Health Problems After Age 50

 

Outsmart Your Age

More than nine in 10 older adults have some type of chronic disease, and almost eight in 10 have more than one. So  chances are, you'll have one sooner or later. But there are things you can do to live a healthier life.

High Blood Pressure

As you age, your blood vessels get less flexible, and that puts pressure on the system that carries blood through your body. That might explain why about two out of three adults over 60 have high blood pressure. But there are other causes you can control. To do so, watch your weight, exercise, stop smoking, find ways to deal with stress, and eat healthy.

Diabetes

About one in 10 Americans have diabetes. Your chances of getting the disease go up as you get older. Diabetes can lead to heart disease, kidney disease, blindness, and other problems. Talk with your doctor about having your blood sugar checked.

Heart Disease

Plaque buildup in your arteries is a major cause of heart disease. It starts in childhood and gets worse as you age. In the 40-to-59 age group in the U.S., 6.3% of men and 5.6% of women have heart disease. Between ages 60 and 79, heart disease cases go up to nearly 20% of men and 9.7% of women.

Obesity

If you weigh a lot more than is healthy for your height, you could be considered obese -- it’s not having just a few extra pounds. It’s linked to at least 20 chronic diseases, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure, and arthritis. Nearly 45% of Americans ages 40 to 59 are obese.

Osteoarthritis

At one time, doctors chalked up this disease of the joints to the wear and tear of age, and that is a factor. But genetics and lifestyle probably have something to do with it as well. And previous joint injuries, a lack of physical activity, diabetes, and being overweight can all play a part, too.

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis causes your bones to become weak and could lead to fractures. It affects about 54 million Americans age 50 or over. A couple of things that can help: a healthy diet rich in calcium and vitamin D (you need both for strong bones) and regular weight-bearing exercise, like dancing, jogging, or climbing stairs.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

This causes inflammation and blocks air from your lungs. It’s a slow-moving disease that you could have for years without knowing it -- symptoms usually show up in your 40s or 50s. It can make you have trouble breathing, and you may cough, wheeze, and spit up mucus. Exercise, a healthy diet, and avoiding smoke and pollution can help.

Hearing Loss

Maybe nothing says “You’re getting older” more than having to ask, “What did you say?” About 2% of Americans ages 45 to 54 have hearing loss that is "disabling." That goes up to 8.5% for those ages 55 to 64.   Loud noise, disease, and your genes all play a part. Some medications can cause hearing problems, too. See your doctor if you’re not able to hear as well as you used to.

Vision Problems

That annoying blurriness when you try to read the small type on labels or menus isn’t the only threat to your vision as you age. Cataracts (which cloud the lens of your eye) and glaucoma (a group of eye conditions that damage your optic nerve) can harm your eyesight. See your eye doctor for regular exams.

Bladder Problems

Whether you can’t go when you need to or you have to go too often, problems with bladder control tend to happen as we get older. They can be caused by nerve problems, muscle weakness,  thickening tissue, or an enlarged prostate. Exercises and  lifestyle changes -- drinking less caffeine or not lifting heavy things, for example -- often help.

Cancer

Age is the biggest risk factor for cancer. The disease affects young people, too, but your odds of having it more than double between ages 45 and 54. You can’t control your age or your genes, but you do have a say in things like smoking or spending too much time in the sun.

Depression

Depression is one of the most common mental disorders in the U.S. among people 18 and over. Some people get down as they age, when health problems crop up, loved ones are lost or move away, and other life changes happen.

Back Pain

The older you get, the more common this is. Lots of things can make you more likely to have it: being overweight, smoking, not getting enough exercise, or diseases like arthritis and cancer. Watch your weight, exercise, and get plenty of vitamin D and calcium to keep your bones strong. And strengthen those back muscles -- you’ll need them.

Dementia

Alzheimer’s, a form of dementia, usually doesn’t pop up until 65 or so. Some risk factors (like age and heredity) are things you can’t control. But evidence suggests that a heart-healthy diet and watching your blood pressure and blood sugar might help.

Health Benefits of Apples

 

Core Benefits

The old cliché exists for a reason: An apple a day benefits your whole body in multiple ways. One of the most widely grown and eaten fruits in the world, they come in more than 7,500 varieties. They are healthiest when you eat them fresh and whole (as opposed to pre-sliced, juiced, or as applesauce). A medium one has about 80 calories, 1 gram of protein, 19 grams of natural sugar, and zero fat, sodium, or cholesterol.

Don’t Peel the Peel

That’s where apples store two-thirds of the fiber that keeps your digestive system on track. The shiny skin also holds lots of antioxidants, or natural substances that help protect your cells from some of the damage that may lead to cancer, heart disease, and stroke. If you’re concerned about pesticides, give it a good wash before you sink your teeth into its sweet flesh.

Memory and Alzheimer’s

Apples have more of the plant pigment quercetin than most other fruits and vegetables. This plant-derived chemical called a flavonoid protects cells throughout your body, including the ones in your brain. These fruits are also high in antioxidants that may help offset the memory loss caused by various types of damage to your cells. One small study suggested that apple juice improved the mood and behavior of people with moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease

Pancreatic Cancer Prevention

Flavonoids give apples their color, protect them from harmful elements in the environment, and repair damage to their skin and cells. These natural chemicals may be good for you, too. Quercetin, which can help brain cells, protected pancreas cells from cancer in lab studies and holds promise to help people, too. Research is ongoing.

Type 2 Diabetes

Your pancreas plays a key role in processing the sugar in your bloodstream. The flavonoids in apples may help keep the cells in your pancreas healthy and able to perform this important job. That may help lower your risk for type 2 diabetes. In one 9-year study, people who ate one or more apples a day were 28% less likely to get type 2 diabetes than those who didn’t eat them.

