Archive for July, 2008

Reducing Falls With Ritalin

Thursday, July 31st, 2008

By Donna Lampa

When you hear Ritalin, what comes to mind is usually a hyperactive youngster who needs help keeping still. Well, new studies reported in The Journal of the American Geriatrics Society are opening up new vistas for the  medication, suggesting that seniors on Ritalin stumble less frequently than their unmedicated peers.

This study was done on a small scale, so its doubtful to lead to widespread prescribing of  Ritalin for the elderly. What’s significant is that the data proves that walking and stability are  not just a physical skill but there’s a cognitive connection as well.

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Arthritis, aging, health, seniors | No Comments »

Orthopedic Surgeons & Their Patients Clamor for the Establishment of a National Joint Registry

Wednesday, July 30th, 2008

By Ruth Folger Weiss

A few months after undergoing routine hip replacements, a number of patients of  a well known LA orthopedic surgeon started suffering from excruciating pains. The surgeon, Dr. Lawrence Dorr, was stymied until he discovered one factor they all had in common; the same replacement joint, manufactured by Zimmer Holdings, was implanted in all of them. Several needed to have their replacement replaced in another bout of surgery. When Zimmer was first contacted about this problem, they just brushed it off. It took a year of more complaints and pressure from doctors until they pulled this device off the market. In the interim many more patients unknowingly had their joints replaced with a faulty Zimmer “Durom Cup” with crippling results.

This upsetting scenario could have been avoided, and many patients could have been spared the agony, if the U.S. would have a Joint Registry in place. A Joint Registry is a national database that tracks the well being of patients with artificial hips and knees. Countries such as Australia, Britain, Norway and Sweden have such a system in place and the benefits are numerous. Tracking the success rates of the different joints available results in the faulty ones being pulled from the market much quicker. The registry data puts pressure on manufacturers to explain why their products perform poorly and the registry alerts surgeon to stop using flawed joints.

Monitoring devices like artificial joints supposedly falls under the domain of the The Food and Drug Administration but they are often overwhelmed by the vast number of products it monitors and because doctors often do not report problems.

Nearly one million hips and knees were replaced in the U.S. alone last year, about half of the world’s total. As the world’s leader in joint replacement, the U.S. should take the initiative and be the leader in follow-up too.  So far all efforts to establish a database here have failed due to the many hurdles, financial and practical, of our fragmented and decentralized health care system, as well as a lack of support from Medicare.

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Get Moving, Grandma

Wednesday, July 30th, 2008

~ by Ellis Greaty

If you are a senior:

Exercise is good for you.

Aerobic exercise is very good for you.

Strength training is good for you.

And now… walking is good for you too.

OK, most of us have always suspected – even known, perhaps – that walking doesn’t hurt and probably helps. But now there is scientific evidence supporting this belief, and the numbers are telling.

The University of Georgia rounded up 26 geriatric study subjects all over the age of 60 and predominantly female. Half the group went walking 3 times a week, initially for 10 minutes, but building up to 40. The other half watched videos on nutrition. Before the study, the participants were evaluated on fitness and physical ability. At the end of the study, they were again evaluated. The difference was telling.

For those who went walking, physical function increased 25%. For those who watched videos, it decreased 8.3%. Disability risk decreased 41% in the walking group. Aerobic capacity increased 19%, while it declined 9% in the control group.

Not all of the benefits were physical. The walking group became a tight group of friends, really enjoying their walks together. Quality of life was greatly increased. So seniors should definitely get out there and walk – with a friend.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Arthritis, aging, exercise, fitness, health, knee & hip, seniors | No Comments »

A Heart Disease & Sleep Apnea Link?

Wednesday, July 30th, 2008

By Donna Lampa

The American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology released a joint statement urging research to be done to determine the link between sleep apnea and heart disease, following increasing evidence of just such a connection, as well as the widespread prevalence of sleep apnea and rising levels of obesity in the United States, especially among young people. Obesity is a major cause of sleep apnea

“We feel it is important to alert the cardiovascular community to the implications of this emerging area of research. It is possible that diagnosing and treating sleep apnea may prove to be an important opportunity to advance our efforts at preventing and treating heart disease,” said Dr. Virend K. Somers, a professor of medicine and cardiovascular diseases at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

“We need to more clearly define the cause and effect relationship between sleep apnea and cardiovascular diseases and risk factors,” he noted. “There is evidence that sleep apnea may be a cause of some cases of high blood pressure, but for other cardiovascular conditions, the evidence is largely circumstantial.”

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in cardio, diet, health | No Comments »

People with Chronic Heartburn More Likely to Develop Asthma

Wednesday, July 30th, 2008

By Donna Lampa

About  50%-90% of people with asthma also suffer from a common form of indigestion – gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). No one had been able to unravel the mysterious link between these two conditions, but now new studies have shed some light on this relationship .

According to a recent study published by the European Journal of Clinical Investigation, the act of inhaling small amounts of stomach acid back up into the esophagus and lungs, a hallmark of GERD, slowly produces changes in the immune system that may lead to the development of asthma.
Although the rising cased of reflux  may be causing increasing cases of asthma, the good news is that by modifying one’s lifestyle one can minimize gastric reflux thus reducing the risk of developing asthma.

You can avoid the risk factors of GERD by:

* Eating smaller meals
* Eating several hours before going to bed
* Raising the head of your bed a few inches
* Maintaining a healthy weight
* Limiting fatty foods, coffee, tea, caffeine, and alcohol because they can relax the esophageal sphincter and make reflux more likely.

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in aging, diet, health | No Comments »

Knee and Hip Replacements

Wednesday, July 30th, 2008

~ contributed by T. Lee

What do you get when you combine an aging population with a gaining population?

Hip and knee replacements.

As baby boomers age and acquire arthritis, and as obesity continues to rage among the younger population, knees and hips are wearing out at an unprecedented rate. And as they wear out, they are being replaced at an unprecedented rate.

Arthritis is usually associated with aging, and the grinding down of cartilage at the joints. But cartilage can also be ground down by excessive weight placed on the joint by obesity.

Today, both populations of arthritis patients are growing, as baby boomers hit retirement and obesity grows in the general American population.

Arthritis can cause stiffness, swelling, and general joint pain, restricting, or even severely limiting, patient mobility. When pain-killers cease to help, join replacement surgery is a popular option. Titanium joints can last 10 or so years before they need to be replaced, and drastically reduce pain and increase mobility close to ordinary activity levels.

Between 2000 and 2004, there was a 53% increase in knee replacements and a 37% increase in hip replacements. According to a report by Dr. Sunny Kim at the Florida International University, if these trends persist, there will be 1.4 million knee replacements performed in the year 2015 alone. The cost to health care providers would be enormous.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Arthritis, Baby Boomers, aging, exercise, fitness, health, knee & hip, rehab | No Comments »

Get Out and Move It

Wednesday, July 30th, 2008

By Ruth Folger Weiss
I’m going out to have a good time and incorporate some exercise while I’m at it.
I decided it was time to leave the desk after reading the latest studies on how crucial exercising (alright, particularly in midlife) is in warding off dementia and Alzheimer’s disease decades later.
In a study of more than 1,400 adults involved in the “Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Aging, and Incidence of Dementia ” (CAIDE) project, which involved 1,449 men and women in Finland, those who were physically active in their free time during middle age were 52% less likely to develop dementia 21 years later than their sedentary counterparts. Their chance of developing Alzheimer’s disease was slashed even more, by 62%, and even stronger in those carrying the ApoE e4 gene, which is associated with a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

“Free Time” is the definitive term here; exercise done as occupational activity, such as heavy lifting, didn’t have the same protective effect as leisure-time exercise have the same effect.

Suvi Rovio, MSc, a researcher at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden, concurs. “By being physically active in midlife, people who carry the ApoE e4 gene can lower their risk of Alzheimer’s to the same level as someone not carrying the gene.”

