This can be a challenge. An alcoholic can't be forced to get help except under certain circumstances, such as a traffic violation or arrest that results in court-ordered treatment. But you don't have to wait for someone to "hit rock bottom" to act. Many alcoholism treatment specialists suggest the following steps to help an alcoholic get treatment: Stop all "cover ups" Family members often make excuses to others or try to protect the alcoholic from the results of his or her drinking. It is…

What makes your body more efficient at metabolizing sugar?

I’m trying to get pregnant but haven’t so far. How long should I wait before I see a fertility specialist?

I recently heard that osteoporosis drugs can actually increase the risk of fractures in older women. Should I stop taking this medication?

What are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)? NSAIDs are drugs that can reduce pain, fever, and inflammation. Inflammation is the body’s protective response to irritation or injury and is recognized by redness, warmth, swelling, and pain. NSAIDs can be used to treat the symptoms of many types of arthritis and soft tissue inflammation such as tendonitis, bursitis, and sprains. It can also be used for gout attacks. It is important to remember that NSAIDs treat the symptoms and do not…

I recently read that women over 40 should stop taking calcium supplements. Is that true?

As I get older I seem to be developing more skin tags. Is this something to be concerned about? They aren’t misshapen or colored funny, just skin colored tags. Can I just clip them off?

I recently read that most people have acceptable vitamin D levels and don’t need to supplement. Is that true?

Why is it important to reduce fat intake? Eating a high fat diet may contribute to heart disease. Eating too much fat also contributes to excess body weight, since a gram of fat has about twice as many calories per gram as carbohydrates and proteins. Being overweight may increase your risk of developing high blood pressure, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases (diseases of the heart and blood vessels) and certain forms of cancer. Whether you are trying to lose weight, lower blood cholesterol…

(Also Called ’Advil’, ’Motrin’, ’Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs’, ’NSAID’) Common brand names: Advil, Nuprin, Motrin Why is this drug prescribed? Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to reduce pain, fever, and inflammation. Inflammation is the body’s protective response to irritation or injury and is characterized by redness, warmth, swelling, and pain. How and when should it be used? Ibuprofen is available in capsules, suspension, and tablets. Your…

Question: What is the difference between table salt, sea salt, and kosher salt? Is one type of salt better than the others for my heart and blood pressure? Answer: The differences among salts are related to how they are processed, resulting in different tastes and textures. But, regardless of the type of salt, it contains 40% sodium. Any differences in sodium content are because of the volume and shape of the crystals. Kosher and sea salt have larger crystals, which means they take up more…

Calcium Three important risk factors you can control to prevent osteoporosis are: DietLifestyleReplacing lost estrogen through hormone therapy can provide a strong defense against osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. To maintain strong, healthy bones, a diet rich in calcium is needed throughout your life. Your need for calcium becomes even greater as you age. The U.S. Recommended Daily Allowance (USRDA) for calcium is 1,000 milligrams per day. Postmenopausal women who are not taking…

Researchers do not know the exact cause of Alzheimer’s disease, but it likely is due to a variety of genetic and environmental factors. The most studied of the environmental factors are aluminum, zinc, food-borne poisons, and viruses. Aluminum One of the most publicized and controversial theories concerns aluminum, which became a suspect in Alzheimer’s disease when researchers found traces of this metal in the brains of patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Many studies since then have either…

Harnessing the power of the mind-body connection The mind-body connection means that you can learn to use your thoughts to positively influence some of your body’s physical responses, thereby decreasing stress. If you recall a time when you were happy, grateful or calm, your body and mind tend to relax. Research has shown that when you imagine an experience, you often have similar mental and physical responses to those you have when the event actually happens. For example, if you recall an…

I get so depressed during winter, but my husband doesn’t believe in seasonal mood changes. Is there really a connection between winter and depression?

What Causes Wrinkles? There are many factors that contribute to the onset of wrinkles. Over time, skin begins to wrinkle and things in the environment, like ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun, make the skin even less elastic. Gravity can cause skin to sag and wrinkle. The following four factors are the most significant that contribute to aging skin. 1. Aging Wrinkles are a by-product of the aging process. With age, skin cells divide more slowly, and the inner layer, called the dermis,…

Online Health Chat with Dr. Margery Gass July 23, 2010 Introduction Cleveland_Clinic_Host: Female sexual dysfunction is more common than you might think. Several population-based surveys show that approximately 43 percent of American women have some form of sexual dysfunction, from low desire to painful intercourse. In postmenopausal women, several factors can contribute to a less-than-fulfilling sex life. Declining estrogen levels associated with menopause can lead to decreased arousal.…

Why exercise? Exercising is the single most important thing that you can do to keep yourself healthy and to delay the aging process. Keeping physically fit may add up to two to three years to an individual’s life span. The benefits of exercise go far beyond improving cardiovascular fitness and pulmonary function. Exercise helps to: Control blood pressure Protect against diabetes Ward off depression, anxiety, and insomnia Enhance balance and strength (minimizing accidental…

Your cosmetic surgery is over. You’ve been healing for a week or so and by now, you might even have your stitches out. Now it’s time to get back to normal. But what about your appearance? Although the cosmetic surgery or procedure will improve your look in the long term, you still have to get past the initial trauma to your body – things like incision scars, bruising, discoloration, or swelling. It takes time, but that doesn’t mean you have to hide in your house while it all goes away. It could…

The citrus and ginger-soy sauce dressing turn cucumbers, tomatoes and avocados into a splendid salad. Serve this on a warm summer’s day to add the perfect flavor to your next gathering.