Chronic Heartburn Poses Danger
Treating GERD now lessens long-term threats to health
By Fred Cicetti
Q: I’m getting heartburn a lot since I turned 60. Is more heartburn something that comes with more years?
A: More than 60 million Americans experience heartburn at least once a month and more than 15 million Americans experience heartburn daily. Heartburn is more common among the elderly. Read more
Blood Matters
Donating blood to yourself in advance for surgery
By Fred Cicetti
Q: I’m a geezer planning to have surgery in a few months. I was wondering if I can donate blood to myself in advance?
A: Yes you can. This is called “autologous” blood donation. It’s done in the weeks before non-emergency surgery. The blood is stored until the operation. Autologous donation is most often employed in surgery on bones, blood vessels, the urinary tract and the heart, when the likelihood of transfusion is high. Read more
Options for Joint Replacement
When the hip bone’s connected to a resurfaced socket
By Fred Cicetti
Q: I’m considering having a hip replaced. What are the odds that this operation will work?
A: The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons says joint replacement surgery is successful in more than 9 out of 10 people. And replacement of a hip or knee lasts at least 20 years in about 80 percent of those who have the surgery. Read more
Possible Pill Problems
What to know when mixing prescription medication with over-the-counter drugs
By Fred Cicetti
Q: What is acetaminophen and why do I see it listed on so many products in my medicine cabinet?
A: Acetaminophen is the most widely used pain-reliever and fever-reducer in the world. It is contained in more than 100 products. Tylenol is the best-known over-the-counter (OTC) acetaminophen product. The drug is also a component of well-known prescription drugs such as Darvocet and Percocet. Acetaminophen also is known as paracetamol and N-acetyl-p-aminophenol (APAP). Read more
Healthy to the Bone
Why men should watch out for osteoporosis symptoms, too
By Fred Cicetti
Q: Do men get osteoporosis?
A: Yes, men do get osteoporosis, but women are at greater risk.
Osteoporosis, or porous bone, is a disease characterized by low bone mass and structural deterioration of bone tissue. This condition creates an increased risk of fractures. Read more
Our Leading Cancer Killer
A review of lung cancer causes, symptoms and treatments
By Fred Cicetti
Q: Is cigarette smoke the only cause of lung cancer?
A: Radon and asbestos are causes, too. Radon is an invisible, odorless and radioactive gas that occurs naturally in soil and rocks. Asbestos has been used for fireproofing, electrical insulation, building materials, brake linings and chemical filters.
But cigarette smoking is the number one cause of lung cancer. Before cigarette smoking became popular in the early part of the 20th century, doctors rarely saw patients with lung cancer. Nearly 90 percent of people with lung cancer developed it because they smoked cigarettes. Read more
More Than Stress
Xerostomia, or dry mouth, can be related to medications and cancer treatments
By Fred Cicetti
Q: I seem to have bad breath a lot. I’ve also noticed that my mouth is a bit dry most of the time. Could these two things be related? Read more
Forever Young
Cutting through the hype of some common anti-aging potions
By Fred Cicetti
Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rage at close of day;
Rage, rage, against the dying of the light.
—Dylan Thomas
Q.I’m tired of taking this sitting down. What can I do to fight the aging process?
A: There’s nothing that will stop aging, but you know that. The most you can hope for is longevity with health. Here are some pointers from health professionals for a high quality of life. You may find these boring, but they work: Read more
Beating the Blues
How to identify and treat depression
By Fred Cicetti
Q. Is depression just a “normal” part of aging?
A: There are a lot of problems to face as you get older. There are losses of all kinds that can get you down. And feeling blue for a while is a normal part of living at any age.
But unrelenting depression is not normal. If you feel this way, you should seek medical attention. Most people get better if they treat their depression. Read more
Blurry Vision? See Your Doc
Although a serious disease, macular degeneration can be managed
By Fred Cicetti
Q. I’m 70 and I’m starting to see a blurred area in the middle of my vision. Any ideas?
A: Have this checked immediately by an eye care practitioner. What you describe is a symptom of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of vision loss in Americans 60 years of age and older.
The macula is at the center of the retina in the back of your eye. The retina transmits light from the eye to the brain. The macula allows us to perform tasks that require central vision, such as reading and driving. Read more
