HealthyLife Articles

Tag: Healthy Aging Tips

  • Debunking The Myth Of Senility

    Mature Health: Over Age 50

    Image of mature male with a family member holding his hand in comfort.

    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.

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

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • How To Prevent Bowel Problems

    Mature Health: Over Age 50

    Image of fiber rich grains and berries.

    By the time people reach their forties, fifties, or sixties, they will usually experience some form of bowel trouble such as diverticulosis, irritable bowel, and constipation.

    To prevent various kinds of bowel trouble, practice these healthful habits.

    *  Eat a diet high in fiber. (Oat bran, wheat bran, beans, fruit, and vegetables are good sources of fiber.)

    *  Avoid routine use of laxatives, since they disrupt the normal rhythm of the bowel. To ease elimination, take a high-fiber preparation like Metamucil instead.

    *  Drink at least six to eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day.

    *  Avoid straining when passing stool.

    You should see your doctor if you notice blood in the stool, experience severe abdominal pain, pass pencil-thin stools, or note a significant change in your bowel habits.

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

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine