Recent Articles

An action plan to fight unhealthy inflammation

How to treat spider bites and when you need to see your doctor

Gratitude enhances health, brings happiness — and may even lengthen lives

Skin care for aging skin: Minimizing age spots, wrinkles, and undereye bags

Medicare versus Medicaid: Key differences

Prostate cancer: Short-course radiation as effective as longer-term treatments

Lost a tooth? What to know about dental implants

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy: Evidence-based uses and unproven claims

Gatorade. Liquid IV. Do you need extra electrolytes?

Sexual violence can cast a long shadow on health

Surgery Archive

Reducing your risk of changes in thinking following surgery

Published May 22, 2020

As more older people undergo surgeries, the risk of complications increases, including for cognitive decline following their procedures, particularly after cardiac surgery. But awareness and pre-planning with your care team can help you avoid such complications.

Heart Health

Is angioplasty plus stenting or coronary artery bypass surgery better for treating left main coronary artery disease?

Published April 27, 2020

People with disease of the left main coronary artery usually have the option of bypass surgery or angioplasty and placement of a stent. Two recent studies comparing these choices came to different conclusions about which is more effective.

Robert H. Shmerling, MD

Knee arthroscopy: Should this common knee surgery be performed less often?

Published April 20, 2020

There is already evidence that knee arthroscopy for osteoarthritis does not help most people. A study attempted to determine if the results would be better for people with osteoarthritis and a torn meniscus.

Heart Health

Weight-loss surgery may lower risk of heart disease in people with diabetes

Published April 16, 2020

Most people with type 2 diabetes also have obesity. Weight-loss surgery has a positive impact on risk factors for heart disease, and a recent study found that this surgery significantly reduced the risk of death in people with obesity and diabetes.