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MY SUN DAY NEWS

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Sun City in Huntley

News & Features Columnists Editorials Hang Your Hat Obituaries My Huntley News

July 12, 2012

What are stressors?

When you receive a threat, your nervous system responds by releasing a flood of stress hormones, including adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones rouse the body for emergency action. Your heart pounds faster, muscles tighten, blood pressure rises, breath quickens, and your senses become sharper.

What is stress?

It has been estimated that 70 – 90 percent of visits to primary doctors are for stress-related issues. The adult’s leading source of stress is jobs, but stress levels have also escalated in children, teenagers, college students, and seniors for reasons including: increased crime, violence, and other threats to personal safety (as even seen in Sun City due to its recent spree of home invasions).

Brushing up on your diet, part 3: A final overview

By now, Sun Citians know that the body is a complex machine. Foods you choose as fuel and how often you “fill up” affect your general health and that of your teeth and gums.

A happy smile showcases your teeth, Part 2

We know that bacteria produce tooth decaying acids as they feast in our mouths on the remnants of foods rich in sugars and carbohydrates. The good news is that there are foods that can prevent bacteria from making acids. These same foods may also be rich in calcium, vitamin D, and phosphorous, which create our bone system and keep our teeth strong. They also may contain other vitamins and minerals essential for a healthy mouth and smile.

Brushing up on your diet, part 1

In a few previous articles, I discussed the value of a happy face and its smile. In this three-part series, I will discuss the importance of choosing the correct diet to support your teeth’s health and, therefore, appearance for that smile. In part 1 of this series, I would like to explore these negative foods in greater depth and why they harm your teeth.

Put on a happy face part III: The power of optimism

My Put on a Happy Face Series reaches a conclusion with Part 3: The Power of Optimism. Not only does optimism help prevent or overcome (Part 1) clinical depression and (Part 2) chronic loneliness, but this upbeat mood also withstands senior challenges of poor physical health, a recent bereavement, and financial problems. Indeed, putting on a happy face and trying to make ourselves and others smile and laugh is the best thing we can do for our health and the health of those around us.

How the perception of loneliness takes its toll

“All the lonely people, where do they all come from?” Since these lyrics were written by Beatle Paul McCartney, the elderly population has seen huge increases in its population of individuals living alone.

Pool safety tips for when the grandkids come for a swim

Drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury-related death to children ages one to 14. For every child who drowns, four more are hospitalized for nearly drowning. Sixty-one percent of all childhood drowning deaths that occur among the one-to-14 age group occur among children ages four and under. And past studies have found male children have a drowning rate two to four times that of female children.

Put on a happy face: Fighting clinical depression

In 2006, the recently deceased veteran television reporter and commentator, Mike Wallace, then 88 years of age, spoke publicly on “60 Minutes” about his attempt to commit suicide. He highlighted a mental illness that many of our senior population have difficulty admitting to: clinical depression. Although twice as many women suffer from this depression, men with the affliction end their lives more often.

Let a smile be your umbrella on a rainy April day and all through the year

Good dental health habits showcase a beautiful mouth of teeth and a resulting “movie-star” smile. Because dental needs change as we age, seniors have to be especially mindful to take care of their oral health. Below are facts pertaining to seniors and the health of their mouth/teeth.

Staying healthy while cruising the ocean blue

Usually, taking a cruise vacation brings up thoughts of great socialization and total relaxation. For those who have cruised, however, it may also produce memories of gluttonist eating and drinking, limited exercise, and sun-baked bodies, which you witnessed once, or perhaps many times, as you sailed the ocean blue. This latter concept of a cruise doesn’t sound too healthy, does it? However, there are wonderfully healthy ways of enjoying these super times away from home. It just takes a little mental pre-planning and willpower on your part. Let’s do some exploring of our own on the subject.

March Marks Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

It is critical that we become Sun City-informed citizenry about the cancer that affects the colon and rectum because early detection through regular screenings can beat this cancer. Indeed it is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. (only behind lung cancer). Globally, cancer of the colon and rectum is the third-leading cause of cancer in males and the fourth leading cause of cancer in females.

Eat, drink, and be Green

Our “Irish” March holiday can mean Sun Citians wearing green socks and hats, quenching their thirst with green beer or with McDonald’s shamrock shakes, or even enjoying the view of a dyed green Chicago River. Since March is National Nutrition Month, how about our seniors enjoying some green on their plates as well?

