Articles

Obesity is a serious health problem for people of all ages in the United States. But for elderly people who are overweight, obese, or morbidly obese, the health consequences can be life-threatening. Today in this country, over 35 percent of adults 65 and older (around eight million people) are categorized as obese according to their body mass index (BMI).  Carrying too much weight is not only uncomfortable, but it quite often leads to a host of serious medical complications that can include the following: Diabetes…

No matter how long you’ve been smoking, or how old you are, it’s never too late to kick the habit. Most people know that smoking is dangerous. It not only shortens your life, but it can cause a long list of diseases and health conditions, including:  Lung diseases like chronic bronchitis or emphysema Heart disease Stroke Increased risk of certain types of cancer like lung, mouth, larynx, esophagus, stomach, bladder, cervical, or kidney cancers.  Respiratory problems  Osteoporosis Eye disease like cataracts and age-related macular degeneration Diabetes Erectile dysfunction And…

Most seniors who are over 55 years old plan to live in their homes as they age. Reasons for wanting to “age in place” are varied. Most simply like their home, want to live near their families and friends, or hope to avoid the inconvenience of moving. For many people, aging in place isn’t a problem, but if you experience common mobility issues, your home may not be safe or convenient without making some modifications. Stair lifts are one of the options that may make your…

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 40 million people in the United States suffer from some form of diabetes. For some, diabetes is a genetic condition, but for others, lifestyle factors have led to the development of this potentially life-threatening condition.  While exercising and making adjustments to your diet can help reduce some diabetes symptoms, you may find that medical supplies are crucial in managing your disease.. Diabetics often need to test their blood glucose levels to ensure that they…

How do you know if you may have a hernia? When tissue or an organ pushes through the surrounding muscle wall, you may experience any of the following common symptoms:  An abnormal bulge or lump in the area where the hernia is located Pain or discomfort in the area where the hernia is  Hernias are more common for men than women and they can occur due to muscle weakness, injury, prior surgical procedures, aging, chronic coughing, weightlifting, or overstraining during physical activity.  Unfortunately, once you…

Although Medicare is usually associated with retirees who are past their reproductive years, millions of Americans under the age of 65 qualify for Medicare due to disability. If you have Medicare, are pregnant and are considering nursing, you may be wondering if Medicare will help cover the cost of a breast pump. Breastfeeding a newborn delivers essential nutrients during the first months of life. Unfortunately, not all women are able to breastfeed, and some may experience trouble with nursing. For these women, pumping milk using…

Becoming eligible for Original Medicare benefits is one of the changes you’ll experience as you reach retirement age. Millions of seniors rely on Medicare coverage to help pay for everyday medically necessary healthcare expenses like doctor visits and hospital care.  For many Medicare recipients, Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) is available with no premium required based on paid taxes while working. This is the inpatient portion of Medicare that helps to cover expenses associated with treatment while admitted to hospitals and skilled nursing facilities. Even…

It’s important for people to get routine dental care throughout life, but especially in their senior years. Everyone should visit their dentist for regular check-ups and have regular cleanings. If you need fillings, extractions or more serious dental work, it’s better to have those procedures done early to avoid infection or complications. If you will be eligible for Medicare insurance soon, you might be doing your homework to find the right coverage for your health care needs, and you might want to take dental care…

Pain treatment can be a complicated thing. Pain affects people differently, and response to therapy can vary from person to person. In some cases, simple physical exercises and the application of a hot or cold pack are enough to alleviate pain when stiff joints or muscles are causing discomfort. In other cases, prescription medications may be necessary to treat pain. In severe cases, surgical intervention may be required in order to correct a medical issue that is leading to pain. Medical professionals also use treatments…

Earwax may not be the most pleasant thing to deal with in life, but it is actually a vital part of keeping your ears healthy. Cerumen is the medical terminology used for the waxy substance produced in the ear canal. Everyone’s ears produce cerumen, and along with hair follicles in the ear canal, cerumen helps to trap and remove debris that ends up in the ear. In most cases, ear wax is produced at low enough rates that it is hard to notice. Although many…