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June 6, 2013

Health & Wellness

Parkinson’s Disease: A Journey of Hope

According to the Parkinson’s Dis¬ease Foundation, in 2005, “There were an estimated 4.1 million people worldwide with Parkinson’s disease. In 25 years, that number is predicted to climb to 8.7 million.” The number of people living longer has led to the projection that by 2030, “There may be 80 percent more Americans with the disease.”

Parkinson’s Disease: A Journey of Hope

As previously stated, Parkinson’s Disease, a chronic malady, itself is not yet curable. However, significant findings from research help physicians in treating its symptoms. As PD progresses differently in people, the use of certain medications, exercise/stress-controlled (meditation/mental stimulation) activities, positive attitude, diet, and physical, occupational, and speech therapies have proven to be helpful.

Parkinson’s disease: A journey of hope

Because those with Parkinson’s Disease may have different symptoms, physicians often have great difficulty in positive diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease.

Parkinson’s disease: A journey of hope

To my Sun City friends diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, I am sending this Valentine of love as I write my four-part series on your debilitating disease. For all of our residents, these articles will teach us lessons of courage and hope.

AS 2013 turns forward, turn the scale backward

As we age, our metabolism slows up to 5 percent per decade, according to AARP’s October/November 2012 edition. The magazine states that to help fight seniors’ susceptibility to chronic inflammation associated with heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis, it’s important to “shed excess pounds, eat a good diet, and exercise.”

AS 2013 turns forward, turn the scale backward

Looking to make a life-changing New Year’s Resolution? Here’s a goal we as seniors should all attempt to keep – to strive for maximum health as we age.

Survive the holiday battle of the bulge

If you still feel stuffed from your Thanksgiving dinner, you might not like this fact: the average person consumed 3000 calories on that particular holiday. You would have to run for four straight hours, walk for 12 hours, or play tennis for six hours to burn off those calories.

A gift of love for those grieving during the holidays

After writing my two-part story on SAD, it recently occurred to me that there are many Sun Citians truly sad during the holidays due to the loss of loved ones who have died at this time of year, in the past year, or in recent years. At a time when people are expected to be “jolly” at holiday parties, December becomes a most difficult period especially for those grieving.

Fixing SAD for the holidays Part 2: Treatment Is Available

If you have seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, treatment can help prevent complications, especially if the disorder is diagnosed and treated in its early stages before symptoms get worse. According to Mayo clinic.com: “It’s normal to have some days when you feel down. But if you feel down for days at a time and you can’t seem to get motivated to do activities you normally enjoy (especially during this holiday season when social life should abound), see your doctor.

Fixing SAD for the holidays, part 1: And the days grow shorter

Charles Dickens once wrote, “Nature gives to every season some beauties of its own. It is but a succession of changes so gentle and easy that we can scarcely mark their progress.” For at least 6 percent of the U.S. population, more women than men, the change of seasons from fall to winter is not so smooth but rather quite stormy.

Please Pass the Cranberries!

At this year’s holiday meals, you might frequently hear the cry for more cranberries to be passed around the family table. Whether in a drink, sauce, relish, jellied mold, bread, cake, or cookie, or in their original state, the health benefits of cranberries can’t be beat! According to the Kane County Farmer Newspaper, cranberries fight cancer, aging, diabetes, bacterial infections, and neurological diseases.

Seniors, get moving! Part 2: Let’s Get Started!

Cathy Segarra, Sun City/Huntley’s Wellness Department Nurse, advises seniors to “check with your doctor before starting any exercise. You may have some limitations–arthritic or back issues [for example].”

Seniors, get moving! Part 1: Exercise benefits the body and mind

Now that the warmer months of more exercise-friendly weather have departed, more discipline is needed for seniors to get in their daily exercise routines. Why am I such a crusader for moving the aging body? The truth is, Sun Citians, you can’t afford to not get moving!

Chronic pain management Part 2: Treatment for pain relief

There is no single proven test available to diagnose one’s pain. The diagnosis generally used begins with questions about the pain’s location, frequency, and duration. Asking the patient to rate the pain’s intensity on a one to 10 scale is usually included. A physician next will look for painful areas on the person’s body during a physical exam and ask what kind of pain is being perceived.

