Atlantic Coast Health Tips!
Is Dad Depressed?
You’ve seen Dad shuffling around his apartment irritable and snappy. When he’s not complaining about his persistent aches and pains, he’s sleeping or eating excessive amounts of food. He has little interest in his old woodworking hobby and no longer plays racketball with the guys. You wonder — Is Dad depressed? While depression…
Read MoreIt’s Thyroid Awareness Month!
The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of the neck. Although relatively small, the thyroid plays a huge role in the body, influencing the function of many important organs, including the heart, brain, liver, kidneys, and skin. Talk with your healthcare provider about whether your thyroid is healthy and functioning properly.
Read MoreMalnutrition in Older Adults
Malnutrition and unintentional weight loss are commonly associated with older adults age 65 years and older. While the risks for malnutrition increase as we get older, caregivers can take steps to address these risks. According to the Mayo Clinic, malnutrition can lead to serious health issues including: Muscle weakness and decreased bone mass Poor…
Read MoreOver 65 and Taking Prescription Medications? These 6 Tips will Protect You from Serious Complications
A study in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), shows that older adults use more prescription medications than their younger counterparts— and are therefore at high risk for complications from those medications. The study found that 81% of the people it surveyed who were between the ages of 57 and 85 take at…
Read MoreThis Year’s Flu is Especially Strong, but so is the Flu Vaccine
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the 2019-2020 flu season has not only begun, but is at elevated levels throughout the country. The CDC estimates that 2.6 million People have already contracted the flu in the US, with 23,000 of them requiring hospitalization, and 1,300 dying from the flu. Typically, over…
Read More5 Tips for Staying Healthy with Diabetes
The American Diabetes Association reports that more than one-quarter of US seniors have diabetes, and a full half have prediabetes. Diabetes is associated with higher mortality rates, higher risk of cardiovascular disease, reduced function, and decreased ability to live independently, especially in seniors, However, it is possible to stay healthy if you have diabetes. Follow…
Read MoreCelebrating National Handwashing Awareness Week
Join us in celebrating National Handwashing Awareness Week. Regular handwashing, particularly before and after certain activities, is one of the best ways to remove germs, avoid getting sick, and prevent the spread of germs to others. It’s quick, it’s simple, and it can keep us all from getting sick. Handwashing is a win for everyone, except…
Read MoreHigh LDL Cholesterol is Bad for You. So is Low LDL.
High cholesterol is directly linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease. High levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in particular are directly associated with increased risk of heart attack. In an effort to fight cardiovascular disease, a variety of strategies and medications have been developed to lower cholesterol. However, recently it was discovered that these measures…
Read MoreFeeling Busy Helps People Make Healthy Choices
An international study found that people around the globe, whether in California or in Hong Kong, make healthier choices for themselves if they feel they are “busy.” This aspect of a “busy mindset,” as it is known in the research, was conducted by researchers at the global business school INSEAD, the Fox School of Business…
Read MoreWhy Your Knees Buckle
Knee buckling — and even the feeling that one’s knee might buckle — is common among older adults. Studies show that nearly 12% of adults between 36 and 94 reported at least one episode of knee buckling within the last three months. Since the age range included in these studies was relatively large, the…
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