: (HealthDay News) -- The things that are bad for your heart in the middle years of life -- high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes -- are bad for your brain in later years, new research indicates... More
Elder Abuse, Neglect Make Early Death Far More Likely
Aug 4th 2009: (HealthDay News) -- When seniors stop taking proper care of themselves, their risk for death increases nearly sixfold, a new study shows... More
With a Broken Hip Comes Higher Risk for Dying
Aug 4th 2009: (HealthDay News) -- Older people who break a hip have nearly a 25 percent chance of dying in the next five years, a Canadian study has found... More
Exercising the mind could hold off dementia
Aug 3rd 2009: (Reuters Health) - A new study in Bronx seniors provides yet more evidence that keeping your brain active for fun can keep dementia at bay... More
Gene Found for Age-Related Cataract
Jul 31st 2009: (HealthDay News) -- A gene associated with the formation of age-related cataract, a leading cause of blindness, has been identified by scientists... More
Caregiver closeness may slow Alzheimer's decline
Jul 30th 2009: (Reuters Health) - Alzheimer's patients who have a close relationship with their caregivers show a slower decline in their mental and physical function over time, new research hints... More
HealthDay Logo Older Diabetics Should Avoid Dementia Meds
Jul 28th 2009: (HealthDay News) -- Older diabetics who take antipsychotic medications have an increased risk of ending up in the hospital with elevated blood glucose levels, or hyperglycemia, researchers say.. More
People Over 60 at Risk for 'Silent Stroke'
Jul 27th 2009: (HealthDay News) -- People over the age of 60, especially those with high blood pressure, may experience a "silent stroke" and won't even know it, Australian researchers say... More
Celiac disease may strike elderly, too
Jul 27th 2009: (Reuters Health) - Celiac disease doesn't only affect the young, new research from Finland confirms, but can strike a person for the first time in later life... More
First defense against swine flu - seasonal vaccine
Jul 24th 2009: (Reuters) - U.S. health officials strengthened their recommendations for seasonal flu vaccines on Friday, saying all children aged 6 months to 18 years should be immunized -- especially because of the H1N1 flu pandemic... More
Agent Orange Linked to Parkinson's, Heart Disease
Jul 24th 2009: (HealthDay News) -- Exposure to Agent Orange and other herbicides that were sprayed far and wide by the U.S. military during the Vietnam War might put veterans at increased risk for heart disease and Parkinson's... More
Stem Cells Used for 'Biological Pacemaker'
Jul 23rd 2009: (HealthDay News) -- Stem cells from a type of human fat tissue may one day be able to reverse the electrical problems in the heart that pacemakers now correct, Japanese scientists report... More
New tests could aid early-Alzheimer's diagnosis
Jul 22nd 2009: (Reuters) - Proteins in spinal fluid accurately detect early-stage Alzheimer's disease in patients and could pave the way for better drug research, Swedish researchers said on Tuesday... More
Medicare Drug Plan Still Needs Work
Jul 22nd 2009: (HealthDay News) -- The number of older Americans with access to prescription drug coverage has ballooned since Medicare's Part D program was rolled out almost four years ago, a new analysis finds, yet seniors' ability to pay for needed medications remains a concern due to limitations in coverage and rising drug plan costs... More
New Alzheimer's Treatment Could Be on the Horizon
Jul 20th 2009: (HealthDay News) -- A treatment already used to bolster the immune systems of people with leukemia and other serious diseases might also help ward off Alzheimer's disease, new research suggests... More
Vein Condition May Mask Serious Clot Disorder
Jul 20th 2009: (HealthDay News) -- A supposedly harmless condition -- superficial vein thrombosis, or varicose veins that have become swollen and painful -- may herald the presence of a more dangerous problem... More
Elder Boom Will Be Felt Worldwide
Jul 20th 2009: (HealthDay News) -- The proportion of people who are age 65 and older will double from 7 to 14 percent of the world's total population by 2040, says a new U.S. Census Bureau study... More
Clues to Alzheimer's Spotted Earlier in Disease
Jul 2nd 2009: (HealthDay News) -- Biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease can be detected in the cerebrospinal fluid in the very early stages of the disease, a Swedish study suggests... More