Weight Control

One medium apple has 3 grams of fiber. This nutrient slows down your digestion and helps you feel fuller longer. These fruits also have a low glycemic load, which means they won’t spike your blood sugar too high and trick you into thinking you’re still hungry. These satisfying effects can keep you from snacking and help you maintain your weight.

Colorectal Cancer

One group of researchers found that people who ate at least one apple a day were a third less likely to get colon cancer than those who did not. The healthy helping of both fiber and flavonoids may help protect the lining of the intestines and keep the cells healthy.

Gut Health

Apples are a natural source of pectin, a soluble fiber that moves food through your digestive system and keeps you regular. Bonus benefit: Your good gut bacteria love to feed on pectin. Some experts think that pectin helps the good bacteria multiply, which may help ward off some chronic diseases and cancer in the gut.

Heart Health

In lab studies, the combination of plant chemicals, pectin, and fiber in apples helped protect heart and blood vessel cells from damage. The pectin and fiber can also help lower LDL or "bad" cholesterol that can build up in your arteries and lead to heart disease.

Asthma and Lung Function

Apples, like other fruits and vegetables, have natural anti-inflammatory and antihistamine properties, which means they may help take a bite out of asthma and other breathing problems. One study of women who ate apples while pregnant showed that their children were less likely to have symptoms of asthma and wheezing by age 5. Some studies show that people who eat more fruits and vegetables are less likely to have asthma.

Immunity

They can’t compete with oranges, but apples have 10% of the vitamin C you need every day. That plus the soluble fiber you get from pectin makes this fruit a delicious defense against any germ that attacks your immune system. And if you do get sick, apples may even help you bounce back quicker. 

Steer clear of Seeds

For all its health benefits, one part of this fruit is forbidden -- in large quantities, that is. The seeds contain amygdalin, a compound that becomes cyanide in your body. If you accidentally eat a seed, it won’t poison you -- your body can detoxify small amounts of cyanide on its own. You’d have to chew seeds from many apples at once very carefully to release enough amygdalin in your system to be harmful.

Guide to Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

 

What Is Multiple Sclerosis (MS)?

MS is a chronic disease that damages the nerves in the spinal cord and brain, as well as the optic nerves. Sclerosis means scarring, and people with MS develop multiple areas of scar tissue in response to the nerve damage. Depending on where the damage occurs, symptoms may include problems with muscle control, balance, vision, or speech.

MS Symptoms: Weakness or Numbness

Nerve damage can cause: 

• Weakness in an arm or leg

• Numbness

• Loss of balance

• Muscle spasms

These symptoms may lead to frequent tripping or difficulty walking.

MS Symptoms: Vision Problems

More than half of people with MS experience a vision problem called optic neuritis. This inflammation of the optic nerve may cause blurred vision, loss of color vision, eye pain, or blindness, usually in one eye. The problem is usually temporary and tends to improve within a few weeks. In many cases, vision problems are the first sign of MS.

MS Symptoms: Speech Problems

Although less common than vision problems, some people with MS develop slurred speech. This happens when MS damages the nerves that carry speech signals from the brain. Some people also have trouble swallowing.

Other MS Symptoms

MS can take a toll on mental sharpness. Some people may find it takes longer to solve problems. Others may have mild memory loss or trouble concentrating. Most people with MS also experience some loss of bladder control, because signals between the brain and bladder are interrupted. Finally, fatigue is a common problem. You may feel tired even after a good night's sleep.

Stroke vs. MS

Confusion, slurred speech, and muscle weakness can be symptoms of MS, but they can also be signs of a stroke. Anyone who suddenly has trouble speaking or moving their limbs should be taken to the ER immediately. Treating a stroke within the first few hours provides the best odds of a successful recovery.

How MS Attacks

In people with MS, the body's own immune system attacks the tissue surrounding the nerve fibers in the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. This covering is made of a fatty substance called myelin. It insulates the nerves and helps them send electrical signals that control movement, speech, and other functions. When myelin is destroyed, scar tissue forms, and nerve messages are not transmitted properly.

What Causes MS?

The roots of MS remain mysterious, but doctors see some surprising trends. It's most common in regions far from the equator, including Scandinavia and other parts of Northern Europe. These areas get less sunlight, so some researchers believe that vitamin D (the "sunshine vitamin") may be involved. Research suggests a possible link between vitamin D deficiency and autoimmune disorders, but studies are ongoing. Genetics appear to play a role, as well.

Who Gets MS?

MS is at least twice as common in women as it is in men. While it can strike people of any race, Caucasians appear to be most at risk. The chances of developing the condition are highest between ages 20 and 50.

Diagnosing MS

Tests are often used, along with a medical history and neurological exam, to diagnose MS and rule out other causes of symptoms. More than 90% of people with MS have scar tissue that shows up on an MRI scan. A spinal tap can check for abnormalities in the fluid that bathes the brain and spinal cord. Tests to look at electrical activity of nerves can also help with diagnosis. Lab tests can help rule out other autoimmune conditions or infections such as HIV or Lyme disease.

How Does MS Progress?

MS is different in every person. Doctors usually see four forms:

Relapsing-remitting: Symptoms flare during acute attacks, then improve nearly completely or "remit." This is the most common form of MS.

Primary-progressive: MS slowly but steadily worsens.

Secondary-progressive: Begins as relapsing-remitting type, then becomes progressive.

Progressive-relapsing: The underlying disease steadily worsens. The patient has acute relapses, which may or may not remit. This is the least common form of MS.

MS and Weather

Research suggests that the disease may be more active during the summer months. Heat and high humidity may also temporarily worsen symptoms. Very cold temperatures and sudden changes in temperature may aggravate symptoms, as well.

