With age, many systems in the body begin to experience normal wear and tear and may not work as they once did. This is also true of one of the most important muscles in the body, the heart. Due to genetics, heredity and poor lifestyle choices,...
Wet saunas are also known as steam saunas. In dry saunas, heat is generated by heated rocks or an infrared heater. Wet saunas use heated rocks as well, but water is poured over the rocks to produce steam. According to the experts at Go Ask Alice!...
Indoor air pollutants come in the form of gases and air particles and are mainly due to poor ventilation. When ventilation in the home is inadequate, pollutants build up to high levels and tend to linger for long periods of time. High...
Your body requires vitamins, minerals and other nutrients on a daily basis. Increasing evidence suggests that the elderly are not getting enough needed nutrients and calories, leading to malnutrition, according to CNN. Aging-related issues, such...
High potassium, or hyperkalemia, is a dangerous and potentially life-threatening condition, which may require emergency treatment. Potassium is a nutrient that is important for the normal function of nerve and muscle cells including the muscle of...
Many elderly people are subject to malnutrition and weight loss, and the problem worsens when the elderly person has no teeth. Malnutrition can lead to many health problems that include fatigue, depression, a weakened immune system, poor skin and...
A cardio stress test is a noninvasive medical procedure that enables doctors to evaluate heart-related problems in patients. The test is common and extremely beneficial for its accuracy and ability as a diagnostic tool. A light cardio stress test...
Muscle spasms can be a painful symptom that may occur as an isolated phenomenon or as part of another problem such as nerve disorders. If they are part of a syndrome, the best treatment may be aimed at treating the underlying condition. There are...
Sudden weight loss in elderly people can lead to irreversible health problems or be a sign that serious health problems are occurring. Testing and nutritional monitoring can show physicians or caregivers why mysterious weight loss occurs within...
Saunas are small, enclosed rooms that are heated to a high temperature, sending dry heat to the body and forcing sweat. Many people use saunas to sweat out excess water weight; others go in the sauna for relaxation or for health benefits such as...
Salmeterol is a medication that is sometimes used to treat asthma. It is commonly inhaled and relaxes the smooth muscles around the airway, making it easier for asthmatics to breathe. It activates parts of the muscle cells called beta-receptors,...
Surgery to implant a pacemaker, a small device that helps regulate the heartbeat, is a relatively minor procedure that causes complications in fewer than 5 percent of patients, according to MayoClinic.com. Pacemakers are safely implanted in older...
A steam shower is unlike a traditional shower in that it immerses you in water vapors. A humidifiying steam generator produces the vapors. Steam showers are usually found in gyms and spas, but they are becoming a popular household item as well,...
The number of patients who win the battle against cancer and live for several years after radiation treatments has increased, according to Cancer.net. Unfortunately, some of those people develop late side effects as a result of the radiation...
As a form of exercise, you can do step climbing in one of three venues: outdoors on a safe set of stairs, on a stair-climbing machine or in a traditional step-aerobics class. All forms of step, when done safely for 30-minutes per day, can give you...
The heart is a central part of the body's cardiovascular system. It's job is to pump blood to all parts of the body through the blood vessels. Therefore, a problem with the blood vessels could affect the heart. KidsHealth.org states that when the...
Nursing homes provide a valuable service to senior members of the community who who can no longer take care of themselves. Most of these homes provide opportunities for residents to remain social through activities and programs put in place by...
Phenylephrine hydrochloride is indicated for congestion of the nose, sinus and eustachian tubes; paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (short bursts of rapid heart rate); anesthesia support; vascular failure in shock; eye conditions; and eye...
Viagra is one of the main drugs used to treat male impotence. It is available in several dosage levels, including 25 mg, 50 mg and 100 mg. A doctor will prescribe a starting dose of 50 mg for most men. However, the dose is often decreased to 25 mg...
The Food and Drug Administration has approved four medications for use as diet pills that either help you digest less fat from the food you eat or reduce your appetite. If you are taking medications for another health issue such as depression or...
Per World Health Organization (WHO) statistics, there were 12,270 U.S. deaths confirmed from swine flu through April 2009. WHO declared swine flu as a global pandemic and raised a worldwide alert in June 2009. Worldwide, the U.S. topped the list...
Keeping blood sugar levels within the normal range is important for good health. People with diabetes need to take special care with blood sugar control because their body does not use insulin properly. Among elderly diabetics, controlling blood...
Nyquil is an over-the-counter cold and cough product. It treats cold and flu symptoms such as nasal congestion, headache, fever, cough, sore throat, sneezing and body ache without curing the cold or flu. It may facilitate rest due to its alcohol...
There are several causes for high thyroid levels, also known as hyperthyroidism or overactive thyroid. The thyroid is an endocrine gland in the neck that produces hormones that are used in many areas of the body. Because thyroid hormones are used...
You may rely on your daily cup of coffee to get you through a meeting or a caffeinated soda to power through the afternoon. If you consume caffeine in moderation, this can be a good thing. However, when you drink excess caffeine per day, this can...
The process of weight loss might be described as a balancing act between how many calories you consume and how many calories you burn. This process, however, is mediated through your body's metabolism and physical limitations, meaning that one...
Aortic aneurysms occur 65 percent of the time in the abdomen, according to the Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Abdominal aortic aneurysms, called AAA, can be repaired by conventional surgery or endovascular surgery. In conventional surgery, the...
Though cannabis is less dangerous than other types of heavy drugs, it has a variety of side effects that users and parents of users should be aware of. While some effects are short term, there is some evidence that regular marijuana use may have...
Bloating can be an unpleasant side effect of a high-sodium diet. Too much dietary sodium can also lead to high blood pressure and even heart disease, so reducing sodium-related bloating can also help your health in the long run. Know where sodium...