Music may have a future role in heart and stroke patient rehab
Jul 2nd 2009: Blood flow and respiratory rates can synch with music, indicating that music could one day be a therapeutic tool for blood pressure control and rehabilitation, according to a study by Italian researchers published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association... More
Statins Might Stave off Alzheimer's
Jun 30th 2009: (Health Day News) Treatment with a cholesterol-lowering drug might protect against Alzheimer's disease, new research suggests... More
47,000 Elderly Hurt in Walker, Cane Mishaps Each Year
Jun 30th 2009: (HealthDay News) -- Each year, more than 47,000 elderly Americans are treated at hospital emergency departments for injuries from falls that involve walkers and canes, according to a federal government study released Monday... More
Slow Decline Often Follows Stroke Recovery
Jun 25th 2009: (HealthDay News) -- Within five years of a stroke, even people who initially recover often slip into a gradual decline -- especially those with limited access to health care, a new study finds... More
Bone Therapy May Not Always Need Monitoring
Jun 25th 2009: (HealthDay News) -- Monitoring bone density in older women after they've started taking drugs to prevent osteoporosis is unnecessary and could be potentially misleading, researchers say... More
Extra Helpings of Vegetables, Olive Oil May Extend Life
Jun 24th 2009: (HealthDay News) -- Some components of a Mediterranean diet may be more vital to good health than others, a new report suggests... More
Emotional Cost Of Nursing
Jun 24th 2009: ScienceDaily (June 24, 2009) What are the costs of caring? A new project in the School of Psychology explores nurses experience of distress and aims to determine if empathy with patients is associated with traumatic experience in nurses... More
Sleep Disorders Linked to Arrhythmias
Jun 23rd 2009: (HealthDay News) -- Older men who have severe sleep-related breathing problems are at increased risk for abnormal heart rhythms, a U.S. study finds... More
Care Management Reduces Depression And Suicidal Thoughts In Older Primary Care Patients
Jun 23rd 2009: ScienceDaily (June 23, 2009) Depression in older adults too often goes unrecognized and untreated, resulting in untold misery, worsening of medical illness, and early death. A new study has identified one important remedy: Adding a trained depression care manager to primary care practices can increase the number of patients receiving treatment, lead to a higher remission rate of depression, and reduce suicidal thoughts... More
Alzheimer's and Even Mild Dementia Hasten Death
Jun 9th 2009: (HealthDay News) -- Older adults with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's disease have a shorter life span than other older adults, but the risk of death is no greater for whites or blacks, a new study says... More
Severe Nightmares May Warn of Suicidal Symptoms
Jun 9th 2009: (HealthDay News) -- Besides disturbing a good night's sleep, nightmares might be linked to an increased risk of suicide, a new study suggests... More
Some OTC Sleep, Cold Meds Could Harm Aging Brain
Jun 4th 2009: (HealthDay News) --Older people taking common over-the-counter drugs for pain, cold symptoms or help with sleep may increase their risk for cognitive impairment, including delirium, University of Indiana researchers report... More
Health Tip: Fire Safety for Seniors
Jun 3rd 2009: People 85 and older are five times more likely than younger people to die in a fire, the FireSafety.gov Web site warns... More
Hearing, Voice Problems Worsen Seniors' Communication Skills
Jun 1st 2009: Hearing and vocal problems go hand-in-hand among the elderly more frequently than previously thought, according to researchers at Duke University Medical Center. Together, they pack a devastating double punch on communication skills and overall well-being... More
Video May Help People Make End-of-Life Choices
May 29th 2009: (HealthDay News) -- Seeing a video of someone with advanced dementia can help people facing the same fate make more informed decisions about the type of care they want at the end of their life, a new study suggests... More
Health Tip: Alleviate Caregiver Stress
May 29th 2009: When you're a caregiver, you have a lot of responsibilities in managing someone else's health and personal matters. But it's very important not to neglect your own well being... More
Plaques, Tangles in Brain Don't Always Lead to Alzheimer's Disease.