Treating MS: Medications

While there is no cure for MS, there are "disease-modifying drugs" that can reduce the frequency and severity of MS attacks. Use can result in less damage to the brain and spinal cord over time, slowing the progression of disability. When an attack does occur, high-dose corticosteroids can help cut it short. Many drugs are also available to manage troubling MS symptoms, such as muscle spasms, incontinence, and pain.

Treating MS: Pain Management

About half of people with MS develop some form of pain, either as a result of a short circuit in the nervous system or because of muscle spasms or strain. Doctors may prescribe antidepressants and anticonvulsant medications to ease nerve pain. Pain medicines and anti-spasm drugs may also be used. Muscle pain often responds well to massage and physical therapy. Be sure to discuss the options with your doctor if you find yourself in pain.

Treating MS: Physical Therapy

If MS affects balance, coordination, or muscle strength, you can learn to compensate. Physical therapy can help strengthen muscles, combat stiffness, and get around more easily. Occupational therapy can help retain coordination in your hands for dressing and writing. And if you're having trouble speaking or swallowing, a speech therapist can help.

Complementary Therapies for MS

Many nontraditional therapies for MS have not been well studied. Some people say acupuncture relieves symptoms such as muscle spasms and pain, but research to confirm its value isn't conclusive. Others have reported benefits from injections of bee venom, but a rigorous study, lasting 24 weeks, showed no improvements in disability, fatigue, or the number of MS attacks. It's important to inform your doctor about any supplements, special diets, or other therapies you want to try.

MS and Pregnancy

Doctors generally agree that it’s safe for women with MS to get pregnant. Research suggests no increased risk of complications during pregnancy. In fact, many women have fewer MS symptoms during pregnancy. High levels of hormones and proteins may suppress the immune system, reducing the odds of a new attack. It's best to talk with your doctors before pregnancy, as certain MS drugs should not be used while pregnant or nursing.  In the early months after delivery, the odds for a relapse can rise.

Staying Mobile With MS

The vast majority of people with MS are able to continue walking, though many benefit from some type of assistive device. Orthotic shoe inserts or leg braces can help increase stability. When one leg is stronger than the other, a cane can help. People with significant problems with their legs may need to use a walker. And a wheelchair or scooter may be best for those who are very unsteady or tire easily.

Adapting Your Home for MS

Making a few changes around the home can help you manage daily activities on your own. Install grab bars inside and outside the shower or tub. Use a non-slip mat. Add an elevated seat and safety rails to the toilet. Lower one of your kitchen counters so you can reach it from a sitting position. And get rid of any throw rugs, which are a tripping hazard.

MS and Exercise

Exercise can ease stiffness, fatigue, and other symptoms of MS. But overdoing it could make things worse. It's best to start slowly. Try exercising for 10 minutes at a time, then gradually working your way up to a longer session. Before you begin, check with your doctor about what type of activity and level of intensity would be most appropriate. A few possibilities include water aerobics, swimming, tai chi, and yoga.

Outlook for MS

Most people with MS live a normal or near-normal lifespan. While the condition may make it more difficult to get around or complete certain tasks, it doesn't always lead to severe disability. Thanks to effective medications, rehab therapies, and assistive devices, many people with MS remain active, stay in their jobs, and continue to enjoy their families and favorite activities.

Guide to Liver Problems

 

Props for Your Liver

This workhorse doesn't get the respect it deserves. If you asked most people to rank their organs, their liver might be way down the list. Maybe just above spleen. But day and night, it breaks down food, fights infection, and filters bad stuff from your blood. You can't live without it. Luckily, you can often slow, stop, or even reverse liver damage.

How Problems Progress

Lots of things cause liver damage, and it tends to get worse over time. No matter the cause, it usually unfolds the same way. First your liver swells. Then it gets scars (called fibrosis). With treatment, your liver may heal. But without it, over time, the scars become permanent (this is cirrhosis) and your liver struggles to do its job. Last comes liver failure, which is life-threatening. It means your liver has stopped working or is about to.

Symptoms

At first, you probably won't notice liver problems. But as it gets worse, your skin can feel itchy and bruise easily. Your eyes and skin may look yellowish, which doctors call jaundice. Your belly might hurt, and you could lose your appetite or feel sick to your stomach. Your legs, ankles, and belly may swell, too.

Acute Liver Failure

Most liver disease is chronic. It happens slowly over years. But sometimes, it comes on fast. While the symptoms are the same -- including jaundice, pain, and upset stomach -- acute liver failure takes only weeks or even days. And it can be life-threatening. So see a doctor right away when you have symptoms.

Causes

Some liver problems are related to diseases and other health conditions. Others have to do with your lifestyle, which you have some control over -- like how much you drink and how much (or little) you exercise. Although rare, pregnancy may contribute to liver problems.

Obesity

As the country has gotten heavier, rates of liver disease have gone up. Extra weight raises your odds of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, when fat builds up in your liver. Most of the time, this condition is harmless. But for some people, it gets worse and leads to cirrhosis and other problems.

Alcohol

Heavy drinking is tough on your body. The liver's process of filtering alcohol out of your blood creates harmful chemicals. Drink too much booze for too long a time and those chemicals damage your liver. The first stage of alcoholic liver damage, when extra fat builds up, is called alcoholic fatty liver. If you keep drinking, you're likely to get alcoholic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and eventually liver failure.

Drugs and Chemicals

Helpful medications and supplements can sometimes cause acute liver damage, including some antibiotics, acetaminophen, and NSAID pain relievers like ibuprofen  and naproxen. Usually, it happens only when you take a very high dose or mix these with alcohol or other drugs. Street drugs like heroin and cocaine also cause liver damage. So can  herbal remedies and supplements, as well as  some chemicals used in dry cleaners and factories.

