Healthy Aging - Common Diseases & Conditions

Alzheimer's disease can be just as devastating to families as it is to patients. Here, Vivian Pinkowitz shares her story of caring for her husband through the good times and the bad.

Leola, 78, lives in Montgomery, AL. She has suffered from arthritis for decades, but didn t give up on finding ways to cope with and manage this painful condition. Read on to see how she continues to overcome against the pain in her joints.

A new study suggests high potassium intake can lower your risk of stroke. Here s what you should know

If someone near to you has recently gained weight, you may feel it's your duty to say something, but consider this expert insight first.

Cutting-edge treatments for those with advanced prostate cancer are helping to slow down the progression of the disease and are doing so with fewer side effects.

When it comes to these bugs, what's fact and what's fiction? Let us set the record straight.

When it comes to the so-called "kissing disease," it can be hard to separate fact from fiction. Get the right information right here from a medical professional.

If you're among the 7.5 million Americans living with this skin condition, we've got tips to help you look and feel your best.

Take steps to avoid (or relieve the pain from) this common foot problem.

Adults ages 50 and older are at an increased risk for STDs. Here's what you need to know to avoid catching or spreading serious diseases.

New studies explore how coffee may help people lose weight and even reduce their risk of diabetes.

Going Mediterranean may offer protective benefits against skin cancer. That's on top of the other health benefits this easy-to-follow diet serves up.

Did you know your surroundings could increase your chances of suffering a heart attack or stroke? Here's why.

Due to evolutionary factors and hormones, one sex is more prone to a miserable bout of the flu.

If you're down for the count with influenza, here's how to get yourself up and going again.

Soap and water alone are fine for keeping dust bunnies away, but they won t rid your home of germs. Here's how to tell when your home needs more than just a routine clean.

A nagging cough, low-grade fever, and pain or tightness in the chest may signal bronchitis. Here's how to tell for sure.

Here's why you may have lost your voice...and how to find it again.

If it's sometimes hard to grasp words and facts that you used to have a handle on, it might be time to get a grip, literally.

What benefits come from a strong support network, and where can you find one of your own?

Poor circulation can lead to painful and unsightly skin ulcers, most commonly found on the inside of the ankles. Here's how to detect a problem so treatment can begin.

Though most cases of breast cancer occur in women over 55, thousands under the age of 40 are diagnosed each year. Find out if you're at increased risk and what you can do to protect yourself.

If you were diagnosed tomorrow, would you be prepared financially? If the answer is "no," you may be tempted to invest in cancer insurance. But read this first.

Environmental factors account for about two-thirds of all cancer cases, according to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Here's what you need to know.

Understanding how melanoma metastasizes will help scientists develop potential new treatment therapies.

Have you changed your eating habits to shed some pounds but find the numbers on the scale are going up?

Is Alzheimer's a result of genetics or environment? Scientists say both. While you can't change your genes, you can alter your lifestyle to help reduce your risk of this degenerative brain disorder.

Hot flashes are a well-known, frequently-complained-about source of discomfort brought on by menopause. Here's how to get relief from these and other "more-than-just annoyances."

New study suggests snoring may be more than just a nuisance. Read on to learn about its connection to heart attack and stroke.

You love your pet. But what happens if your significant other can't set foot in your home without coughing or sneezing? Don't let allergies end your relationship. Read on for ways to solve the problem.

Feel like you're dealing with yeast infections all the time? Learn more about this common problem.

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a complicated condition distinguished by fatigue that isn't relieved by rest. Does this sound familiar?

Have you ever developed an unexplained bump on your hand or foot? If so, it was probably a ganglion cyst.

Vitiligo occurs when the cells that produce melanin die, or no longer form melanin. This causes white patches to appear on the skin, and sometimes even the hair and eyes.

Sure, there are moves to avoid, but there are also certain ones that can help with strength and posture.

People often report feeling more energetic and more focused when they stop eating gluten. But starting a gluten-free diet without consulting your doctor can compromise your health. Here's why.

If you have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a promising new treatment may help provide relief from your symptoms.

A cataract is a clouding of the lens inside the eye, which leads to impaired vision. Most cataracts are related to aging, but some are not. Here's the whole story.

Excessive bathroom trips could be solved by this treatment option that's less invasive than surgery.

Spinal manipulation is a helpful element of ongoing pain treatment for many. Learn what to expect from your visit to the chiropractor.

From the harvesting of stem cells without embryos to a pill that delays aging, we've rounded up a few of medicine's amazing advances coming down the pike.

These simple tips will help you clear away the clouds to let the sunshine in again.

Therapy can be an effective tool when coping with difficult situations, but many insurances plans don't cover mental health services, or they require expensive co-pays. Here are some ways to find affordable treatment.

