Blowing Smoke: Growing Old In The Age Of Marijuana Legalization
October 12, 2017
As more states vote to legalize the recreational use of marijuana, there will inevitably be more people reaching to light up- either for the relaxation or hallucinatory effects, or, more and more, for the pain relief that can accompany marijuana use. There’s data that shows marijuana use in those 65…
Take Pains To Ask: Is This The Right Pain Medication For Me
June 29, 2017
It’s everywhere in the news: the surge in opioid addiction and the deadly consequences that can result. And seniors are not immune: data show that one in three Medicare beneficiaries received an opioid prescription in 2015. Regular agebuzz readers will remember that back in February, we highlighted a piece from…
Pain And Suffering: Chronic Pain May Trigger Cognitive Decline
June 15, 2017
Nagging, chronic pain can be debilitating and distracting. You’re always aware that something’s not quite right. And new research suggests the impact of that pain may not only affect you in the moment but could trigger long-term, detrimental changes in your brain. In a newly published study out of the…
Comfort Care: Understanding Palliative and Hospice Care
May 2, 2017
As we age and realize the quality of our lives is as important as the quantity of days left, we often shift our goals and focus on what’s really important. A similar shift can also be present when it comes to health care. Rather than aggressively pursuing every option and…
Back Again: Treating Lower Back Pain
April 13, 2017
For most of us, aches and pains are an inevitable consequence of getting older. And for many of us, those aches originate from our lower back. In fact, statistics show that lower back pain is one of the top reasons that we end up in a doctor’s office, and it’s…
Now Hear This: Pain Relievers May Lead To Hearing Loss
February 9, 2017
When a headache strikes or your back hurts, you probably don’t think twice about reaching for ibuprofen (such as Advil) or acetaminophen (such as Tylenol). But listen to this: Researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston have found a connection between long term use of these over-the-counter pain meds…