Infections

Hepatitis (including A, B, and C) and other viruses can cause acute or chronic damage to your liver. Your chances of getting hepatitis are higher if you share needles when you use drugs, have unprotected sex, have sex with a lot of people, or live in areas where food or water isn't safe.

Autoimmune Conditions

If your immune system goes into overdrive, it could attack healthy parts of your body, including your liver. That's what happens with autoimmune hepatitis and primary biliary cirrhosis. Treatment to curb the immune system's reaction may help.

Duct and Blockage Problems

Primary sclerosing cholangitis causes scars in the ducts that carry bile from your liver to your intestines. Over time, it can cause serious liver damage. So can the rare Budd-Chiari syndrome, when veins in the liver get blocked off. Gallstones that block bile ducts can cause jaundice and other problems. You're also more likely to have gallstones when you have liver disease.

Cancer

Different types of cancer can affect the liver, although most spread from other parts of the body. Your chances of getting liver cancer -- the kind that starts in the liver -- are higher when you already have damage from fatty liver disease, cirrhosis, hepatitis, liver failure, and other conditions. If that's the case, your doctor may suggest you get checked regularly so you can catch cancer early.

Genetic Problems

Some people are born with rare conditions that can cause liver disease. Symptoms may show up when they're babies or not until 40 or 50 years later. Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (A1AD) means your body doesn't make enough of a special protein that protects against liver damage. Hemochromatosis lets too much iron build up in your liver. Similarly, someone with Wilson disease will have too much copper in their liver.

Diagnosis

Your doctor will start with blood tests to see how well your liver is working. They may use ultrasounds, CT scans, and MRIs to get a look at it and check for damage. Some people also need a biopsy. That's when a doctor uses a needle to take a tiny sample of the liver and then tests it.

Treatment

In early stages of liver disease, lifestyle changes can often heal liver problems completely. Even with advanced disease, they can often limit the damage. Medications such as steroids, surgery, and other treatments may also help slow down or stop liver disease.

Stop Drinking

Whether your disease is mild or severe, your liver will be happier if you quit. Can't do it on your own? Speak up. Ask your doctor for help getting into a treatment program. To help prevent liver disease, limit yourself to no more than one drink per day for women, two for men.

Eat Well and Exercise

If you're heavy, try to lose some weight. It can improve your liver health and even cure some types of early-stage liver disease. Regular exercise is great whether or not weight is an issue. Eat a balanced diet, with lots of healthy grains, fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins. Choose high-fiber foods, and limit high-fat things like fried foods as well as salt.

Transplants

For a severe problem like liver failure, they can be lifesaving. A surgeon will remove the sick liver and replace it with a healthy one. But a transplant doesn't have to be a whole liver. Sometimes, the doctor can use just part of a liver from a living person. In time, it will grow to full size, and the donor's will grow back, too.

Read Medication Labels

Follow the instructions on whatever drug or product you use. Don't take more than the recommended amount. And never mix any medication with alcohol unless your doctor or pharmacist said it's safe. If you have liver problems, you should check with your doctor before you take any new medicine, supplement, or vitamin.

Take Care of Your Health

Get checkups regularly so your doctor can keep an eye on how you're doing with exams and tests. Follow the recommended treatment for conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes that can make liver problems worse. Check with your doctor about shots like hepatitis vaccines to protect your liver from damage.

How to Tell If Your Kid's Symptoms are Covid or Just the Common Cold?

 

By Adrianne D. Westmoreland, DO, as told to Jennifer Clopton

I’m the mother of 3 girls -- ages 8, 9, and 12 -- and a rural family medicine doctor in Minnesota. At work -- in the emergency room and in our clinic -- I handle everything for my patients of all ages with every kind of health care need you can image affecting pregnant moms, newborn babies, elderly grandparents, and everyone in between.

But let me tell you this: I do not doctor my own children. When it comes to my girls, I’m a mom first, and I can’t be neutral or objective about much related to them. I can also be a pretty strict mom, so what if I didn’t take their complaint seriously at some point and it ended up that something was really wrong with them? I couldn’t live with that, so my kids all have a wonderful pediatrician who sees them for all their health care needs.

At least, that’s what we did before the pandemic. But now, with COVID-19, I find myself having to make health care decisions about my children in a way I never did before, and it is really, really hard.

Where we live, there’s a really low rate of COVID, and we had an option of full-time in-person school, virtual school, or a hybrid. We opted for in-person school -- for the kids’ sanity and our own. They need the socialization, and my husband and I both work full time. So the first day we could send them back for an in-person education, we did.

And at the end of that first day -- THE FIRST DAY!!!! -- my middle child came home complaining of an itchy throat. Suddenly I found myself in the same tricky position as so many other parents across this country -- trying to figure out if our children’s symptoms are due to a cold or COVID and what to do about it.

Now I want to stress that prior to this pandemic, if the girls weren’t feverish, throwing up, or seriously ill, my husband and I sent them to school. But now, even with the tiniest symptom -- a runny nose or itchy throat -- we have to wonder if they could potentially have COVID or something that could spread and have everyone else worrying they have COVID. It’s a LOT of pressure on already busy parents. That night, since she was only complaining of a sore throat, we decided not to make a decision and wait how she seemed in the morning. The next day she had a fever, so we kept her home. By evening she was fine, and she went back the next day.

A few weeks later, my oldest woke up saying her throat hurt too, and we went through this same challenging situation again. She didn’t have a fever or look too sick, so I did the same thing: I told her to go back and rest and give it some time. She slept all day long and woke up the next morning feeling better. I think she was just exhausted from the new school and sports routine.

Having been through this twice so far, I can tell you that these decisions are so very hard. I am so lucky I have the medical knowledge to do a medical workup on my kids when they don’t feel well, and you better believe I am now looking in their ears and throat, assessing if they look sick, checking for fevers, GI symptoms, and doing more of a workup on them then I ever have before. If things seem serious, I’m still taking them to the pediatrician, too. But I do feel like my medical degree is coming in handy when trying to make these challenging pandemic-era decisions about when my kids are healthy enough to go to school.

