The prostate tends to grow over time, causing about a third of older men to experience weak urine flow, a frequent need to urinate at night, and other symptoms.
Until recently, these men had to live with the condition, treat it with medication, or have surgery. But a relatively new option involves shrinking the prostate with a few quick blasts of hot steam administered via a tiny needle in a doctor’s office. The outpatient procedure takes about 15 minutes and carries a low risk of lasting side effects.
A Medical Illusion May Help Knee Pain
For a small and unusual study, 12 patients with osteoarthritis in their knees wore headmounted displays that showed live video feed—of their own knees. As an experimenter gently pulled or pushed on a participant’s leg, the video feed was digitally altered to make the knee appear to change size. Participants reported up to a 40 percent decrease in pain when they “saw” and felt their knees being stretched as if to ease stiffness. When the procedure was repeated, the patients said their pain decreased further. “It seems that seeing is believing,” says Tasha Stanton, PhD, who ran the study. The perception of the stretch may ease pain as effectively as physical therapy or pain medication.
RETHINKING THE DAILY ASPIRIN
Many Americans have been popping a baby aspirin once a day, believing it would protect them from a heart attack, a stroke, and even cancer. But several recent studies have thrown this into question.
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The Power of Family
This year, we asked readers a question: "When you think of 'family', what's the image you see?" The winning submissions, and the stories behind them, were all universal and remarkably moving.
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A Life in Buttons
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13 Things: Get a Healthy Home
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When Mom Broke Her Leg
To her great surprise, everyone else stepped up
“Don't Give Up”
Her heartbroken hometown needed a sign, so she gave them one
Black Kettle: THE PEOPLE'S PEACE MAKER
THE VALIANT SOUTHERN CHEYENNE CHIEF NEVER STOPPED BELIEVING THAT PEACE AND FREEDOM WERE POSSIBLE FOR HIS TRIBE.
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The Poison In Your Medicine Cabinet
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Just What The Patient Ordered
A slew of well-funded startups are making it easier than ever to get prescription medications online, turning patients into customers—and doctors into something akin to assembly-line safety inspectors. As with everything, there are side effects.
Biologics: The Turning Point
For many people with inflammatory arthritis, the introduction of biologic drugs two decades ago was life-changing.
High-Tech Healthcare: Today's Innovations Are Powering Tomorrow's Medicine
Microneedle patches, handheld diagnostic machines, and better sensing capabilities, as well as 3D bioprinting, are just a few of the technologies coming to a doctor’s office near you—or maybe even into your home—in the next decade.
Up Close And Personal With Philadelphia's Heroin Crisis
Journalist Christopher Moraff talks about a better way to report on drug culture in America.
Dump Old Drugs Safely
Get unwanted or risky meds out of your home.
How Much Is A Miracle Worth?
New one-shot medicines could eliminate years of costly care
How Big Pharma Uses Charity Programs to Cover for Drug Price Hikes
How patient-assistance funds give drug companies cover to raise prices.