Medicare might cover acupuncture treatments for lower back pain
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 16, 2019
CMS is studying the ancient therapy as part of its move to increase alternatives to opioid painkillers for certain common conditions.
More physicians are becoming telemedicine experts, professional network reports
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 16, 2019
Telemedicine is booming, and physicians are responding by becoming skilled practitioners, according to a new Doximity report.
Clinical Briefs for Wednesday, July 17
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 16, 2019
Statins under-prescribed for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease … New app may help patients avoid drugs linked to dementia … Osteoarthritis may raise death risk in heart disease … One anticoagulant...
ACOs may be missing the mark with seniors who need complex care
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 15, 2019
Newer strategies to address high costs and gaps in care may be leaving out vulnerable seniors with complex care needs, a new study has revealed.
Lifelong mental stimulation may prevent dementia, despite brain changes
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 15, 2019
A lifetime of cognitively challenging activity is tied to lower dementia risk, even in people whose brains show signs of Alzheimer’s disease.
Voice of depression: Improved technology detects low mood in vocal cues
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 15, 2019
Researchers have created a technology tool that can more accurately detect depression in the voice. They’d like to see it translated into real-world applications.
Clinical Briefs for Tuesday, July 16
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 15, 2019
Blood pressure drug may harm gut health … Wearing hearing aid now may protect brain in later life … New tech detects afib after stroke … Brain networks lose their connection with age
A healthy lifestyle can help offset dementia risk, study finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 12, 2019
Dementia isn’t inevitable for adults at high genetic risk for the condition. In fact, healthy lifestyle choices may offset that inheritance.
Whole grains are on the menu, but older Americans should add more, CDC says
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 12, 2019
Whole grains account for nearly 20% of older adults’ total grain intake. The amount has risen, but falls short of the 50% recommended.
Simple finger prick helps gauge need for antibiotics during COPD flare
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 12, 2019
A finger-prick blood test could help prevent overuse of antibiotics for COPD flares. What’s more, the approach is safe for patients, researchers say.