These days, I’m not just making these decisions for my own children. Other parents are calling me every day asking me to help them figure out if the symptoms their kids are experiencing are due to a cold, allergies, a respiratory illness, or COVID. It’s not always easy to figure it out, and that’s a bummer for families because the rule in the schools around here is that if you have COVID symptoms and no other diagnosis, then you and your family have to quarantine for 10 days. That’s a real hardship on families who need to work and other kids in the family who need school.

So a lot of parents are pushing the decision making off on me when their kids get sick. I get that and I encourage it. That’s what I’m here for. We all need to be parents first and worry about our children, and so it’s smart to let professionals help make these big and challenging decisions. I’m just here to tell you, it’s not always easy to figure it out even for the professionals, and that’s hard on everyone too.

I also know it’s going to get worse before it gets better. My girls’ school has already had a few COVID cases -- none in their classroom yet, but it could happen anywhere. Lots of kids have had viral symptoms too. I thought since they’re wearing masks and sanitizing, we wouldn’t see that as much of that this year, but we still are and will continue to do so.

The best advice I can give you as you’re trying to figure out if your child has COVID, the flu, or a viral or respiratory illness is to remind yourself that this is hard and take things step by step. If you don’t know what to do, ask for help. Reach out to your child’s doctor to advise you. Rely on social support from other parents. If your child doesn’t seem too sick, perhaps wait 24 hours and see if they improve. But trust your gut. If something doesn’t seem right -- whether it’s little or big -- definitely take them to get seen.

Whatever happens, just do the best you can. Give yourself and others some grace, and know that these are challenging times and these decisions are hard -- even for a doctor mom.

Adrianne D. Westmoreland, DO, is a rural family medicine doctor in Cloquet, MN. Her clinic, CMH Raiter Family Clinic , is part of Community Memorial Hospital.

Do Apple Cider Vinegar Remedies Work?

 

What Is Vinegar?

It's made when bacteria feed on sugars and alcohol in fruit juices, wine, honey, and similar liquids. The result is an acetic acid solution that may have other nutrients, too. Apple cider vinegar starts with juice made from apples. There doesn't seem to be anything special about its health benefits, compared with other types of vinegar. Perhaps the milder flavor and smell have helped boost its reputation.

Lose Weight

In one study, overweight people who drank 1 or 2 ounces of vinegar (diluted with other liquid) lost weight at a slightly faster rate. And they lost belly fat. But there's no evidence that lots of vinegar will help you drop lots of pounds, or do it quickly.

Lower Blood Sugar

Vinegar can help someone with diabetes control the amount of glucose in their blood after a meal as well as their A1c, a measure of "average" blood sugar for the past few months. It won't cure diabetes or take the place of prescribed medications. But a  couple of teaspoons in water or food at mealtime can help, as long as you don't have kidney disease. High blood sugar over time can lead to heart disease, kidney disease, stroke, and blindness.

Insulin Control

Vinegar can also help keep insulin levels lower after you eat. Your cells need this hormone to take glucose from your blood to use for energy. But too much insulin released too often can make your body less sensitive to it -- a condition called insulin resistance that can lead to type 2 diabetes or make it worse.

Fighting Germs

Apple cider vinegar -- any vinegar, really -- will kill some germs because of the acetic acid in it. It works best in your food -- to clean up bacteria lingering on your salad leaves, for example. It's not very good at disinfecting a cut or wound. And because it's an acid, there's a chance it could chemically burn delicate skin.

Dandruff

It's long been suggested -- for different reasons -- as a rinse to tame a flaking scalp. But there's no evidence to confirm that vinegar kills yeast bacteria or fungus, or that it removes shampoo residue or product buildup, or that it makes your scalp more acidic (or why you'd even want that). Stick to products made to treat dandruff, and follow the instructions. If the problem doesn't clear up, see a dermatologist.

Lice

Some people say vinegar is a good way to get rid of these little critters and their eggs. Science says otherwise. Even when tested against other home remedies -- rubbing alcohol, olive oil, mayonnaise, melted butter, petroleum jelly -- vinegar came in last. 

Jellyfish Sting

Yep! Tuck a bottle of vinegar into your beach bag. It stops the work of the special jellyfish cells (nematocysts) that deliver the venom -- the stuff that makes a sting hurt.

When you get home, dunk the wound in hot water. That stops the venom itself from working. 

Whiten Teeth

Vinegar may brighten your teeth, but it also wears away their enamel -- the thin, hard, outer layer of protection. In fact, wait for at least 30 minutes after you eat or drink diluted vinegar to brush your teeth. If your teeth are discolored, look for whitening toothpaste or products approved by the American Dental Association, or talk to your dentist.

Healthy Gut

That murky, thicker liquid that collects at the bottom of some vinegars, called the "mother," is made up of the fermenting bacteria and their harmless waste. Most brands warm vinegar to kill the bacteria before packaging, but mother can develop once air hits the product. Some say the mother gives vinegar more health benefits because the live bacteria act as "probiotics," but there's no scientific evidence yet.

Hemorrhoids

Is a little apple cider vinegar just the ticket for those painful, itchy bumps on your behind? Doctors say no. Even if it feels good in the short term, it can burn your skin and end up making your symptoms worse. Sitz baths and medication are better choices. See your doctor if you can't soothe the burning.

Protect Your Cells

Polyphenols are chemical compounds in fruits, vegetables, wine, coffee, and chocolate. They're antioxidants, which protect your cells from damage linked to cancer and other disease. There's no reason to think the polyphenols in apple cider vinegar can't be just as helpful, but we need more studies to be sure.