May 27th 2009: (HealthDay News) -- New British research provides more evidence that the bits of gunk in the brain known as plaques and tangles don't necessarily lead to Alzheimer's disease, as many experts have long believed... More
Health Tip: Be an Involved Grandparent
May 27th 2009: HealthDay News) -- Being a grandparent is one of the great joys of life... More
Acid-Suppressing Meds May Boost Pneumonia Risks
May 26th 2009: (HealthDay News) -- Instead of helping them get better faster, giving acid-suppressing medications to many hospital patients actually increases their risk of developing pneumonia while in the hospital, new research suggests... More
Tailored Treatments Effective for Depression Due to Pain
May 26th 2009: (HealthDay News) -- Combined drug and behavioral interventions helped reduce pain and depression in patients with musculoskeletal pain and coexisting depression, a U.S. study finds... More
Statins Can Help Prevent Second Stroke
May 25th 2009: (HealthDay News) -- Taking a cholesterol-lowering statin after a stroke reduces the risk of a second stroke, new research shows... More
Rapid Weight Loss in Seniors Signals Higher Dementia Risk
May 19th 2009: (HealthDay News) -- Losing weight rapidly late in life seems to signal a greater risk of experiencing some form of dementia, new research suggests... More
Multivitamins Might Prolong Life
May 18th 2009: Multivitamins may help women live longer by preventing parts of their DNA from shortening, a new study has found... More
Irregular Heartbeat Tied to Alzheimer's Disease
May 17th 2009: The abnormal heartbeat called atrial fibrillation is associated with later development of Alzheimer's disease, a large-scale study finds... More
15-Point Test Gauges Alzheimer's Risk
May 13th 2009: Researchers have developed a 15-point test that can identify the risk for developing Alzheimer's disease in older people... More
Biomarkers May Help Measure Rate of Decline in Dementia
May 12th 2009: Checking levels of certain biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid may help predict the rate of cognitive decline in people with very mild dementia, and this information could be used to improve the effectiveness of clinical trials, say U.S. researchers... More
Eye Disease, Cognitive Decline Linked in Study
May 12th 2009: Seniors who perform poorly on tests of language, memory and concentration are more likely to be suffering from the early stages of age-related macular degeneration, a major cause of vision loss, a new study suggests... More
Seniors Often Misstate Stroke History
May 11th 2009: Many seniors who've had a stroke fail to report that fact, say researchers who recommend the use of MRI scans rather than patient self-reporting to determine stroke history... More
Up To One In Six Older People Living At Home Face Malnutrition Risk
May 8th 2009: As many as one in six people who took part in a study of older people who live at home were under-nourished and at risk of malnutrition, according to the May issue of the Journal of Clinical Nursing... More
Brain Stimulation Therapy Eases Tough-to-Treat Depression
May 7th 2009: A technique called cortical brain stimulation improved symptoms and, in some cases, launched a full remission for people with major depression who had suffered for decades and who had failed multiple other treatments, researchers report... More
Delirium Episodes Could Hasten Alzheimer's-Linked Decline
May 7th 2009: The delirium sometimes experienced by people with Alzheimer's who are hospitalized might accelerate their cognitive decline, a new study shows... More
Benefitting From Adult Day Care
May 5th 2009: (HealthDay News) -- Some seniors become lonely staying home alone all day, particularly if they can no longer drive. And for older people with memory or physical problems, staying home alone can be unsafe... More
U.S. Mental Health Spending Rises, But Many Still Left Out
May 5th 2009: Mental health spending in the United States increased 65% in the past decade, and many more Americans are using mental health services, but there's still a big difference between access to care and quality of mental health care received, new research shows... More
May is Stroke Awareness Month
May 5th 2009: Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States. It is also a leading cause of serious long-term disability. While most strokes occur in people aged 65 years and older, strokes can occur at any age. Learn the signs and symptoms and how you can lower your risk for stroke... More
Prescription Training Puts Docs in Shoes of Older Patients
May 1st 2009: Two new studies show that specific training and tools can help young doctors do a better job of prescribing medications for their elderly patients... More
AoA Enhances Legal and Aging Services through New National Legal Resource Center
