_ Caregiving is Tough Even for Geriatrics Professionals By Jane Farrell articleThe difficulties of caregiving seem to be universal: even specialists in geriatrics can find it hard to deal with in their own lives. That discovery, by researchers from Boston Medical Center (BMC) and Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM), appears in the journal Gerontologist.
_ New Drugs Could Help Treat Addiction By Jane Farrell articleScientists are zeroing in on a new treatment for disorders, including pain and addiction.
_ Mental Exercises Have Long-Term Effect By Jane Farrell articleThe benefits of mental-sharpness exercises for older adults can last for as long as ten years, according to new research. The research, published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, found that even after a decade, participants who underwent cognitive training had less difficulty in performing everyday tasks. Known as Advanced Cognitive Training for Independent and Vital Elderly, or ACTIVE, the study is the first to establish that link, according to Frederick W. Unverzagt, Ph.D., professor at Indiana University School of Medicine.
_ How to Handle A Clingy Elder By Jane Farrell articleBy Sheri Samotin One of the most frequent concerns I hear from caregivers is how to deal with a care recipient who never wants his or her caregiver out of sight. This can be a real challenge for caregivers who need to work, take care of other family members, or just have a little time to him or herself. It is also often hard for caregivers to tell the difference between helping and enablinga loved one.
_ Women's Health and WellnessA Nonsurgical Treatment for Pelvic Pain By Jane Farrell articleExperts say that a nonsurgical option can be as good as medicine or sugery for women suffering from pelvic floor dysfunction, which includes bladder and bowel probems as well as pelvic pain.
Skin Skin HealthThe Ultimate Anti-Aging Protection? By Jane Farrell articleResearchers have identified a substance that can offer total protection against some types of sun damage, and that may lead to skin looking younger for longer. Scientists from Newcastle University focused on the antioxidant Tiron, which targets mitochondria, known as the “batteries” of the skin cells. Comparing the types of mitochondria-targeting antioxidants with other antioxidants such as resveratrol and circumin, they found that the most powerful mitochondria-targeting antioxidant was Tiron.
_ ExerciseSafety for Senior Athletes By Jane Farrell articleAging affects multiple organ systems, from the heart and lungs to your bones and metabolism. Of all the changes, musculoskeletal issues have the most impact on the aging senior’s sport. These changes include:an overall decrease in muscle and bone mass; stiffening of muscles; weakening of tendons and cartilage.
_ Heart Patients Get Too Much Radiation By Jane Farrell articleExperts are urging cardiologists to reduce patient radiation because of possible severe risks. The paper, published in the European Heart Journal, said that cardiology accounts for 40 percent of patient radiology and equals more than 50 chest X-rays per person per year.
_ Women's Health and WellnessFake Headache Treatment May Be As Good As the Real Thing By Jane Farrell articlePatients who receive good information about the medicine they’re taking do better than those who aren’t given as many positive details, according to a new study of migraine sufferers.The study showed that patients’ expectations of the drugs’ effic
_ Improved Delivery of Anti-Cancer Drugs By Jane Farrell articleScientists have taken a significant step in the field of nanomedicine, in which infinitesimal particles fight cancer by delivering a targeted drug to affected cells. Now, they have found out how to use nanoparticles to sequentially deliver the drugs to different parts of a cancer cell.
_ Mental & Emotional HealthAdults Often Under-Report Mental Health Issues By Jane Farrell articleMental disorders among adults may be substantially underestimated over the course of their lifetime.
_ Heart Health5 Reasons Senior Heart Patients Need Exercise By Jane Farrell articleEditor’s Note: You might think that the best course is to simply rest if you have heart disease. But doing the right kind of exercise can benefit you in some very substantial ways. Here, the American Council on Exercise and the Cleveland Clinic offer some suggestions to get you going. Remember, though, to talk with your doctor before beginning or resuming any exercise program, and to follow his or her recommendationis for the right exercises for you. 1. Exercise Optimizes Heart Health.
_ Apologizing After a Caregiving Blowup By Jane Farrell articleCaregiving, even during the best of times, can be stressful. Family members and friends who are clueless about the realities of caregiving, often add to the stress by offering "advice," which sounds to you like criticism rather than help. You're a good person and likely they are, too, so you stuff your irritation, bite back a sarcastic response and let the comments or actions pass – this time.
_ Refilling Prescriptions Online Can Help Your Health By Jane Farrell articleUsing an online service to refill medications actually helped some people with their health, according to a new study. Researchers from Kaiser Permanente and the University of California, San Francisco Medical School followed 17,760 diabetic patients who got care from Kaisesr Permanente in northern California between 2006 and 2010. The subjects used online patient portals, which allow users to order prescription refills, communicate with their health care providers, schedule appointments, access their health records and view their lab test results
_ Weight LossGetting on the Scales Helps Long-Term Weight Loss By Jane Farrell articleLong-term weight loss, considered an elusive goal, can be achieved if people keep practicing essential health behaviors, researchers say. And one of those behaviors is weighing yourself regularly.
_ Why You Should Donate Blood By Jane Farrell articleEditor’s note: Many people make a list of New Year’s resolutions, and most of us have difficulty keeping them! But here’s one resolution that’s easy to follow through on: donating blood. Hospitals and patients are in critical need for blood, yet the donation rate is very low.
_ Can Your Lungs Smell Odors? By Jane Farrell articleWhen you smell something, you’re probably using your lungs as well as your nose, researchers say.