Senior Health

Alzheimer's, Dementia Care to Cost U.S. $200 Billion This Year

THURSDAY, March 8 -- Caring for people with Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia will cost the United States about $200 billion this year, a total that includes $140 billion paid by Medicare and Medicaid, new statistics...

Lost Hour of Sleep Over Weekend May Put Heart at Risk Monday

THURSDAY, March 8 -- Not only do you lose an hour of sleep after the clocks move ahead to daylight-saving time this weekend, but you also may be at increased risk for a heart attack, a heart expert claims."The Monday and Tuesday aft...

Could Fat Be Your Friend Over Age 85?

THURSDAY, March 8 -- Medical experts have long known that obesity can take years off your life, but a new Israeli study suggests that if you're lucky enough to reach your mid-80s, carrying some extra pounds might actually help you li...

Rheumatoid Arthritis Linked to Irregular Heartbeat

Study Also Suggests a 30% Increase in Stroke Risk By Salynn BoylesWebMD Health News Reviewed by Laura J. Martin, MD March 8, 2012 -- Rheumatoid arthritis patients appear to have an increased risk for developing the irregular heart rhythm condition...

1 in 7 People With Alzheimer's Lives Alone

New Report Paints Grim Picture; Disease to Cost $200 Billion in U.S. This Year By Denise MannWebMD Health News Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD March 8, 2012 -- One in seven people with Alzheimer's disease lives alone.This is one of the more stark fin...

Health Tip: Lower Your Risk for Osteoporosis

-- Some risk factors for osteoporosis you can't control -- such as your age, heritage and family history of the brittle bones condition.But the womenshealth.gov website says there are risk factors than you can control, including:Gett...

Weight-Loss Surgery Seems Safe for Kidney Disease Patients

THURSDAY, March 1 -- Obese chronic kidney disease patients who undergo surgery to achieve weight loss do not face a particularly dangerous rate of complications as a result, a new study suggests.Although the research team cautioned t...

Autism Slideshow Pictures - 'Parent Training' May Help Kids With Autism Behave Better

What Is Autism? Autism is a brain disorder that limits a person's ability to communicate and relate to other people. It first appears in young children, who fall along a spectrum from mild to severe. Some people can navigate their world, some hav...

'Parent Training' May Help Kids With Autism Behave Better

THURSDAY, March 1 -- Children with autism often display challenging behaviors, but new research suggests that parents can learn to better handle tantrums and aggression, which may improve their child's overall functioning."Parent tr...

Prescription Meds Can Put on Unwanted Pounds

FRIDAY, March 2 -- Medications taken by millions of Americans for mood disorders, high blood pressure, diabetes and other chronic conditions can have an unhealthy side effect: weight gain. While other choices exist for some types of ...

loperamide, Imodium; Kaopectate II; Imodium A-D; Maalox Anti-Diarrheal

Medical Author: Omudhome Ogbru, PharmD Omudhome Ogbru, PharmD Dr. Ogbru received his Doctorate in Pharmacy from the University of the Pacific ...

Obesity Linked to Asthma in Children

WEDNESDAY, Feb. 29 -- Children and teens who are overweight or obese are more likely to have asthma than their healthy-weight peers, a new study finds.The strength of the association between asthma and obesity varied by race and ethn...

Health Tip: Help Manage IBS Symptoms

-- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects the large intestine, and can include symptoms such as stomach cramps, gas, diarrhea, constipation or bloating.The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics says while the cause of IBS isn't understo...

Rapid Flu Tests a Good First Step: Study

MONDAY, Feb. 27 -- Rapid diagnostic influenza tests provide an accurate diagnosis, and their use during flu season could lead to earlier treatment for patients and help prevent the spread of the illness, two new studies suggest.The 2...

Vitamin D May Ease Painful Periods

Women Given Large Oral Dose Able to Skip Painkillers, but Approach Needs More Study By Kathleen DohenyWebMD Health News Reviewed by Laura J. Martin, MD Feb. 28, 2012 -- A single large dose of vitamin D may help women with painful periods feel more...