Chronic pain management Part 1: Factors Leading to Long-Lasting Pain

Tens of millions of Americans suffer from chronic pain. In fact, one in every three people is dealing with chronic pain as I write this report. Chronic pain can be mild or excruciating, episodic or continuous, merely inconvenient or totally incapacitating.

The changing role of cholesterol, part 6: For your heart’s sake/necessary lifestyle changes

It has been documented in some fields of research that possibly as many as a third of coronary victims don’t have any of the accepted risk factors. Nevertheless, risk factors for coronary and vascular diseases loom as giants in predicting future problems. Indeed, the new cardiac research continues to bolster these arguments. Because it takes years for heart disease to rear “its ugly head,” now is the time to make those lifestyle changes.

The changing role of cholesterol, Part 5: Pros and Cons for Using Statin Drugs

Statin drugs, the treatment of choice by millions of Americans, are drugs that lower total cholesterol count by lowering LDL or “bad” cholesterol. They do not raise HDL or “good” cholesterol numbers, which instead can be improved greatly through regular aerobic exercise.

The changing role of cholesterol, part 4: More recent research on heart attacks

For all the progress that has been made, heart disease kills nearly one million U.S. citizens yearly, far more than any other disease. About 1.5 million suffer heart attacks. Bypass surgery and artery-opening technology, such as angioplasty balloons and stents – anchors of a $200 billion industry to treat heart disease – are very effective in relieving its chief symptom of angina chest pain. They do almost nothing to arrest the disease itself.

The changing role of cholesterol: Debunking old myths

The number 1 killer of adult Americans is still heart disease. The most prevalent form of coronary problems today is arterial disease with 14 million U.S. citizens affected. These kinds of numbers are sure to produce a few inaccuracies or myths about cholesterol, which has fallen into the ever persistent role of the “bad guy” in treating this mega-health problem.

The changing role of cholesterol: The difference between HDL and LDL

We read in Part 1 of this series that cholesterol is synthesized in the liver, where it is sent out into the body’s cells. A healthy liver should remove excess cholesterol from the body without the need for diet change, but genetics plays a large role in its ability to keep cholesterol at a healthy level.

The changing role of cholesterol

September is Cholesterol Awareness Month. Because of its connection to cardiovascular disease over the past 30 years, cholesterol has developed a bad reputation. In my six-part series, I would like to inform Sun Citians of the changing role of cholesterol on the medical, pharmaceutical, and nutritional scene.

Drink! Drink! Drink! Part 3: The best choice for hydration and electrolyte restoration

What is the best liquid choice for hydration? Inexpensive and zero calorie water is vital for good health, and there is no substitute for it. High calorie, sugary soda contains no nutrition. Beware, too, of some fruit juices that may be high in sugar, and vegetable juices that may be high in sodium. Avoid caffeinated beverages, as they only serve to dehydrate.

Drink! Drink! Drink! Part 2: Senior Dehydration Symptoms

One of the primary reasons seniors are prone to dehydration is our decreased sense of thirst. In addition, many of us experience a smaller appetite, limiting the amount of liquids we consume. Urinary incontinence, intestinal problems, fevers, or infections can also play roles in the loss of body fluids among the elderly.

Drink! drink! drink!

My husband is a long-distance runner; he always knows the value of hydrating the body. I am a long-distance swimmer; I don’t always know the value of hydrating the body. Perhaps because swimmers are exercising in the water, some of us don’t realize that we are perspiring at the same rate as runners! By the conclusion of this three part series, my Sun City readers and myself will have learned why we all need to hydrate often and efficiently.

Stress and the senior caregiver: Memoirs of three Sun City caregivers

Hilda Schmidt cared for Don, her husband of 57 years, through the last two years of his life. Don suffered from congestive heart failure and needed around the clock help. Hilda’s two sons, who live in the area, told their mom to call them first for any kind of needed assistance. Hilda says, “They were always there for me.” Her son Don and his wife are physical therapists who offered physical help and advice. They advised against Hilda doing heavy lifting with her husband.

Practicing self-care while care-giving

With an aging population expected to double by 2030, researchers are alarmed at a senior family health caregiver crisis in the making. In other words, all who give care to their families need to take care of themselves.