Q&A: Fall Risk Assessments
My doctor has recommended I see her for a fall risk assessment. Can you tell me what is involved in these assessments? The American Geriatrics Society recommends that all people age 65 years and older have a fall risk assessment every year. Research suggests that these assessments can significantly reduce your risk of falling if […]
Q&A: Colorectal Cancer
What (if any) is the difference between colon cancer, rectal cancer, and colorectal cancer? Both colon and rectal cancer are considered to be colorectal cancers. Colon cancer begins in the colon (large intestine) and rectal cancer in the rectum (the last five to six inches of the colon that connects to the anus and stores […]
Q&A: Myasthenia Gravis
My husband has been told he has myasthenia gravis. Can you tell us more about this condition? Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disease that most commonly affects women ages 40 and younger and men ages 60 and older. Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system mistakes cells and body tissues for harmful invaders and produces […]
Q&A: Hepatitis C Screening
My doctor has advised me to get screened for hepatitis C. Is this really necessary given that I have never used illicit drugs? Hepatitis C triggers inflammation that eventually becomes chronic. Over time, it destroys infected liver cells and also causes cirrhosis (scarring) that decreases blood flow through the liver and impairs liver function. Cirrhosis […]
Q&A: Fractures Caused by Alendronate-like Osteoporosis Drugs
I recently started taking alendronate for osteoporosis, but I’ve read that this type of drug can cause fractures of the femur. Can you explain why this is, given that the drugs are supposed to strengthen bones? Studies have pointed to an association between bisphosphonates and atypical fractures of the femur (thighbone). It isn’t clear why […]
Q&A: Surgery for Sleep Apnea
I recently was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). I’ve been advised by my doctor to use a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device overnight, but I can’t get used to it. I’ve read that there is a surgical procedure that can help OSA—should I have this surgery? In OSA, the muscles of the upper […]
Q&A: Appendicitis and Older Adults
My newspaper recently mentioned a 75-year-old man who died from peritonitis that followed appendicitis. How common is appendicitis in older adults? I thought it was a childhood condition. Appendicitis is more likely to affect children and adults under age 30, but older adults are not immune from the condition—in fact, studies suggest that 10 percent […]
Q&A: Viscosupplementation for Knee and Hip Arthritis
I’ve heard that viscosupplementation can help ease osteoarthritis in the knee. Could it help my hip arthritis? My doctor thinks it won’t. Healthy joints are lubricated by synovial fluid, but people with osteoarthritis often have less of this fluid than they should. Viscosupplementation involves injecting a substance called hyaluronic acid (a component of synovial fluid) […]
Q&A: Shingles Vaccine
I am debating getting the shingles vaccine and hope you can advise me. I had shingles 12 years ago—despite starting antiviral medications before the rash developed, the blisters appeared on my face and I suffered moderate loss of vision in my right eye. I have had many vaccinations without undue side effects, but given that […]
Q&A: Surgery in Those With Sleep Apnea
I’m considering having elective surgery—however, I’m wondering if my obstructive sleep apnea presents any risk given I will need to have general anesthesia? People with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) who have general anesthesia do have a slightly increased risk of postoperative respiratory complications. OSA occurs when the muscles in the airway relax as you sleep. […]