Surgical treatments and procedures Archive

Common causes of persistent or recurrent swallowing difficulty include medication side effects, an inflamed esophagus, an enlarged thyroid, among others. A doctor can conduct several tests to help identify the problem and offer appropriate treatment.

Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is a condition marked by involuntary movements of the face or limbs, caused by long-term use of certain drugs, many of which are for mental health conditions. An ad for a once-daily drug to treat TD leaves some important questions unanswered.

Osteopenia is the precursor stage to osteoporosis (weak, thin bones that break easily). Ways to treat osteopenia include taking medications that slow bone loss and reduce fracture risk, exercising, eating protein- and calcium-rich foods, taking a calcium supplement to make up for a lack of dietary calcium, taking a vitamin D₃ supplement to help absorb calcium, and avoiding excessive alcohol intake. Vibration therapy (standing on a small vibrating platform) is not yet proven to be effective.

People who have trouble swallowing pills can try several strategies, such as changing head position when swallowing, adding pills to food that's easy to swallow, and breaking up pills into smaller pieces.

The way people's bodies absorb and process medications changes as they age. This, along with additional health problems, muscle loss, or frailty, can make seniors more vulnerable to drug side effects and interactions. Adults 65 and older use more over-the-counter drugs than any other age group in the United States. Nonprescription drugs to reconsider include aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, proton-pump inhibitors, and older types of antihistamines.

The specialized cells of our immune systems help to keep us healthy and free of infectious diseases. Immunotherapies teach those same cells to recognize and destroy cancer. Researchers are reporting promising results with a different method that involves engineered cells studded with receptors that bind to specific targets on cancer cells.

A new type of nonhormonal medication to prevent hot flashes and night sweats due to menopause, Veozah, was approved by the FDA in 2023. An ad for the drug has useful information, but some key questions are not answered.

Contrary to previous recommendations, people who think they are having a heart attack or stroke should not take an aspirin on their own. Their symptoms might be caused by a different problem that might be made worse by taking aspirin.