Covid-19 gets the headlines, but RSV can cause problems for older adults, too Older adults have plenty to worry about with Covid-19. Even those who are fully vaccinated remain at some risk for severe symptoms. But now they can add another worrisome virus to their list: respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). A common virus, RSV is […]
Treatments target chronic pain and inflammation On most days for the past 25 years, 79-year-old Arthur Cooper of Park Ridge has experienced side effects stemming from genetic neuropathy, which causes numbness, tingling, and pain throughout the peripheral nervous system. On good days, like today, Cooper, whose name has been changed for privacy, enjoys doing projects around […]Read More
As part of the “Great Resignation,” many people are examining their work and picking new priorities for themselves. They’re using the pandemic as a time to reflect on whether their current career trajectory is the right one for them — or whether they might be happier exploring other passions. In retirement, older adults are using […]Read More
If an older adult you love or care for becomes easily agitated, disoriented, or confused, your first thought probably won’t be: urinary tract infection. But maybe it should. In younger people, urinary tract infections, or UTIs, are typically marked by a burning sensation when urinating. But in older people, the symptoms are often different. UTIs […]Read More
Meg Will began noticing changes in her mother’s behavior when her mother turned 80. Her mother was sharp — after she raised seven kids, she graduated from the University of Chicago and became a licensed clinical social worker. There were small signs at first. Her mother was seeing a limited number of patients in her […]Read More
Now that marijuana is legal for medical or recreational use in many states, including Illinois, growing numbers of Americans — including older people — are imbibing this popular drug. In fact, the percentage of people ages 65 and older who said they used some form of marijuana almost doubled between 2015 and 2018, a recent […]Read More
Older adults turn to marijuana for pain relief Each evening, Adrienne, an 80-year-old grandmother from the Chicago suburbs, eats a dime-sized piece of orange-flavored candy. The cannabis-infused candy contains 5 milligrams of THC, the psychoactive compound in marijuana. It’s not enough to make her feel high, but it’s just enough to help her feel drowsy, […]Read More
DEAR MAYO CLINIC: My father has a history of kidney stones. He has changed his diet in the past year, which seemed to help. I’m concerned though, since I had heard kidney stones can increase during the summer. Is this true? If so, are there any tips for how he can further reduce his risk? […]Read More
When Dennis Risen, 71, was in his early 30s, he noticed he was having difficulty following conversations with friends in group settings. “If the speaker changed from one (person) to the next, I was always behind because I was using a little lip reading to listen to them. It was affecting me socially, and I […]Read More
DEAR MAYO CLINIC: What are the latest medications or exercise recommendations for women who want to avoid osteoporosis? I am 55 and went through menopause a few years ago. ANSWER: Although some bone loss is inevitable after menopause, developing a regular exercise routine can be useful in limiting that loss. Medications can be used to […]Read More
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