On Aging

Ann Mazuca has diabetes and glaucoma that can be aggravated by high blood pressure. The support shown by clinic staff at the University Family Health Center Southeast, in San Antonio, helps her do what's needed to reduce hypertension, she says. "The fact

To Bring Down Stubbornly High Blood Pressure, It Helps To Have A Team

1:30pm May 04, 2017

by Wendy Rigby

A quick prescription and annual lecture from a doctor often aren't enough to help people control hypertension. So some clinics now mobilize teams of health pros to motivate and support patients.

Health & Safety

Man Who Claimed To Be 146 Years Old Dies In Indonesia

7:28am May 03, 2017

An Indonesian who claimed to have been born in 1870 died this week. If true, at 146, he would have been the oldest person ever by far. Indonesia didn't record births until 1900, however.

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Over a period averaging 4.7 years, study participants who had the greatest fluctuations in weight — about 8.6 pounds — had double the risk of a heart attack, stroke or death, when compared with those who experienced weight fluctuations of less than 2

Yo-Yo Dieting May Pose Serious Risks For Heart Patients

12:30pm May 01, 2017

by Patti Neighmond

People with heart disease should keep their weight down, but it can be hard to lose weight and keep it off. Now a study shows big fluctuations may increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.

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At Gerald Chinchar's home in San Diego, Calif., Nurse Sheri Juan (right) checks his arm for edema that might be a sign that his congestive heart failure is getting worse.

For Some, Pre-Hospice Care Can Be A Good Alternative To Hospitals

5:00am April 28, 2017

by Anna Gorman

Through home visits, very ill people get help with pain, stress and symptoms. Medical centers, initially skeptical, now embrace the program because it helps patients and makes financial sense.

Companies are trying to make hearing aids more chic and less cumbersome.

Is It Time For Hearing Aids To Be Sold Over The Counter?

2:18pm April 24, 2017

About 35 million Americans suffer some hearing loss, but most don't do anything about it. There's a growing effort to make hearing aids easier and cheaper to buy.

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Small pulses of electricity to the brain have an effect on memory, new research shows.

Electrical Stimulation To Boost Memory: Maybe It's All In The Timing

6:20pm April 20, 2017

by Jon Hamilton

Research in epilepsy has found a key to why small pulses of electricity to the brain sometimes help and sometimes hurt a failing memory. Brains hurt by physical trauma or dementia might benefit, too.

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Carl Goulden, of Littlestown Pa., developed hepatitis B 10 years ago. Soon his health insurance premiums soared beyond a price he and his wife could afford.

U.S. Health Care Wrestles With The 'Pre-Existing Condition'

8:04am April 15, 2017

by Elana Gordon

Insurers and politicians struggle constantly to thread the needle between making sure people have good health insurance and figuring out who should pay, especially for those who need a lot of care.

A common blood test checks for elevated levels of prostate-specific antigens (PSA) in a man's blood, as an indicator that he may have prostate cancer.

Federal Task Force Softens Opposition To Routine Prostate Cancer Screening

2:01pm April 11, 2017

by Rob Stein

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force proposes each man decide with his doctor whether to undergo routine PSA testing, citing recent evidence of benefits and ways to minimize downsides of screening.

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Though they failed to mobilize Congress to repeal the Affordable Care Act last month, Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) (right), Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and the White House could still undercut the insurance exchanges, reduce Medicaid benefits and let states limit cov

Republicans Now Control Obamacare. Will Your Coverage Change?

8:23am April 10, 2017

by Jay Hancock

There are many ways beyond legislative repeal that the Trump administration and congressional Republicans could undo the Affordable Care Act — starting with sowing uncertainty about what's next.

In 2015, Medicaid spending topped $552 billion nationwide. People who receive both Medicaid and Medicare and people with disabilities account for more than half of Medicaid spending.

Limits In GOP Plan Could Shrink Seniors' Long-Term Health Benefits

3:50pm March 22, 2017

by Stephanie O'Neill

Caps in the GOP health plan have huge implications for people over 65. In addition to helping low-income seniors with long-term care, Medicaid helps pay for some of their Medicare premiums and copays.