An excerpt from the Johns Hopkins Medical Letter: Health After 50 Ask the Doctor Answers to your health questions from the Johns Hopkins experts. The next best thing to house calls!
	Q: Will my joints ache less if I move to a warmer climate? A: It's true that many people with osteoarthritis seem to feel more comfortable in warmer climates with moderate humidity and relatively stable weather conditions, and worse in damp, cold climates. But medical science has been unable to establish a link between weather and pain. In a recent study published in Rheumatology, researchers examined the effects of barometric pressure, precipitation, and temperature on joint pain in people ages 49 through 90 and found only one correlation: Women experienced worsening hand pain as barometric pressure rose. There may be other good reasons to relocate, but osteoarthritis is more affected by overuse of the affected joint, poor alignment, and being overweight than by weather. Q: Do I really have to throw away medications that have passed their expiration dates? A: Think of expiration dates—required by the FDA—as a very conservative guide. Most medications retain their potency well beyond the date, and out-dated drugs are not usually harmful. In a study conducted by the FDA, 90% of more than 100 drugs tested were safe and effective to use years after the expiration date. A few drugs, like insulin and some liquid antibiotics, degrade quickly and should be used by the expiration date. But if your drugs are stored under good conditions (not in the hot and humid bathroom medicine chest!), they should retain their potency for at least 1 to 2 years beyond the date. But do discard any pills that become discolored, turn powdery, or smell strong, any liquids that are cloudy or filmy, and tubes of cream that are hardened or cracked. Q: Why did my doctor spend most of my last check-up counseling me to stop smoking and improve my diet, instead of doing a physical exam? A: Many people think the hallmark of good medical care is a yearly visit to the doctor that includes both screening tests and a physical exam. But people in generally good health don't need to see a doctor every year. And they are not being shortchanged if they don't get the physical exam. In fact, much of what is done during the typical hands-on physical makes no difference in overall longevity rates for people without symptoms of illness. Since lifestyle factors account for an estimated two-thirds of the chronic illnesses associated with aging, spending time with your doctor discussing how to modify these factors may be more beneficial than undergoing a complete physical. Q: Will I live a long healthier life if I radically reduce my calorie intake? A: Animals placed on severe calorie-restricted diets throughout adulthood live 30% to 40% longer than animals on regular diets. And it's true that the animals in these studies show fewer signs of aging and have fewer chronic medical problems, including cancer. What's not yet known is whether humans can reap similar benefits through severe calorie restriction. Studies of centenarians in Okinawa suggest that a low-calorie diet contributes to longevity. But drastic calorie restriction is not practical for people, and could be dangerous for the frail elderly and for people with chronic illnesses. But overweight people who shed weight gradually can reap the rewards of lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol, and a lower risk of many diseases, from diabetes to some cancers. For more healthy living advice for men and women over 50, subscribe today to Johns Hopkins Medical Letter: Health After 50.