5 HEALTHY TIPS FOR SENIORS

You always hear that the secret to staying fit is a balance between regular exercise and a healthy diet. While controlling what you eat doesn't require much more than a little self-control, sometimes maintaining a consistent workout routine isn't as easy as it should be. This can be especially true for older adults who may not have the time or physical ability to properly exercise on a regular basis. The American Council on Exercise (ACE) has come up with a few fitness tips that seniors can use to keep living a happy, healthy life:

1. CARDIO IS A MUST. Anything that gets the heart pumping should result in some solid exercise. Seniors should start light and gradually build up to at least 30 minutes of cardiovascular activity on most (preferably all) days of the week. The exercises in question shouldn't be anything too demanding; think walking, swimming or cycling. Everyday activities like playing with children and dancing can also get seniors some much-needed cardio.

2. PUMP SOME IRON. According to ACE, older adults who have taken part in a strength-training program have been able to regain lost muscle mass while increasing their overall strength, metabolism, bone density, and balance. It recommended lifting weights or relatively heavy household items like milk jugs or canned food in order to maintain muscle mass and promote bone health.

3. DON'T RESIST RESISTANCE TRAINING. Falling is one of the major causes of disabilities among older adults. In order to reduce the risk of injury, try strengthening leg and hip muscles through resistance training (at least 2 days per week) that exercises the most important muscle groups through a full range of motion.

4. WORK ON FLEXIBILITY. Any fitness instructor will tell you how important it is to stretch before and after you exercise. Doing that will help maintain mobility and range of motion while decreasing the risk of injury after exercise. Stretching is also a great way to calm down and relax after a hard yet satisfying workout.

5. STAY SAFE. Exercise, but don't overexert. In order to make sure no problems arise, wear comfortable and well-fitting shoes, avoid outdoor activities in extreme temperatures, stay hydrated, and choose an appropriate workout intensity. If a problem like chest pains or nausea does occur, stop all activity and call your doctor or 911 immediately.

For more exercise and workout ideas for senior fitness, check out www.ACEFitness.org

source: www.ledger-enquirer.com

7 BEST BONE-BUILDING FOODS

Women start to lose bone mass in their 30s. A good diet will lower the risk of a weak skeleton. Here are 7 foods that are great for your main frame. You can make up for diet deficiencies with supplements.

1. Seeds

Think of bone-building minerals and calcium first comes to mind. Our skeleton is largely made of calcium, but other minerals play a key role too. In fact, 50% of the body's magnesium resides in our bones. All seeds are good magnesium sources, but pumpkin seeds outshine the rest.

2. Nuts

Walnuts are rich in alpha linolenic acid, an domega-3 fatty acid - deccrease the rate of bone breakdown and keep bone formation constant. Brazil nuts are also great sources of magnesium. Keep in mind that nuts are high-fat and high-calorie, so limit your daily serving to one ounce.

3. Tap Water

Fluoride, famed for its role in preventing cavities, is also a component of your bones and adds to their density. Many communities add this mineral to drinking water to help dental health.

4. Leafy Greens

Make green your new favorite color. Your salads and steamed greens are packed with bone-building nutrients, particularly calcium, magnesium and vitamin K. Vitamin K is critical in forming bone proteins and cuts calcium loss in urine.

5. Beans

Have beans for supper tonight, especially pinto, black, white and kidney beans. You'll get another good boost of magnesium and even some calcium.

6. Fruits and Vegetables

You've been told this over and over, but it's worth repeating. Higher comsumption means greater bone mineral density. Researchers can't say why, but fruits and vegetables are loaded with an array of nutrients that build strong bones.

7. Dairy

Many of us forget about milk once we woutgrow crazy straws and strawberry powder, but bones don't stop developing in our teens. We add bone mass even in our 20s, but only if we consume enough of the nutritional elements. Calcium and vitamin D help delay loss of bone mass. Milk is a good source of vitamin D because it is fortified. Cheese, yogurt and ice cream generally aren't; they contain little vitamin D.

source: http://www.lifescript.com/ 

10 TOOLS TO EASE JOINT PAIN

Are your joints so sore you can't put on clothes, stand in the shower or open doors or kitchen appliances? Arthritis can rob you of the most basic everyday functions. But you don't have to let the pain steal your freedom. We have gathered 10 handy tools and made it easy for you to find them...

