Health News

Features

Medical Advice: How to stop a fall before it happens

It was reported earlier this year by the Centers for Disease and Prevention that the life expectancy for people in the United States is at an all-time high of 78 years and 9 ½ months. Women born in 2012 are now expected to live more than 81 years and men nearly 76 ½ years. It…
Pop Quiz: Is your home fall-proof?

Falling is the most common cause of household injuries. It is especially dangerous for older Americans, as a fall can be fatal or have serious long-term affects like physical impairment, loss of independence, and costly medical bills. Since six out of every 10 falls happen at home, take our quiz to test your IQ on…
What poses a greater threat to your health than Ebola?

The chances of catching the West African-born virus versus the threat of the flu and pneumonia Fears abound, but Americans have very little to worry about when it comes to contracting Ebola. While Ebola is serous and often fatal, outbreaks of the infectious disease are primarily in West Africa. “The risk to the general public…

What Is Age-Related Macular Degeneration, or AMD?

by NADER MOINFAR, M.D., M.P.H. Geographic atrophy (GA) is an advanced form of dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). In general, AMD is a disease that progresses in stages. Patients with advanced AMD experience vision loss from either excess ﬂuid and blood (wet AMD) or the death of cells (GA). It is estimated that 1.5 million…
Understanding Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

An aneurysm is a “weakening” or “dilatation” in a part of an artery. An estimated 15,000 people die of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) every year in the US. About 200,000 new cases of AAA are diagnosed every year. Most of these are diagnosed by tests that are done for unrelated reasons. The aorta is…
The Future Is Clear: The Shift to Daily Disposable Contact Lenses

by DANIEL SMITH, O.D. Contact lenses offer a wonderful alternative to traditional eyeglasses, providing wearers with a range of unique benefits that suit various lifestyles. They offer a natural, unobstructed field of vision, and the absence of frames on the face may be highly beneficial, especially during physical activities where glasses may pose a risk…