It can be difficult to tell the difference between normal, age-related decline and something more serious. According to a recent article quoting a psychiatrist (and private practitioner in Massachusetts), there are several ways families can tell if an elderly...

Our third installment concerning "peripheral artery disease" covers invasive surgical procedures which may be employed to correct obstructions, strengthen arterial walls, and/or by-pass deteriorated arterial pathways altogether. In some cases, angioplasty or bypass or thrombolytic therapy surgery may be necessary...

My elderly mother seems to rarely consume water or liquids. She keeps her home at what I consider a very warm temperature. She constantly awakes in the morning with her bed clothing soaked in perspiration. Doesn't this...

Let’s face it – as we get older, our memory does not seem quite as sharp as in years past. While we may not remember where the car keys are, or the name of the actor in the 1974...

Colorectal cancer usually starts with polyps in the colon or rectum, abnormal but benign growths that if left untreated can turn into cancer. A painless test called a colonoscopy, performed under sedation, can help find and remove the polyps....

Colorectal cancer (cancer of the colon and rectum) is the second leading cancer killer among men and women in the U.S. (after lung cancer). More than 140,000 new cases of colon and rectal cancer were diagnosed in 2010...

It’s nearly impossible to completely avoid spring allergies if you live in an area where plants grow. And who doesn't?? You can, however, avoid the main allergy triggers by following these tips: - Stay indoors as much as...

"Following the doctor's orders" -- can greatly reduce total healthcare use and costs. But I know my parents are not good about this. When in consultation with their primary care physician, they acknowledge understanding the conversation. They...

The U.S. Census Bureau projects that by 2030, nearly 20% of the U.S. population will be age 65 or older -- based on 10,000-plus baby boomers now turning 65 every day. The Institute of Medicine reports that more than...

Should a functioning hospital provide a "continuum of care", in which they are attempting to care for patients as they recover, age, and deteriorate? Or is it best to bring a certain medical expertise to patients, who then...