Dementia patients increasing in hospitals; Music therapy being sought for recovery

November 27, 2011 By Leave a Comment

I came across an article this morning on Dailyrx.com
about the rise of dementia in elderly people. Studies have shown that there isdementia 300x163 Dementia patients increasing in hospitals; Music therapy being sought for recovery
an increase in the number of patients over 85 being hospitalized from dementia.
People over the age of 85 account for 40% of all hospitalizations dealing with
dementia.  Dementia is a loss of brain function that occurs with certain diseases. It affects memory, thinking,
language, judgment, and behavior. It can be caused by several different reasons
including a stroke, brain damage, alcohol use, and trauma. This irreversible
disease can also stem from certain metabolic disorders or neurological
diseases.

Dr. Marya Zilberberg with the EviMed Research Group’s department of epidemiology led this study on dementia
patients over 85 to gain a better understanding of its implications in planning
future health care policies. The study took place from 2000 to 2008. Researchers
found that the number of hospitalizations among patients over 85 climbed from
700,000 in 2000 to 1.2 million during the study’s final year and estimate that
by 2050 between 3 million to 4 million dementia patients could be hospitalized
each year. With baby boomers growing closer to this age this could pose as a
potential threat to the generation.

Doctors and patients are turning to music therapy as a means to help treat dementia. Music Therapy
is defined as a target-oriented and purposeful activity in which therapists
work with individuals or groups, using musical expression and the memories,
feelings, and sensations it evokes (Agingwellmag.com).
Music therapy is steadily gaining popularity as a method to a more speedy and
relaxing recovery.

There are many other positive effects from music besides health reasons. For one, music can
stimulate people’s creative side that they might not normally be able to tap
into. Music is heard by both the left and right side of the brain which can
bring about some very creative ideas. Music also has an effect on your mood.
Listening to more upbeat and loud music can make you feel very excited or
energized, where as a slow tempo song can make you feel calm and relaxed. There
has also been evidence that indicates music’s ability to positively affect a
person’s performance and overall productivity.

The fll article on the study can be found here:

 http://www.dailyrx.com/news-article/dementia-patients-hospitalized-despite-no-quality-life-improvement-16207.html

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Drinking and Cancer: The Link

November 2, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Evidence points to a surprising link between drinking and cancer that affects moderate drinkers noAP895 Body diagram2 Drinking and Cancer: The Linkt just binge drinkers or alcoholics.  No one seems to know what level of drinking is safe, but most agree that having more than a drink or so a day increases your cancer risk proportionally.  And, it doesn’t seem to matter how whether you consume your entire weekly allotment in 1 day or spread it out over the week — it’s the amount consumed, based on cancer research in the UK.

People are more likely to develop cancer if they drink a lot of alcohol, no matter whether they save it up and drink it in one go, or drink it steadily over a week.

The Aussie’s seem to agree.  In a report released recently, they said:

A large body of evidence consistently shows that consumption of alcohol is a risk factor for cancer. Drinking alcohol increases the risk of mouth & throat cancer (larynx and pharynx), oesophageal cancer, bowel cancer (colon and rectum), liver cancer and female breast cancer.

It’s not just heavy drinking - even small amounts of alcohol increases risk, but the more you drink, the greater the risk.

Of course drinking can be a serious problem — not only causing health problems, but emotional problems when used as a substitute for dealing with problems, or a societal problem when alcohol interferes with responsible behavior, such as drunk driving, physical abuse, or inability to hold a job.

Of course, I writing this blog post while sipping a glass of Cabernet — something I do most evenings.  Am I afraid of cancer? Not really.  Why, not, you ask? Here’s my answer:

  1. I only drink 1 or 2 drinks a day.  Sure, I drink most evenings, but I almost never have more than that.  And this level isn’t even considered moderate drinking.  Most studies agree the risk for this level of consumption is minimal.
  2. I mostly drink with food, which studies suggest limits your risk further. Alcohol is diluted by food.
  3. Alternate alcoholic drinks with water or juice.  I normally have a glass handy and drink that in between sips of alcohol.  In a club, I order water every other drink — another tactic that reduces alcohol consumption.
  4. I NEVER went binge drinking.  Not even in college, when everyone else was drinking massive amounts of alcohol.  I stuck with my glass or 2 of wine or some beer.

Besides, you can’t avoid every risk.  You have to LIVE.  You can extend your life by avoiding sugar, cholesterol, red meat, and only eat fresh fruits and vegetables.  The question is WHY?

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The Three Healthiest Exercise Methods for People Over 40

October 27, 2011 By Leave a Comment

This guest post is contributed by Lauren Bailey, who regularly writes for best online colleges. She welcomes your comments at her email Id: blauren99 @gmail.com. 

 

walking couple The Three Healthiest Exercise Methods for People Over 40

Image: Simon Howden / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

There is no end to the articles and advice out there claiming to know the secrets to health, fitness, and weight loss. Everyone is looking for the secret key to endless youth and for some reason we are all looking in the same place: online.

Of course, the internet is swarming with “expert” opinions on ways to lose weight using fancy new mobile applications, futuristic looking exercise machines, or the next big trendy celebrity diet. While all of these things may very well help with weight loss and overall health, there are other more basic ways to secure a healthier body, mind, and lifestyle.

After a certain point in our lives we begin to realize that our health is everything. Without your health there is very little else to life. Though this may sound rather harsh and cynical to some, for anyone who has been in the hospital, been extremely ill, or had a loved one pass, it is undeniably true.

For this reason, it becomes ever more important as we age to mind our health and find healthy ways to stay fit and in shape. These three exercising methods are great for people over the age of 40 who want to find safe and effective ways to workout.

 

Swimming

There are so many aspects of swimming that make it one of the most beneficial exercises any individual could do. Swimming is a low impact form of exercise that is perfect for older adults looking to gain better respiratory and heart health. Aerobic exercise is one of the most important forms of working out an individual can do.

However, many people over the age of 40 struggling with joint and muscle pain are unable to run or bike for their aerobic workouts. Swimming is a wonderful way to get a very thorough and challenging aerobic workout without putting undue strain on your already weary joints.

Just swimming a few yards every now and then provides your lungs, heart, and muscles with a thorough and stress-free workout. Swimming laps works out nearly every muscle in the body and is a wonderful mental exercise as well. Allowing your mind a time for utter release, many individuals use swimming as a form of meditation.

There are various forms of aerobic exercise that can be performed in the water for a non-weight bearing workout. Water aerobics is a great way to get a workout in without having to swim laps.

 

Walking

Yes, walking. While this may sound dull and far too simple, walking is a wonderful way to get in regular exercise for any individual.

As we age, we have to become more and more aware of what our bodies are telling us. Joint injuries become more common the older we get. For this reason, running long distances and doing other exercises that are particularly stressful on the joints can be very problematic and is not recommended for individuals later in their adulthood.

Walking can be a wonderful way to still get some exercise in without overstressing your joints. Walking is one of my favorite forms of exercise because it allows you to still get outside and move about. Take your dogs for a walk every night or walk to your local park every now and again with your kids or grandkids. Walking has many of the same benefits that running does for your muscles, lungs, and heart.

 

Stretching Exercises

Oftentimes, when we think of good forms of exercise we think about running, cycling, or swimming. Everything that comes to mind initially tends to be high strain, aerobic exercises. However, some of the best exercises that we can do when we are older are stretching exercises.

Doing a regular regimen of stretching each day can help prevent future injuries and will actually make your muscles longer and leaner. Obviously, it is a good idea to combine your stretching with a regular aerobic exercise that focuses on heart and lung health, but if stretching is all you can get to, it is certainly worth it.

Focus on stretching out all of your major leg and arm muscles, paying close mind to your back and shoulders as well. Stretching is a great way get into the right mindset about health and fitness.

Start your new fitness efforts with regular stretching and work your way up to walking regularly and swimming every now and again.

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Healthcare Roundup: News in Health

September 26, 2011 By Leave a Comment
health symbol 300x199 Healthcare Roundup: News in Health

http://www.freedigitalphotos.net; Image: jscreationzs

I’m starting a new column today called Healthcare Roundup.  Each week I’ll collect tidbits on health — improving memory, loosing weight, treatments, etc. related to baby boomers.  Here’s this week’s health roundup:

Organ Donation

Every year thousand of people die waiting for an organ transplant.  Most transplantable organs come from individuals who die — normally from accidents affecting their brain leaving their other organs healthy.  Some organs are transplanted from live patients, including bone marrow and kidneys.  While representing a certain risk, individuals donating these tissues can live productive lives after donation.

Toward this end, Loyola University Medical Center created a Pay-it-Forward program whereby individuals can donate a kidney to help someone needing a transplant and has someone who agrees to donate a kidney, but who is incompatible.  Organs are matched with the most compatible person on the registry.

Regular Healthcare Talks Keep you Healthy

Not surprisingly, having regular conversations with your healthcare provider when you are middle age, can keep you healthier as you age.  Honest, open conversations to discuss any changes you’ve noticed in your body and the way it works should be reported during your annual physical.  Keeping a list of things to discuss ensures health changes are reported early when treatment can improve your quality of life and help you live longer.

Improving Bone Density

As people age, they tend to loose bone density — especially women.  Eventually, they might develop Osteoporosis as bone density declines, resulting in fractures along weakened bones with relatively minor injury.  Half of Caucasian women will have a fracture do to low bone density in her lifetime.

These fractures affect your health.  Some fractures are debilitating and hip fractures may result in death as these injuries may heal poorly or slowly and may lead to pneumonia or blood clots.  Fractures of the spine result in shorter stature and a hunched back.

Weight bearing exercise builds up bone density lost through aging.  These exercises don’t require special equipment or expensive gym memberships.  You can use your own weight to exercise — such as pushups, pullups, and lunges.  Also, milk jugs or soda bottles filled with water make excellent weights.

Exercise has many other health benefits, as well.  Cardiovascular health requires exercise such as running, brisk walks, and swimming, but these do little to protect from bone loss.  Best health practice is to combine cardio exercises with weight training.

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