Severe weather, an earthquake, a fire or flood all present unique challenges for people with Alzheimer’s disease. Their impaired memory and reasoning severely limits their ability to act appropriately during a crisis, the National Institute on Aging says. If you are preparing an emergency kit for someone who has Alzheimer’s, the agency suggests including: Incontinenceundergarments,… read on >
Older adults are at increased risk for hypothermia, a dangerous drop in body temperature, the U.S. National Institute on Aging warns. This can be due to chronic health conditions or the use of certain medicines, including over-the-counter cold remedies. Hypothermia occurs when your core body temperature drops to 95 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. Warning signs… read on >
Winter storms are a fact of life in many cold climates. And if conditions are bad enough, the safest place is probably your home. The National Weather Service suggests what to do if you’re stuck inside: If using a fireplace or wood stove, make sure these devices are properly vented. If you have a gas… read on >
Holding your nose and closing your mouth when you feel a sneeze coming on just might lead to serious trouble. The journal BMJ Case Reports includes the story of a 34-year-old man who ruptured his throat after he pinched his nose and clamped his mouth shut in order to ward off a sneeze. He suffered… read on >
Anti-lock brakes are designed to restore traction to your vehicle’s tires during icy or slick road conditions. They’re meant to help prevent wheels from locking up, but they won’t shorten stopping distance, the University of Iowa says. While anti-lock brakes are deployed, the brake pedal typically will vibrate or push back. That’s completely normal. You… read on >
Whether you’re training for a marathon or just logging miles, cold-weather running requires some special health and safety precautions, according to a sports medicine expert. That said, it also gives you a chance to get ahead of the competition because people often don’t train once serious cold sets in, Dr. Joshua Blomgren said in a… read on >
High winds can occur during a thunderstorm, hurricane or other strong weather system. The National Weather Service suggests how to prepare for high winds: Trim tree branches away from your home and powerlines. Secure loose gutters and shutters. Identify an interior room, such as a basement or bathroom, that you can go to. If you… read on >
Two-thirds of the United States is grappling with bitterly cold temperatures as an Arctic front slides across the country, so one emergency doctor offers practical advice for those caught in the frigid weather. Dr. Robert Glatter, a physician from Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, puts a premium on covering up and layering while… read on >
If you’re exercising outdoors this winter, take special precautions, a sports medicine expert advises. With winter’s chill upon us, it’s become increasingly important to check the weather conditions — including the forecast and wind chill — before starting out. Then, adjust your clothes accordingly, suggested Dr. Theodore Shybut, an assistant professor of orthopedic surgery at… read on >
Excess drinking on New Year’s Eve can lead to a painful morning after, with no sure-fire cure available. But helpful strategies for treating a hangover do exist. Hangover symptoms — headache, nausea and dizziness — occur when the body withdraws from alcohol and a chemical called acetaldehyde is produced, Dr. Robert Glatter, an emergency physician… read on >
