Statins May Help Prevent One Type of Stroke
Stroke is a leading cause of death in the U.S., and is a major cause of serious disability for adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Currently, more than 20 percent of Americans take cholesterol-lowering drugs known as statins to lower their risk of a first heart attack or stroke due to a blood clot. So our primary care doctors in Delray Beach were pleased to hear of a new study showing that statins may also help decrease the risk of a first stroke as a result of an intracerebral hemorrhage, the most deadly type of stroke. Published
Easy New Year’s Health Resolutions for Seniors
The start of a new year is traditionally the time we vow to do better in various areas of our lives because it’s bright with the promise of new beginnings. But over the years, we tend to become disenchanted with the idea of trying to change, because of the trail of resolutions that weren’t kept. If that describes you, our primary care doctors in Delray Beach want to suggest a few simple resolutions you can make to improve your health and your life that are easy to keep. Prioritize Sleep This may be the most important change you can make in your life if
Ultra-processed Foods May Contribute to Dementia Risk
If you regularly enjoy ultra-processed foods like hot dogs, cakes, and white bread, a new study warns that you may be increasing your risk for dementia. Dementia affects nearly 6.5 million Americans, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) predicts that by 2060, that number could rise as high as 14 million of us. Our primary care doctors in Delray Beach understand the attraction of these foods: They’re deliberately designed to appeal to our taste buds, in addition to being super-convenient. But ultra-processed foods—meaning those that are as far away from their natural state as possible—have been linked to various
Steroids May Make Knee Arthritis Worse
If you’re one of the 32 million Americans who suffer from osteoarthritis of the knee, our primary care doctors in Delray Beach want to alert you to a new study that may impact how you’re treated for that condition. Osteoarthritis of the knee will affect at least half of people in their lifetime and accounts for the majority of the more than 700,000 knee replacements in the U.S. each year. What is Arthritis? Arthritis is an informal way of referring to more than 100 types of joint disease, but the two most common forms are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. The typical symptoms associated with
Older Americans Dying at High Rates from COVID-19
If you are an older American or love someone who is, our primary care doctors in Delray Beach saw a recent statistic that should give you pause: Nearly nine out of ten deaths from COVID-19 are now in people 65 or older. While many people believe—and are behaving as though—the pandemic is over, the 300-plus daily deaths still being reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) prove it is not. And the most recent figures show that seniors are paying the highest price for that common misconception. According to an analysis by The Washington Post, in October people 85
Should You Be Worried About RSV?
You may think that because nearly all the media attention regarding the respiratory illness RSV has been focused on children you don’t have to worry. But our primary care doctors in Delray Beach want you to know that it can and does kill adults, too, especially if they’re older or immunocompromised. It’s important to know this, because this year the virus is spreading at “unprecedented” levels, according to many doctors, and it began in the summer, instead of December and January, the usual RSV season. “I’ve been at Connecticut Children’s [Hospital] for 25 years, and I’ve never seen this level of surge specifically
Second Alzheimer’s Drug Disappoints in Trials
Our primary care doctors in Delray Beach regret to report that for the second time in under two years, a promising drug treatment for Alzheimer’s disease has come up short. Genentech, a division of drug maker Roche, reported this month that the treatment they’d hoped would slow the progression of Alzheimer’s—called gantenerumab—did not meet their goal of slowing clinical decline in people with early Alzheimer’s disease. But other studies provide hope. The Trials Genentech conducted two global, placebo-controlled clinical trials on nearly 2,000 patients over 27 months. Half the subjects received a placebo and half received the treatment, a monoclonal antibody. Gantenerumab is designed to
Watch for Stroke Symptoms If You’ve Had COVID-19
Our primary care doctors in Delray Beach don’t want anyone to panic about the latest findings on the aftereffects of COVID-19. But we do want to let you know that several recent studies, including one published last month, have found an increased risk of stroke among those who have had the disease, even when their symptoms were mild. So we want you to be aware of the possibility, and to encourage you to know the most common symptoms of a stroke. The Latest According to the newest study, published last month in the British medical journal Heart: Patients with mild COVID-19 (meaning they
Tai Chi and Qigong: Are They Right for You?
If you found an exercise that you could perform even while sitting down, would you be interested? Suppose our primary care doctors in Delray Beach told you that this exercise could: improve sleep correct your posture reduce stress increase strength decrease anxiety relieve depression improve the immune system increase bone density reduce inflammation throughout the body improve balance and reduce falls increase flexibility improve self-esteem And suppose we told you that this exercise might have also a positive impact on the: cardiovascular health pulmonary disease back pain arthritis diabetes Parkinson’s disease blood pressure Would you want to know more? What They Are You may not
Staying Safe from COVID-19 While Enjoying the Holidays
Nearly three years into the COVID-19 pandemic, most people are behaving as if the threat from the virus is over. Yet there are still over 300 people in the U.S. who are dying from COVID-19 every day. But our primary care doctors in Delray Beach understand the desire to return to pre-pandemic life as much as possible. That includes celebrating the holidays the way we did in 2019. Loosening Up—a Bit In August, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released new, more relaxed guidelines that reflect this new mindset among Americans. “This guidance acknowledges that the pandemic is not over, but also