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

MYTHS ABOUT RESTLESS LEGS SYNDROME

Mention "restless legs syndrome" and giggles and guffaws often follow. The disorder, characterized by painful, crawling sensations in one or both legs combined with an irresistible urge to move the limbs, is common - and widely misunderstood, doctors say. A significant portion of the public doesn't consider restless legs syndrome a real medical condition.

Moderate to severe restless legs syndrome (RLS) symptoms are present in about 3% of the adult population, and a milder form affects 5%. Symptoms occur while sitting for long periods, and are felt more often during evening hours. Despite scientific evidence, misconceptions about RLS abound, including that it affects only adults and pregnant women.

Here are 8 common myths about RLS:

1. The condition was concocted by the pharmaceutical industry to sell drugs: Not so. RLS was first described by an English physician in 1672. It was later suggested to be a neurological disorder and dubbed "restless legs syndrome" by a Swedish neurologist in 1945. In 2003, RLS was established as a neurological condition at a National Institutes of Health conference. Progress is underway to create a laboratory test to confirm a patient's diagnosis.

2. Symptoms are always mild: Contrary to popular opinion, RLS symptoms are deeply unpleasant in some patients. A health survey of 15,000 RLS patients revealed that their quality of life was similar to that of patients with other chronic disorders, such as type 2 diabetes and clinical depression. They often experience insomnia, fatigue, agitation and loss of energy.

3. It affects only pregnant women: Although there is a "huge connection" between pregnancy and RLS - pregnant women have about five times the risk of getting the disorder - the syndrome also affects men, children and women who aren't pregnant. About 20% of pregnant women get RLS. For most of them, the condition is transient and disappears post-pregnancy.

4. RLS is an autiommune disorder: RLS is not an autoimmune disease, but some autoimmune diseases are associated with it and may aggravate the condition. Autoimmune diseases commonly associated with RLS are Sjogren's syndrome, celiac disease, and rheumatoid arthritis.

5. It runs in families: RLS is genetic in up to two-thirds of patients, meaning a parent, sibling, grandparent, aunt or uncle may have it too. Patients with familial RLS also had the disease longer and experienced more severe symptoms. A familial trait is one in which one or more cases show up among relatives. Researchers aren't certain about how much of a familial trait is caused by genes. Some researchers aren't sure about the familial connection at all.

6. The condition affects only adults: Although more common in adults, RLS affects about 2% of children 8-17 years old. Many experience moderate to severe symptoms. It is more common than epilepsy and diabetes in children. Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and depression are more common in children diagnosed with RLS, due to sleep deprivation caused by RLS.

7. All fibromyalgia patients get RLS: Just because you have fibromyalgia doesn't mean you will get RLS. 20-40% of fibromyalgia patients do get it, though. Pain, a key symptom of fibromyalgia, may aggravate RLS, but that connection is uncertain. On the flip side, most people with RLS do not have fibromyalgia.

8. Athletes are more prone toward RLS: Not true, according to experts. Athletes may experience a muscle pull, sprain or tendonitis that hurts more in the evening hours, causing a jock to think the problem is RLS. How to tell the difference? RLS symptoms are relieved by movement. The opposite is true with other conditions.

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



ARTHRITIS REMEDIES: 10 FOODS THAT HELP AND HURT

People who suffer from arthritis are familiar with the pains, cracks and pops that define the condition. But small changes in your diet can yield big rewards in managing the disease. You may not be able to toss your Tylenol, but a diet rich in these foods can make you healthier and maybe lighter. After all, every pound you carry around your belly puts 10 pounds of pressure on your joints. Here are 7 arthritis foods to stock up on...

1. FATTY FISH (salmon, herring, sardines): or any food with omega-3 fatty acids, such as walnuts, soy beans, flax seeds, canola oil and pumpkin seeds. Omega-3s decrease the production of chemicals that spread inflammation, plus they inhibit enzymes that trigger it.

2. EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL: Olive oil contains oleocanthal, which blocks enzymes involved in inflammation. Since olive oil is not calorie-free, don't douse your food with it. One tablespoon a day is a good amount for an optimal arthritis diet.

3. SWEET PEPPERS, CITRUS FRUIT AND OTHER VITAMIN C-RICH FOOD: Vitamin C protects collagen, a major component of cartilage. Inadequate amounts may increase your risk for some kinds of arthritis. Try for 200-500 milligrams a day.

4. BRAZIL NUTS: Brazil nuts contain huge amounts of selenium. The mineral helps antioxidants clear out cell-damaging free radicals, aids the regulation of the thyroid gland and may prevent cancer.

5. ONIONS AND LEEKS: Onions and leeks contain quercetin, an antioxidant that may inhibit inflammatory chemicals, much like aspirin and ibuprofen do. Worried about onion breath? Boost your intake of kale, cherry tomatoes or apples - all are high in quercetin.

