Recent research (The Lancet, March 21, 2018) suggests that many people with back pain are getting risky treatments that may not work, including potentially addictive opioid painkillers and surgery. The same study points to a combination of physical and psychological therapies as helpful when it comes to easing discomfort and … Read More
Shingles pain can be debilitating for seniors. I experienced the effects of shingles several years ago, and it’s something I’d rather not repeat. I hope that sharing my personal experience will encourage you to get vaccinated or, if not, to recognize the symptoms of shingles early enough to benefit from … Read More
Thanks to medical advances, Americans are living longer than at any other time in history. For many, the same medical technology that increases lifespan also increases quality of life. But for some, longevity comes at the expense of dignity and comfort, and in contravention of what they may actually want. … Read More
About one-third of adults age 65 and older are family caregivers, many of whom are looking after relatives with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia. Unfortunately, dementia care can be a heavy load for caregivers. The stress of looking after someone with dementia can take its toll, particularly as … Read More
As we get older, we become more vulnerable to serious health issues that may be difficult to treat or impossible to cure. When this happens, people differ in how much they want to know about their disorder and how it’s likely to progress. We rely on our doctors when it … Read More
What’s the magic bullet that can help improve our cardiovascular health, preserve cognitive function as we age, and help protect us from cancer? Here’s a clue: It’s the same magic bullet that can also increase energy and stamina, decrease body fat, and strengthen bones. These benefits—along with better sleep, improvements … Read More
As we get into the annual flu season (it runs from October to May), we no doubt will see advertisements for flu shots at every pharmacy we visit. But the flu shot is just one of several immunizations available to older adults, and even though we may associate routine vaccination … Read More
While you may think that most naturopathic doctors are anti-vaccine, the truth is that many licensed NDs do recommend and/or administer vaccinations such as flu shots. As medical students, we learn all about vaccinations and their many benefits, and administer them in our teaching clinics. I get a flu shot … Read More
Balance—or your sense of equilibrium—is something you may take for granted. It helps you stay upright when standing, know where you are in relation to gravity, and walk and move without falling. Balance is controlled by the vestibular system in the inner ear: essentially, this system tells you how your … Read More
Summer is here, with its warm (and sometimes too hot!) weather and the opportunity to spend more time outdoors. It can be great for socialization, exercise, vitamin D levels, mood, and even sleep—if you remember two things that can help you ward off skin cancer, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and … Read More