Blood Pressure

Scientists know that vinegar will do wonders for your blood pressure -- if you're a rat. Unfortunately, they're not so sure that the same holds true for humans. It's possible, but there's just no evidence to back it up yet. Keep an eye out for more research. 

Curb Your Appetite

When vinegar was served with white bread for breakfast, people said they were more satisfied afterward. But when vinegar was served with cream of wheat, made from a more complex grain that takes longer to digest, it made less of a difference, and the fuller feeling didn't last very long. Stay tuned on this one.

Ear Infection

Though some studies show that diluted vinegar (2%) may help with ear infections, the solution can also irritate swollen skin in the area. It could also damage specialized hairs of the cochlea, a part of the ear that helps you pick up sounds. Don't try it.

More Is Not Better

Usually, 1-2 tablespoons a day is plenty to drink. There's little evidence that more can help, and too much can cause stomach problems, wear away your teeth, and lower potassium levels. It can also affect the way some drugs work, including water pills (diuretics), laxatives, and medicines for heart disease and diabetes. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before you start taking vinegar.

Diet Tips for Breast Cancer

 

The Big Picture

What you eat affects your weight, and obesity raises your odds for breast cancer. If you’ve already had the disease, extra pounds can also make it more likely to return.  If you choose a healthy diet -- one rich in vegetables, whole grains, chicken, and fish -- you may boost your chances of living longer after breast cancer. Researchers aren’t sure exactly why that’s true, but the long-term benefits aren’t in doubt.

Is Soy Safe?

Soy-based foods -- such as tofu, soy milk, and edamame -- have chemicals called phytoestrogens, which are similar to estrogen. That once raised fears that they spelled trouble for women with breast cancer that uses estrogen as fuel to grow. But the latest studies show soy doesn’t raise cancer risk -- it may even lower the odds the disease will return. Be wary of soy supplements, though. Scientists haven’t studied their effects as much.

Should You Skip Sugar?

The idea that sweets “feed cancer” has been around for a long time. The truth is more complicated. A spoonful to take the edge off your coffee will not directly make cancer cells grow faster. But it’s still wise to keep an eye on how much you add to your diet. A lot of sugar on a regular basis can lead to obesity and other conditions that make cancer more likely.

Eat More Produce

If you eat more plant-based foods, you may lower your chances of getting breast cancer.  Researchers say this strategy especially may help protect against the most aggressive types of tumors. Fruits and vegetables are also an important part of a diet that will help you control your weight, which is key for keeping breast cancer from coming back.

Embrace Whole Grains

When you add unprocessed wheat, rye, oats, corn, bulgur, rice, and barley to your diet, you may be less likely to get breast cancer. These foods have nutrients called phytochemicals that may lower the chances it will return, too. They can also help protect against cardiovascular disease -- and survivors have higher odds, in part because some treatments can damage the heart.

Is Alcohol Off-Limits?

The link between booze and breast cancer is murky. Beer, wine, and liquor boost estrogen in the body, which raises concerns about tumors that are sensitive to that hormone. Some studies say that survivors who have more than one or two drinks a week are more likely to have cancer come back, while other research says moderate drinking may be good for you. The effects may be fairly small either way, so an occasional glass is not an issue.

Is Organic Better?

These foods are grown without pesticides or weedkillers. One highly publicized French study found a link between these products and a lower cancer risk. But the issue is far from settled. The most important thing, scientists agree, is to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables and to wash them carefully to remove the residue of any chemicals.

Facts About Fat

Some studies say it may play a role in the growth of breast tumors, but the research is far from clear. Your best bet is to limit saturated fats and trans fats -- which come in foods like beef, butter, cheese, ice cream, fried foods, and commercial baked goods. When it comes to protein, go for lean kinds, such as fish and chicken.

Focus on Fiber

You’ll get this naturally if you eat plenty of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes. It’s good for your overall health, especially your blood sugar levels, heart, and digestive tract. Some studies have suggested this type of diet can lower your odds of breast cancer. In particular, it may help protect against an aggressive type of tumor.

Vitamin D

Studies show a link between low levels of this nutrient and higher chances of breast cancer. It may also play a role in the growth of tumors. Add it to your diet with salmon, oysters, herring, mackerel, and sardines. You can also look for milk, yogurt, and orange juice that have it added in.

Flavonoids

These chemicals, which you find in certain plants, are linked to lower breast cancer odds. The evidence is strongest for two specific types, flavonols and flavones, especially for women who are past menopause. You can find flavonols in onions, broccoli, and tea. Flavones come in parsley, celery, and drinks with chamomile.

Carotenoids

This is another type of phytochemical in plant-based food linked to lower breast cancer risk. You can get it from orange, yellow, and dark green vegetables and fruits. Look to include more carrots, pumpkins, winter squash, spinach, kale, sweet potatoes, and cantaloupe in your diet.

Phenolic Compounds

Studies show these types of chemicals may lower your chances of breast cancer and in some cases slow tumor growth. Add more to your diet in the form of garlic, green tea, soybeans, and flaxseed. Fruits and vegetables that have them include broccoli, cabbage, tomato, eggplant, cucumber, and watermelon.

Supplements to Avoid

You may be interested in natural remedies that claim to treat breast cancer and other health problems. But some have plant compounds you should avoid if you’ve had breast cancer. They include red clover, black cohosh, chasteberry, dong quai, evening primrose, and licorice.

Are You Hydrated?

 

What’s It Mean?

It’s when you lose more water than you take in. That makes it harder for your body to do some basic jobs, like keep your temperature steady and clear out waste. You lose water in your sweat, tears, and every time you go to the bathroom. Even breathing takes a little out of you.