1. SOCK AID: Place a sock over the device, slip your foot in the now open sock. Then pull on the cords attached to either side of the trough to slide the sock onto your foot without pain. One to try: Deluxe Sock Aid, Kat Health Products

2. Zipper and Button Puller: An open hook and a closed wire loop, both attached to a large pull handle. One to try: Folding Zipper and Button Puller, Wellhaven

3. JAR OPENER: A device to help open jars. There are many devices that pop jar tops, from a round rubber no-slip disk to an electric opener. One to try: Jar Opener, Good Grips

4. REACH EXTENDER: This simple tool is nothing more than a long aluminum pole with a trigger handle at one end that controls a set of claws on the other end. One to try: PikStikPro reacher, PikStik

5. BATH/SHOWER BENCH: A bench-like chair has suction-cup tips on two legs to anchor it in your tub to prevent slipping. One to try: Transfer Bench, Medline

6. ELEVATED TOILET SEAT: A toilet seat that clamps on to your regular seat and raises it by about 6 inches, making it easier on your joints. One to try: Locking Raised Toilet Seats, Medline

7. DOORKNOB ADAPTER: The handle allows you to open a door in various ways, by pushing on the long handle with your elbow or the side of your hand, or by pulling up with the back of your hand. Door openers for cars are also available. One to try: Leveron Handle Door Knob Adapters, Leveron

8. CAR SLIDE: A swivel seat much like a Lazy Susan. THe seat makes it easier to swing legs in our out of a car. It also includes a handle bar that offers something to lean on or push off from. One to try: Automobility Solution, The Wright Stuff

9. PILL CAP OPENER: This device makes it easier to push down and twist off the bottle cap. It also works for medicine bottles and other twist-off bottle tops. A simpler alternative: ask your pharmacist for easy-to-open bottles, but be sure to keep them out of children's reach. One to try: Pill Cap Openers, Aids for Arthritis

10. EASY-TO-GRIP UTENSILS: Utensils with rubber-like handles. Fattened cutlery handles are more comfortable and easier to hold. One to try: Utensils Set, Good Grips

Talk to your doctor about "handy helpers" to get through the day. They may even be able to write you a prescription; some insurance companies cover them.

source: www.lifescript.com

WHAT NOT TO DO FOR YOUR HEART'S HEALTH

When it comes to the heart's health, there are some things you can't control - lime getting older, or having a parent with heart disease. There are many more things you can do to lower the chances of sabotaging your ticker. An ounce of prevention really is worth a pound of cure in this instance. To help your heart keep on keeping on, here are 10 things NOT to do:

1. KEEP SMOKING. A major cause of heart disease, smoking raises blood pressure, causes blood clots, and makes it harder to exercise. It's the number one preventable cause of premature death in the U.S.

2. IGNORE THAT CHEST PAIN. When your heart literally aches and you don't know why, it's time to get it checked out. If you have chest pains while exercising, that's a red flag. If it happens after a heavy meal, it's more likely to be yoiur stomach causing trouble. Regardless of what you're feeling or when, even a doctor can't tell if you're in real trouble over the phone. So you have to seek medical attention in person to get a definitive answer for chest pain.

3. JUST ACCEPT THAT IT'S IN YOUR GENES. Having a family history of heart disease is a strong risk factor for predicting your own chances of heart trouble. Having a parent who has had an early heart attack doubles the risk for men having one; in women the risk goes up by about 70%. You can still beat the odds. For example, lowering your LDL reduces your risk by 50%. But you can only be proactive if you actually know whether heart disease or stroke runs in your family. Take time to find out your family's health history.

4. SKIP YOUR CHECKUP. When you don't get checked out regularly by a doctor, you might not realize if you have some of the silent heart risk factors that are harder to detect. Some of the most common, symptom-free cardiovascular issues are also some of the most easily treated.

5. BE A COUCH POTATO. Exercise helps lower blood pressure, improves cholesterol levels, encourages weight loss, benefits blood vessel function, and cuts stress, among other things. It's never too late to make an impact with exercise. Just be sure to talk to a doctor before you start a new fitness regimen.

6. STOP TAKING YOUR MEDICATIONS. If you stop taking your heart medications, you may not feel better or worse afterward. But you could still be heading for a cardiac catastrophe.

7. FORGET YOUR GROWING WAISTLINE. If your belt size is slowly getting bigger, that's something to worry about. Excess fat tissue in the midsection could mean metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is a combination of risk factors that can lead to heart disease, stroke, or diabetes, through hardening of the arteries, insulin resistance, and inflammation.

8. NEVER MIND WHEN YOUR HEART FLUTTERS. A fluttering feeling in your heart that causes chest discomfort, shortness of breath, the feeling you could faint, or actual fainting could be a sign of heart arrhythmia. That's an electrical problem with your heart, causing it to beat either too fast, too slow, or just irregularly. If it happens frequently or is associated with other symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.

9. LET YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE RUN AMOK. A good way to wreck your heart is to leave your blood pressure elevated and untreated. Only about half of American adults with high blood pressure keep it under control.

10. EAT WITH ABANDON. Being overweight or obese contributes to heart disease, heart failure, and a shorter lifespan. No doubt, lasting weight loss is tough to accomplish. But the good news is, even moderate weight loss can improve heart risk factors. Aimfor a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and nuts. Fats found in fish, olives and olive oil, nuts and avocados are heart-healthy and should be eaten in moderation.

source: http://www.webmd.com/ 

15 CANCER SYMPTOMS MEN IGNORE

Experts say that men could benefit greatly by bein galert to certain cancer symptoms that require a trip to the doctor's office sooner rather than later. Routine preventive care can find cancer and other diseases in their early stages. When cancer is found early, there are more options for treatment. That means there are also better chances for a cure. Some cancer symptoms in men are specific. They involve certain body parts and may point directly to the possibility of cancer. Others are vague. But you can't rule cancer out without seeing a doctor.