But Maria Carrillo, PhD, director of medical scientific relations at the Alzheimer’s Association, says that physical exercise “does not have to be strenuous or even require a major time commitment. It is most effective when done regularly, and in combination with a brain-healthy diet, mental activity, and social interaction.

“We know that physical exercise is essential for maintaining good blood flow to the brain as well as to encourage the development of new brain cells. “It also can significantly reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and diabetes, and thereby protect against those risk factors for Alzheimer’s and other dementias.”

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Alzheimer's, aging, cardio, exercise, fitness, health | No Comments »

When Barbecue is Bad for the Heart

Wednesday, July 30th, 2008

High-temperature broiling, grilling, or frying can be deleterious for the cardiovascular system, a study shows. It increases toxins called advanced glycogen endproducts (AGEs) which are associated with inflammation and oxidative stress. AGEs tend to build up in the body with age, leading to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. These AGEs are released into the body when the food is eaten, and may lead to inflammation and disease over time.

Instead, boiling or steaming foods will prevent the food from cooking at too hot a temperature, and preserve most of the nutrients.

Preliminary studies suggest that cutting one’s AGE intake in half could possibly increase one’s lifespan by reducing stress on the metabolism and organs.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in aging, cardio, diet, health | No Comments »

The Dangers of Flip Flops

Wednesday, July 30th, 2008

By Neil Bekker

Flip flops, the standard beachwear, are now the hottest form of footwear worn throughout the long hot summer days. They may be stylish, comfortable and cool, but wearing them all the time is a recipe for foot pain.

Since they offer no arch support, heel cushioning, or shock absorption, according to the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) they should not be used for extensive walking or for playing sports. Wearers can suffer foot pain, tendinitis, and even sprained ankles if they trip, and are also at greater risk for stubbed toes, glass cuts, puncture wounds, or having a heavy object smash their foot due to their exposed toes.

People with diabetes should choose their footwear with care since any foot injury can become serious, even leading to amputation. They should be vigilant to have a protective covering on their toes and they should stay away from flip-flops and sandals.

Orthopedic surgeons  have treated many people who ran or jumped in flip-flops and suffered sprained ankles, fractures, and severe ligament injuries that required surgery. If you use your flip-flops to play Frisbee or backyard football you’re asking for trouble.

Insect and snake bites are another danger. Emergency room physicians on both sides of the country report seeing adults and children with snake bites to the feet while wearing flip-flops or sandals.

Flip flops are also a driving hazard. If they are loose enough to pop off your feet, you’re in trouble since they get stuck under the brake and gas pedal.

One more thing, when you do wear them – don’t forget to smear sunscreen on your exposed toes.

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in exercise, fitness, health, rehab | No Comments »

Bone Mineral Density Helps Predict Women’s Breast Cancer Risk

Wednesday, July 30th, 2008

By Fay Ashland

New research findings by the University of Arizona show a link between a woman’s high bone mineral density and a greater likelihood of developing breast cancer. This factor is independent of the risk level predicted by using the popular Gail model. The Gail model utilizes family history, age and other factors to estimate a woman’s risk of breast cancer over five years and over her lifetime, but it does not include data on bone mineral density, which is known to be a risk factor for breast cancer.

Recently other studies have linked bone health and  breast cancer risk in various ways. At the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s annual meeting,  a study was presented that showed how Zometa (zoledronic acid), a drug used to treat osteoporosis, lowered the risk of breast cancer recurrence in premenopausal women.Other research revealed that women with breast cancer who are deficient in vitamin D  at the time of their diagnosis were more likely to have a recurrence or to die from their disease. Vitamin D is also vital to bone health.

Women with high bone density tend to be overweight or obese which does raise their risk of breast cancer.

According to Dr. Jay Brooks, Chairman of hematology/oncology at Ochsner Health System in Baton Rouge, “This is more information that shows a link in my opinion, between increasing weight, obesity and the development of breast cancer”.

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in aging, health, seniors | No Comments »