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Johns Hopkins Health Alerts HeadlinesA new article is posted to this website every weekday. Read the most recent Health Alerts now:
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The Estrogen-Osteoarthritis Connection
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By Johns Hopkins Health Alerts; www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com
Why do so many middle-aged women develop osteoarthritis? Scientists believe that declining estrogen levels may play a role.Osteoarthritis is often called a wear-and-tear disease because it develops in joints after many years of use. Aging increases the risk of developing osteoarthritis, but it's not the sole cause. Scientists aren't sure exactly what causes the condition, but several factors play a role in its development. These include genetic predisposition, obesity, prior joint injuries, wear and tear… More...
Posted in Arthritis on May 12, 2008
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Water Workouts
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By Johns Hopkins Health Alerts, www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com
For many people with back pain, hydrotherapy -- exercising in water -- offers a way to build muscle strength and flexibility with minimal stress on joints and muscles. This article is written by Kelly Daley, senior physical therapist at Johns Hopkins' Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.Strengthening the muscles that support the back helps both to prevent low back pain and injury and to treat existing back problems. But many exercise programs are too strenuous… More...
Posted in Back Pain & Osteoporosis on April 25, 2008
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Aggressive Treatment Pays Off
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By Johns Hopkins Health Alerts; www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com
For patients with advanced, metastatic colorectal cancer that has spread to the liver, surgery offers hope, according to a study in the Annals of Surgical Oncology.The treatments for advanced cancer are much the same as for newly diagnosed cancer. However, they are more aggressive. They include: Surgery to remove cancer where it has returned or metastasized. This could be localized or could involve extensive surgery for metastases in the liver or other organs. … More...
Posted in Colon Cancer on May 13, 2008
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Linking Obesity and Depression
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By Johns Hopkins Health Alerts, www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com
Does depression lead to poor health … or is it the other way around? Recent research explores the relationship between obesity and mood disorders, including depression, bipolar disorder, panic disorder, and agoraphobia.Depression clearly has a harmful effect on physical health, although the biological reasons for the link between body and mind are unclear. It may be that depression affects health because people develop a fatalistic attitude and stop taking care of themselves. … More...
Posted in Depression and Anxiety on May 14, 2008
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Putting Your Feet First
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By Johns Hopkins Health Alerts, www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com
Do you take good care of your feet? Many people with diabetes don't and risk foot ulcers or worse. In this Health Alert Johns Hopkins specialists provide the essentials of good foot care for people with diabetes.People with type 2 diabetes are at higher risk for slow-healing foot injuries that can become infected and progress to amputation. The underlying reasons are poor blood flow to the extremities and less sensation to pain due to… More...
Posted in Diabetes on April 24, 2008
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Dietary Changes and GERD
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By johns Hopkins Health Alerts; www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com
Archives of Internal Medicine suggests that contrary to common advice, dietary changes alone will not improve symptoms of GERD, such as heartburn or acid reflux.If you have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) you know these unpleasant feelings -- heartburn, indigestion, nausea, and sometimes vomiting. Acid from the stomach can even regurgitate into organs connected to the esophagus, such as the larynx, trachea, and lungs. … More...
Posted in Digestive Health on April 28, 2008
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Breast Cancer Screening Gets Better
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By Johns Hopkins Health Alerts, www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com
It's common knowledge that a yearly mammogram can be a lifesaver, but recent news suggests that a mammogram isn't always enough. In the spring of 2007, the American Cancer Society (ACS) released new recommendations for the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as an additional screening tool for breast cancer for selected high-risk individuals. In addition, new mammography technology, such as digital mammography, is increasingly available. … More...
Posted in Healthy Living on April 9, 2008
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Mediterranean vs. Low-Fat Diet
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By Johns Hopkins Health Alerts; www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com
Which is healthier for your heart: a Mediterranean-style diet or a low-fat diet? A study reported in the Annals of Internal Medicine looked into this question and the results may surprise you.Lifestyle measures are essential to reduce your risk of a heart attack -- whether you are trying to prevent your first heart attack or have already had one and do not want to have another. The aim of lifestyle measures is to control the… More...
Posted in Heart Health on May 2, 2008
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Should You Try a DASH-Style Diet?
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By Johns Hopkins Health Alerts; www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com
If you are concerned about hypertension, perhaps you should try the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet. In this article – and a related article Tweaking the DASH Diet -- Johns Hopkins specialists explore the benefits of a DASH-style diet.The DASH diet is an eating plan that can have a significant and positive effect on your blood pressure. The diet is rich in fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products and low in saturated fat… More...
Posted in Hypertension & Stroke on May 6, 2008
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Questions About Alzheimer's Disease
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By Johns Hopkins Health Alerts; www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com
Alzheimer's Question 1 – Where can I get the best medical evaluation for my wife?Q. My wife's doctor thinks she may have an early form of Alzheimer's disease. It's been a week since he gave us that devastating news, but I now feel able to gather my wits and do whatever I can to help get her the best care. We are retired, 78 years old, and able to travel to any center that… More...
Posted in Memory on May 5, 2008
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Monitoring Your Medications
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By Johns Hopkins Health Alerts, www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com
When your doctor prescribes a new medication, are the dosing and potential side effects thoroughly discussed? For many patients they are not, as a recent study discovered.There is no single ideal dose of any medication for all patients, because people often respond differently to the same medications. The dose must be tailored to you and your specific medical needs. The goal is to identify the minimum effective dose: one that provides sufficient benefit, with minimum… More...
Posted in Prescription Drugs on April 29, 2008
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Talking with the Pathologist
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By Johns Hopkins Health Alerts; www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com
In this Q and A from the Prostate Bulletin, Dr. Jonathan Epstein, The Reinhard Professor of Urologic Pathology at Johns Hopkins, talks about the intricacies of prostate biopsy.Q. Is it possible that a 12-core biopsy can miss a prostate cancer?Dr. Epstein. Most of the time, good sampling of the prostate means taking 10, 12, or 14 or more cores. Even so, there is potentially a high likelihood of biopsy missing cancer. This depends on where… More...
Posted in Prostate Disorders on May 8, 2008
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Diabetes and Cataract Surgery
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By Johns Hopkins Health Alerts; www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com
For people with diabetes, cataract surgery poses serious risks, as a recent British study explains.Surgery for cataracts involves removing all or part of the lens and replacing it with an intraocular lens implant (IOL). Cataract removal is the most frequently performed surgery in people over age 65 and is considered by many doctors to be the most effective surgical procedure in all of medicine. If the eye is normal except for the cataract, surgery will… More...
Posted in Vision on May 9, 2008
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