1. BREAST MASS: If you're like most men, you've probably never considered the possibility of having breast cancer. Although it's not common, it is possible. Any new mass in the breast area needs to be checked out by a physician.

2. PAIN: As they age, people often complain of increasing aches and pains. But pain, as vague as it may be, can be an early symptom of some cancers. Any pain that persists, should be checked out by your physician.

3. CHANGES IN TESTICLES: Testicular cancer occurs most often in men aged 20 to 39. The American Cancer Society recommends that men get a testicular exam by a doctor as part of a routine cancer-related checkup.

4. CHANGES IN LYMPH NODES: If you notice a lump or swelling in the lymph nodes under your armpit or in your neck - or anywhere else - it could be a reason for concern. Your doctor should examine you and determine any associated issues that could explain the lymph node enlargement.

5. FEVER: If you've got an unexplained fever, it may indicate cancer. Fever, though, might also be a sine of some other illness or infection that needs treatment. Check with your doctor to find out what might be causing the fever and to determine its proper treatment.

6. WEIGHT LOSS WITHOUT TRYING: Unexpected weight loss is a concern. If a man loses more than 10% of his body weight in a time period of 3-6 months, it's time to see the doctor.

7. GNAWING ABDOMINAL PAIN AND DEPRESSION: Any man who's got pain in the abdomen and is feeling depressed needs a checkup. Experts have found a link between depression and pancreatic cancer. Other symptoms may include jaundice, a change in stool color, a darkening of the urine, and itching over the whole body may also occur.

8. FATIGUE: Fatigue is another vague symptom that could point to cancer in men. Many other problems could cause fatigue as well. If you feel extremely tired and you don't get better with rest, check with your doctor.

9. PERSISTENT COUGH: Coughs are expected, of course, with colds, the flu, and allergies. A very prolonged cough, lasting more than three or four weeks, or a change in a cough should not be ignored. Those cough patterns warrant a visit to the doctor.

10. DIFFICULTY SWALLOWING: Some men may report trouble swallowing, but then ignore it. Swallowing difficulties may be a sign of GI cancer. Let your doctor know if you are having trouble swallowing.

11. CHANGES IN THE SKIN: You should be alert to not only changes in moles, but also changes in skin pigmentation. Suddenly developing bleeding on your skin or excessive scaling are reasons to check with your doctor. Do not wait longer than several weeks after noticing skin changes.

12. BLOOD WHERE IT SHOULDN'T BE: Anytime you see blood coming from a body part where you've never seen it before, you should see a doctor.

13. MOUTH CHANGES: If you smoke or chew tobacco, you need to be especially alert for any white patches inside your mouth or white spots on your tongue. You should report the changes to your doctor or dentist.

14. URINARY PROBLEMS: As men age, urinary problems become more frequent. Those problems include the following: The urge to urinate more often, especially at night. A sense of urgency. A feeling of not completely emptying the bladder. An inability to start the urine stream. Urine leaking when laughing or coughing. A weakening of the urine stream. Every man will develop these problems as he gets older, but once you notice these symptoms, you should seek medical attention.

15. INDIGESTION: Many men, especially as they get older, think "heart attack" when they get bad indigestion. Persistent indigestion may point to cancer of the esophagus, throat, or stomach. Persistent or worsening indigestion should be reported to your doctor.

source: www.webmd.com

EXPERT INFORMATION ABOUT LUPUS TREATMENT

Nine out of ten people with lupus are women, and it strikes most often when they're 15-44 years old. All of us produce beneficial antibodies that fight against harmful viruses and bacteria. But that's not the case when a woman has lupus. With lupus, her immune system goes haywire, producing antibodies that attack not invading germs, but the body's own healthy cells. In the process, it systematically damages many different tissues and organs, such as the skin, kidneys, lungs and heart. It is a lifelong disease, but most women live fairly normal lives even when they have it. Although there is no cure for lupus, treatments have improved dramatically in the last decade.

WHAT CAUSES LUPUS? It is partly genetic. If a twin has lupus, her identical twin, with the same genes, has a 20-30% chance of developing it too. Family history increases your risk, but 80% of those who get it have no family members with lupus. So, the environment matters, too. If a woman is exposed to silica dust (for example), that seems to increase her risk for lupus. Smoking and getting either too little Vitamin D or too much sun exposure can also trigger lupus. One form of lupus is induced by taking certain medications. We don't really know what causes this switch in the immune system.

WHAT MEDICATIONS CAN CAUSE LUPUS? There is a blood pressure drug, Hydralazine, and another for heart arrhythmia called Procainamide. They are not used a lot by women. There is one for rheumatoid arthritis called Infliximab, and that's used more often by women. Drug-induced lupus is rare and reversible. You are just switched to other medicines.

