HealthyLife Articles

Tag: aging

Cataract

Eye Conditions

A cataract is a cloudy area in the lens of the eye.

Get regular eye and physical exams to help detect when cataracts are forming.

Imagine a thick cloud covering the lens of one or both eyes. This is what it is like to have cataracts. You may see glare from lamps or the sun and halos around lights. It is also harder to see at night. Let your doctor know if you have these problems.

Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness around the world. Vision can be restored, in most cases, with cataract surgery, one of the safest and most common surgeries done.

Consider cataract surgery when a cataract keeps you from doing the things you want to do. Find out more from the American Academy of Ophthalmology ataao.org.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Cataract 2

Eye Conditions

A cataract is a cloudy area in the lens or lens capsule of the eye. A cataract blocks or distorts light entering the eye. Vision gradually becomes dull and fuzzy, even in daylight. Most of the time, cataracts occur in both eyes, but only one eye may be affected. If they form in both eyes, one eye can be worse than the other, because each cataract develops at a different rate.

Signs & Symptoms

* Cloudy, fuzzy, foggy, or filmy vision.

* Pupils (normally black) appear milky white.

* Frequent changes in eyeglass prescriptions. Better near vision for a while, but only in far-sighted people.

* Sensitivity to light and glazed nighttime vision. This can cause problems when driving at night.

* Blurred or double vision. Changes in the way you see colors.

* Seeing glare from lamps or the sun. Halos may appear around lights.

Causes

* The most common form of cataracts come with aging due to changes in the chemical state of lens proteins. More than half of Americans age 65 and older have a cataract.

* Cataracts can also result from damage to the lens capsule due to trauma; from ionizing radiation or infrared rays; from taking corticosteroid medicines for a long time; and from chemical toxins. Smokers have an increased risk for cataracts. So do persons with diabetes and glaucoma.

Treatment

Treatment includes eye exams, corrective lenses, cataract glasses, and cataract surgery, when needed.

A person who has cataract surgery usually gets an artificial lens at the same time. A plastic disc called an intraocular lens (IOL) is placed in the lens capsule inside the eye.

It takes a couple of months for an eye to heal after cataract surgery. Experts say it is best to wait until your first eye heals before you have surgery on the second eye if it, too, has a cataract.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

To Help Prevent Cataracts

* Limit exposing your eyes to X-rays, microwaves, and infrared radiation.

* Avoid overexposure to sunlight. While outdoors, wear sunglasses with UV block and wear a hat with a brim.

* Wear glasses or goggles that protect your eyes whenever you use strong chemicals, power tools, or other instruments that could result in eye injury.

* Don’t smoke. Avoid heavy drinking.

* Keep other illnesses, such as diabetes, under control.

* Eat foods high in beta-carotene and/or vitamin C, which may help to prevent or delay cataracts. Examples are carrots, cantaloupes, oranges, and broccoli.

To Treat Cataracts

* Be careful about driving at night. Let someone else drive if you can’t see well.

* Wear sunglasses with UV block.

* When indoors, don’t have lighting too bright or pointed directly at you. Install dimmer switches so you can lower the light level. Use table lamps, not ceiling fixtures.

* Use soft, white (not clear) light bulbs.

* Arrange to have light reflect off walls and ceilings.

* Read large print items. Use magnifying glasses, if needed.

* Schedule eye exams as advised by your doctor.

* Wear your prescribed glasses.

Resources

National Eye Institute (NEI)

www.nei.nih.gov

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Healthy Aging

Mature Health: Over Age 50

Physical activity is a cornerstone of healthy aging. Studies show people who exercise regularly live longer and may live better, without pain or disability.

If you exercise on a regular basis, good for you! Keep it up! If not, now is the time to start. Check with a doctor before you begin an exercise program. Choose activities you can do and enjoy. Start out slowly and progress slowly. Some exercise is better than no exercise.

Research shows that eating a Mediterranean-style diet has both physical and mental health benefits that support healthy aging. This eating style includes plenty of vegetables and fruit, whole grains, healthy fats, more fish and less processed foods.

Staying mentally active is linked to physical and mental health and may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Find ways to lower stress and increase emotional well-being.

Exercise your memory and your mind. Continue to learn new things. Read. Join a club.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Memory Loss

Brain & Nervous System

With short-term memory loss, you can’t recall things learned in the past seconds to minutes. With long-term memory loss, you forget things learned in the distant past, such as in childhood. It is normal to have some memory loss as you age. It is common to forget where you put your eyeglasses or keys. You may have a hard time recalling the name of a person or place, and say, “It is on the tip of my tongue.” This memory loss is temporary and not severe. When it persists or interferes with your daily life, it can be a sign of a problem.

Signs & Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of serious memory loss, such as amnesia, depend on the cause. The memory loss can be partial or complete. It can occur for a short time or persist. It can also come on suddenly or slowly.

Causes

Other than the normal memory loss that comes with aging, causes include:

* Depression.