6. TART CHERRIES: The magic ingredient is anthocyanins, the pigments that give cherries - and grapes, black raspberries and eggplant - their vibrancy. They are also powerful antioxidants that cut inflammation.

7. GREEN TEA: Studies show that certain antioxidant compounds in the brew lessen the incidence and severity of arthritis. Drink 3-4 cups a day. Skip the decaffeinated version, which robs the tea of some of the helpful nutrients.

FOODS TO AVOID:

1.SHELLFISH, RED MEAT(only if you have gout): Gout results from the build-up of uric acid in the blood, which forms crystals that painfully settle in the joints. Purine, a coupound that's abundant in shellfish, meats, high-fat dairy foods and beer, converts to uric acid. These foods are no-nos for people at risk for or suffering from gout.

2. SUNFLOWER, SAFFLOWER, CORN, and SOYBEAN OILS: They're high in omega-6 fatty acids, which increase inflammation. These oils are prevalent in U.S. made baked goods and snacks.

3. SUGAR: Some studies suggest that sugar may increase inflammation. Although it offers a quick energy boost, the high doesn't last, which can be a drag for arthritis sufferers who already suffer from fatigue. Sugar is also high in calories, which leads to weight gain and added pressure on your joints.

source: www.lifescript.com

DIET, EXERCISE AND MEDICATION CAN TREAT OSTEOPOROSIS AND OSTEOPENIA

Osteoporosis, which means "porous bones," is a condition causing bones to gradually thin and weaken. This condition makes you more susceptible to fractures. About 1.5 million older people in America suffer from fractures each year. The medical expense of treating broken bones from osteoporosis is as high as $18 billion each year, according to the U.S. Surgeon General

Osteopenia is a condition that happens when the bone becomes naturally thinner as we age. Existing bone cells are reabsorbed by the body faster than new bone cells can be made. As this begins to happen, bones begin to lose minerals, structure and mass, making them weaker and more susceptible to breaks. Osteopenia is bone density that is lower than normal but above levels for osteoporosis. Bone cell loss speeds up for women during horomonal and menopausal changes. Bone cell loss can happen to men, too. Metabolism problems that interfere with the body's absorption of enough vitamins and minerals can impact bone strength. Medications with steroids and chemotherapy may also adversely affect bone health. Anti-seizure medication and prolonged immobility due to illness can also increase bone loss.

A family history of osteoporosis, being thin and white or Asian, and engaging in limited weight-bearing activities increase the risk of osteopenia and, perhaps osteoporosis. Smoking, regularly drinking carbonated beverages and excessive use of alcohol may also contribute to the risk. As with any disease, early detection and treatment is the key.

The best way to fight the loss of bone density is to be proactive at an earlier age. Bone development peaks in your 30s. Healthy diet including calcium-rich foods, weight bearing exercise and a daily dose of sunlight, which gives you Vitamin D and will help to keep bones stronger. Keep these good habits throughout your life to make bone health the least of your worries.

Osteopenia and osteoporosis can be detected through bone mineral density testing. Doctors may recommend treatments such as calcium and Vitamin D supplements, as well as "bone-friendly" medications.

source: http://www.redding.com/



TOP 10 FOR HEALTHY HAIR

"Lather, rinse, repeat" may be standard advice, but shampoo and conditioner alone won't give you the healthy hair you crave. For the most luxurious locks possible, you'll need to step out of the shower, and into the kitchen. Your hair grows about 1/4 to 1/2 inch every month, and the foundation of all of your new hair, skin and nail growth is the nutrients that you eat. If you eat a healthy diet, you will grow stronger and healthier cells throughout your entire body - inside and out. If you were born with fine, thin hair, you will never have rope-thick tresses - no matter what you eat - but well balanced diet that includes plenty of growth-promoting protein and iron can make a difference, say nutrition and hair experts.

1. SALMON: When it comes to foods that pack a beauty punch, it's hard to beat salmon. Loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, this high-quality protein source is also filled with vitamin B-12 and iron. Essential omega-3 fatty acids are needed to support scalp health. A deficiency can result in a dry scalp and thus hair, giving it a dull look.

2. DARK GREEN VEGETABLES: Spinach, like broccoli and Swiss chard, is an excellent source of vitamins A and C, which your body needs to produce sebum. The oily substance, secreted by your hair follicles, is the body's natural hair conditioner. Dark green vegetables also provide iron and calcium.

3. BEANS: Yes, it's true. Legumes like kidney beans and lentils should be an important part of your hair-care diet. Not only do they provide plentiful protein to promote hair growth, but ample iron, zinc, and biotin. While rare, biotin deficiencies can result in brittle hair.

