Category: Medical News

Hey, activity is good for you. But what happens when activity triggers sore, aching, and swollen joints?

The problem could be bursitis-that’s what your grandmother used to call it. Bursitis occurs when the bursae (those fluid-filled sacs that surround and cushion joints) become irritated or infected, often causing pain when you move. Sometimes an infection develops.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, more than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s today. It is the 6th leading cause of death in the U.S. When someone has trouble thinking, memory loss or behavioral changes, it can be devastating to the person and their family.

Alzheimer’s starts with mild symptoms, but gets worse over time. A person may start to forget more and be less able to do things for themselves. In its later stages, a person often needs constant care and may be unable to do daily tasks, such as feeding themselves.

Treating Alzheimer’s today

Although there is no cure, there are treatments available that can improve the symptoms. Certain medicines can help someone with Alzheimer’s have more independence, dignity and comfort for a longer period of time. But, they don’t stop the disease.

Because each person’s health is different, only a doctor can help you decide which medicine may be right for you or your loved one. Medicines are often started at the lowest dose and increased, if needed.

Medical experts continue to research Alzheimer’s and hope to find a cure.

Can it be prevented?

Experts don’t know how to prevent Alzheimer’s, though they are trying to find out. Living a healthy lifestyle with exercise, a good diet, and not smoking definitely helps the body. They believe these things may help the brain stay healthy too. If you’re concerned about memory loss or signs of Alzheimer’s, talk to your doctor.

Whooping cough (also known as pertussis) is a respiratory infection that can cause severe coughing or trouble breathing. When babies get it, they are often put in the hospital. And most of them get whooping cough from someone at home, such as a parent, sibling, or grandparent, or from childcare providers.

Whooping cough can be prevented. Do it, urges the CDC.

Babies and children get a series of five DTaP shots to protect them against diphtheria, tetanus and whopping cough. Babies get the first dose at two months, so until they are fully immunized, you need to keep them safe.

Insist that everyone who comes in close contact with your newborn be up-to-date with whooping cough vaccination. Teens and adults need only one dose of Tdap vaccine, which came out in 2005. Tell grandparents they need to get this vaccine, too.

What’s the harm in a temporary tattoo applied at the beach or boardwalk or state fair? Maybe a lot is wrong.

The FDA is reporting problems such as redness, blisters, raised red weeping sores, loss of skin color, increased sensitivity to sunlight, and even permanent scarring from seemingly harmless henna tattoos.

Here’s why. Some temporary tattoo “artists” are using harmful coloring such as hair dye or “black henna” instead of traditional henna, a reddish-brown coloring made from a flowering plant.

Inks marketed as black henna may be a mix of henna with other ingredients, or may really be hair dye alone. The reason for adding other ingredients is to create a tattoo that is darker and longer lasting, but use of black henna is potentially harmful. The temporary tattoos made with black henna are dark black.

Temporary tattooing is not regulated by anyone. No one is checking to make sure the artist is following safe practices. Don’t assume this is a safe thing to do.

For any problems or long-lasting rashes, see a doctor. You may report a problem to the FDA’s MedWatch:www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/HowToReport/default.htm.