The Cartilage Connection
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By Johns Hopkins Health Alerts; www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com
In this excerpt from a recent issue of the Johns Hopkins Arthritis Bulletin, Associate Professor Lynne C. Jones, Ph.D. talks about the importance of cartilage in the development of osteoarthritis.In my experience here at Johns Hopkins, most patients have little awareness of cartilage until something goes wrong with it. And even then, they often have a limited understanding of what cartilage is and does, what can be done to protect joints from further damage, and… More...
Posted in Arthritis on July 14, 2008
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Six Stretches for Pain-Free Travel
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By Johns Hopkins Health Alerts; www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com
Don't let back or neck pain cramp your summer travel fun. Experts who treat back pain recommend that you stretch regularly while you're in flight or when you take a driving break. Stretching can help relax tense muscles and overly tight ligaments in the back and neck.Traveling by car or plane can be a pain in the neck, literally, as well as a pain in the back. Sitting for prolonged periods adds strain to the… More...
Posted in Back Pain & Osteoporosis on July 18, 2008
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When Normal Is Not Enough
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By Johns Hopkins Health Alerts; www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com
Don't assume a normal annual test for fecal occult blood (FOBT) means you can postpone your colonoscopy. According to Frank Herlong, M.D., Associate Professor of Medicine, Gastroenterology Division at Johns Hopkins and Health After 50 Board Member, FOBTs are no longer relied upon for colon cancer screening -- though some doctors may use them to test for gastrointestinal bleeding from causes other than cancer. … More...
Posted in Colon Cancer on June 24, 2008
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Talking About Social Phobia
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By Johns Hopkins Health Alerts, www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com
In this excerpt from a recent Depression and Anxiety Bulletin, psychiatrist Emily A. Bost-Baxeter, M.D. explains social phobia and discusses treatments.Q. Where do you draw the line between shyness and social phobia? I get overwhelmed with anxiety in many social situations. It has affected my career and my ability to socialize and date. I am wondering whether medication could help me. I'd appreciate your input. Seattle, WA … More...
Posted in Depression and Anxiety on July 16, 2008
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Am I a Good Candidate for an Insulin Pump?
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By Johns Hopkins Health Alerts; www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com
Insulin pumps are primarily used by people with type 1 diabetes, but more type 2 diabetes patients are starting to use the pump. The biggest advantage of the insulin pump is improved blood glucose control. For example, in a four-month study of 79 people with diabetes, pump users had an average HbA1c level that was 0.8 percentage points lower than that of people on injected insulin therapy. In this Health Alert Johns Hopkins experts answer… More...
Posted in Diabetes on July 17, 2008
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Treating Constipation
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By Johns Hopkins Health Alerts, www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com
When should you use a laxative to treat your constipation? In this excerpt from our Health After 50 newsletter, Dr. H. Franklin Herlong, Associate Professor of Medicine at Johns Hopkins, offers advice.The National Institutes of Health defines constipation as having bowel movements less than three times a week; however, frequency isn't as important as whether you experience constipation symptoms, such as painful stools, bloating, or cramping. … More...
Posted in Digestive Health on June 9, 2008
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What Works for Mild to Moderate Hearing Loss?
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By Johns Hopkins Health Alerts; www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com
The National Institutes of Health estimates that only 1 in 5 people who need a hearing aid gets one. Resistance to hearing aids remains high, partly because of their perceived stigma. Many people who try hearing aids are also disappointed by the quality of sound. Fortunately, hearing aid technology is always advancing to better meet patients' needs. Johns Hopkins specialist Dr. Charles Limb reviews your hearing aid options and offers advice. … More...
Posted in Healthy Living on July 2, 2008
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The Many Meanings of Heart Disease
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By Johns Hopkins Health Alerts, www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com
When it comes to matters of the heart, clinical terms require careful consideration so that you know which recommendations apply to you. Here's a list of common conditions that fall under the broad category of 'heart disease.'Acute Coronary Syndrome: A term used to describe conditions, ranging from unstable angina to heart attack, that suddenly reduce blood flow to the heart. … More...
Posted in Heart Health on July 4, 2008
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The Asthma-Cough Connection
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By Johns Hopkins Health Alerts, www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com
Many people with asthma suffer from shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, and tightness in the chest, but don't understand why these symptoms occur. In this Health Alert, Dr. Peter B. Terry, Professor of Medicine in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at Johns Hopkins explains why asthma causes coughing. … More...
Posted in Lung Disorders on July 3, 2008
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Detecting Hospital Delirium
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By Johns Hopkins Health Alerts; www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com
The connection between delirium and dementia is still not fully understood, although doctors have known for quite some time that people who experience an episode of delirium and recover are more likely to go on to develop dementia. In this Health Alert, Dr. Michele Bellantoni talks about the signs of hospital delirium. … More...
Posted in Memory on June 16, 2008
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Fitting Exercise into Your Life
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By Johns Hopkins Health Alerts; www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com
Being physically active has so many health benefits. So if you are thinking you can't possible fit 30 minutes or more of exercise into your daily routine, these tips from Johns Hopkins can help.If finding enough time to exercise seems too much to contemplate, remember that any exercise is better than no exercise and small steps are the key to eventually making larger changes in your habits. What this means is that you shouldn't forgo… More...
Posted in Nutrition & Weight Control on July 9, 2008
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How To Dispose of Your Medications
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By Johns Hopkins Health Alerts; www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com
If you've ever wondered what to do with leftover or expired prescription medications, the federal government recently released some important advice. Here are guidelines from the Office of National Drug Control Policy.Here are your three options:1. Throw drugs in the trash. To do this, remove pills from their original containers. If you are worried about illegal reuse, mix the pills with coffee grounds or kitty litter and place in an empty can or sealable… More...
Posted in Prescription Drugs on July 1, 2008
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Multivitamins and Prostate Cancer
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By Johns Hopkins Health Alerts; www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com
The underlying cause of prostate cancer is unknown. As with other cancers, however, multiple events over a period of many years are probably necessary to produce a cancerous change in a prostate cell. A recent study links overuse of multivitamin supplements with the risk of fatal prostate cancer.The development of cancer is broadly viewed as a two-step process. The first step is initiation, when the cell is exposed to substances (such as a chemical), agents… More...
Posted in Prostate Disorders on July 10, 2008
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Soothing Dry Eye
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By Johns Hopkins Health Alerts, www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com
Blink! Feel better? Every time you blink, you refresh the layer of tears that covers and protects your eyes from irritants and infection. If your body fails to produce enough tears or produces less-than-perfect tears, your eyes can burn and feel itchy, gritty, or irritated -- like you have an eyelash or dust in your eye. This condition is called dry eye and affects millions of Americans. … More...
Posted in Vision on July 11, 2008
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