WHY IS LUPUS MORE PREVALENT IN WOMEN? Female hormones may help explain the sex disparity. Boys are about at likely as girls to get lupus before puberty. The shift happens when horomones kick in. On the other hand, women who take birth control pills or hormone replacement after menopause are not at higher risk for lupus. Women are advised to avoid high doses of estrogen as a precaution, because research suggests this might contribute to developing lupus.

IS THERE ANYTHING WOMEN CAN DO TO PREVENT THE DISEASE? There is no proven way of preventing lupus. Based on what raises the risk, we advise women not to smoke and to wear goggles or a mask if you're exposed to silica dust, to make sure your Vitamin D levels are normal and not to get too much sun.

WHAT ARE THE COMMON LUPUS SYMPTOMS IN WOMEN? Joint pain is what sends most women to the doctor. Fatigue is another huge problem - lots of women have had it for months, even years, and it feels like having the flu all the time. Loss of appetite, weight loss, low-grade fever and swelling in the legs are other typical symptoms of lupus. There may also be hair loss. More than half of people with lupus have rashes that worsen with sun exposure. It is called the butterfly rash, because it goes across on cheek, over the bridge of the nose and then across the other cheek.

IT IS HARD FOR DOCTORS TO GET A LUPUS DIAGNOSIS? It can be difficult for primary-care doctors to diagnose because you have to be able to see the pattern. If you're not thinking about lupus, you could easily conclude that the woman just has the flu or arthritis. Sometimes it takes women years to get an accurate lupus diagnosis.

IF A WOMAN SUSPECTS THEY HAVE LUPUS, WHAT ARE TESTS DOCTORS SHOULD GIVE TO DIAGNOSE IT OR RULE IT OUT? A good screening test is the antinuclear antibody blood test (ANA), and 99% of people with lupus will screen positive on it. You also should get a complete blood count test because it will usually show low white blood cells with lupus. Doctors also should test to see if you have protein in the urine, since that is an early tipoff that you might have lupus and that it's starting to harm your kidneys.

IF YOU SCREEN POSITIVE ON THE ANA, WHAT IS THE NEXT STEP TO AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS? At this point, it would be wise to ask for a referral to a rheumatologist. You will need a battery of more sophisticated tests to confirm lupus, and a specialist will know how to do them.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TREATMENTS IF YOU DO HAVE LUPUS? For many years the gold standard has been Cytoxan, which suppresses the immune system and helps keep symptoms of lupus manageable. But, it can put into early menopause and lead to dangerously low white blood counts or bleeding from the bladder. Some women take arthritis drugs, aspirin or steroids, depending on their symptoms of lupus. There is a new drug called Benlysta. It works well for 60-70% of patients, and that is a big response rate.

WHAT IS THE PROGNOSIS FOR WOMEN WITH LUPUS? Although there isn't a cure, the chances of living a pretty normal life are goo. Less than 10% of people with lupus die from it, and almost all of them are African-American. That's because they'r not just at higher risk to get the disease, they often have more severe cases.

Roughly 1.5 million Americans are afflicted with lupus. A diagnosis can be difficult, because the symptoms are sometimes intermittent and changing. Recent improvements in lupus treatment have made the condition somewhat easier to control.

source: www.lifescript.com

TIPS FOR SENIORS ON IMPROVING MEMORY

You're telling one of your favorite stories, one that you've told many times, when you suddenly lose your train of thought. You spent the morning looking for your keys before finding them in the bathroom. Your doctor's secretary called earlier this week to ask why you missed your appointment. If these events sound familiar, you are not alone. Memory loss affects millions of senior citizens each year, but there are things that you can do to prevent or even reverse this condition.

PLAY GAMES

Crossword puzzles aren't just a fun way to pass time. Word games give your brain a much-needed workout, helping to improve memory. Other games to try: Chess, Scrabble, Sodoku, Words with Friends, Hangman.

EXERCISE

You already know that exercise helps keep your body fit, but did you know that it is also good for your brain? Exercising several times a week sends signals to your body encouraging the growth and development of new brain cells. It even helps reduce feelings of stress, depression and anxiety, all of which have been linked with memory loss.

READ

You don't have to read Hemingway or the Wall Street Journal; anything will help get the gears in your brain going. Yes, even those tabloids at the checkout lane. You'll get the best results from books and articles that challange your brain, but don't let that stop you from reading the fun stuff.

SOCIALIZE

If you're retired, you might finally have time to do all the things that you enjoy. Grab your partner and a few friends for a game of tennis, a night of dancing, or an afternoon of intellectual conversation. Studies show that social interaction helps reduce depression and improve cognitive function.

SLEEP

Sleep is one of the most important ways to ensure that your memory continues working as well as it should. Make sure that you get at least 7-9 hours of sleep per night, more if needed.

EAT WELL

A diet centered on potato chips and candy bars might seem appealing at first, but it can cause your brain to stop functioning as well as it should. Give your body the nutrients that it needs by eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. The hype about fish being good for memory is well-deserved, as foods rich in Omega-3 have been shown to improve the overall function of the brain. Don't forget to drink plenty of water, as dehydration doesn't do your brain any favors.

