It can start as “pins and needles,” as if your hand or foot has fallen asleep, followed by burning, feelings of electric shock, muscle weakness, or extreme sensitivity to the lightest touch. Peripheral neuropathy (PN) is a chronic and painful condition which involves damage to the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. This condition […]
It is safe to assume that many readers of this newsletter put on their reading glasses first! For most of us, vision changes seem to be noticed in our 40’s. We may have first noticed difficulty reading the fine print on a label or perhaps a restaurant menu, particularly when lights are dim. As we […]
One in two women over the age of 50 will break a bone due to osteoporosis. The National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) reports that by 2020, half of all male and female Americans over the age of 50 are likely to have osteoporosis or low bone density. Of the approximately 10 million individuals in the United […]
The human body has a remarkable way of speaking to us. While there may be plausible explanations for certain aches and pains, such as exercise overexertion or the natural aging process, persistent painful joints may indicate a more serious health issue, such as arthritis. There are two main categories of arthritis in adults, osteoarthritis (primary […]
Nearly 800,000 people in the United States have a stroke each year. Stroke is the fourth leading cause of death and the nation’s leading cause of disability. While the majority of individuals who have a stroke are over the age of 65, surprisingly nearly 25% are younger. Reducing risk factors and being aware of symptoms […]
According to the National Sleep Foundation, about 90 million adults in the United States snore, which is almost 45% of all adults. Clearly, snoring is a phenomenon that cannot be ignored. It is difficult to imagine just what causes the variety of unusual and sometimes incredibly loud sounds that occur when a person snores. When […]
Gastrointestinal (GI) discomfort, such as gas, constipation or loose stools, are issues everyone experiences at some point. However, if these issues are frequent or persistent, they should not be ignored. For some people, this may be easier said than done. Generally, talking about GI issues and discussing your bowel habits with your physician is outside […]
Many people have the perception that type 2 diabetes is a health risk only for overweight individuals. It is true that those who are obese account for approximately 60% of the 17 million adults with diabetes in the United States. However, aging also plays a significant role in increasing the odds of developing type 2 […]
When most people hear the words “heart attack,” a dramatic image of someone (usually a man clutching his chest) typically comes to mind. This dramatic perception is what the American Heart Association calls the “movie heart attack.” And while it is true that many heart attacks are sudden and powerful, most begin with more subtle […]
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases estimates that more than 50 million Americans suffer from allergic diseases. Allergies are the sixth leading cause of chronic disease in United States. They arise from loss of the body’s natural resistance to allergens – substances that in some people the immune system recognizes as “foreign” or […]