Senior Independent Living
New Heart Surgery Gave Liz Taylor a “Brand New Ticker.”
March 29th, 2010
Filed under category: Health and Wellness, Medical Research
Liz Taylor recently underwent some surgery to repair a problem with her heart. A few days later, she said it felt like she had “a brand new ticker.”
She had had an experimental surgery that used a clip device and did not require open heart surgery.
…continue reading New Heart Surgery Gave Liz Taylor a “Brand New Ticker.”
Want to Improve Your Memory? Relax!
March 29th, 2010
Filed under category: Alzheimer's, Brain and Mind Health, Medical Research
One of the ways that medical science is making progress in treating Alzheimer’s and dementia is simple research into the way the brain works. A recent study shows that you will form memories better if you are relaxed.
We know this already. When we’re tense or upset, we don’t think as well. We think better when our minds are relaxed. This study seems to suggest that we also form memories better when we’re relaxed.
Aspririn’s Effect On Preventing Cancer
March 26th, 2010
Filed under category: Health and Wellness, Medical Research
Medicine Net has provided us with an interesting FAQ about the effects of aspirin as therapy for cancer.
The article answers the questions whether aspiring improves breast cancer survival, whether aspirin can take the place of other cancer treatments, whether aspirin can prevent breast cancer, and whether aspirin can prevent other kinds of cancer.
Dark Environment Encourages Dishonesty and Selfishness
March 26th, 2010
Filed under category: Medical Research, News
Well this is fairly remarkable. While it doesn’t relate directly to senior independent living, it is certainly interesting and probably has a direct bearing on most of us, and especially seniors.
It turns out that people who live or work in dark environs — or even wear sunglasses — are more likely to behave in unethical, dishonest, or selfish ways.
…continue reading Dark Environment Encourages Dishonesty and Selfishness
Little Benefit for Senior Women From Vaccine Against Cervical Cancer
March 25th, 2010
Filed under category: Medical Research
The New York Times reports that a study recently published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute shows that women over age 40 are unlikely to receive any benefit from a vaccine against human papillomavirus (HPV).
Though the vaccine does help prevent infections, the fact is that women over 40 are unlikely to contract the virus. The virus is carcinogenic, but may take decades to bring about the cancer that seems to disproportionately afflict older women.
…continue reading Little Benefit for Senior Women From Vaccine Against Cervical Cancer
Next Year Swine Flu Will Be Included In Annual Flu Vaccine
March 25th, 2010
Filed under category: Health and Wellness, Medical Research
For the 2010-2011 flu season, the vaccinations being offered will include a vaccine against the H1N1 “swine” flu.
Though the swine flu did not hit us very hard this year, experts are still concerned about it and about possible flare-ups that might occur in the future. For that reason, the flu vaccine will include coverage for swine flu next year.
…continue reading Next Year Swine Flu Will Be Included In Annual Flu Vaccine
Cancer Detection – To Screen or Not to Screen?
March 24th, 2010
Filed under category: Government & Legal, Medical Research
There have been several disputes aired publicly recently about some fairly important questions that are being debated in medical science. You may remember the questions about screening for breast cancer recently.
The Eldercare ABC Blog weighs in with an article about the importance of colorectal cancer screening.
…continue reading Cancer Detection – To Screen or Not to Screen?
Tale of Medical Research in the Fight Against Cancer
March 21st, 2010
Filed under category: Medical Research
The New York Times has published a series of articles about drug trials for melanoma cancer patients. The Times’s story is about the difficulties that doctors and patients go through in testing new drugs.
This installment starts with some dramatically positive results from a drug known as PLX4032, which seemed to significantly reduce tumors in a very short period of time.
…continue reading Tale of Medical Research in the Fight Against Cancer
Smoking Pipes or Cigars Also Harmful to Your Lungs
March 19th, 2010
Filed under category: Health and Wellness, Medical Research
Say it ain’t so! Well, unfortunately, smoking a pipe or cigar is still harmful to your lungs. A lot of smokers believe that smoking pipes or cigars is less deleterious to their health.
And while smoking pipes or cigars is harmful, it appears to be a lot less harmful than smoking cigarettes.
…continue reading Smoking Pipes or Cigars Also Harmful to Your Lungs
New Advice About Prostate Cancer Screening – Talk to Your Doctor
March 17th, 2010
Filed under category: Health and Wellness, Medical Insurance, Medical Research
We’ve been hearing conflicting advice about getting cancer screening recently. There has been waffling on breast cancer screening, and the advice about prostate cancer screening seems to be changing too.
NPR’s health blog, Shots, reports that the American Cancer Society is advising men, not to get tested, but to talk to their doctor about getting tested.
…continue reading New Advice About Prostate Cancer Screening – Talk to Your Doctor
