Skip to content

Columns

When will Medicare cover medical marijuana?

KATE ASHFORD NerdWallet Many older adults are using medical marijuana to treat a variety of conditions, but experts say that conflicting laws, unclear safety standards and complicated rulemaking processes mean it could be years before Medicare may cover the drug. One in five Medicare recipients currently uses medical marijuana, according to an April 2022 poll…

Read More

UK’s religion-free speech debates enter ‘thoughtcrime’ zone

Terry Mattingly Wherever he goes, Father Sean Gough prays for the people he encounters — sometimes out loud and often silently. This isn’t unusual, since he is a priest in the Catholic Archdiocese of Birmingham, England. Gough was praying silently when he was arrested near an abortion facility in a Public Spaces Protection Order protected…

Read More

Botox injections one way to treat Hyperhidrosis Sweating

Dear Doctors: Several years ago, I began sweating on my forehead. It gradually became more profuse, until my entire head was soaking wet. My internist diagnosed hyperhidrosis. An antiperspirant he suggested worked, but only briefly. What is the cause of hyperhidrosis? Is there any treatment? Dear Reader: Hyperhidrosis is a disorder in which the sweat…

Read More

Entrepreneur needs to set boundaries with friend

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am an entrepreneur. I have helped a good friend of mine who owns a struggling business that lacks funding, and it has caused a great deal of stress on both of us. My friend has not been able to pay me for my services or even cover their expenses, yet I have…

Read More

Former employee wants to be friends with boss

DEAR HARRIETTE: A recently retired former employee of mine is trying to build a friendship with me. We were never particularly friendly while they were employed, and I find the dynamic now to be awkward and uncomfortable. I want to be respectful and kind, but at the same time, I don’t want to be forced…

Read More

These healthy habits might also lead to a happier life

Laura Williamson American Heart Association News Is the secret to happiness a warm puppy? A good marriage? A rewarding career? Or something else entirely? Happiness means different things to different people, but a growing body of research suggests keeping a smile on your face may help add years to your life by lowering the risk…

Read More

Donating kidney does not affect life expectancy

Dear Doctors: I was surprised to find out that a co-worker gave his nephew a kidney several years ago. He never mentions it and I don’t want to invade his privacy, but I would like to know more about the process. What does it take for someone to donate a kidney? Is it safe for…

Read More

Husband won’t contribute to son’s college expenses

DEAR HARRIETTE: My son is in college, and the trips to visit him or bring him home for breaks and holidays are expensive. Recently, my husband asked me how much his spring break flight cost. When I told him, he hit the ceiling. This is not news. We talked about what college would cost before…

Read More

What happens when we sleep, and why we need just the right amount each night

Laura Williamson American Heart Association News Research shows adults need seven to nine hours of sleep each night for optimal health, and children need more. But what’s happening during those hours that’s so important, and what’s the danger of cutting sleep short? A growing body of research shows getting little or poor sleep doesn’t just…

Read More