How Lack of Water Affects You

More than half your body weight comes from water. So if your levels are off, it can show up in a surprising number of ways. Mild dehydration can make you feel tired, give you a headache, and affect your mood and focus. And when you push yourself hard at the gym, all that sweating actually lowers how much blood you have for a bit.

Is Thirst a Sign I’m Dehydrated?

Yes, but no need to panic. By the time you get the urge to quench your thirst, you’re already a little dehydrated. As long as you pay attention and snag a drink when your body tells you to, it’s not a problem. For older adults, the lag might be a little longer. So it can help to make a habit of drinking water.

Who’s It Likely to Happen To?

You can lose over a gallon of water a day if you have diarrhea and throw up. Babies and kids are more likely than adults to get dehydrated because they're smaller. Older adults need to be on the lookout because your sense of thirst gets duller with age. Kidney disease and some health conditions can make your body get parched. Pregnant or breastfeeding women need to drink more than usual.

Symptoms in Young Children

Babies and little kids can’t always tell you what’s going on with their bodies. Look for a dry tongue, no tears when crying, no wet diapers for 3 hours, and more fussiness than normal. When it’s more severe, their mouths will be dry and sticky, and their eyes and cheeks may look sunken. They also may breathe fast and have a fast or weak pulse.

Symptoms in Older Kids and Adults

You might be thirsty, and your mouth might feel dry or sticky. You won’t pee very often -- under 4 times a day. When you do go, there may not be much pee, and it’ll be dark or have a strong smell. You may feel dizzy or lightheaded,  and you may pass out. As it gets worse, your thirst cranks up. Your breathing and heart rate may be faster than normal. You can overheat, and you might feel confused or cranky.

Should I Drink 8 Cups a Day?

This old rule has zero science behind it. But it’s fine as a rough guide. The amount you need to drink depends on how active you are, where you live, and your overall health. If you’re not sure you’re drinking enough, check the color of your pee. Clear or pale yellow means you’re all set. Darker means you need to drink up.

What About Electrolytes?

They’re just basic salts, like potassium, sodium, and calcium. But they have a hand in everything from how your nerves work to building healthy bone. Your electrolyte levels are closely tied to how much water is in your body. That means that if you’ve lost a lot of fluid, you’ll feel thirstier and pee less as your body tries to get the electrolytes back in balance.

Do I Need a Sports Drink?

Almost never. These blends of water, salts, and sugars are made for high-level athletes, like marathon runners. Most of us don’t need anything more than water during exercise. You’ll only have to work harder to burn off the extra calories from sport drinks. If you do intense training for more than an hour, then they can make sense.

Oral Re-hydration Solution

When dehydration is mild or even moderate, you can often kick it with plenty of water. But if you have severe diarrhea or are throwing up, an oral re-hydration solution might help. It’s more often kids who need one. The special mix of salts and sugars is a closer match to what the body needs. You can buy it over the counter at a drugstore.

When to Call Your Doctor

When you see symptoms of severe dehydration, call your doctor right away. It can hit kids quickly, so it’s best to check in sooner rather than later. Signs include:

• Diarrhea for more than 24 hours

• Feeling dizzy, confused, or faint

• Can’t keep fluids down

• No energy

• Fast heartbeat or breathing

• Black or bloody poop

Emergency Treatment

When your water levels get too low, you can’t tackle dehydration on your own. You’ll need to be treated at a hospital. The idea is the same -- to get fluids in you and to get your body back in balance. Doctors will give you the treatment through a vein with an IV, because it gets water and salts into your body much faster than you’d be able to drink them.

Can I Drink Too Much?

You can, but it’s not very likely. When you drink more than your kidneys can handle -- and that’s a lot -- you end up with a condition called hyponatremia. This is when your sodium levels get very low, causing your cells to swell up. It can be deadly, but rare. It mostly only happens to people who compete in intense long-distance races.

Tips for Staying Hydrated

If you just can’t remember to drink enough water, look for ways to build it into your day. Make water your go-to drink. Tip a glass at and between each meal. Or set a reminder on your phone to have a glass every hour. Some people find that carrying a water bottle does the trick. And if you’re hankering for a snack, have water instead. Sometimes, our bodies confuse thirst for hunger.

A Guide to Cataracts

 

What Are Cataracts?

A cataract is a progressive, painless clouding of the natural, internal lens of the eye. Cataracts block light, making it difficult to see clearly. Over an extended period of time, cataracts can cause blindness. They're often related to growing older, but sometimes they can develop in younger people

How Cataracts Affect Your Vision

In a normal eye, light enters and passes through the lens. The lens focuses that light into a sharp image on the retina, which relays messages through the optic nerve to the brain. If the lens is cloudy from a cataract, the image you see will be blurry. Other eye conditions, such as myopia, cause blurry vision, too, but cataracts produce some distinctive signs and symptoms.

Cataract Symptom: Blurry Vision

Blurry vision at any distance is the most common symptom of cataracts. Your view may look foggy, filmy, or cloudy. Over time, as the cataracts get worse, less light reaches the retina. People with cataracts may have an especially hard time seeing and driving at night.

Cataract Symptom: Glare

Another early symptom of cataracts is glare, or sensitivity to light. You may have trouble seeing in bright sunlight. Indoor lights that once didn’t bother you now may seem too bright or have halos. Driving at night may become a problem because of the glare caused by street lights and oncoming headlights.

Cataract Symptom: Double Vision

Sometimes, cataracts can cause double vision (also known as diplopia) when you look with one eye. This is different than the double vision that comes from the eyes not lining up properly, which would give you double vision when looking out of both eyes together. With cataracts, images can appear double even with just one eye open.

Cataract Symptom: Color Changes

Cataracts can affect your color vision, making some hues look faded. Your vision may gradually take on a brownish or yellowish tinge. At first, you may not notice this discoloration. But over time, it may make it harder to distinguish blues and purples.

