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Will Viagra reduce the risk of dementia?

Q. A few years ago, you wrote about a Viagra study. It looked really promising, because it showed a 30% to 54% reduction in Alzheimer's disease from a drug that isn't even taken daily! I really hope that researchers will follow up with a clinical trial. Meanwhile, men could try taking Viagra. But what about women? A. Back in 2024, researchers reported preliminary results suggesting that sildenafil (Viagra) might help protect against Alzheimer's disease (AD). One report noted that sildenafil reduced phosphorylation of tau, one of the important risk factors neurologists note for this ...

Health notes

To include or update items in the weekly Health News list, email information to tmunnell@tribtoday.com or dbigelow@tribtoday.com. The deadline for inclusion for next week’s list is noon Sunday. ST. JOE’S AT THE MALL Open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the Eastwood Mall. • EXERCISE CLASSES AVAILABLE — Call 330-652-7542 to inquire and register. • FREE BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENINGS: 9 a.m. to noon and 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Tuesdays, and 9 a.m. to noon Wednesdays and Thursdays. • DIETITIAN AVAILABLE: by appointment every first and third Friday; no cost — call ...

DEAR ANNIE: Loyal 10-year employee miffed about no gift

DEAR ANNIE: On a yearly basis, my employer recognizes employees who have dedicated 10, 15, 20, etc. years of service as well as individuals who are retiring. These employees have their names published in local press and also receive a gift. This past year I completed my 10th year of service. While my name was published, I never received a gift. Everyone else received one, so it’s not that the tradition stopped and I was unaware; mine was just somehow overlooked. My co-workers tell me I should ask about it, but I feel kind of awkward doing so. Is it tacky to contact the human resources ...

HINTS FROM HELOISE: Try water aerobics to lose weight

DEAR HELOISE: I read the letter from Patty, who wants to lose weight but can’t exercise due to having bad knees. My hint for her is to try water aerobics! It’s non-weight-bearing exercise, and her knees won’t be affected. — Helen, via email Helen, this is an excellent idea! I’ve tried water aerobics, and it was fun. Plus, I met and made a new friend! — Heloise DEAR HELOISE: We all know that plastic bags are a problem in our environment. They choke animals, create garbage and break down into microplastics that have even been found in babies’ placentas! Here are some ...

TO YOUR GOOD HEALTH: Vaccine lowers risk of getting shingles

DEAR DR. ROACH: I was reading your recent column about shingles. Several years ago, I contracted shingles, even after getting the shingles vaccine. It hit me in my left eye, so I went to my eye doctor. (I wasn’t sure what the problem was.) He took one look at my eye and diagnosed me with shingles. He gave me an antibiotic that cleared up the problem. At no time was I in any pain, which I attributed to my getting the vaccine. Do you concur with my observation? I’m aware that getting shingles can be very painful. —L.J. ANSWER: Shingles is caused by a reactivation of the ...

Bridge by Steve Becker

Yesterday, we saw how a team that was losing by 53 IMPs with 16 deals to go in the 2004 Vanderbilt semifinal managed to tie the match on the very last board when a close double gained an extra IMP to produce the deadlock. Without the double, Richard Schwartz’s team would have lost the 64-deal match to Nick Nickell’s squad by a single IMP. The tie necessitated an eight-board playoff, and as the players began the last deal, Nickell led -- by 1 IMP! The bidding shown took place when Peter Boyd and Steve Robinson of the Schwartz team held the North-South cards. Robinson won the heart ...