TAKE A CLASS

Many colleges offer discounted - or even free - courses for senior citizens. Spend your day solving quadratic equations in Algebra, or dissect a frog or snake in Biology. If college isn't an option you'd like to entertain, take an art or cooking class. Learning new things is an excellent way to keep your memory working well.

KEEP STRESS AT BAY

If you've been paying attention - you know that stress can trigger memory-related issues. Stress leads to the release of cortisol, a hormone that damages the brain. It also makes concentration difficult. There is no one-size-fits-all plan when it comes to stress management, so experiment with different methods until you find the one that works best for you.

source: www.southcoasttoday.com

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM TOTAL HIP REPLACEMENT SURGERY

When a hip joint is damaged by arthritis, the pain can be unbearable. That's the time to talk to an orthopedic surgeon about hip replacement. Close to 200,000 Americans choose this joint pain treatment every year. The success rate is high: Only about 2% of patients have surgical complications such as joint infection. Hip replacement is one of the safest surgeries. Now it's getting even safer. Incisions are smaller, recovery time faster, and there are more surgical options to choose from. The newer operations, called minimally invasive surgeries, no longer require incisions of 6-9 inches. Now, relatively small incisions of about 3 inches are made. These techniques cut through less muscle and soft tissue, so recovery time is faster. Not only is the surgery less invasive, but pain-management methods are also safer. More surgeons use spinal anesthesia, which numbs from the waist down, instead of general anesthesia.

Another less-invasive joint pain treatment is hip resurfacing, which has fewer post-operative limits. Instead of cutting away the bone, the head of the femur is reshaped and a cap is placed onit. This fits into a socket, similar to those used with other hip-replacement surgeries. Good hip-resurfacing candidates are under 50, have good bone quality and participate in athletic activities.

In traditional approaches to total hip replacement surgery, a surgeon cuts away damaged bone and cartilage, then places a metal stem with a ball on top into the center of the femur. A metal socket fits into the hop bone you were born with, allowing the ball to move. The socket's liner can be made out of plastic, metal or ceramic.

Most hip replacement patients are hospitalized for about three days. A day after surgery, a physical therapist reviews precautions for the next six weeks. Plan on using a cane or crutch for the first 4-6 weeks. You may also have to give up work for one month to six months or more, depending on job activity. Most people with desk jobs can return to work in a month or so. And forget driving, which is one of the worst hip positions. You should plan to have someone drive you around for several months. The therapist will also ask you to avoid crossing your legs until the replacement sets solidly in place. From day 1, you will be doing a lot of exercises. Some patients may work with a physical therapist at home. At about six weeks, most patients return to the surgeon for x-rays to see how they are healing. The doctor may prescribe outpatient physical therapy for 6-8 weeks. Three months is typical for good recovery, but most full recovery takes a year.

Your arthritis pain will likely be gone right after total hip replacement surgery, but you may have surgical pain for two to four weeks. How bad it will be is tough to estimate. How fast you heal depends on your health. If you haven't moved your hips for years before surgery, you may never return to a full range of motion. It's not just the hip but the muscles around it that are affected. If they haven't been used, they atrophy.

Hip replacement is hardly fun, but the results can be. Most people can't believe the pain is gone. They can start doing things that they haven't been able to do for years. Most people see progress every week after surgery. Most hip replacement patients can't return to high-impact sports like running, but they can play golf and do yoga.

source: www.lifescript.com

FOOD POISONING

Food poisoning is a general term for a wide variety of diseases that are caused by ingesting food or beverages that contain toxins or are contaminated with harmful microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses or parasites. Food poisoning is also known as food-borne illness. Food poisoning typically causes irritation and inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract that can be severe and lead to serious complications in some cases. Food poisoning can often be prevented by taking simple hygiene and food preparation precautions.

The most common form of food poisoning is salmonellosis, which is caused by Salmonella bacteria. Other types of food poisoning and their causes include the following:

1. Botulism - caused by Clostridium botulinum bacteria

2. Campylobacteriosis - caused by Campylobacter bacteria

3. Cryptosporidiosis - caused by Cryptosporidium protozoa

4. Escherichia coli - caused by eating food or beverages contaminated with certain types of E. coli bacteria

5. Listeriosis - caused by Listeria monocytogenes bacteria

6. Mushroom poisoning - caused by eating raw or cooked poisonous mushrooms

7. Shigellosis - caused by Shigella bacteria

8. Staphyloenterotoxicosis - caused by Staphylococcus bacteria

Many types of food poisoning are spread through food or beverages that have been contaminated with human or animal feces that contain infectious bacteria, viruses or parasites. Common sources of foods contaminated with infectious microorganisms include undercooked eggs, chicken, and poultry, or any undercooked or raw food that comes from animals, such as seafood, meat, milk, and dairy products. Any food or beverage can become contaminated with infectious microorganisms that cause food poisoning if it is handled by an infected person with unwashed hands or if it comes in contact with contaminated food or liquids.