Dieting Can Prove Dangerous for Kidney Disease Patients

FRIDAY, Feb. 24 -- Overweight or obese people with chronic kidney disease may suffer further kidney damage if they use certain weight-loss methods, a new study warns.Cleveland Clinic researchers analyzed the eating and lifestyle habi...

Southerners Sleepiest, U.S. 'Sleep Map' Shows

THURSDAY, Feb. 23 -- Where you live in the United States may influence how well you sleep, researchers report.Southerners report the most sleep disturbances and daytime fatigue, while people in the West have the least, according to a...

Researchers Spot Genes Behind Macular Degeneration

FRIDAY, Feb. 24 --New research has identified more than 50 genes that can predict age-related macular degeneration, one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide.Eyes with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) were especially lik...

Mexican-Americans' Diets Suffer as They Abandon Traditional Foods: Study

MONDAY, Feb. 20 -- Obesity becomes more common as successive generations of Mexican-American teens turn their backs on the eating habits of their native country, according to a new study.The analysis of nearly 2,300 Mexican-Americans...

Fructose off the Hook for Overweight and Obesity?

New Review Suggests Blaming Natural Sweetener Is Misguided By Matt McMillenWebMD Health News Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD Feb. 20, 2012 -- When it comes to weight gain, fructose should not be singled out for blame, a new review of the scientific l...

Wrinkles

Medical Author: Gary W. Cole, MD, FAAD Gary W. Cole, MD, FAAD Dr. Cole is board certified in dermatology. He obtained his BA degree in bacteri...

Treatment Advances Improve the Odds for Heart Failure Patients

THURSDAY, Feb. 16 -- Although a growing number of Americans now struggle with heart failure, experts say new treatments have dramatically improved both quality of life and life expectancy for these patients."The present environment f...

Exercise Can Build Young Adults' Bones, Study Finds

FRIDAY, Feb. 17 -- Exercising in young adulthood boosts bone density, new research suggests. Researchers looked at the physical activity levels of over 800 Swedish men aged 19 to 24 and found that those who boosted their physical act...

Respiratory Virus Killed 8 Military Recruits After Vaccination Program Halted

WEDNESDAY, Feb. 15 -- Adenovirus infections caused eight deaths in the U.S. military since an immunization program was canceled, according to a new study.Adenoviruses are frequent causes of respiratory disease in the United States. T...

Switching to Water, Diet Drinks Linked to Modest Weight Loss

TUESDAY, Feb. 14 -- People who drank water or diet beverages instead of calorie-laden drinks lost 4 to 5 pounds over half a year, according to new research.The study included 318 overweight or obese people divided into three groups: ...

Brain Scans May One Day Be Used to Predict Dementia

TUESDAY, Feb. 14 -- Using brain scans, researchers were able to monitor mental decline over a two-year period in people without dementia and even predict the disorder before it happened, according to a new report. Scientists may one ...

Millions of Americans Have Untreated Hearing Loss: Study

WEDNESDAY, Feb. 15 -- About 27 million Americans aged 50 and older have lost some of their hearing and could benefit from a hearing aid, a new study finds.However, many people don't get hearing aids because they're often not covered ...

Study: Even Some Vigorous Activity Boosts Kids' Heart Health

Adding 20 More Minutes of Exercise a Day Can Make Big Difference By Denise MannWebMD Health News Reviewed by Hansa D. Bhargava, MD Feb. 14, 2012 -- Kids who exercise vigorously for more than 30 minutes a day may be at lower risk of heart disease...

Screening by Primary-Care Doctors May Spot Dementia

MONDAY, Feb. 13 -- Routine screening at primary care clinics led to a two- to threefold increase in diagnoses of brain-function impairments such as dementia in older veterans, researchers say.The new study included more than 8,000 U....

Short Breaks During Exercise OK for Diabetes Control: Study

WEDNESDAY, Feb. 8 -- Taking short breaks while exercising, or "intermittent" exercise, is an effective way to improve insulin sensitivity and blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes, according to a new British study.The ...