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The top 10 excuses for not buying a hearing aid

I last wrote on this topic about five years ago. Here are some of the more common ways people avoid getting help, and how you, as the patient or the caregiver, can address them. 1. “I can hear just fine.” This is the excuse that leads all others. Unless you and your loved one can agree that there’s a problem, you’ll never get past this starting point in the discussion. Realize that, as a caregiver, you may be fueling the fantasy by repeating things not heard clearly, speaking louder yourself and otherwise acting as a human hearing aid. The best way to open a dialog about the ...

Understanding endometriosis

Cramps and uncomfortableness are considered as a normal part of every menstruating person’s life. However, some people experience debilitating pain that leaves them unable to function for one week every month. When this happens, among other symptoms, a diagnosis of endometriosis might be in ...

Colon and rectal cancers are on the rise in young adults

About 90 percent of people diagnosed are age 50 and older, so it may be hard to believe that cases of colorectal cancer are on the rise among young and middle-aged adults — but they are, and at an alarming rate. According to a study conducted by American Cancer Society researchers, cases ...

Is a hysterectomy necessary for a woman with a low cancer risk?

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 66-year old post-menopausal woman who is scheduled next month for a hysterectomy to correct a pelvic organ prolapse. There is no history of ovarian cancer in my family. My first period was at age 12, and menopause happened for me at age 51. I used birth control pills. My gynecologist is leaving the decision up to me. I have read that ovaries still produce important hormones after menopause. What are your thoughts on keeping my ovaries or going through with this procedure? — D.F. ANSWER: I recommend prophylactically removing the ovaries during a hysterectomy ...

What is a normal heart rate?

You probably were told your resting heart rate at your last checkup. Or maybe you get alerts throughout the day thanks to a fitness tracker or smart watch. But what does the number really mean? And how do you know if your heart rate is normal? What is a resting heart rate? In simple ...

Geisinger names Terry Gilliland, MD, president and future CEO

DANVILLE — Geisinger has announced its Board of Directors appointed Terry Gilliland, MD, as president of Geisinger Health and selected him to assume the role of chief executive officer (CEO) once Jaewon Ryu, MD, JD, transitions to CEO of Risant Health. Dr. Gilliland will become the eighth chief executive officer in Geisinger’s 109-year history. “On behalf of the entire Board of Directors, I am thrilled to welcome Terry Gilliland to Geisinger,” said Heather Acker, chair of the Geisinger Board of Directors. “The board executed an extensive national search before coming to ...