Food poisoning can result in serious, potentially life-threatening complications, including dehydration, organ damage, meningitis, sepsis, stillbirth, and chronic arthritis. Seek prompt medical care if you have symptoms, such as vomiting, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea and suspect that you have food poisoning. Early diagnosis and treatment can minimize discomfort and the risk of complications and help prevent the spread of food poisoning to other people.

Healthy adults may recover from mild to moderate cases of some types of food poisoning with rest, avoiding solid food until symptoms subside, and ensuring adequate hydration to prevent dehydration.

source: http://www.localhealth.com/



FIBROMYALGIA SYNDROME: MYSTERY PAIN EXPLAINED

Painful and puzzling, fibromyalgia syndrome primarily strikes women. Why? Researchers don't know. With details scarce abut its cause and treatment, dealing with the condition can be maddening. Here are answers to common questions about fibromyalgia in women.

1. What causes fibromyalgia syndrome? Genetics may play a role in developing fibromyalgia. No one really knows what causes the syndrome and there are no known risk factors. The most prevalent theory is that fibromyalgia results from a disturbance in the central nervous system called central sensitization, which may intensify pain signals.

2. Are fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome and lupus similar? Although the three are separate conditions, symptoms of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome overlap. Fibromyalgia and lupus both involve the muscle and bone network in our bodies, which can cause confusion between the two illnesses. Fibromyalgia is characterized by many symptoms including muscle pain, fatigue, sleep distrubances, irritable bowel syndrome and, in some people, depression. Despite its consistent general characteristics, it can be tough to diagnose because symptoms vary from patient to patient.

3. Why do more women than men get fibromyalgia syndrome? The majority of people with fibromyalgia (80-90%) are women, as is the case with lupus and chronic fatigue syndrome. No one knows why women are affected more often than men.

4. Is it age-related? Fibromyalgia occurs most commonly in people between 20 and 55 years old, although it may arrive at any age, including childhood.

5. Is it an autoimmune disease or a form of arthritis? Neither. In fact, unlike inflammatory arthritis and autoimmune disease, which cause joint destruction and inflammation, fibromyalgia causes neither, despite symptoms of joint and muscle pain.

6. What are warning signs or symptoms of fibromyalgia? The symptoms of fibromyalgia arrive without warning. They can, as mentioned earlier, include muscle and joint soreness, fatigue, sleep problems, irritable bowel symptoms, morning stiffness, depression and brain fog.

7. How is it diagnosed? Unfortunately, it's not uncommon to be misdiagnosed or have to see several doctors before a diagnosis is made. Your best bet is to see a rheumatologist. He or she will look for symptoms and physical findings that meet a specific definition of fibromyalgia established by the American College of Rheumatology. The doctor will also work to rule out other diseases that have similar symptoms, such as lupus and polymyalgia rheumatica.

8. What lifestyle changes can I make to help alleviate the symptoms? Get plenty of gentle aerobic exercise, working up to at least 30 minutes most days of the week. Weight gain commonly accompanies fibromyalgia. Regular exercise will give you more energy, boost your mood, lower your weight and help you sleep better. Eating a healthy diet with lots of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean meats and dairy also will energize you, lower your weight and improve your overall health as you battle fibromyalgia.

9. What are the latest fibromyalgia treatments? Pregabalin, a fairly new medication, is the first to be approved by the FDA for fibromyalgia. Studies suggest that it prevents pain and improves sleep by slowing the release of chemicals associated with pain. Older standbys can help too. Anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen and muscle relaxers can relieve pain. Antidepressants boost mood as well as lessen pain and improve sleep.
10. What is the long-term outlook for a woman with fibromyalgia? The good news is that fibromyalgia does not cause damage to muscles and joints that can lead to debilitation, immobility or joint replacement. The bad news is that the symptoms typically don't resolve. Many women simply must learn to live with fibromyalgia. The key is finding individual or combination therapies that help. Not all treatments help all patients with fibromyalgia; discovering which help you is a matter of trial and error. Scientists continue to work on finding the cause of fibromyalgia and, ultimately, a cure or effective treatment.

source: http://www.lifescript.com/

TIPS TO PICK THE BEST NURSING HOME FOR A LOVED ONE

Finding the right nursing home for an elderly loved one is a daunting task. And it's one most of us will face, as two-thirds of people over 65 will need nursing home care, at least temporarily, according to AARP. It's best if you can research facilities in advance, but that's not always possible. A sudden illness or injury may force you to confront these concerns sooner than you expect. Either way, here are several key considerations:

1. STAY CLOSE: The biggest influence on the quality of care nursing home patients receive is often the frequency of visits by friends and family. Make sure you'll be allowed to visit when you want - from early morning to late evening - to fit your schedule and enable you to monitor care at different times. Once your loved one is in a nursing home, drop by frequently, sometimes without notice. In the afternoon, see whether residents are enjoying interesting activities together or watching TV alone. At meal times, not how much your mom or dad eats. Stay late sometimes. After your loved one has fallen asleep, remain until he or she wakes up to go to the bathroom. If no one responds quickly to a ring for assistance, that's a serious problem. Residents forced to get up and go by themselves risk serious injury.

