Ultrasound scans uses high-frequency sound waves to detect abnormal masses or changes in organs, tissues, and vessels. These relatively inexpensive tests typically target stroke, abdominal aortic aneurysm, and peripheral arterial disease. However, some experts advise against general ultrasound screens because of concerns about false negatives and quality assurance.

Chronic or recurrent pain affects more than 75 million Americans. Small wonder that retail sales of five painkillers almost doubled from 1997 to 2005. When used in excess, over-the-counter painkillers can actually be harmful. Here are some ideas for controlling your pain in other ways.

"One of the biggest obstacles to improving men's health is men," says Rick Kellerman of the American Association of Family Physicians. "They don't make health a priority." Learn how you can help the men in your life see the importance of tending to their health before it's too late.

As use of prescription drugs climbs exponentially, many Americans are struggling to cope with the costs. Going with generic medications is a good way to save money, but some generics may not be advisable for certain medical conditions.

Taking good care of your teeth may do more than save your smile. It could save your life. Research indicates that regular brushing and flossing may improve the health of your coronary arteries and prevent certain cancers.

A 2007 survey by the National Sleep Foundation reveals that 60% of women say they sleep well just a few nights or less a week (they average six hours on weeknights). Before the advent of electricity, people slept about nine hours a night. Although our world and daily activities have evolved, our brains and bodies remain hardwired to primitive circadian rhythms. Sleep as if your life depends upon it. It might.

What you can't hear may actually hurt you -- or injure someone you love. Hearing loss affects more than 36 million Americans. Farmers are at a higher risk for hearing loss than most other American workers, and that puts them at a higher risk for suffering a work-related injury.

AgriSafe offers a range of free health services for farmers, including tests for lung function and blood pressure, and screenings for hearing, skin cancer, cholesterol, and vision. Based on the results, clinicians may make referrals to a specialist or family physician.

Yvette Oloff and her husband are running out of financial options. It's not today's farm prices and costs putting the squeeze on the Persia, Iowa, farm couple. It's the tightening noose of escalating health insurance costs. A 2007 survey of 2,000 farmers and ranchers in seven Great Plains states released this week reveals that the Oloffs are not alone.

Arthritis is the leading cause of disability among Americans, according to the National Institutes of Health and the Arthritis Foundation. One in every six Americans has a form of arthritis. The surge of aging baby boomers is likely to elevate arthritis as a serious health concern. By 2020, an estimated one of five will be affected.

Dan Moore is making plans to get back in the driver's seat. It seems like an eternity since the day last October when he parked his combine in the shed. The 42-year-old Jerseyville, Illinois, farmer knew that it might be his last crop. Kidney disease had forced him to sell his livestock a few years earlier.

Have a specific medical question or concern? Try the Healia health search engine. Healia serves as an independent, unbiased gateway to the highest quality health information resources.

Inflammation is part of the body's healthy response to injury or infection. A problem arises when the immune system attacks healthy tissue, triggering low-grade, chronic inflammation.

You say you can feel it in your bones when something bad is going to happen? Not always. A serious fracture often is the first symptom of osteoporosis. An estimated 10 million Americans have osteoporosis, a deterioration of bone tissue. A surgeon general's report on bone health in 2004 warned that half of Americans over age 50 -- 14 million -- face a risk of fracture by 2020.

About 234,000 U.S. men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year. As many as 27,000 of them will die. Age, race, and family history remain the three greatest risk factors. The good news is that prostate cancer death rates have dropped 32.5% in the past decade, possibly as a result of the dramatic increase in early detection.

Sunflowers are a bright spot on the horizon for American farmers -- and a source of heart-healthy benefits for consumers. A growing number of items on grocery shelves now contain sunflower oil. "Two drivers are growing the sunflower market," says John Sandbakken of the National Sunflower Association. "One is consumers looking to lower saturated fats. Second, and most significant, is reducing trans fats."

Diabetic Living, a sister publication to Successful Farming magazine, celebrates a healthy lifestyle for people living with diabetes. Each issue is like a cookbook (with more than 50 recipes), exercise handbook and health guide rolled into one.

Learn all about diabetes in this report from Harvard Medical School. You'll find tips for managing, treating and living with diabetes, plus information on dealing with diabetic emergencies. A must-read for diabetics and those who love them.

The 2007 Medicare enrollment period is now underway, and in order to receive Medicare prescription drug coverage in 2007, seniors must choose their program by December 31. To avoid a gap in coverage, however, it's a good idea to sign up by December 8. Here are some tips for navigating the enrollment process and choosing the plan that's right for you. Full story >>

Outliving antique tractors may take lifestyle overhaul
Louis Schmidt of Gresham, Wisconsin, started restoring old iron about five years ago. A heart attack in 2002 convinced him and his wife, Jackie, that they needed to overhaul their lifestyle habits. Louis's health concerns aren't unique. Half of Americans age 55 to 64 have high blood pressure, and 40% are obese, according to a 2005 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report.

Top talk: Caring for an elderly parent
Have you gone through the experience of caring for an elderly parent, either in your home or theirs, or through assisted living? Share your thoughts and advice in the Women in Ag discussion group.

Go the distance when it comes to heart health
The evening news didn't normally make Louis Schmidt break into a sweat. But when the Gresham, Wisconsin, dairy farmer felt it happen in October of 2000, he downplayed his discomfort. A blood test revealed a heart attack, and a stent was inserted into a main artery. A year later, similar symptoms sent him back for a second stent. Learn more about heart disease and see how Schmidt has changed his lifestyle to benefit his health.

Farmers urged to get annual screening to detect prostate cancer
Farmers should pay attention to research about prostate cancer. "We've found an association between several pesticides and prostate cancer among men with a family history of prostate cancer," says Michael Alavanja, National Cancer Institute and lead scientist for a recent study. Read four important articles about this disease.

Understanding depression
While sadness touches all of our lives at different times, a true, or clinical, depression can have enormous depth and staying power. Unlike passing sorrows tied to a disappointment or loss, it casts a pall over every aspect of life that just can't be lifted at will.

When illness strikes: How to get the best medical care
We can now research our illnesses like never before. But whom do you trust, and where do you stop? Two women, one a cancer patient who took charge of her own drug research, the other a scientist who faced her own health crisis, show how they found their way.

Quiz: Assess your stress
Every life has its ups and downs. How well are you dealing with the stress in your life? Take our quiz and find out.

Quiz: What's your heart disease risk?
You're never too young to start living heart-healthy, and never too old to find out how to do it. Start here with our quiz.

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Slideshow: Exercises for osteoporosis
Exercise is a key element in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Here are a dozen simple exercises you can do at home with just a chair and a few weights.

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