November 2019
Cover Story
Hip replacement
Back on your feet
Advances have made hip replacements easier, and the recovery process has been dramatically improved. It's still a major undertaking and risks need to be weighed against benefits. However, hip replacement can relieve pain from a damaged hip joint and improve your ability to stay active.
Featured Article
Personality disorders
You've often wondered what's going on with your sister-in-law. As long as you've known her, she's often let your phone and text messages go unanswered. Conversations with her end unhappily, with her accusing you of things that sound either exaggerated or entirely made-up. Family get-togethers are usually tense and uncomfortable.... Read More
Teeth whitening
For most people, maintaining pearly white teeth becomes nearly impossible as they age. The hard, white shell that coats your teeth, called the enamel, gradually wears off. The layer that's just beneath it, called the dentin, shows through with its yellowish tint. Drinking coffee, tea and alcohol can further stain... Read More
Pertussis
You might think whooping cough (pertussis) is a disease that only affects infants and kids. If you're an older adult who's been vaccinated, why worry? While it's true that babies are most at risk of pertussis infection and serious complications, older adults also can be vulnerable to the... Read More
Health Tips
Sit less, live longer
While no one is denying the importance of rest, too much sitting isn't a good thing. In fact, research has shown that the more time people spend sedentary, the higher their risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, certain cancers and earlier death. To minimize sitting time: Take...Read More
News and Our Views
Anxiety: Short-course therapy can be effective
If you have a mental health condition such as anxiety, there's a very good chance cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help you. But don't assume that getting treatment means months or years of sitting on a therapist's couch. In fact, doctors have discovered that the benefits of therapy can...Read More
Preventing dementia: The basics are best
It seems that dementia — including Alzheimer's disease dementia — occurs indiscriminately in older adults, no matter how healthy they are or their station in life. This is in part because the two greatest risk factors are things you can't do anything about — aging and genetics. However,...Read More
Second Opinion
Can turmeric supplements help with arthritis pain?
A: Although a common spice in many home pantries, you may not be familiar with the purported health effects of turmeric. Relieving arthritis pain is one of many. Turmeric, a plant related to ginger, is grown in India and many Asian countries, as well as other tropical areas.... Read More
I had intense pain after a steroid injection in my knee. Will it happen again?
A: It might. But there are things that can be done to reduce the odds. A steroid flare (acute synovitis) is one of the more common side effects of a corticosteroid injection — occurring after about 2% to 5% of injections. It occurs when the steroid forms crystals that... Read More