Arthritis in the knees can strike people as young as 45, with symptoms severe enough to limit activities and harm quality of life. What can be done about it? First, know that inactivity isn’t the answer. You need to move, so try low-impact exercises like walking and swimming. Researchers are also looking at possible benefits from interval training rather than continuous workouts. If you’re overweight, research has shown that diet, along with exercise, can reduce pain and improve function. Studies on the popular supplement glucosamine have yielded conflicting results over the years, but one explanation for the mixed findings has to do with the different formulas that were used. Success in Europe and other parts of the world was found with a daily 1,500-milligram dose of patented crystalline glucosamine, according to the International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases. Acupuncture helps some people find relief, as does daily do-it-yourself acupressure — using just your fingertips on the painful areas. More invasive procedures, like injections of corticosteroids or hyaluronic acid, have limited benefits and possible side effects. And knee surgery, often suggested to “wash out” debris inside the joint, does not seem to result in significant pain relief, better function or greater benefits than conservative strategies like exercise therapy. One helpful suggestion came from an analysis of studies involving exercise among people with knee and other joint pain…  read on >

Sunscreen is a real key to protecting your skin from the sun and preventing skin cancer, but are you using it correctly? Santa Monica-based dermatologist Dr. Tanya Kormeili thinks not. A recent American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) found “only about a third of Americans are reapplying their sunscreen every two hours while outside. Since sunscreen wears off, incorrect usage leaves you unprotected and susceptible to skin cancer,” Kormeili said in an AAD news release. She outlined other common sunscreen mistakes and how to avoid them. First, read the sunscreen labels. You should choose sunscreens that are broad-spectrum, water-resistant and have an SPF of 30 or higher. Second, most people apply only one-quarter to one-half of the recommended amount of sunscreen. To fully cover their body, most adults need about 1 ounce of sunscreen, or enough to fill a shot glass. Apply enough sunscreen to cover all skin that isn’t covered by clothing. Apply it 15 minutes before going outdoors, and reapply every two hours while outdoors or after swimming or sweating. Third, only 20% of Americans apply sunscreen on cloudy days, but the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays go through clouds. Apply sunscreen every time you go outside, even under clouds. Another mistake is using old sunscreen. Sunscreens are required to retain their original strength for at least three years. Throw out your sunscreen if…  read on >

When it comes to your home, safety first is a good rule to follow. And there are many steps you can take to limit home accidents. Making sure you have proper smoke and carbon monoxide detectors is at the top of the list. On a daily basis, your hands can face many hazards around the house. In the kitchen, keep knives sharp — the extra effort needed to use a dull knife can lead to cuts if your hand slips. When you need to open something that is enclosed in clamshell plastic packaging, it might be tempting to use a sharp kitchen knife. But this practice causes thousands of hand injuries every year. The AARP instead recommends using a can opener or blunt-tipped scissors to open such packaging. To avoid being scalded by hot tap water, lower the setting on your water heater to 120 degrees. This is especially important if you have young children in the home. In your backyard, keep your grill at least 10 feet away from your home and any plants surrounding it or on a deck. Never add lighter fluid after you’ve started a grill fire. When using a power lawn mower, wear goggles, long pants and close-toed shoes with soles that grip, experts at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore recommend. Clear any brush or tree…  read on >

You’ve probably never heard of Q fever, but the bacterial disease may be sickening — and killing — more Americans than once believed, a new study suggests. Caused by a bacteria carried by livestock, Query (Q) fever is a rare disease first discovered in 1947 and is found mostly in dry, dusty areas of California and the Southwest. “Q fever is underdiagnosed in the United States,” said lead researcher Dr. Christine Akamine, assistant professor of medicine at Loma Linda University in California. “We suspect this is because most patients have only mild symptoms and do not present for medical evaluation.” But her research revealed that more patients than expected had severe cases of Q fever — and diagnosis was often delayed. Akamine said increasing awareness of the disease could change that. People can get Q fever either by direct contact with livestock that carry the bacteria, called Coxiella burnetii, or by inhaling the spores carried by dust and wind. For the study, Akamine and colleagues collected data on patients hospitalized for Q fever between 2000 and 2016. Patients lived in a dusty, dry, windy area of Southern California ideal for spread of the disease. Of the 20 patients who were diagnosed with Q fever, three developed chronic cases of the disease and two died, the study found. Most cases of Q fever are mild and…  read on >