Category: Uncategorized

  • Be Active Every Day!

    WELL-BEING

    Image of couple walking along the beach.

    Go4Life® is an exercise and physical activity campaign from the National Institute on Aging at NIH for people 50-plus. It is designed to help them fit exercise and physical activity into daily life.

    Go4Life® is based on research which shows that exercise can help prevent many of the chronic conditions and disability linked with aging. Despite the benefits of exercise for people of all ages, U.S. adults tend to become less active as they age. Go4Life® provides an interactive website athttps://go4life.nia.nih.govto help older adults increase their physical activity. This includes sample exercises, success stories, and free materials to motivate them to improve their health and achieve a better quality of life. Go4Life® also works with local and national groups to provide an environment that supports these efforts.

    “It’s never too late for exercise to have a positive effect on your health,” said NIA Director Richard J. Hodes, M.D. “We know that exercise can reduce the risk of heart disease, obesity, stroke, diabetes and other chronic conditions. One recent study found that even sedentary people in their 70s and 80s improved mobility and reduced the risk of disability through a regular program of structured physical activity.”

    “The establishment of Go4Life® Month will help draw attention to the critical importance of exercise with age and the resources that we can provide to support adults who want to do more,” Hodes said.

    Athttps://go4life.nia.nih.gov/event-list, find out about activities planned for Go4Life® Month.

    For more information on healthy aging, accesswww.nia.nih.gov.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Ipad Pain

    WELL-BEING

    Image of man using a tablet.

    When your iPad or other tablet causes pain in the neck and shoulders –

    *  Use a case that positions the device at a comfortable viewing angle.

    *  Routinely shift hands and weight. Stand up if seated, or sit down if standing.

    When using a laptop or desktop computer, follow the same tips for a tablet plus:

    *  Use an external keyboard.

    *  Keep shoulders relaxed and elbows close to the body.

    *  Keep hands, wrists, forearms, and thighs parallel to the floor.

    *  Take a break and change position every 15 minutes.

    Holding a tablet computer too low, say on the lap, forces the neck to bend forward too much, straining and possibly even injuring muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments, or spinal discs. Simply placing a tablet on a table propped at an angle in a tablet case can reduce neck strain and potential pain, according to research conducted at the Harvard School of Public Health.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • ‘Natural’ Relief For Arthritis: Does It Work?

    WELL-BEING

    Image of women holding wrist in pain.

    The painful symptoms of arthritis affect 50 million adults and 300,000 children. If arthritis symptoms interfere with your daily life, talk with your doctor about ways to manage your symptoms. A variety of options may be available to help you, including prescriptions, over-the-counter pain relievers, and natural supplements.

    Though many vitamins, herbs, and other supplements claim to help arthritis, they may not be right for you. “Natural” does not always mean safe or effective. Fortunately, the following supplements have shown promise in clinical studies.

    For relief of pain and inflammation in osteoarthritis:

    *  Capsaicin (active part of chili peppers)

    *  Boswellia serrata (Indian frankincense)

    *  SAM-e (S-adenosylmethionine)

    *  Tumeric/curcumin (Curcuma longa)

    *  Avocado-soybean unsaponifiables (ASU)

    *  Fish oil (omega-3 fatty acids)

    *  Ginger

    Relief of inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis:

    *  Cat’s claw (Uncaria tomentosa)

    *  Fish oil (omega-3 fatty acids)

    *  Gamma linolenic acid (GLA, omega-6 fatty acids)

    *  Ginger

    If you decide to try a natural supplement, be sure to let your doctor know. Some supplements can have bad interactions with other medicines, or may not be safe for people with certain health conditions. If your doctor has a clear picture of everything you take, he or she can help you avoid potential problems.

    Source: Arthritis Foundation

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Say ‘No’ To Interruptions, ‘Yes’ To Better Work

    WELL-BEING

    Image of a group of business professionals.

    Today’s office workers are expected to multitask regularly, often juggling multiple projects and priorities over the course of a day. Studies have shown that the typical employee in an office environment is interrupted up to 6 times per hour, but how does that impact the finished product?

    “People don’t realize how disruptive interruptions can be,” said the researchers at George Mason University, whose study was published in Human Factors.