2. GET REFERENCES: There are several sources for referrals. Your local Area Agency on Aging or hospital discharge planners can provide listings of nearby nursing homes. Medicare caseworkers, at 1-800-MEDICARE, also can help. Stick to facilities certified by Medicare. They are inspected every year, and any complaints are investigated.

3. CHECK ON STAFFING: No matter how dedicated individual employees are, if there aren't enough, care suffers. Check the ratio of aides to patients. CMS requires each patient have a daily minimum of 2.8 hours of nursing aid time and 1.3 hours with an RN or LPN.

4. SCOPE IT OUT: Visit each nursin ghome you're considering and take notes. Snoop around. Check residents rooms for cheerfulness and safety. Inspect the kitchen for cleanliness. Once you have narrowed your choice down to two or three facilities, bring along your loved one if he or she is physically and mentally up to it.

5. CONSIDER COSTS: For most families, cost is a key factor. Last year, a semi-provate room ranged from an average $46,355 in Texas up to $222,285 in Alaska. Medicare will pay for a stay of up to 90 days; Medicaid covers costs for the poor. Many people must use up most of their assets to reach the point where Medicaid takes over ongoing costs. Visit AARP's new site for caregivers, with a cost calculator for different types of care, checklist of questions and tips: www.aarp.org/home-family/caregiving/info-05-2012/caregiving-resource-center-asking-right-questions.2.html

6. SWEAT THE DETAILS: Ask about anything that could affect whether your loved one will be happy and well treated. Will special needs be accommodated? Are there organized outings or visits by young people and pets? What activities are listed on the bulletin board, and is there a full-time coordinator? Do they have a library, Internet access, exercise classes or other stimulating offerings?

There's almost nothing the care of your loved one that shouldn't be checked on. And don't hesitate to move your loved one if they are not receiving the care they need and deserve.

source: www.cbsnews.com

DO YOU HAVE HEALTHY FEET?

Cracked heels, damaged cuticles and dryness aren't just ugly. They can put your health at risk. Serious medical conditions can result from neglected feet - from bacterial infections to cutaneous tuberculosis. But chill out! You don't have to celebrate summer without healthy, pretty feet. Here are easy fixes for 4 common foot woes.

FOOT PROBLEM #1: PAINFUL CRACKS

Some disorders, such as diabetes, poor circulation and thyroid problems, contribute to dry, cracked feet. Dryness may also be caused by skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis. Plus, a poor diet and not drinking enough water makes cracks worse. So can scrubbing with harsh soaps and applying alcohol-containing lotions.

FOOT FIX: If your feet are already cracked, your top priority is to avoid infection. Here's how: Don't walk barefoot outdoors where germs, fungal spores and parasites lurk in grass; Always wear flip-flops or water socks at public pools and in shower rooms; When getting a pedicure, make sure the footbath is sterilized before dipping in your toes.

FOOT PROBLEM #2: DRY, ROUGH CUTICLES

Trimmed, smooth cuticles certainly make a woman look fabulous, but they're also essential to good foot health. Cuticles serve as a seal between skin and nail bed to prevent microbes from getting in and causing infections.

FOOT FIX: Dry feet thoroughly after bathing, and then apply a cuticle-removing product to soften cuticles and dissolve any dry, excess skin. Finally, push them back gently with an orange stick.

FOOT PROBLEM #3: CORNS AND CALLUSES

Corns and calluses are technically the same - a hard, thickened area of skin - but they show up on different parts of your feet. Calluses can form in various places - heels, toes or balls - but corns always appear on top. What causes them? Pressure on the skin caused by the way you walk, structure of your foot and nonsupportive or ill-fitting shoes. Pronation - rotating your foot in and down as you walk - is another factor. It can trigger calluses on sides of big toes and bottom of your feet. Although those bumps are unattractive, calluses and corns are the body's defense mechanism. The body produces callus material to protect itself from irritation.

FOOT FIX: Prevention is really the goal. It's much harder to deal with the problems after they have developed. Creams with urea can help, too. So can changing your shoe-buying habits. Once you have a callus, a simple pedi won't fix it because pedicurists aren't allowed to cut off calluses in many states. For that, you need to see a podiatrist.

FOOT PROBLEM #4: ATHLETE"S FOOT

You don't need to be a jock to get the itching, burning and flaking skin that comes with this fungal infections. So why the name? People catch it from walking barefoot in showers or locker rooms - as well as from sharing footwear, clothing or towels. Not taking care of your feet can make the fungus spread. Warm, sweaty feet with lots of dead skin on the surface are an incubator.