* Excess alcohol. Drug use.

* Side effects of some medicines.

* Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Dementias result in a decline of all areas of mental ability. This includes learning, problem solving, language, behaviors, and memory loss.

* Mild cognitive impairment. This is a medical illness. With this, people have abnormal memory for their age and education. They have a harder time learning new information or recalling things.

* Posttraumatic stress disorder.

* Seizures. Head trauma.

* Stroke.

* Brain infections or tumors.

Treatment

Memory loss that persists, is severe, or that interferes with daily life needs a medical diagnosis. When another problem is the cause and is treated with success, memory loss improves. For other causes, such as Alzheimer’s disease, there is no cure. The goal is to treat symptoms and provide safety and comfort.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

To Help Prevent Memory Loss

* Keep the brain active. Read, do puzzles, etc.

* Eat a balanced diet. Take vitamins and minerals, as advised by your doctor.

* Get regular exercise.

* Protect the head from injury.

* Follow tips under Prevention for Stroke (Brain Attack).

* Don’t smoke or use illegal drugs. Limit alcohol.

* Manage stress.

* Get regular eye exams. Get your hearing checked. If needed, wear eyeglasses and/or a hearing aid.

To Help Remember Things

* Follow a routine for daily and weekly activities.

* Listen carefully. Link newly learned things to past memories.

* Repeat what you want to remember out loud. Write it down if you need to.

* Keep track of important things to do, phone numbers, etc. Use a calendar, planner, PDA, etc.

* Set up a system to remind you of daily medications to take, bills to pay, appointments to keep, etc.

* Put your keys, eyeglasses, etc. in the same place.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Debunking The Myth Of Senility

Mature Health: Over Age 50

Don’t think that you’re getting senile just because you forget someone’s name or can’t remember where you parked your car. Everyone forgets occasionally. The truth is, most people do not become senile. Senility (or senile dementia) is a state of confusion and forgetfulness triggered by mental decline. Almost 100 different conditions mimic the symptoms of senility. (Alzheimer’s disease is the most common. Poor nutrition, hormone disorders, and use of certain medications can also cause confusion and forgetfulness. Even then, senility is misdiagnosed up to 20 percent of the time. So don’t assume that you or anyone else is senile without a thorough medical exam.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Age Successfully

SELF-CARE CORNER

Successful aging means more than good health. It means taking charge of your personal well-being so that you can continue to live a vibrant, independent life, regardless of your age, according to Dr. Terri Ginsberg of the Institute for Successful Aging at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.

“Successful aging isn’t difficult, but it does require a personal commitment to active living,” says Ginsberg. To help them age successfully, Ginsberg recommends that adults of all ages follow these “10 Resolutions for Healthy Aging:”

1.Sleep at night.Avoid frequent daytime naps, late night snacks or watching television in bed.

2.Eat lots of colors.Vibrantly colored fruits and vegetables on your plate mean a healthy diet that keeps your body moving.

3.Get checked out.Catch up on any health screenings your doctor has recommended and don’t forget eye and dental check-ups.

4.Worry less.It really is possible to “worry yourself sick.” Excessive worrying can lead to high blood pressure, digestive problems, chronic headaches and unhealthy weight gain.

5.Stay in touch.Living alone doesn’t mean being alone. Reach out to friends, neighbors and relatives.

6.Move more.Exercise improves heart health, and good heart health helps prevent a range of related disorders, including blood clots and depression.

7.Read more.You can “exercise your brain” with newspapers, books, magazines or puzzles.

8.Laugh and sing.Is there a better way to enjoy life? And both will help you to worry less.

9.Take control.Be proactive about your own health. Ask your doctor questions about your health and for advice on positive lifestyle changes.

10.Get involved.Local organizations of all types need volunteers. Helping others is the best tonic for feeling good about yourself.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Boomers Beware

BE FIT

Boomers are now age 50 and older. And they are getting lots of injuries to backs, knees, hips, ligaments and tendons (the structures that attach muscles to bones).

Regular exercise is critical for maintaining and improving bone and muscle strength. And yet if not done properly, exercise can result in pain and injury, sprains and strains. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons offers the following exercise safety advice for anyone older than 50:

Warm up and stretch.Walking, bending, jumping jacks, and running in place before exercise gets and keeps the circulatory system moving and helps prevent injury. Stretching can be done before or after a workout.

Exercise consistently.Don’t be a weekend warrior. Try to get at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity every day.

Take lessons.Consider taking lessons for the sport you love. Whether you’re new to a sport or have been taking part in it a long-time, proper form and instruction reduce the chance of an overuse injury like tendonitis or stress fractures.

Wear the proper equipment.Select the proper gear and shoes for your sport.

Listen to your body.As you age, you may find that you are not as flexible as you once were, or that you cannot tolerate the same types of activities. If so, modify your exercise routine to accommodate your body’s needs. For example, if you’ve been a daily runner for many years, consider replacing a day or two of that activity with swimming, biking, or another sport that puts less impact on your joints.

