Articles

Prescription medications have been some of the most amazing innovations in medical science over the last 100 years. Prescription drugs can treat everything from heart disease to cancer, and many people take prescription drugs as a preventative measure to enjoy a better quality of life. In fact, life expectancy is now close to 80 years old in the United States, up nearly 10 years since 1960 when men and women had a life expectancy of about 70 years old. While healthier living and better working…

Diabetics know that testing their blood often to check glucose levels is important. If blood glucose gets too high or low, the body of a diabetic can experience potentially fatal outcomes. For most diabetics, the traditional method of monitoring blood glucose has been to use a small device that pricks the tip of the finger to draw a drop of blood. This blood is then applied to a test strip that is inserted into a reading device. The device then provides the user with a…

Oxygen is one of the most fundamental elements in the world, and it is necessary for all forms of life to thrive. In humans, the lungs move oxygen into the blood via the lungs, and the oxygenated blood provides energy to organs. When this process is hindered by blockages in the lungs, not enough oxygen can get into the bloodstream, decreasing the energy given to the rest of the body. This can lead to a host of medical problems, and without oxygen, the body dies….

Mobility at home or while out and about is a necessity for enjoying a the quality of life you deserve. Unfortunately, there are plenty of things in life that can lead to a loss of mobility, including injuries and illness. Additionally, simply aging can lead to more difficulty in navigating certain terrain and obstacles, leading to the potential for slips, falls and injury. The good news is that there are plenty of options for mobility equipment that you can use to add stability to your…

Sitting and standing from a seated position are things most people take for granted, but if you experience joint pain, stiffness, or the inability to balance yourself in an upright position, sitting down and standing up can be challenging. To make life easier for people who experience these conditions, lift chairs are available to be used at home. A lift chair is similar to a traditional recliner, but instead of sitting down on the seat and then standing again to get up, a lift chair…

Mammograms are used across the world to screen women for diseases of the breast. More specifically, a mammogram can be used to look for signs of breast cancer. While each woman’s schedule differs based on medical need, mammograms are generally recommended annually for women over the age of 40. Early detection is one of the leading factors in the successful treatment of breast cancer, and some women are at a greater risk of developing breast cancer, including those who have a family history of the…

Staying in shape through regular exercise can be tough, especially as you age. Everything from busy schedules to aches and pains can interfere with the ability to take care of your body, and unfortunately, seniors often find that it gets harder to stay in a routine when it comes to exercise. Thankfully, programs like SilverSneakers are available to assist seniors with reaching their fitness goals. What is SilverSneakers? SilverSneakers is an exercise program designed specifically for seniors, and it has been helping seniors since 1992….

Your skin is not only your largest organ, but it also serves as one of the primary pathways through which germs and toxins can enter the body. Thankfully, healthy skin serves as a barrier to prevent infections and other medical threats, but unhealthy skin can allow contaminants to enter the body and cause serious harm. As a result, taking care of your skin is of the utmost importance at any age, but it becomes particularly important as you grow older. The body’s skin changes over…

If you’re experiencing difficulties with mobility or balance, but you want to be able to take a bath by yourself safely, using a shower chair can help.   Shower chairs are specially designed seats made for use in bathtubs and showers. They are generally made from heavy-duty plastic with metal, rubber-capped legs that offer a stable, non-slip seat to support you while bathing.  There are many different types of shower chairs, from folding stools to sit on while showering, to special transfer benches that are ideal…

Getting the flu shot will help protect you from acquiring influenza. Influenza is an infection that affects the respiratory system. Flu symptoms include things such as high fevers, coughing, sore throat, chills, muscle aches, lethargy, or headaches. People who are at high risk for more severe complications include the elderly, as well as those with complex, chronic, medical conditions, pregnant women, infants, weakened immune systems, or those that have a high BMI. The influenza vaccine can be administered in a couple of different ways. It…