FOOT FIX: Keep feet dry to prevent them from hosting organisms that causse athlete's foot; Change socks frequently if your feet sweat a lot and always right after aerobic exercise; Use absorbent powder on feet daily, including inbetween toes; Don't wear the same pair of shoes two days in a row. It takes at least 24 hours for sweat in shoes to dry out from the previous day's wearing. If you have athlete's foot, treat mild cases with over-the-counter ointments. A more severe infection may require antibiotics. See your doctor if the problem persists.

source: www.lifescript.com

WHAT TO DO WHEN GRANDMA GETS THE BLUES

Your 75-year-old mom, once so full of energy, is irritable and keeping to herself. Your octogenarian uncle, who used to crack jokes and love a good time, has lost his zest for life. You attribute their personality changes to aging and health issues. After all, getting depressed seems inevitable when knees ache, vision starts to go or blood pressure soars, right?

Despite what you hear, depression isn't a normal part of aging. In fact, older adults are less likely to have depressive disorders than are middle-aged adults. When older people do develop depression, it hits them especially hard. It tends to last longer and is more likely to lead to suicide, according to the National Institutes of Mental Health.

The worse the depression, the more a person's quality of life and physical andmental functioning diminished. Wondering if an aging relative or friend may be depressed? Here are some warning signs and what to do about them.

Depression often goes unnoticed in the elderly. Rather than acting "sad," an older person may complain about aches, pain or other ailments. Older people tend to underreport depression symptoms and overreport physical ones. If an elderly person has any of the following conditions, it may coexist with - or even mask - a case of depression.

ILLNESS: Health problems often accompany depression, and boost risk for the disorder.

INSOMNIA: Sleep problems, which are common in the elderly, can also increase the risk of depression.

FORGETFULNESS: A hallmark of depression, this may be incorrectly attributed to mild cognitive impairment or even Alzheimer's disease. Unlike people who truly suffer from some form of dementia, a depressed person is more likely to complain and be upset about their forgetfulness.

LIFE STRESSORS: Common situations faced by older people - losing a loved one, caring for a sick relative, financial setbacks, trouble with family members, too little support from others, loneliness, a change in living situation, or getting ill - all increase the likelihood of depression.

PREVIOUS DEPRESSION: Even if someone was treated and recovered from an earlier depressed period, there's a chance the condition will return.

If you suspect your elderly relative is depressed, take him or her to a primary-care doctor or geriatric psychiatrist. Once you do, you're 80% of the way toward diagnosing or ruling out depression. Once diagnosed, depression is treatable - no matter the age. The doctor may prescribe antidepressants. Psychotherapy may also be recommended. If insomnia is at the root of your loved one's depression, a combination of sleep medication and cognitive behavioral therapy may be prescribed. If your relative has lost a spouse and is still mourning months later, bereavement therapy can help with the healing process.

Depression affects 20 million people in any given year and is a serious enough disorder to compromise one's ability to function normally day to day. Find out if your loved one is just blue or if they might be clinically depressed.

source: http://www.lifescript.com/



SHINGLES & CHICKENPOX: WHAT'S THE LINK?

Research begun in the 1950s has shown that when we recover from childhood chickenpox infections, the virus that causes the infection, varicella zoster virus, remains latent in nerve cells. What causes reactivation of the virus is unclear, but as we age, experts believe the immune responses that keep varicella zoster virus dormant in the nerves weaken with age. One in three people will get shingles during their lifetime, and at least half of all people 85 and older have had the ailment.

When you get the shingles rash, it typically involves a particular "dermatome," that is, the skin area supplied by the involved nerve usually one one side of the body or face. However, in some cases the shingles rash can be widespread. Before the rash appears, people may have nerve symptoms of pain, itching, burning, or tingling. The rash has blisters that scab over in about a week. Although shingles isn't contagious, the virus can spread to others and can cause chickenpox.

Antiviral drugs can be used to lessen the severity and duration of shingles, but effectiveness is dependent on usin git as soon as possible. Pain medicines and other remedies may be used to help treat symptoms.

Up to one in five people who get shingles suffer from postherpetic neuralgia, usually defined as a zoster-related pain that occurs in the area of the shingles rash even after the rash is gone. It can last for a few weeks, months, or longer. The older you are when you have zoster, the more at risk of developing postherpetic neuralgia.

The has approved a shingles vaccine as a one-time dose for people 50 and over. As noted, the rate of shingles increases with age.

What if you have never had chickenpox or have already had a case of shingles? You should still get vaccinated because studies show that nearly all adults 40 years and older have had chickenpox whether they remember having it or not. Also, if you've already had shingles, the vaccine can help protect against recurrence.

The vaccine is not safe for all people. People who should NOT get the vaccine include:

1. People who have ever had a life-threatening reaction to or are severely allergic to gelatin, neomycin, or any component of the shingles vaccine.

2. People with a weakened immune system from certain medical conditions or treatments.

3. Pregnant women or those who may be pregnant.

The most common side effects reported with getting the vaccine include redness, soreness, swelling or itching at the injection site, and headache. Some people may develop a rash at the injection site that looks like chickenpox.

www.webmd.com