Use the 10% rule.When changing your activity level, increase it in increments of no more than 10% per week. Slowly build up each week until you reach your higher goal. This will prevent overuse injuries that may keep you from exercising or enjoying your favorite sport for some time.

Develop and maintain a balanced fitness program.Include cardiovascular exercise, strength training, and flexibility. A balanced exercise program will provide a total body workout. This keeps you from getting bored and lessens your chances for injury.

Take a break.Hard workouts can take a toll on your body and thus require strategies aimed at recovery. Learn to take a day off or cut back your training to allow your body to adapt and recover. Gentle stretching, light aerobic exercises, and proper nutrition and hydration are all helpful to the recovery process.

Consult your doctor.If you develop or have had a sports or orthopedic injury like tendonitis, arthritis, stress fracture, or low back pain, consult an orthopedic surgeon who can help design or modify your fitness routine to promote wellness and minimize the chance of injury.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Busting Myths About Alzheimer’S

MEDICAL NEWS

More than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s and many myths still exist about it.

MYTH: Alzheimer’s and dementia mean the same thing.

FACT:Dementia is a group of symptoms that can be caused by Alzheimer’s and other diseases. Up to 80 percent of dementia cases are caused by Alzheimer’s disease. But, dementia can be caused by other conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease.

MYTH: Everyone gets forgetful with age, so Alzheimer’s is no big deal.

FACT:Alzheimer’s is not a normal part of aging. Alzheimer’s gets worse over time. Eventually, someone with Alzheimer’s will be unable to have a conversation or do normal everyday tasks. The earlier Alzheimer’s is diagnosed, the sooner treatment can start. This may help delay the disease’s progression.

MYTH: Alzheimer’s won’t hurt you physically. You can live with the memory loss and other symptoms.

FACT:Alzheimer’s is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. Some people may live up to 20 years after diagnosis, but there are no survivors.

MYTH: Medicine can cure Alzheimer’s.

FACT:Treatments can help slow down the disease, but there is no cure. Alzheimer’s will eventually progress, even with treatment. The treatments may help improve quality of life for those with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers. Research is underway to find ways to prevent the disease and hopefully cure it.

Source: Alzheimer’s Association

Look for early signs of Alzheimer’s

Detecting Alzheimer’s early is important. Since everyone forgets things from time to time, it can be hard to know what’s normal forgetfulness and what’s something more serious. People in the early stages may still work, drive and do daily tasks. They may think they are fine, and deny they have any memory issues.

Look for these signs as possible flags that could mean early Alzheimer’s and talk to a doctor if you notice them:

* Problems coming up with the right word for something

* Can’t remember names when introduced to new people

* Trouble performing tasks at work or home

* Forgetting something that was just read or told

* Losing a valuable or important item

* Having trouble planning or organizing

Though these signs don’t mean a person has Alzheimer’s for sure, it’s best to see a doctor.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Exercise Benefits Outweigh The Struggle At Any Age

BE FIT

The more you age, the more you need exercise to stay independent and healthy, said Dr. Keith Veselik, director of primary care at Loyola University Health System. “Around age 35 is when our muscle mass and resting metabolism starts to decrease. When this happens our bodies require more, not less exercise to manage our caloric intake. When this starts to happen, we can eat the same things, do the same things and may gain 3 pounds a year. That’s 30 pounds in a decade,” he said.

Dr. Veselik said the best workout program balances heart healthy exercise, strength training, and flexibility. He recommends an hour of cardiovascular exercise 4 days a week, 2 days of strength training for 30 minutes, and balance and flexibility exercises such as stretching, yoga or pilates, 1 to 2 times a week.

In your 50s:

* Muscle and joint aches and pains start becoming more apparent, so get creative about how to keep up cardiovascular exercise that is easy on the joints but gets the heart rate up (hint: swimming, biking, or running on softer surfaces).

* Cardiovascular exercise also helps to fight many of the most common and deadly medical concerns, including heart disease, asthma, and COPD.

* Don’t go from doing nothing to running a marathon. Talk to your doctor, ask about risk factors, and together create a plan that’s right for you.

* If back pain occurs, protect your back by building strong core muscles and make sure you are lifting heavy objects correctly.

In your 60s:

* Balance and strength should be a major focus. Many people are scared of breaking a hip, which can limit independence.

* Bones aren’t as strong and both men and women become more prone to osteoporosis.

* Add balance and leg strengthening exercises to increase flexibility, as well as balance to help prevent accidental falls. Weight-bearing exercise is crucial to bone health and keeping bone density strong.

* If arthritis develops at this age, exercise can help you cope. Swimming or aquatic classes are especially good.

* Walking is a great form of exercise. Just make sure you get your heart rate up.

In your 70s and beyond:

To combat seniors’ biggest worry, dementia, know that exercise is the only thing that is proven to prevent Alzheimer’s disease. And many of the major risk factors for dementia – high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes can be countered with exercise.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026