HIV on the Rise Among Seniors
People over 50 get tested as often for the killer disease
By Fred Cicetti
Q. I’m a 65-year-old man who is dating a 58-year-old woman. Recently, my grandson, who is rather outspoken, asked me if I was protecting myself against AIDS. At the time, I thought the question was ridiculous, but now I’m wondering.
A. A growing number of older people have HIV/AIDS. About 19 percent of all people with HIV/AIDS in this country now are over age 50. New AIDS cases have risen faster in the over-50 population than in people under 40. Read more
Getting a Good Night’s Rest
Older people tend to sleep less deeply and wake more often
By Fred Cicetti
Q. Do older people need more sleep?
A: Seniors need about the same amount of sleep as younger adults—seven to nine hours a night.
Unfortunately, many older adults don’t get the sleep they need, because they often have more trouble falling asleep. A study of adults over 65 found that 13 percent of men and 36 percent of women take more than 30 minutes to fall asleep. Read more
Protecting Yourself with the Flu Shot
The elderly are most at risk against the deadly virus
By Fred Cicetti
It’s time for a flu shot.
You can get the flu vaccine from your doctor, and at public health facilities, senior centers, pharmacies and supermarkets. Adults over 50 are prime candidates for the vaccine because the flu can be fatal for older people. Read more
Blood Matters
Donating blood to yourself in advance for surgery
By Fred Cicetti
Q: I’m a geezer planning to have surgery in a few months. I was wondering if I can donate blood to myself in advance?
A: Yes you can. This is called “autologous” blood donation. It’s done in the weeks before non-emergency surgery. The blood is stored until the operation. Autologous donation is most often employed in surgery on bones, blood vessels, the urinary tract and the heart, when the likelihood of transfusion is high. Read more
Options for Joint Replacement
When the hip bone’s connected to a resurfaced socket
By Fred Cicetti
Q: I’m considering having a hip replaced. What are the odds that this operation will work?
A: The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons says joint replacement surgery is successful in more than 9 out of 10 people. And replacement of a hip or knee lasts at least 20 years in about 80 percent of those who have the surgery. Read more
Healthy to the Bone
Q: Do men get osteoporosis?
A: Yes, men do get osteoporosis, but women are at greater risk.
Osteoporosis, or porous bone, is a disease characterized by low bone mass and structural deterioration of bone tissue. This condition creates an increased risk of fractures. Read more
Our Leading Cancer Killer
Q: Is cigarette smoke the only cause of lung cancer?
A: Radon and asbestos are causes, too. Radon is an invisible, odorless and radioactive gas that occurs naturally in soil and rocks. Asbestos has been used for fireproofing, electrical insulation, building materials, brake linings and chemical filters.
But cigarette smoking is the number one cause of lung cancer. Before cigarette smoking became popular in the early part of the 20th century, doctors rarely saw patients with lung cancer. Nearly 90 percent of people with lung cancer developed it because they smoked cigarettes. Read more
Forever Young
Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rage at close of day;
Rage, rage, against the dying of the light.
—Dylan Thomas
Q.I’m tired of taking this sitting down. What can I do to fight the aging process?
A: There’s nothing that will stop aging, but you know that. The most you can hope for is longevity with health. Here are some pointers from health professionals for a high quality of life. You may find these boring, but they work: Read more
Beating the Blues
Q. Is depression just a “normal” part of aging?
A: There are a lot of problems to face as you get older. There are losses of all kinds that can get you down. And feeling blue for a while is a normal part of living at any age.
But unrelenting depression is not normal. If you feel this way, you should seek medical attention. Most people get better if they treat their depression. Read more
Understanding Chest Pain
Q: My understanding is that angina is not as serious as heart disease. Is this true?
A: Angina pectoris—or simply angina—is the medical term for chest pain or discomfort usually caused by coronary artery disease. Angina is a sign that someone is at increased risk of heart attack, cardiac arrest and sudden cardiac death. If you get angina, you should get medical attention immediately.
Angina (pronounced “an-JI-nuh” or “AN-juh-nuh”) hits when the heart doesn’t get enough blood. This usually happens when there is a narrowing or blockage in one or more of the vessels that supply blood to the heart. Read more
