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Looking for something to do this holiday weekend? See our picks for some fun local events.
AGE MATTERS: Carbon monoxide not easy to detect
Dear Dr. Camardi: When we brought Dad to your clinic for dementia, we never had any idea that after you went over his case from top to bottom that you would say what you did about carbon monoxide poisoning. And I’m very deeply sorry for saying to your staff that we wasted our time in seeing you because you saved us from tragedy. I said that because, when we told
YOU DOCS: How to remodel your food choices
If you’re a cookie fiend, can’t resist meat, cheese or creamy salad dressings, haven’t munched broccoli since 1986 and are not sufferin’ succotash, you may be a super-taster. A new Stanford University study found that at least 30 percent of us are supertasters. We dislike bitter flavors and love sweets. And half of STs came into the world that way. The rest? Well, repeat exposure to added sugars, red meat
THE PEOPLE'S PHARMACY: The pros and cons of statins
Comparing drug benefits to risks is a delicate balancing act. Nowhere is this more apparent than with statin-type cholesterol-lowering medications such as atorvastatin (Lipitor) and simvastatin (Zocor). These drugs can save lives, particularly for people who have had heart attacks or needed cardiac interventions. But others find the quality of their lives compromised by drugs meant to prevent trouble. One reader, R.R., wrote to protest an article we wrote about
TO YOUR GOOD HEALTH: Life quality should balance medicine use
Q: Several years ago my husband received a stent for a 99 percent blockage. What had kept him alive was a network of collateral arteries, thanks to a lifelong high level of exercise. His cardiologist put him on Crestor, and he became an old man before his time — muscle cramps, muscle weakness to the point that he was unable to exercise and our sex life became nonexistent. Also, his
THE PEOPLE'S PHARMACY: How doctors can improve patient health without scolding
Doctors often admonish their patients to make lifestyle changes that will help their health: stop smoking, eat better, exercise more and lose weight. If patients don’t make progress on these challenging goals, doctors may get frustrated and scold patients. Then they prescribe pills to lower cholesterol, control blood sugar or reduce blood pressure. Patients also feel frustrated. Making big changes can be extremely difficult. People get defensive when they are
YOU DOCS: Your hairdo might signal hidden health hazards
Psst .... is your hair — or lack of it — trying to tell you something? Two new reports link male pattern baldness (not that celebrity-inspired shaved noggin) with higher odds for heart disease and prostate cancer. Those aren’t the only hairdo and health connections sprouting in the news. Blondes, redheads and young silver foxes: You’re on the list, too, but don’t wig out just yet! We think these offbeat
TO YOUR GOOD HEALTH: Tylenol less likely to cause kidney damage than is RA medicine
Q: I am an 80-plus-year-old man with rheumatoid arthritis. My doctor has reduced my methotrexate dosage due to his concern about kidney damage. He prescribed Tylenol. My question is whether Tylenol also has a potential problem for my kidneys. A: Rheumatoid arthritis is a serious form of arthritis that can cause severe damage to joints if not aggressively treated. Methotrexate is a powerful medicine, often used as chemotherapy for some
Same procedure, wide price gap at 2 Roanoke Valley hospitals
Charges for the same medical procedures can vary by thousands of dollars at hospitals across the country — and at the two cross-town rivals in the Roanoke Valley, according to data released Wednesday by the federal government. At LewisGale Medical Center in Salem, the list price for nearly all of the treatments included in the data was higher than what was charged by Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. For example, the
TO YOUR GOOD HEALTH: Use of CPAP machine does not worsen apnea
Q: I went to a sleep lab and was diagnosed with borderline sleep apnea. The doctor said I could get the CPAP machine, but it was up to me. I chose to get it, and I use it every night. Now, when I nap, I wake myself up gasping. Could the CPAP be making my muscles weaker so I need it more? A: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a condition
THE PEOPLE'S PHARMACY: How to stock your first-aid kit from the kitchen
The trouble with most first-aid kits is that you don’t have them when you need them. They usually are stored safely in a bathroom closet or perhaps in the trunk of the car. What if you could put together an easy-to-carry first-aid kit from items you already have on hand? Readers of this column frequently share the remedies that they use in an emergency. Most are simple to assemble and
YOU DOCS: 5 ways not to mess up your blood sugar
