Elder Care Cafe

As many of you may know if you have followed this blog for a while, diabetes runs in my family. My father’s grandmother on his maternal side of the family died of complications from diabetes when Dad was nine years old. His father and brother developed diabetes, as did my Dad. Obviously, with diabetes on both sides [...]

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You know your cholesterol numbers, and they are not good. You know your risk factors, and they aren’t looking so good either. Your doctor has talked to you about your high cholesterol, and has possibly prescribed medication. Now what do you do? Actually, there are a number of things your can do to manage your [...]

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As many of us know, high cholesterol can put us at risk for a heart attack. Because heart disease is the number one killer in the United States, it would behoove us to understand what causes heart attacks and heart disease, and what we can do to prevent an occurrence in our life. A number [...]

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Whenever anyone has a problem with high cholesterol, they are at risk for a heart attack. But, how can you know whether you are at risk or not? It is as easy as taking a simple blood test. Anyone who is over the age of twenty should have their cholesterol checked at least once every five [...]

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According to the American Heart Association, heart disease is the number one killer in the United States. If you have high cholesterol you are particularly susceptible to heart disease and heart attacks. There are three very important things you must be aware of in order to help prevent a heart attack from disrupting or even [...]

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Recent studies show those who use statins such as Lipitor, Zocor, Crestor, among others may experience muscle pain after long-term use. Of more concern is the possibility those who experience pain may also end up with muscle damage. When someone does feel muscle pain, a simple blood test can usually tell whether someone is also [...]

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According to a recent study, lack of sleep may indicate the person is at risk for diabetes. Along with poor dietary habits and lack of exercise, people who don’t get enough sleep tend to get diabetes as opposed to those who live a healthy lifestyle. The volunteers spent two 14-day periods in a sleep lab [...]

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Sometimes I think life throws situations at us just because we are too complacent. A few months ago, on June 3rd, I posted a list of emergency room tips that highlighted the information all of us caregivers should have available in case something unexpected happens to our loved one. Yesterday, my daughter and my father [...]

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Over the years, I have personally known several women diagnosed with fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Although the two are not the same disease, they often have similar symptoms. As defined by Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, CFS is a disorder of unknown cause characterized by persistent profound fatigue usually accompanied by other symptoms unrelated to [...]

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Health care reform is a hot topic right now as President Obama presses forward with his plan for all Americans to have access to adequate health care. However, those who are involved in health care related fields recognize the real cost savings will more likely be achieved when obesity and its related health risks are [...]

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Health care reform is once again a hot issue due to President Barack Obama’s attempt to push through a bill that will provide all Americans with affordable health care. The attention to health care reform highlights the importance of preventative care in saving lives as well as dollars. Preventive care provides a way all for [...]

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Recently I read about a disturbing trend in the United States. Apparently, more adults are dying of diseases that are preventable than are dying in automobile accidents, breast cancer, or AIDS. When I read that shocking statement, I thought how in the world could that be. According to the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) and [...]

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When my mother was diagnosed with skin cancer, the doctors were not really surprised. She exhibited a number of signs that skin cancer was a possibility. A tow-head as a child, she was always light complected. She had a mole on her check near the lower right nostril, and she spent hours outdoors for many [...]

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A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine has revealed the onset of Alzheimer’s could be diagnosed in someone as early as their 50s. Those who have the ApoE4 gene variation, cited as playing a role in Alzheimer’s, may or may not develop the disease but is an indication that the disease [...]

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According to a recent survey conducted by the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), approximately ninety-one percent of dentists say their patients complain of dry mouth. Findings reveal that the majority of those who experience dry mouth are taking multiple medications. There are over 400 prescription and over-the-counter drugs that can contribute to the symptoms of [...]

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