Many older Americans see blood pressure levels start to creep up, especially after age 60 when nearly three-quarters of people reach the level of hypertension, putting them at high risk for stroke, heart disease, kidney disease, cognitive impairment and even eye problems. So, if your doctor starts talking to you about getting your numbers under […]
What Are the Treatments for Alzheimer’s Disease?
In the modern medical world, when someone is diagnosed with a disease, the usual first step is to be prescribed a well-proven medicine (or two) as a remedy. For dementia and one of its most common causes, Alzheimer’s disease, therapies that stop the disease have been elusive. But the outlook may be changing, at least […]
How a new technology might accelerate Alzheimer’s testing, treatment for millions
It can take months or years for doctors to determine whether people with early signs of memory loss have Alzheimer’s disease. But experts say a new generation of blood tests may replace the expensive brain scans and spinal taps now used to diagnose the mind-robbing disease. Early diagnosis could allow patients earlier access to drugs approved […]
Surprising Health Benefits of Potatoes
Pity the poor potato. Even though it’s the most commonly consumed vegetable in the United States, it’s gotten a bad rap. Which makes sense in some ways — deep-fried french fries and potato chips account for a lot of that consumption. Headlines link them to obesity and type 2 diabetes. But dig a little deeper, […]
Why Do We Forget Names?
Many people can remember being called by the wrong name as a kid, often by an exhausted mother who ran through the names of every creature in the household — including the family dog — until hitting the name she meant to say in the first place. As adults, people often repeat the same mistakes, […]
Managing Money Problems for People With Dementia
People with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia often have problems managing their money. Research shows that money problems may be one of the first noticeable signs of the disease. Early on, a person with dementia may be able to perform basic tasks, such as paying bills, but they are likely to have problems with more complicated […]