There are two kinds of vein conditions that most of us are aware of. There are “spider” veins that resemble “granddaddy long legs” and may be unappealing to some who have them. They are strictly a cosmetic issue. Varicose veins—which cause discomfort—are the kind that protrude and can look almost like a rope beneath the skin.Dr. Ray Workman, with Novant [...]
What happens in the body that causes aging? Scientists have discovered a fundamental process of aging in our cells that occurs on the strands of our DNA. This discovery, which won the Nobel Prize in medicine in 2009, is important to our everyday life. Why? The reason is we now know the speed of aging can move faster or slower, [...]
By Barbara Nicklas, PhD Question: I would like to start an exercise program, but I just turned 73 and I'm afraid that I'm "too old." Can a man or woman in their 70's really benefit from starting a regular exercise program? Answer: Exciting new research show that it is never too late to start enjoying regular exercise. A recent study [...]
Sleep apnea can be a gateway to heart disease, stroke, and dementia. Julian Parra knew something wasn’t right when he began waking up several times a night gasping for air. He also noticed that he felt unusually tired and sleepy at work and during the day. At age 39, he suspected he might have sleep apnea because his dad has [...]
Todd McDiarmid, MD, holds advanced certification in family medicine and geriatrics. He practices at the Cone Health Family Medicine Center. Our changing memory is a normal part of aging. Just as we have different amounts of reserves in our body that help us cope with aging or illness, we also have different amounts of memory reserves that help us deal [...]
Joe and Becky Miller celebrated 34 years of marriage on Valentine’s Day shortly after Becky retired from teaching physical education and coaching sports at Davie High School in Mocksville. But the big reason the couple were smiling and laughing again, they say, is because Joe is back to his old, cut-up self following a life-changing LVAD heart procedure at Novant [...]
Coffee aficionados already know a bunch of reasons why coffee is good for you like it's the raison d'etre to get up in the morning. If that's not your reason, you may pick one of the following or add yours to the list. • Coffee is rich in antioxidants, which help to fight inflammation • Coffee may help boost cognitive [...]
Insomnia is nothing new. Henry IV laments in William Shakespeare’s "Henry IV, Part II,” “Oh sweet sleep, nature’s gentle healer, what have I done to frighten you? You won’t weigh down my eyelids anymore, or dull my mind to make me forget.” The play was first performed in 1600, but it’s a pretty sure bet it’s a bigger problem today [...]
Americans are the fattest people in the world. By one measure, more than 70 percent of the U.S. population aged 15 and older is overweight or obese. But such a finding should come as no surprise, considering the proliferation of fast-food establishments and increasingly cheaper grocery items that have negatively altered our diets. Unfortunately, the extra pounds have inflated the [...]
According to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, places where chocolate consumption is highest have the most Nobel Prize winners. It could be coincidence, however, the new review summarizes the evidence and concludes with a “maybe.” It's a fact that with age come diseases caused by dementia such as stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease. In [...]
