Q I live with my 40-year-old son and he smokes like the proverbial chimney around the house. I?m afraid of what it?s doing to his health. What can I do to get him to quit? ? A Tell him he may be killing you with his secondhand smoke. Secondhand smoke?also called environmental tobacco smoke?is made up of the ?sidestream? smoke […]

Growing older and getting reading glasses seem to go hand in hand, just like getting gray hair or wrinkles as you age. But that doesn?t have to be the case if you take steps to care for your eyes as you age. Presbyopia, a natural effect of aging, happens to just about everyone around the age of 40, even if […]

The Marion City Council authorized City Attorney Dan Baldwin at its July 12 meeting to start taking action on businesses and residences that have fallen into disrepair. The council directed Baldwin to give these property owners one last chance to clean up those areas before taking the matter to court. Baldwin said he plans on starting at the west end […]

After 31?2 years of offering classes in multiple venues and communities in the area, Anna Woods of Woods Wellness will now welcome clients who come to her at a newly opened facility in downtown Hillsboro. ?I guess it came down to I got tired of hauling my equipment around to different places,? Woods said about the move. ?I?ve been able […]

Q What are the benefits of vitamins? AIt?s very important to talk with your doctor before you take any vitamin and mineral pills, especially if you take prescription medicines, have any health problems or are elderly. Taking too much of a vitamin or mineral can cause problems with some medical tests or interfere with drugs you?re taking. Vitamins and minerals […]

Mike Ryan (left), chief executive officer at Hillsboro Community Hospital, hands a plate of biscuits and gravy to Ken Johnson, respiratory therapist. Ryan was serving breakfast to employees early Monday morning as a kickoff event for the observance of National Hospital Week. From 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, hospital staff and the public are invited to a tailgate in […]

Developing healthy food habits isn?t always as simple as it sounds. Even during summer, a season with fresh fruits and vegetables in abundance, many people still grab a bag of potato chips before choosing that crunchy red apple as a snack. Recently, the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index issued a health report revealing that well over half of Americans ?as many as […]

After more than a decade of service to the Hillsboro Senior Center, Kermit Ratzlaff, president of the board, retired in early January. Replacing him as president was Ray Matz with Charles Rempel serving as vice-president. To honor his contributions to the center, a celebration is planned from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, April 19, at the center, 212 N. […]

QI?m getting heartburn a lot since I turned 60. Is more heartburn something that comes with more years? ? AMore than 60 million Americans experience heartburn at least once a month, and more than 15 million Americans experience heartburn daily. Heartburn is more common among the elderly. Heartburn two or more times weekly may be caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease […]

With the arrival of spring, millions of Americans are looking forward to getting outdoors?from the garden to the golf course. But for many, the forecast isn?t always sunny as chronic knee pain limits the mobility and quality of life for the 27 million sufferers of osteoarthritis. Arthritis affects people of all ages. Fifty percent of people 65 years and older […]