For many, sinusitis means uncomfortable symptoms that may require the right treatment to overcome.

Osteoporosis is often associated with age, but smoking, alcohol abuse, and poor nutrition can play a role as well.

Heartburn is a symptom of GERD. And there s more to know about how these conditions are distinct.

A diagnosis of breast cancer is not as straightforward as you might imagine (or hope). There are several different types of breast cancer, some more serious than others. Get the facts.

What are the types, causes, risk factors, and treatments of this hard to control, and sometimes embarrassing, condition?

It's used to everything from trucks to generators, but it's now clear diesel fumes are tied to cancer. What can you do about it?

Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease can be a challenge. Follow these tips to make it easier.

These simple tests can help detect common health conditions before they escalate.

Caregiving expert Jackie Pinkowitz discusses the difference between age-related memory problems and Alzheimer's disease.

Do you have an elderly relative you suspect may be starting to suffer from memory impairment? It's worth your while to have him or her be seen by a doctor and, if necessary, receive treatment even if the condition doesn't seem serious.

Have you noticed that your fast-acting relief inhaler isn't providing as much relief as you'd expect? If you're an older person who smoked, it's possible that in addition to asthma, you could have another ailment called Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

Mammograms save lives. Or do they? Breast cancer deaths have declined over the past two decades. Is this due to routine screenings or better treatment techniques?

You know it does, but do you know how and why smoking is one of the greatest health risks out there? Understanding what's behind the risk might help you or a loved one give them up for good.

Asking the right questions of yourself and your loved ones could save lives.

When you have prostate cancer, you want to get better as quickly as possible. Fortunately, you can improve your chances of a successful recovery.

You've heard they do. You've heard they don't. So, what are the experts saying about the real risk?

An occasional increase in blood pressure above your average reading is not usually a cause for alarm. But over time, and if those spikes occur frequently enough, they can cause damage to your blood vessels, heart, and kidneys.

Have you ever grappled with the unexpected side effects from a medication? It's important to pinpoint the cause of these surprising reactions. Here's the right way to know if it's a true drug allergy.

If you've had bouts of short-term insomnia in the past, you can probably predict when it's likely to happen again. The first thing to do is to stop anticipating trouble. Worrying about insomnia only makes insomnia worse.

Heart disease is the number one killer of women in the U.S. Did you know there are four steps you can take to reduce your risk of heart disease by up to 82 percent?

Living with diabetes raises your risk of heart disease. What if the same drug you take to treat your diabetes symptoms also had benefits for your heart health?

Although advancing age and being a woman are the two most significant risk factors for breast cancer, a family history also raises your risk of developing breast cancer and developing it at a younger age.

Taking a daily aspirin could be good for your health... or it could be bad for your health. There are advantages for those living with diabetes, but there are also risks.

Are you an "apple"? Are you a "pear"? And what does that really determine anyway?

A new study shows that there may be added heart benefits to including these foods in your daily diet.

What is the relationship between these two conditions? Could one contribute to or cause the other?

Remember having the chicken pox as a kid? That episode can come back to haunt you as an adult. Shingles normally presents with severe pain, tingling, or burning on one side of the body. That's followed by red, scaly blisters that break, dry, and crust over.

The new technique of 3-D mammograms, or digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT), overlays 3-D optical mammogram images with x-ray images.

Researchers have found that women are 11 times more likely to develop this serious condition if they are missing teeth or have gum disease. What's the connection?

Twenty-five percent of people with diabetes don't even know they have it and that means they're not getting the treatment they need or taking the important steps necessary to keep the disease in check.

There are many reasons to take on this challenge, and mental acuity is probably at the bottom of the list. But that doesn't diminish the brain benefits it can confer.

The Web offers many options for staying connected and keeping loved ones updated on your or your family member's health issues. These methods are fast, easy, and efficient, and you'll know your support network is right there with you as a part of your journey.

As you age it's essential to protect your bones from breaks and fractures. You can take steps starting now to keep yourself safe and sound.

A new study illuminates some important advantages robots can offer over standard physical rehabilitation therapy to those recovering from stoke.

If you've ever felt your stress levels go up upon hearing loud noises and wondered if the clamor was affecting your well-being, the answer is yes.

What points should you consider when you're weighing the risks and benefits of these lifesaving devices?

Almost a quarter of a million Americans are diagnosed with Squamous Cell Carcinoma every year, and the numbers are growing. But what are the causes and warning signs? And are you doing enough to protect yourself?

If you're a middle-aged woman, it's especially important to keep your blood pressure under control. There are small changes you can make that will add up big when it comes to your health.