May 1st 2009: Recognizing the challenges many older Americans are facing in todays turbulent economic climate, Acting Assistant Secretary for Aging Edwin L. Walker has announced the establishment of the National Legal Resource Center (NLRC) to more effectively protect the rights, financial security, and independence of seniors most in need... More
Nighttime Urination Linked to Higher Death Rate Among Elderly
May 1st 2009: (HealthDay News) -- New Japanese research suggests that elderly people who get up two or more times a night to urinate face a higher risk of death... More
Newer Antipsychotics May Boost Weight in Alzheimer's Patients
Apr 15th 2009: Newer antipsychotic drugs promote weight gain and lower levels of HDL ("good") cholesterol in Alzheimer's patients, according to a new study of more than 400 elderly patients.The drugs, olanzapine and quetiapine, were both associated with significant weight gain. In addition, patients who took olanzapine experienced increases in waist circumference and declines in HDL cholesterol... More
Severe Low Blood Sugar Ups Older Diabetics' Dementia Risk
Apr 14th 2009: Older individuals with type 2 diabetes who have been hospitalized with severe low blood sugar levels seem to have a greater risk of developing dementia, new research suggests.It's not yet clear whether less severe episodes of low blood sugar, which are more common, are also linked with an increased dementia risk, according to a study in the April 15 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, a themed issue on diabetes... More
Stressed Health Care Workers Battle 'Compassion Fatigue'
Apr 10th 2009: A type of emotional burnout called "compassion fatigue" is common among doctors, nurses and other health care workers tending to people with cancer, yet experts say little research has been done on the phenomenon, which can lead to anxiety, cynicism, chronic tiredness, irritability and problem drinking.Often these health care workers become emotionally detached to protect themselves from the feelings of loss that accompany losing a patient. Some end up leaving their jobs... More
Cognitive Behavior Therapy Eases Anxiety for Older People
Apr 7th 2009: For older adults, anxiety is an increasingly common problem, and new research suggests that cognitive behavior therapy may help them ease their worries more than standard care does... More
Daily Naps May Raise Older Women's Death Risk
Apr 2nd 2009: A daily nap may boost an elderly woman's risk of dying, a new study suggests... More
Protein-Folding Problem May Help Spur Alzheimer's
Apr 1st 2009: A dysfunction in protein folding contributes to nerve cell death in Alzheimer's disease, a finding that could help lead to new treatments, Dutch researchers report... More
Scientists Spot New Clue to Alzheimer's
Feb 25th 2009: Yale University researchers believe they've filled in an important missing link in understanding the development of Alzheimer's disease.They found that cellular proteins called prions activate the process by which amyloid-beta peptides impair brain function in people with the disease... More
Tests Might Diagnose, Predict Prostate Cancer
Feb 24th 2009: One study suggests that a simple urine test could pick out 50 percent of men with prostate cancer. Another study says that combining risk factors for prostate cancer may help predict the likelihood of developing the disease.a.. More
Reminders Help Patients Get Better Care
Feb 23rd 2009: A little information and guidance can prompt patients to play a much greater role in improving their own health care, a new study focused on colon cancer screening suggests... More
B Vitamins May Ward Off Age Related Vision Loss
Feb 23rd 2009: Taking folic acid and vitamin B6 and B12 may help women preserve their eyesight as they age, a new study out in the Archives of Internal Medicine shows.Among 5,205 women 40 and older, those who had been randomly assigned to take the vitamin combo were about 35 percent less likely to develop age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a deterioration of the retina that is the leading cause of vision loss among older US adults... More
Adapting Gait May Help Elderly Avoid Falls
Feb 20th 2009: Repeatedly exposing people to situations where the footing is unstable helped train them to maintain their balance on slippery floors and avoid falls, says a University of Illinois at Chicago study.The research improves understanding of how the brain develops fall prevention strategies that can be used in a variety of situations. And experts say such training might prove particularly helpful for elderly people, who are at increased risk for falls that can lead to serious complications, disability and death... More
Vision and Dementia
Nov 30th 1999: Video.. More