Your health just a heartbeat away: Pumping heart health numbers Part II

Cardiovascular diseases remain the biggest cause of deaths worldwide. Heart or cardiac disease is the number one cause of death for both men and women in the United States. It accounts for 40 percent of all U.S. deaths, more than all forms of cancer combined. More than 2500 Americans die from heart diseases each day, equaling one death every 34 seconds. Heart disease cost the United States $316.4 billion annually.

In-home and out

Keeping seniors living independently at home is the goal of two local organizations. Though both share the above interest, they do so in two very different ways.

Understanding the Heart’s Tremendous Capabilities

This cardiovascular system organ, grapefruit-sized and cone-shaped, is located more centered in the body than most people realize. It is found under the breast bone and between your lungs and is protected by your ribs.

Sunny D

As I searched for a source of gaining the benefits of more sunshine for our bodies in the short days of winter, I discovered the new superhero among vitamins, Vitamin D.

11 Resolutions for a healthier 2012

According to ISI Translation Services, only 17% of seniors above the age of 65 are still making New Year’s Resolutions. But when they do, aside from weight control, improving the mind is a top priority. Here’s my list of researched items found in the top 11 needs for providing you with optimum health or anti-aging resolutions for the year of 2012.

Centegra Health System offers freedom from smoking

The 2010 McHenry County Healthy Community Study reported that lung cancer is the leading cause of death in McHenry County among men and women ages 45 to 75. Centegra Health System and the McHenry County Department of Health partner to provide “Freedom from Smoking” classes that teach practical ways to end nicotine addiction.

Giving back has good rewards

Yes, Sun City, there is a Santa Claus! He exists in the “spirit of giving” not only during the holidays but all year round. Monetary donations to charity are always appreciated by the recipients. The GIFT OF YOUR TIME is also highly regarded by those in need of it. Seniors can enrich their lives through VOLUNTEERING and aid their health at the same time. Give yourself that “helper’s high!”

Despite community support, Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board declines Centegra Hospital-Huntley … by 1 vote

We are disappointed that Centegra Hospital-Huntley fell one vote short of approval at the December 7 Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board meeting.

‘Tis the season to be healthy

It’s that time of the year when your wallets shrink and your waist measurements increase. As much as we look forward to holiday parties, many of us fear enjoying them too much, leading to the packing on of pounds. Indeed, the average American just consumed approximately 2000 to 4500 calories and up to 229 grams of fat from eating a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. Hannukah, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day still await us! Studies show that most of us will gain at least 1 to 2 pounds during the six-week holiday season. This is a weight gain most of us cannot handle with our weight-bearing hinges already under stress.

Turn the page … and keep motivated through life

Writing is difficult. For some it is an impossibility. For others it can take a lifetime to master. According to Daniel Levitin, in his book, “This is Your Brain on Music,” it takes 10,000 hours, or about 10 years to become an expert at something. Thus, it is no surprise that Sun City resident JoAnn T. Neis of N.11 has written a well-received novel entitled, “The Other Half of a Broken Heart.”

Balance by Numbers

Maintaining your balance, Part II (continued from November 3 edition).

Maintaining your balance, Part I

Sun City’s tennis courts in recent months have seen some serious injuries due to off balance movements. A few broken bones have occurred with one female participant landing face forward on the court leaving her with a broken jaw and a broken wrist. As another community tennis player commented “Not being able to keep balance doesn’t allow seniors to have fun at what they like to do. These were experienced players!”

Whooping cough prevention

Whooping cough can be serious, even fatal, in certain populations. In response to McHenry County’s recent increase in pertussis cases, Centegra Health System reminds adults and children about the necessity of vaccinations to avoid serious illnesses or death.

Don’t let the flu bug bite

Beware of that handrail, sink faucet, and doorknob. No amount of hand sanitizer will prepare you for contact with the new movie “Contagion.” This fictional story is about an out-of-control virus that causes a pandemic and leads to a rapid breakdown of society. Although this happens rarely, if a virus gets the right mode of spread, it could go anywhere! This is why flu vaccination is so critical to almost all Americans, especially seniors.

The running man

If you are among the many lucky Sun Citians who have seen Otto Volkmann jogging around the bike paths, be advised that you are not just watching any ordinary fitness buff.

T2D

T2D A.K.A. Type 2 Diabetes A.K.A. Metabolic Syndrome. No matter how it’s referred to, this disease is a serious concern and health risk for the aging individual, especially those over 60.

You’re not alone

“You’re not alone” is a familiar phrase, but to the Breast Cancer Support Group in the Del Webb community, it means a whole lot to several people, both women and men.