Cataract Symptom: Second Sight

Sometimes, a cataract may temporarily improve a person’s ability to see close-up, because the cataract acts as a stronger lens. This phenomenon is called second sight, because people who may have once needed reading glasses find that they don’t need them anymore. As the cataract worsens however, this goes away and vision worsens again.

Cataract Symptom: New Prescription

Frequent changes to your eyeglass or contact lens prescription can be a sign of cataracts. This is because cataracts are usually progressive, meaning they get worse over time.

Who Gets Cataracts?

The majority of cataracts are related to aging. More than half of Americans over 65 have cataracts. Babies are sometimes born with cataracts, also called congenital cataracts, or children may develop them as a result of injury or illness. Exposure to Ultraviolet (UV) light can also increase the risk of  cataract  and other eye conditions.

What Causes Cataracts?

The exact cause of cataracts is unknown. While the risk grows as you get older, these factors may also contribute:

• Diabetes

• Smoking

• Excess alcohol use

• Eye Injury

• Prolonged use of corticosteroids

• Prolonged exposure to sunlight or radiation

How Are Cataracts Diagnosed?

Most cataracts can be diagnosed with an eye exam. Your eye doctor will test your vision and examine your eyes with a slit lamp microscope to look for problems with the lens and other parts of the eye. The pupils are dilated to better examine the back of the eye, where the retina and optic nerve lie.

Surgery for Cataracts

If you have vision loss caused by cataracts that can’t be corrected with glasses or contact lenses, you may need surgery to remove the cataracts. In cataract surgery, the cloudy lens is removed and replaced with an artificial lens. The surgery, which is done on an outpatient basis, is safe and extremely effective at improving vision. If cataracts are present in both eyes, surgery will be done on one eye at a time.

Types of Cataract Surgery

There are 2 main types of cataract surgery. The more common type is  called phacoemulsification (phaco) or "Ultrasonics." The doctor makes a tiny incision in the eye and breaks up the lens using ultrasonic waves. The lens is removed, and an intraocular lens (IOL) is put in its place. In most modern cataract surgeries the IOL eliminates the need for thick glasses or a contact lens after surgery.

Cataract Surgery Innovations

Recent developments in cataract surgery can correct both near and distance vision. They minimize or eliminate the need for reading glasses after surgery. Conventional "monofocal" lenses only correct for distance vision, meaning reading glasses are still needed after surgery. Multifocal IOLs (Intraocular Lens) can be an option in some patients to help improve both distance and near vision. "Toric" implants are available to correct astigmatism. A lens for better color vision is in development (shown here next to a dime).

What to Expect After Surgery

For a few days, your eye may be itchy and sensitive to light. You may be prescribed drops to aid healing and asked to wear an eye shield or glasses for protection. It'll take about eight weeks for your eye to heal completely, though your vision should begin to improve soon after surgery. You may still need glasses, at least occasionally, for distance or reading -- as well as a new prescription after healing is complete.

Cataract Surgery Risks

Complications from cataract surgery are rare. The most common risks are bleeding, infection, and changes in eye pressure, which are all treatable when caught early. Surgery slightly raises the risk of retinal detachment, which requires emergency treatment. Sometimes, lens tissue left after surgery and used to support the IOL can become cloudy, even years after surgery. This "after-cataract" is easily and permanently corrected with a laser.

Should You Have Cataract Surgery?

Whether or not to have cataract surgery is up to you and your doctor. Rarely cataracts need to be removed right away, but this isn’t usually the case. Cataracts affect vision slowly over time, so many people wait to have surgery until glasses or contacts no longer improve their vision enough. If you don’t feel that your cataracts are causing problems in your day-to-day life, you may choose to wait.

Tips to Prevent Cataracts

Things you can do that may lower your risk of developing cataracts:

• Don't smoke.

• Always wear a hat and  sunglasses in the sun.

• Keep diabetes well controlled.

• Limit alcohol consumption.

8 Things that Slow Down Prostrate Cancer

 

Diet and Exercise

It’s early yet, but some research shows a healthy diet and regular exercise can slow the progress of prostate cancer. More studies are under way. In the meantime, cut back on sugar. Eat leaner meats and lots of colorful fruits and veggies. Stay away from fatty dairy products. When you hit the gym, do both cardio and weights.

Yoga

Stress can affect the nerves around a tumor. That may play a role in the spread of prostate cancer. So stress-relieving activities -- like yoga -- might slow its progress.

Flaxseed

The seeds from this plant have long been said to cure ills. It isn’t clear whether that’s true with prostate cancer. But researchers say flaxseed can help slow the growth of prostate tumors. Remember: Flaxseed is good for you. Too much flaxseed oil is not.

Green Tea

Some say a compound in green tea, called EGCG, may decrease and kill cancerous cells. Studies are still in the works, but the results are promising.

Vitamin D

People with prostate cancer tend to have less vitamin D. Boosting levels may not be as simple as getting more sun or drinking more milk. Vitamin D supplements can increase your levels and may slow the growth of cancerous cells. Research is ongoing.

Pomegranate Juice

Early research says drinking 8 ounces of this dark red potion a day may put the brakes on prostate cancer’s progress. Studies are still under way, but one says pomegranate juice works best if your cancer is in an early stage.

Lycopene

This natural pigment found in tomatoes (among other foods) has long been studied for its effect on cancers. Findings are mixed. But we are certain that tomatoes and other foods with lycopene are part of a healthy diet. And eating food that’s good for you may help slow the disease.

Turmeric

Taken as a supplement, early research shows this Middle Eastern pantry staple might help prevent the onset of prostate cancer. It also eases inflammation. More studies are under way. In the meantime, take it along with your other therapies -- and let your doctor know you’re adding it to the menu.