With the diabetes epidemic picking up steam — 1.6 million new cases are diagnosed in the U.S. each year. Some say that by 2020, half of all Americans could have diabetes or prediabetes — you want to make sure you’re not part of that statistic. So listen up! We talk with people every day who have taken charge of their health and seen astounding benefits. They’re happier, have more energy,
YOU DOCS: Breathe easier in pollen season and beyond
If you’re among the 27 million North Americans with asthma, chances are it’s triggered by allergies to airborne irritants in your environment (a whopping 75 percent of adults with sensitive airways have allergic asthma). Unfortunately, only 25 percent of people with asthma know what they’re allergic to and how to avoid the triggers that make their airways constrict, swell and clog up with mucus. That may be why more than
THE PEOPLE'S PHARMACY: Science can explain why beet juice lowers blood pressure
Doctors love scientific explanations for how things work. That is why they are quick to prescribe medications for a variety of conditions. Food and Drug Administration approval provides reassuring evidence of effectiveness. Dietary supplements, herbs and home remedies rarely have scientific support and usually lack an explanation for the way they work. That may be why it is hard for physicians to recommend such treatments. There is, however, a growing
TO YOUR GOOD HEALTH: Don’t put off endoscopy
Q: At age 79, I’ve been dealing with the effects of GERD for the past two or more years. For a year, I took omeprazole, which I believe was responsible for an immediate weight gain and a worsening of my osteopenia. It was a nasty drug from which to wean myself, but I did it. Currently, I’m not taking any medication for this condition. I’ve made changes in diet and
YOU DOCS: Budget-friendly diet: healthy food your wallet will love
Another health myth bites the dust! You don’t need to spend a fortune to eat good-for-you food. In fact, a new report reveals that buying healthy food saves money. That’s worth celebrating (you could hear our whoops and cheers for miles when this important info made the news), because plenty of wrong-headed reports have led North Americans to believe that healthy diets are wallet-busters. What we love most about this
THE PEOPLE'S PHARMACY: Don’t dismiss drugs that can cause deadly dizziness
Some reactions to medications seem so inconsequential that doctors rarely mention them. Dizziness is just such a side effect. On the surface, it seems like a minor problem. This might be because it’s so common. Hundreds of frequently prescribed medications cause dizziness or vertigo. As the saying goes, familiarity breeds contempt. In reality, though, dizziness can be a killer. Medications that make older people unsteady on their feet can lead
TO YOUR GOOD HEALTH: Timing key to some meds’ success
Q: I take Bystolic for blood pressure, and was instructed to take it in the morning. The side effects leave me feeling washed out, drowsy and listless all day. Because blood pressure is lower during sleep and rises slowly near morning, I think it would be better to take it at bedtime, when the side effects would occur and help me sleep. Also, Bystolic reaches peak plasma levels in one
AGE MATTERS: Make a difference: Be the match
Dear Dr. Camardi: I promised I would write and tell you how the bone marrow donation experience went. I’m all done and I’m so glad I did it! Thanks so much for giving me all the time I took to discuss it . More than anything else, thanks for not letting me feel any pressure with whatever decision I made. I was very, very afraid of the anesthesia, but now
YOU DOCS: An owner’s manual for your new lease on life
A record number of North Americans — nearly 15 million — are cancer survivors. Earlier and better screenings and advanced treatment options are a huge reason so many folks can say, “I beat cancer!” If you’re among this number, it’s important to know that thriving after you triumph over cancer is much more certain if you and your doctor create a new owner’s manual for YOU. We’re talking about a
THE PEOPLE'S PHARMACY: Beware zombie drivers, especially during allergy season
Driving drowsy may be almost as risky as driving drunk. People who would never get behind the wheel after drinking alcohol frequently drive while impaired and don’t even realize it. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an extraordinary number of Americans drive drowsy, and many even fall asleep: “Among nearly 150,000 adults aged at least 18 years or older in 19 states and the District of Columbia,
1. Botetourt County shooting victim tried to start 'new chapter in her life' amid divorce
2. Virginia Tech closing in on ACC baseball tournament title tilt
3. Woman's body discovered by Botetourt County authorities Thursday evening
4. Police seek suspect in Vinton robbery that led to school lockdowns
5. Police seek 2 male suspects in Roanoke CVS robbery
6. Roanoke police seek man missing from retirement home
7. No one hurt in 1-car crash on Bent Mountain Road
8. Planning board approves $14 million for Roanoke River Greenway
9. Ex-Salem volleyball coach accused of secretly filming girls faces more charges
10. Festival in the Park gets overhaul, new location (with map)
THE ROANOKE TIMES