    The researchers found significantly lower quality in essays completed by the participants who were interrupted during the outline and writing phases than in essays of those who were not interrupted. In addition, those participants who were interrupted during the writing phase wrote considerably fewer words.

    Interruptions lower the quality of the work, they said, and suggested ways to reduce the number of external interruptions: Turn off your cell phone and disable dings for incoming email. Close your door. Face away from office traffic patterns.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Take Mowing Seriously

    WELL-BEING

    Image of mower, cutting grass.

    More than 37,000 Americans are injured by power lawn mowers each year. Even a minor cut can become a problem if it gets infected. And, it’s possible to get severe injuries and even lose a toe if proper safety steps aren’t followed. Avoid getting hurt with these tips:

    *  Don’t mow when the grass is wet. Wet grass can be very slippery, leading to falls and injuries.

    *  Never mow barefoot. Wear heavy shoes or work boots when mowing.

    *  Don’t mow up and down hills. Mow them side to side to keep control of the mower.

    *  Keep children and pets away from running lawn mowers.

    *  Use a mower that turns off when you let go of the handle. Never pull the mower backward while it’s running.

    *  Keep the clippings bag attached to prevent injuries from flying sticks and other debris.

    Source: American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • What Do You Do 100 Times A Day?

    WELL-BEING

    Image of man on his smart phone.

    You check your smartphone 100 times a day, or spend 2 or more hours every day on a digital device, says The Vision Council. The result: digital eye strain.

    Digital eye strain-experienced by a majority of American adults-is characterized as temporary physical discomfort such as redness, irritation or dry eyes, blurred vision, eye fatigue, back and neck pain, and headaches.

    Several environmental factors can contribute to the condition, including the size of the text on screens, time spent at devices, posture, computer setup, existing vision issues, and the blue light emitted from digital screens and lighting.

    Relieve digital eye strain this way:

    *  Remember the 20/20/20 rule: every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and look at something 20 feet away.

    *  Build an optimal workspace to lessen stressors-this includes adjusting lighting, computer screen height, and your posture.

    *  Increase the text size on your devices to better define the content on your screen.

    *  Visit an eye care provider to learn more about computer eyewear and lens options that can help reduce symptoms of digital eye strain and improve vision

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Help For Hearing Loss

    Mature Health: Over Age 50

    Image of mature man with hand up to his ear trying to hear.

    Do people seem to mumble a lot lately? Do you have trouble hearing in church or theaters? Do you lose the thread of conversation at the dinner table or at family gatherings? Does your family repeatedly ask you to turn down the volume on the TV or radio?

    These are signs of gradual, age-related hearing loss called presbycusis. High-pitched sounds are especially difficult to discern. Another way to detect this problem is to hold a watch to your ear. If you can’t hear it ticking, see an otolaryngologist (a physician who treats disorders of the ear, nose, and throat) or an otologist (a physician who specializes in ear disorders).

    You should also get help if one or both ears ring continuously, or if loud noises cause pain in your ears.

    Hearing loss from presbycusis cannot be restored, but hearing aids. along with the following self-help methods, are helpful.

    *  Ask people to speak clearly, distinctly, and in a normal tone.

    *  Look at people when they are talking to you. Watch their expressions to help you understand what they are saying. Ask them to face you.

    *  Try to limit background noise when having a conversation.

    *  In a church or theater, sit near, but not in the front row. Sit in the third or fourth row with people sitting around you.

    *  To rely on sight instead of sound, install a buzzer, flasher, or amplifier on your telephone, door chime, and alarm clock.

    Also, an audiologist (hearing therapist) may be able to show you other techniques for “training” yourself to hear better.

    A Year of Health Hints book by the American Institute for Preventive Medicine. www.HealthyLife.com. All rights reserved.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • 5 Must-Ask Questions For Your Next Checkup

    SELF-CARE CORNER

    Image of doctor and patient with thumbs up.

    Got a checkup coming up? Don’t let your doctor do all the talking. Speak up – and ask these important questions to get the most out of your visit. If you don’t understand an answer, always ask him or her to clarify. Your doctor wants to be sure you leave the office knowing how to get – or stay – healthy.

    Are there any vaccines I should get?