It's the third leading cause of death in the U.S. Learn the warning signs and symptoms for you and for those you love.

Douglas recently completed treatment for late stage IV throat cancer and is now in remission.

No cancer treatment is risk free and sometimes the side effects don't manifest until many years after treatment.

If you're wondering whether cancer rates are going up or down, here are a few highlights from the most recent update from the National Cancer Institute.

Germs thrive in saliva, mucous, stomach acids, and other body fluids. Regardless of how good you are about personal hygiene when you're sick, chances are you're going to spew a few germs.

Heart disease is the number one killer of men and women in the U.S. But heart disease is actually a category of diseases and it pays to know the different types.

Men who have long enjoyed a normal sex life may be unpleasantly surprised when sex suddenly gets a lot less sexy. An estimated 30 million men suffer from erectile dysfunction, which is the inability to maintain an erection.

Before you take another capsule, here's what you need to know about how Vitamin E supplements are tied to risk of stroke.

Understand how inflammation, an immune system response that produces heat, swelling, and redness, increases the risk for heart attack and stroke.

Educate yourself on what can happen so you can take the steps now to change your outcome for the better.

Could half the country be diabetic in 10 years? Here are changes you can make now to keep this scary prediction from becoming reality.

Make this year the best for your heart with these seven tips to help keep your heart in tip-top shape.

Down the road might you notice some not-so-nice symptoms from getting rid of this organ?

While there may be some things about aging that are less than lovable, it turns out that hitting those milestone birthdays often means there are plenty of positives to celebrate. Here are a few.

Heart disease may be the leading cause of death for both men and women, but there are many things you can do now to avoid it.

While the damage this condition does to the eye is largely preventable, unfortunately many people aren't aware they have glaucoma until it's too late.

Diabetes increases risk of erectile dysfunction, but there are ways to keep your sex life satisfying.

A new study finds that heart disease patients' risk of suffering a major cardiovascular event can be measured by their resting heart rate.

This intense therapeutic experience manipulates your fascia, the connective tissue around muscles, to restructure your physique.

From the moment you are diagnosed with cancer, you become a survivor. And you are in good company. In 2010, the number of people in the U.S. living with cancer exceeded 11 million.

Deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) is a very scary condition that can be fatal. What do you need to know about DVT to ensure it doesn't happen to you?

Which veggies promise to reduce age-related memory deficits?

Teenagers may be irresponsible about a lot of things, but when it comes to condom use, they're actually more careful than grownups.

Vitamins keep your body in top working order. And while everyone needs a variety of vitamins, there are a few nutrients that are particularly necessary for men.

Increases in accidental overdoses of over-the-counter, prescription, and illegal drugs are one of the fastest-rising causes of accidental death in the U.S.

Poor circulation can cause numbness, cold hands and feet, and other unpleasant symptoms. But a sluggish blood flow isn't something you have to live with. You can boost your circulation and get that blood moving through your body.

Sleeping soundly isn't just good for you it's good for your heart, especially if you're a man.

Your knees have a heavy load to bear. They support a good percentage of your body weight and have been doing so since you learned to walk. So it's no surprise that as you get older, your knees may experience a little (or a lot) more trouble than they used to.

What are the challenges of getting a good night's rest and what's the best advice for addressing common sleep issues?

It turns out memory problems are not necessarily a normal sign of aging.

A recent study found that men who have insomnia are four times more likely to die when compared to men who reported sleeping well.

Resveratrol, a plant compound found in red wine and red grapes, has for some time been touted as a key to longevity.

Recent research shows that brittle bones, long considered a women's problem, is taking a significant toll on men.

Could type 2 diabetes be a precursor to Alzheimer's disease? A study team out of Japan has just released research results that suggest this possibility.

Steps you can take to help ensure your health well into your golden years.

Larger head size may be an advantage to people with Alzheimer s disease.

About six million men in the United States suffer from depression, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. While the stigma of mental health disorders is fading, some men are still reluctant to talk about, or seek help for, depression.

An overview of the link between rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis. Plus, how to build healthy bones and reduce your risk of this bone-thinning disease that increases your risk of fractures.

If you're reaching your golden years and find yourself experiencing a host of respiratory symptoms, you could be one of the many senior citizens dealing with asthma, even if you don t yet know it.

Learn more about this new, non-surgical option.

When your total cholesterol level climbs above 240, it s time to take action to decrease your risk for a stroke or a heart attack.

Understanding erectile dysfunction is the first step in treating it. Get the facts about this common condition.

Hip pain is an increasingly common phenomenon that tends to occur with age. Find out what causes hip pain and what you can do about it.

As life expectancy increases, so, too, does the prevalence of dementia. Here, a look at the disorder, from symptoms to treatment.