4. NUTS: Do you go nuts for thick, shiny hair? You should. Brazil nuts are one of nature's best sources of selenium, an important mineral for the health of your scalp. Walnuts contain alpha-linolenic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid that may help condition your hair. They are also a terrific source of zinc, as are cashews, pecans, and almonds. A zinc deficiency can lead to hair shedding, so make sure nuts are a regular on your healthy hair menu.

5. POULTRY: Chickens and turkeys may have feathers, but the high-quality protein they provide will help give you the healthy hair you crave. Poultry also provides iron with a high degree of bioavailability, meaning your body can easily reap its benefits.

6. EGGS: When it comes to healthy hair, it doesn't matter whether you like your eggs scrambled, fried, or over easy. However they're served up, eggs are one of the best protein sources you can find. They also contain biotin and vitamin B-12, which are important beauty nutrients.

7. WHOLE GRAINS: Sink your teeth into hearty whole grains, including whole-wheat bread and fortified whole-grain breakfast cereals, for a hair-healthy dose of zinc, iron, and B vitamins.

8. OYSTERS: Oysters may be better known for their reputation as an aphrodisiac, but they can also lead to healthy hair. The key to their love and hair-boosting abilities is zinc - a powerful antioxidant. You can also get zinc from beef and lamb.

9. LOW-FAT DAIRY PRODUCTS: Low-fat dairy produts like skim milk and yogurt are great sources of calcium, an important mineral for hair growth. They also contain whey and casein, two high-quality protein sources.

10. CARROTS: Carrots are an excellent source of vitamin A, which promotes a healthy scalp along with good vision.

When it comes to foods for healthy hair and beauty, variety is the best way to go. An overall valanced diet of lean proteins, fruits, and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, fatty fish like salmon and low-fat dairy will help keep hair healthy.

source: www.webmd.com

UNDERSTANDING COMMON FOOD ALLERGIES

More than 12 million Americans have food allergies; millions more have food intolerances. What's the difference? In short, allergies can be deadly; intolerance often is a digestive problem, more annoying than serious. But how you know which you have, and what can you do about it? Here is a guide:

ALLERGIES

A true food allergy is the body's mistaken notion that food is an invader or an attacker. The immune system snaps into fighting mode. It produces a protein called Immunoglogulin E that attaches to blood and other cells and sends out histamine and other chemicals in a futil attempt to protect the body. The chemicals cause itchiness, hives, breathing difficulties, tightness in the throat and swelling of the tongue and face. In extreme cases, a reaction causes death. So what can you do? Learn the foods that might harm you and avoid them. If you slip up, a doctor can prescribe a fast-acting antihistamine and an epinephrine auto-injector to carry with you in case of accidental exposure. Epinephrine treats the rare but dangerous drop in blood pressure and breathing problems. How can you tell what's causing your allergy? Get ready to play detective, because allergens are sneaky. Allergens have non-food sources too. Where else can allergens hide?

1. MILK: In deli meats, nondairy whipped topping, grilled restaurant steaks

2. EGGS: In pasta

3. PEANUTS: In Asian food, ice cream, baked goods

4. TREE NUTS: In BBQ sauce, cereals, crakers

5. FISH/SHELLFISH: In salad dressings, steak sauce

6. SOY: In sauces, soups, peanut butter, cereal

7. WHEAT: In hot dogs, imitation hot dogs, ice cream

FOOD INTOLERANCES

Unlike allergies, food intolerances are not life-threatening. Symptoms often occur long after you've eaten - even the next day. They are vague, ranging from bloating and diarrhea to headaches and lethargy. Although the immune system is sometimes involved, the protein IgE is not. Any food can cause intolerance and it can start at any age. With intolerance, you may be able to eat small amounts of the offending food, like a scoop of ice cream, without a reaction. Here are common intolerances that may trigger reactions:

1. LACTOSE INTOLERANCE

Reactions: Gas, bloating, abdominal disconfort, diarrhea

Sources: Milk, yogurt, ice cream, sour cream and other dairy foods

2. MSG (Monosodium Glutamate) INTOLERANCE

Reactions: Headache, flushing, chest discomfort

Sources: Canned soups, processed meats, Asian restaurants, frozen meals, packaged flavor enhancers

3. SULFITE INTOLERANCE

Reactions: Severe constriction of the airways in people with asthma

Sources: Red wines, dried fruits and packaged foods

4. HISTAMINE INTOLERANCE

Reactions: Headache, flushing, runny nose, diarrhea

Sources: Some wines, cheese, tuna, mackerel

5. GLUTEN INTOLERANCE

Reactions: Gas, bloating, abdominal discomfort, diarrhea

Sources: Wheat, rye, barley, beer, salad dressings, cold cuts, hot cocoa mixes and canned soups

Whichever you have - an allergy or intolerance - work with your doctor to identify the foods that trigger a reaction, learn where they lurk and avoid them as you would a patch of poison ivy.

source: www.lifescript.com