    Vaccines aren’t just for kids. Many important vaccines are

    given in the adult years, including:

    *  Influenza (flu)

    *  Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis)

    *  Shingles

    *  Pneumococcal (Pneumovax or Prevnar 13)

    *  Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)

    The vaccines you need will depend on your age and health status. Your doctor is the best person to help you get fully protected from many diseases.

    Do you have my most recent family history?

    Tell your doctor if you have a family member with health conditions. This history helps you and your doctor think about what health conditions could affect you in the future. Catching problems early boosts your chances of successful treatment.

    Am I due for any cancer or health screenings?

    Your age, gender, family history, and current health all play a role in what tests you may need. High cholesterol, high blood pressure, depression, certain cancers, and diabetes are just a few of the conditions that can be found through preventive care.

    What can I do to feel my best?

    Whether it’s quitting smoking, weight loss, stress management, or other health tips, ask your doctor about your health concerns. Even if you’ve tried in the past to manage these issues, your doctor may have some fresh ideas or tips that could help. Or, if you’re feeling great and in excellent health, talk about ways you can maintain healthy habits in the months and years ahead.

    When should I have my next doctor’s visit?

    Follow-up visits may be needed if you’re managing certain health problems like diabetes or high blood pressure. Even if you don’t have health issues, regular checkups are important. Your doctor can tell you when you should come back for your next visit based on your age and any health concerns.

    Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Bad Medicine:The Problem With Expired Medications

    SELF-CARE CORNER

    Image of man going through the medicine cabinet.

    It’s 10 pm, you’ve got a horrible headache, and the only pain reliever you’ve found expired a year ago. Can you use it just this once?

    No, you shouldn’t, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Once medicines have expired, there’s no guarantee that they’re safe – or that they’ll work.

    Using an expired medicine puts you at risk of having a bad reaction or having the medication not work at all. If it’s past the expiration date, discard it safely. Make sure kids and pets cannot get to it.

    Tips to avoid medication mishaps

    *  Go through your medicine cabinet every six months. Discard expired medications or anything that has an unusual odor or appearance.

    *  Don’t keep medicines in your bathroom. The steam from your bath or shower can make them go bad even before they’ve expired. Instead, keep them out of reach of children in a bedroom, linen closet, or kitchen cabinet.

    *  If you have children in the house, consider a locked cabinet for medicines. Some pills look like “candy” to kids, and many children have been poisoned by ingesting medicines and vitamins.

    How to discard unused medicines

    Some medicines come with disposal instructions. If not, the FDA recommends most medicines be safely placed in your regular trash. Here’s how to do it:

    *  Put the pills in a sealed plastic bag with other trash like kitty litter, used coffee grounds, or even dirt. This helps prevent others from trying to take the medicine.

    *  If you’re throwing out prescription bottles, scratch out all the information on the label. This includes your name and the name of the medication.

    *  Check with your city or town about an authorized drug take-back program. These programs allow you to get rid of old medicines safely.

    *  A few medicines should be flushed down the sink or toilet because they can be dangerous to others if found in the garbage. Check the FDA website (www.fda.gov) for a list of these medicines.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Dementia – What Is It?

    SELF-CARE CORNER

    Image of older man looking confused.

    Dementia isn’t a disease. It’s a group of symptoms. It’s a brain disorder that often affects the elderly and is caused by the failure or death of nerve cells in the brain. Other than aging, other factors can raise your risk for developing dementia: smoking, uncontrolled diabetes, high blood pressure, drinking too much alcohol, and a family history of dementia.

    Most forms of dementia worsen gradually over time and can’t be corrected. The NIH lists these symptoms that may interfere with everyday life.

    *  Repeating the same story or question over and over

    *  Getting lost in familiar places

    *  Delusions or agitated behavior

    *  Problems with language, movements, or recognizing objects

    *  Memory or concentration problems

    *  Difficulty following directions

    *  Getting disoriented about time, people, and places

    *  Neglecting personal safety, hygiene, and nutrition

    For some types of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s, a definite diagnosis cannot be made (at least while the person is living). Although testing is being developed along with some types of medications, dementia is often recognized by others first and told to doctors when reviewing a physical  and mental health history.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine