fall 2013
Health &Wellness Medicine wars: traditional vs. alternative
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Linda Haining is a PACE participant from Montrose. The PACE program is offered through Volunteers of America and has several pieces of exercise equipment that are available at the PACE Center.
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September 2013
Six hidden benefits of exercise By Janice Doyle
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hysically, when you find you can no longer climb stairs or walk easily from the car to the mall door, it’s time to look to exercise. Otherwise, “It’s possible to find yourself getting into a downward spiral of less and less physical activity,” Dr. Miriam Stoppard wrote in her book “Defying Age.” The benefits of exercise go far beyond how your clothes fit and keeping major diseases like high blood pressure and heart disease at bay. These six hidden benefits of exercise go a long way toward keeping your body, mind and spirit younger for longer. With regular physical exercise, you will:
Look good. Exercise produces younger looking, more blemish-free skin. “The increase in circulation and perspiration that occurs with exercise delivers more nutrients to your skin while allowing impurities and waste to be removed,” author Dr. Eudene Harry said. “The result? A healthier complexion.” Feel great. Physical activity releas-
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es endorphins, the brain chemicals that boost your mood and make you feel happy. They relieve stress and enhance your self-esteem and selfconfidence. Exercise has also been shown to increase neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and dopamine, which give the body a natural high and allow us to sleep better. Any type of physical activity increases the rate at which antibodies flow through the blood stream, resulting in better immunity against sickness. The increased temperature generated during moderate exercise makes it difficult for certain infectious organisms to survive.
Eat well. Exercise controls your appetite, Stoppard said. We have
an appestat in our brains, which is a switch telling us we’re full and should stop eating. Exercise turns it on (stop eating). Another effect of exercise is that your muscles tell the brain what they need—and it won’t be fat and sugar. Rather, burning calories will send you toward vitamin-rich fruits and veggies and complex carbs.
Think clearly. Scientists believe that exercise is good for the brain by enhancing the heart’s function, which means there’s a richer supply of blood for your memory and mental function.
Stand tall. In your 20s you stood erect. In your 60s, if you stand tall, straighten your shoulders, and hold your head up, you can take 10 years off your age because back, neck, abdominal and pelvic muscles are toned and strong. Stoddard said that erect posture is protection against developing backache, digestive problems and heart disease. An erect spine means lungs work more efficiently and the feet are steadier. Just like your mother told you, stand up straight. Be constipated? Heavens, no! Exercise increases the contractions of the wall of the intestine, helping to move things along through the intestinal tract more easily, and decreasing the time it takes to pass through the large intestine. Harry advised waiting an hour or two after eating before exerting yourself, since exercising too soon after a meal can divert blood flow away from the gut and toward the muscles, weakening peristaltic contractions (and slowing down the digestion process). Harry suggested talking to your doctor and not overdoing exercise or you won’t see all of these benefits. Research shows that asking a friend to join you in an exercise program increases socialization, a key factor in overall well being and feelings of optimism. ■
September 2013
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Does sweet sleep elude you? By Robin Avery
“E
arly to sleep and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise,” the 1735 edition of “Poor Richard’s Almanack” read. Not surprisingly, this is often attributed to Benjamin Franklin, who was 29 years old at the time. My mom lives alone and isn’t doing well. My dad died a few years ago and Mom has become frailer. It started about a year ago. Mom’s confusion seemed to increase and she just wasn’t herself. She wasn’t eating well, she wasn’t sleeping well, and was up and down during the night. It turns out that not sleeping well, also called sleep apnea, can be the cause of many other ailments. The most common signs and symptoms of sleep apnea include excessive daytime sleepiness, loud snoring, episodes of breathing cessation while sleeping, abrupt awakenings accompanied by shortness of breath, awakening with a dry mouth or sore throat, morning headache or difficulty staying asleep. Most people don’t think of snoring as serious and not everyone who has sleep apnea snores. However, the negative effects of sleep problems shouldn’t be ignored. As always, prevention is the better part of cure. The truth is that sleep problems can have serious effects on the length and quality of life. Sleep apnea can cause high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, depression and other ailments, not to mention automobile accidents caused by falling asleep at the wheel. It affects more than 18 million Americans, according to the National Sleep Foundation. Some causes of sleep disturbances in older adults include Alzheimer’s disease, chronic disease, congestive heart failure, depression, neurological conditions, pain caused by arthritis, prescription drugs, recreational drugs, alcohol, an overly sedentary lifestyle, and stimulants such as caffeine.
Relieving chronic pain and controlling medical conditions such as frequent urination may improve sleep in some people. Treating depression can improve sleep. Other ways to improve sleep include following a healthy lifestyle like getting regular exercise early in the day, and going to bed and waking up at the same time every day. Daytime naps are
the side effects of sleeping pills worse and should be avoided. Simple nasal decongestants can be effective in cases of snoring or mild sleep apnea. In some cases, surgery improves airflow through the nose. Some people snore or have sleep apnea only when sleeping on their back. So drop a tennis ball in a sock and then pin it to the back of your pajama top. It works. My personal favorite is using deep breathing meditation techniques to get back to sleep. I love conscious, deep, slow and rhythmic breathing just before drifting off to a sound sleep. Elderly women who suffer from sleep apnea are about twice as likely to develop dementia in the next five years as those without the condition, according to a multi-center study led by University of CaliforniaSan Francisco researchers. The findings were published in the August 2011 issue of the “Journal of the American Medical Association,” and showed what sleep specialists long suspected but hadn’t proved. Sleep disorders deprive the brain and other organs of the oxygen they need. Over time, lack of oxygen may trigger declines in cognitive ability. I would assume this is true for men, too. Combine this with the fact that the elderly fear cognitive decline almost more than death itself, and it becomes a strong argument for working towards regular and better quality sleep.
Sleep problems can have serious effects on the length and quality of your life. generally discouraged. Use the bed only for sleep or sex. Avoid large meals shortly before bedtime and avoid alcohol in excess. If you can’t fall asleep relatively quickly after going to bed, say a half-hour, get out of bed and do a quiet activity such as reading or listening to soft music. Learning meditation and gaining some control over quieting your mind can be helpful. Of course, if you smoke, quit. When you smoke, your airways are compromised. Sleeping pills might help you sleep but they can lead to dependence and have side effects. Your health care provider should assess the risks of daytime sleepiness, cognitive deficits and falls before you begin taking sleep medications. It’s best not to take sleeping pills for more than four days a week. Again, alcohol can make
Robin Avery is a gerontologist, consultant and operator of assisted living communities with a master’s degree from The Naropa University. He can be reached at ravy2003@ msn.com. ■
health & wellness 3
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The Healthy Geezer By Fred Cicetti
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Q. I’ve had allergies my whole life and I’m thinking of going in for the shots. What do you think? Allergy shots or vaccinations, called immunotherapy, can alleviate allergy symptoms. However, shots don’t work on all allergies or all people. Many doctors advise against allergy shots if you take a beta-blocker, but if you’re considering immunotherapy, seek the advice of a good allergist. Allergy shots are a series of scheduled injections meant to desensitize you to specific allergens. The usual schedule is a shot once or twice a week for about three to six months. After that, you’ll need a shot about once a month for three to five years. Allergy shots are commonly used to treat allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and asthma. Allergy shots may also control allergic reactions to stinging insects. But the shots are not effective for food allergies. If you have seasonal hay fever, you may be allergic to pollens from trees, grasses or weeds. If you have year-round discomfort, you may be sensitive to indoor allergens such as dust mites, cockroaches, mold or pet dander. The common symptoms of allergic rhinitis are itchy eyes, nose, or throat; nasal congestion; runny nose; watery eyes; chest congestion or wheezing. If your eyes also become red and swollen, you suffer from allergic conjunctivitis. Before starting allergy shots, your doctor may use a skin test to confirm that you have allergies and to determine which specific allergens cause your signs and symptoms. During the test, a small amount of the suspected
allergen is scratched into your skin and the area is observed for about 20 minutes. Swelling and redness indicate an allergy to the substance. The shots won’t give you immediate relief. You’ll probably see improvement in the first year of treatment. The most noticeable improvement often happens during the second year. By the third year, most people are desensitized to the allergens contained in the shots. For some people, successful treatment leads to a life without allergy symptoms. For others, shots must continue on a long-term basis to keep allergy symptoms at bay. An allergic reaction is a complex chain of events that involves many cells, chemicals and tissues throughout the body. While there is no cure for allergic disease, there are many medications available to lessen symptoms. About 50 million Americans suffer from an allergy. Major allergic diseases include allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, asthma, atopic dermatitis (eczema), hives (urticaria), and reactions to substances such as food, latex, medications and insect stings. We don’t know why some substances trigger allergies and others do not. We also don’t understand why every person does not react to allergens. A family history of allergies is the single most important factor that predisposes a person to develop allergies. ■
If you would like to read more columns, you can order a copy of “How to be a Healthy Geezer” at www.healthygeezer. com. If you have a question, write to fred@healthygeezer.com.
September 2013
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health & wellness 5
The despair of erectile dysfunction and the potential dangers of treating it By Tait Trussell
E
veryone has seen the proliferation of TV commercials. You know, the ones that have been particularly attractive to senior men who have lost one of life’s great pleasures. I’m talking about the flood of TV pitches for the two major drugs for erectile dysfunction (ED), Viagra and Cialis. Millions of men have tried one or both of these drugs with apparent satisfaction. The commercials include warnings. Mainly, don’t take these drugs if you also take nitrates and see a doctor immediately if an erection lasts more than four hours. The emphasis, however, should be to see a doctor, preferably a urologist, before taking Viagra or Cialis. Both Viagra and Cialis cause the muscles that control the blood vessels to relax. As a result, your blood pressure drops. Lowering blood pressure decreases the flow of blood to the heart, which can precipitate a heart attack.
The Food and Drug Administration has warned that neither of these drugs should be taken if you also take medications that include nitrates in their ingredients. Identifying a nitrate is no small task. There are more than 20 prescription forms of nitrate, including many which seniors take, ranging from eye drops for glaucoma to amlodipine, used to treat high blood pressure. The generic name for Viagra is tadalafil. According to PubMed Health, a service of the National Library of Medicine, “You should know that the drug does not prevent pregnancy or the spread of sexually transmitted diseases…” You probably knew this. Before taking tadalafil, ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients. PubMed also counsels, “Tell your doctor if you have taken nitrates such as Isordil, Imdur, ISMO and Nitro-bid, Nitro-Dur, Nitroquick, Nitrostat, and what nonprescription medications, nutritional supplements and vitamins
you are taking. Be sure to mention any alpha blockers, certain anti-fungals, HIV protease inhibitors, Flomax, Zoloft, St. John’s Wort, medications for high blood pressure, diabetes, low blood pressure, an inherited eye condition that can cause loss of vision, or if you are having surgery, including dental surgery.” Nitrates come in a variety of forms: tablets, sprays, patches, pastes and ointments. Many websites that claim to sell Viagra are selling illegal fake pills, which can be dangerous to your health. In fact, a recent study by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy showed that only 4 percent of 7,000 sites reviewed are potentially legitimate. The only way you can buy real Viagra is with a prescription. The FDA has never approved the so-called “generic Viagra” that you may see for sale online. In fact, it’s against the law. WebMed explains that inside a counterfeit pill you may be getting inadequate medication, or none at
all, leaving your condition untreated. Or you may get too much medication. You may get an ingredient that causes dangerous interactions with other medications you take. Some of the contents that have been found in counterfeit Viagra include amphetamines and metronidazole, an antibiotic that can bring on vomiting and diarrhea. In rare instances, men taking any erectile dysfunction medication have reported a sudden loss of vision or hearing. The most common side effects, as you’ve heard in the TV commercials, are headaches, facial flushing, upset stomach and blurred vision. While ED medications have brought joy and satisfaction to many, you need to follow the advice and heed the warnings. You probably know that neither Viagra nor Cialis cures erectile dysfunction. And neither creates sexual desire. You have to have that as a starter. ■
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September 2013
What dentists wish you knew about diabetes and dental health By Sandra Gordon
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f you have diabetes, your risk of periodontal (gum) disease, also known as periodontitis, is two to three times greater than it is for someone who doesn’t have diabetes. Diabetes doesn’t cause the gum infection but it can make it worse and progress faster, especially if your diabetes isn’t well controlled. “It’s a two-way street,” Case Western Reserve University Department of Periodontics Chair and dentist Nabil F. Bissada said. “Periodontitis can also make your diabetes tougher to control.” To avoid this vicious cycle, prevention is key. Here are seven things dentists wish their patients with diabetes knew to reduce their risk of periodontitis and help them stay healthy. Conditions in your mouth affect your whole body. Periodontitis starts with an imperceptible bacterial infection under the gum line that can trigger your body’s inflammatory response. Harmful bacteria from your mouth can travel in your bloodstream to the rest of your body, raising the level of C-reactive protein, and other inflammatory markers. Elevated inflammation can decrease insulin sensitivity, making your blood sugar harder to control and increase your risk of other inflammation-related conditions, such as atherosclerosis, which is the major cause of heart attacks and strokes. “People with diabetes are at increased risk of atherosclerosis-related complications anyway because of their diabetes, so it’s even more important for them to be aware of the link between diabetes and dental health,” Columbia University associate professor and dentist Evie Lalla said. Bottom line? “Everything in your body is connected,” dentist J. Nicholas Porcello said. “Having a healthy mouth can lead to lower blood glucose levels
and less chance of heart disease.” Periodontitis has no symptoms in the early stages. Over time, periodontitis can cause gums to bleed and become red and swollen, and erode supporting bone. Teeth can become loose, migrate in your mouth and fall out, which can make eating, especially fruits and vegetables, difficult. “But you’re not going to experience these symptoms or any pain or an abscess—telltale signs of periodontitis until it’s in its advanced stages,” Lalla said. “By that point, it’s already too late.” Lots of damage to your mouth and the rest of your body has already occurred. You may need to see a dentist more often. If your diabetes is well controlled, it’s recommended that you see a dentist every six months, just as you would if you didn’t have diabetes. If it’s not under good control or you have periodontal disease to some degree, you’ll need to see the dentist more frequently. Ask your dentist how often you should visit. Generally, every three to four months is typical, though you may need to go even more often, depending on your situation. “If a patient’s diabetes isn’t well controlled, I like to see them every one to two months,” Bissada said. Regular professional cleaning and scaling to remove tartar from the teeth can help keep reduce the risk of infection and keep bad bacterial levels in your mouth low. Even if you’re sick of going to the doctor, don’t let your dental appointments slide. “Your dentist is just as much a part of your health care team as your eye doctor, foot specialist and physician,” Lalla said. Time your dental appointments. Try to schedule them in the morning. “It’s the best time to have dental procedures for people with diabetes because blood glucose tends to be more stabilized and you’ve recently tested your blood sugar, taken your
September 2013 medication and had breakfast,” dentist Stephanie Kethcart said. “Normal blood glucose is between 80 and 120, but we actually like to have patients with diabetes closer to 120, especially when they’re having dental work done.” When your blood sugar is on the sweeter side, your dentist will have a greater window of opportunity to work without worrying that your blood sugar will drop too low. Know you HbA1C level. Your dentist will probably ask. That’s the best gauge for how well controlled your diabetes is because it’s an average of your blood sugar over the past three months. “You’re shooting for a number below 7 percent,” Bissada said. Anything above that signals your blood sugar isn’t well controlled and can determine the dental treatment you may need or are eligible for. For example, if you’ve got periodontitis and need dental surgery, your dentist may not schedule it, unless it’s an emergency, until your diabetes is under better control. “Patients with uncontrolled diabetes take longer to heal,” Bissada said. “During that time, their condition can become more complicated with infection.” Do your homework. Good oral hygiene is especially important if you have diabetes because your body generally can’t fight off infection as well as someone without diabetes. “With diabetes, the response to infection is exaggerated, which leads to a faster breakdown of the tissues in your mouth and the support around your teeth,” Lalla said. To prevent bad bacteria from easily getting a foothold between dental visits, brush your teeth twice a day with fluoridated toothpaste and an electric toothbrush. “An electric toothbrush can get through to a lot of the soft plaque on the tooth surface and massage the gums without wearing away the tissue,” Kethcart said. Use the timer on the toothbrush or watch the clock and go at it for two minutes. Quality brushing takes that long. But don’t think brushing more
www.BeaconSeniorNews.com often is better. “Patients will tell me they brush their teeth five times a day—after every time they eat something,” Bissada said. “But it’s the quality of brushing that counts, not how many times you do it.” Also, floss or use a Waterpik before bed. Mechanical or water flossing cleans between your teeth and gums to dislodge bacteria. Brushing and flossing before bed is especially important because when you go to sleep, there’s less saliva flow. “The bacteria that cause periodontal disease can proliferate because they’re not being washed away like they are during the day,” dentist Eugene Stanislaus said. “If you only brushed and flossed once a day, do it before bed.” As a final step, use an anti-microbial rinse such as Listerine or ProHealth before bed. If you have dentures, brush them and your gums once a day with a soft-bristle toothbrush. Quality dental care is affordable. Seeing a dentist more often than every six months or even just every six months can be costly, especially if you don’t have dental insurance. But just how expensive is it, really? “If you come to my office and have your teeth cleaned, it costs $164 or $328 twice a year,” Academy of General Dentistry Spokesperson Vincent C. Mayher said. “That’s $27.33 per month or just 90 cents per day for something you use 24/7.” It’s money well spent, especially if regular checkups help you avoid periodontitis and other more costly dental and other health problems. “Laser surgery, which is used to treat moderate to advanced periodontitis, costs $1,200 per quadrant in your mouth,” Stanislaus said. That’s $4,800 for your entire mouth. “Conventional periodontal surgery, which requires incisions and sutures, can cost much more than that,” he said. Bottom line: Routine dental care can prevent complications and save money. ■
health & wellness 7
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Eat your way out of stress By Wendell Fowler
W
e live in fretful, complicated times. When stress rears its beastly head, we’re tempted to soothe our anxious nerves with a bowl of ice cream, a bag of fries, or by gulping down two venti mocha crappucinos in a row to hack it. There are countless factors that place the kibosh on your health. Stress kills by chipping away at the foundation of our mind-body health. Certain food and beverages actually add extra stress to our temple, which in response, creates cortisol that makes you crave sweet and salty food. Stress is caused by adjustment to a changing environment: ageism, bullies, loss of independence, fear of something dangerous, loss of strength and coordination, a lost sense of purpose, declining cognition, or eulogizing friends or relatives over a casket. The knee-jerk response
from doctors is prescribing liverdamaging, addictive sedatives or antidepressants rather than treating the source. Identifying what’s causing your stress is the first coherent step in learning to deal with it better. Comfort foods intensify physical stress. Chugging three cups of coffee or diet Coke raises adrenaline, which intensifies stress. Too much sugar causes tetchy moods, tiredness and depression. Chocolate, in moderation, increases secretion of endorphins, the happy, feel-good neurotransmitters. One serving, friend, not a sugar orgy. Living Foods Educator Audrey Barron reminds us sugar and caffeine unbalance hormones, disrupt sleep patterns and create fatigue. She urges avoiding butter, cheese, red meats, alcohol, chocolate drinks and coffee. “Eating cooked meats, breads, gluten-laden foods and processed food creates gas, bloating, brain fog-
giness, fatigue and clogs the digestive system. When these symptoms arise, you’re stressed. When you’re not functioning on all six cylinders, you can’t effectively perform daily tasks, which in turn escalates mental strain. When you’re feeling well, your stress levels plummet.” Sufficient intake of water is essential. Seniors are often dehydrated but don’t feel thirsty, while other times it’s too challenging or painful to pour. Do your best to drink at least 1 ounce of filtered water for every 2.2 pounds of weight. At our age, protein is essential since it promotes hardy immune responses and prevents muscle wasting. We should consume high-quality protein such as local eggs, lean grass-fed meats, poultry and wild caught salmon. Fibrous complex carbs are a marvelous source of protein, too. They’re in whole grain breads, Ezekiel bread, granola, Barilla Plus pasta, Kashi Go Lean cereal, non-hydrogenated peanut or almond butter, quinoa and brown rice. Fats and oils should be limited, not eliminated. Choose olive,
September 2013 raw virgin coconut, fish or walnut oils, and foods that don’t need frying. Be compassionate with yourself. Proper care and the right variety of vitamins will help pensioners enjoy a healthy, long life. Supplement with vitamins A, B-complex, rose hips, vitamin C, E, and pantothenic acid— all considered stress vitamins. Exorcise tension from your temple. Inhale deeply through your nose and exhale through the throat with five slow, rhythmic breaths to relax your heart. Then relax each muscle, roll your neck from side to side, stand or sit up straight. Step back from what’s stressing you. A few seconds can offer calming clarity and perspective. Laugh. Nothing relieves tension in your body or mind like a little humor. Sex is also good at reducing stress. Even in later life, adopting a healthier diet, kicking stress in the behind, and building activities into your schedule helps your body and mind bounce back from the effects of life’s relentless left and right hooks. You deserve the best. ■
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September 2013
health & wellness 9
Obama proposes ambitious research to map the brain journal “Neuron” proposed approaches for mapping the brain. very 68 seconds, a senior someObama’s proposal has a similar ring where in America will develop to the Human Genome Project that Alzheimer’s disease. But an ambitious began in 1984. It eventually mapped program of research is about to be the complete human genome, all the undertaken to map the human brain, genes in human DNA. But mapping seeking knowledge at a cost of bilthe human genome compared to lions of dollars over the next decade. mapping the brain is like comparing The Obama administration plans a kindergarten to postgraduate studies. 10-year scientific exercise to examine Obama maintains that “Every dollar how the brain works. The National we invested to map the human geInstitute of Health (NIH) coincidently nome returned $140 to our economy. has spent $3.8 billion each of the Now is not the time to gut these jobpast two years and already budgeted creating investments in science and another $3.8 bilinnovation.” lion for this year Harvard moJoin the Walk to End Alzheimer’s for delving into lecular biologist research on brain George M. Church, disorders. who took part in NIH also plans the Human Geto spend $527 milnome Project and lion specifically Registration: 8 a.m. has been picked on Alzheimer’s Walk starts: 9 a.m. to work on the research this year. Brain Map, said he Billions more will thinks the brain be spent separateLong Family Memorial Park plan could be even ly by private and Grand Junction more profitable. pharmaceutical Profitable or not, companies. For details, call 800-272-3900 a cure for AlzheimThe research er’s would be an project the adimmeasurable gift to the approxiministration is looking toward will involve “teams of neuroscientists and mately 5.2 million Americans now with Alzheimer’s. By 2050, almost nanoscientists to gain understanding” of the brain’s billions of neurons 14 million seniors could be living and the roughly 10,000 synapses that (but barely) with the disease. Nearly 500,000 new cases of the branch out from each neuron. The disease will be diagnosed this year, effort also is to find new therapies for scientists predict. Total payments for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, along health care, long-term care and hoswith any other brain illnesses. pice for those with Alzheimer’s and The project is being called the other forms of dementia are calcuBrain Activity Map Project. It also lated to increase from $200 billion in would attempt to solve such myster2012 to $1.1 trillion in 2050, unless a ies as how human memory works. cure is found. With the current national debt at The NIH funding for HIV/AIDS reabout $16.7 trillion and the current search is 23 times the amount spent deficit, according to the Congresfor Alzheimer’s, and cancer research sional Budget Office at $845 billion, is 12 times as much. All of this, some may believe that, despite its despite the fact that more people importance, we have no money to die from Alzheimer’s than from the spend on such matters as brain two most common kinds of cancer research. (breast and prostate) combined. ■ Last June, scientists writing in the
By Tait Trussell
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September 2013
Suicide highest in over-65 age group By Tait Trussell
S
uicide among senior citizens is a major health problem, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). I considered taking my life last year. At age 87, I was becoming forgetful and having to depend on my wife to get anywhere because I had given up driving. Having read and written extensively about the vicious disease of Alzheimer’s, I deplored the thought of my wife having to care for me for years in a state of dementia. Many seniors have depression symptoms that are not properly diagnosed, which leaves them vulnerable to suicide attempts. According to CDC, every year, more than 36,000 Americans take their lives. From all these deaths, the age group with the highest rate of suicide is among those over age 65. Another 465,000 had to have medical treatment because of their failed attempts at killing themselves. Seniors who tend to try suicide are likely to be white males, suffering from depression, divorce, isolation, low cholesterol and substance abuse, and have a gun to shoot themselves with. Additional factors that might influence a senior to consider suicide include psychiatric illness, being a victim of panic attacks and a sense of hopelessness. According to the Alliance for Aging Research, easy access to handguns can place seniors at a greater risk of suicide. Statistics show that older people with handguns in their households are more than twice as likely to commit suicide as those without access to firearms. Lethal weapons are the most common method of suicide by the elderly and result in a very high completion rate. By being aware of handguns in the home of an older loved one, family and friends may be able to prevent an imminent suicide. It is critical to recognize the signs of depression in the elderly. Sixty to 75 percent of suicide victims age 75 and older have diagnosable clinical
depression. Older adults may experience slightly different symptoms than younger depression patients. Typical symptoms include anxiety, fatigue, loss of interest in hobbies, isolation, unexplained weight loss, and suicidal thoughts. As the wave of baby boomers hits old age, the suicide problem is sure to increase because there will be that many more potential candidates. Professional help is available if you or someone you know is experiencing depression. Seniors have the advantage of medical treatment because they have Medicare. The Department of Health and Human Services has a center that will care for people even if they have no health insurance. Whether you are thinking about attempting suicide yourself or know someone who might be, for immediate help, call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 800-273-TALK (8255). There is also the Colorado West Crisis Line at 241-6022 that is available 24 hours a day. The Institute on Aging’s Friendship Line offers counseling, support, crisis intervention, referrals and other information specifically for older adults and their loved ones. Anyone in crisis can call the hotline at 800-971-0016, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. For non-crisis support, information and referrals, the hotline is available from 9 a.m. to midnight (MST). You can also call the Western Colorado Suicide Prevention Foundation at 683-6626 for help. Last year, when my thoughts crossed the dangerous path of considering suicide, I then considered the impact such an action would have on my wife and my sons. I will conclude by adding a part of my poem, which reveals why I decided against suicide. “I thought that this end was best for me, But Jesus told me differently. Your time on earth is just a loan. Life is God’s decision, not your own. So I will wait to hear Him say, Pray 'til it’s your final day.” ■
September 2013
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health & wellness 11
Yogurt for a healthier you By Tait Trussell
“Y
ou’re only as healthy as your colon.” So states a medical truism. And to make sure your colon is in good shape, count on yogurt. This is particularly true for seniors. When you eat yogurt, you take care of your colon in two ways. One way is that yogurt contains lactobacteria. These are bacterial cultures that make your colon healthy. They even lower your risk of colon cancer. Lactobacteria, particularly something called acidophilus, stimulate the growth of healthy bacteria in your gut. The more intestinesfriendly bacteria you have, the less chance you have of any diseases of the colon. Yogurt is also a fine source of calcium—a mineral needed by old people with old bones. In addition, calcium discourages excess growth of cells lining the colon, which also can put you at a high risk of developing cancer of the colon, doctors tell us. Not only that, but calcium also keeps cancer-causing bile acids from irritating the colon’s walls.
One study shows that an average intake of 1,200 milligrams of calcium per day is associated with a 75 percent reduction of colorectal cancer. In Scandinavian countries, where people have lots of calcium in their diets, the colorectal cancer rate is relatively low. Have you noticed how yogurt has practically taken over the dairy section in grocery stores? The variety of brands is numerous. Maybe it’s the taste that has made it so popular. Maybe some people know of its health benefits. Culturing of yogurt is said to increase the absorption of calcium and B-vitamins. The yogurt’s lactic acid helps in the digestion of the calcium in milk, making it easier to absorb. In one study, researchers tested a group of people who ate two cups of live-culture yogurt every day for three months. These people were found to have produced higher levels of immunity-boosting interferon, which helps the immune system fight disease. Yogurt, because of its bacterial cultures, also stimulates white cells
in the blood stream, which fight infection. For seniors whose colons are older and more sensitive and whose intestines have run out of lactose (a type of sugar found in milk), yogurt is also valuable. Some physicians prescribe yogurt while a patient is taking antibiotics, including yogurt for two weeks after completing the antibiotics. Yogurt can even reduce yeast infections. Research says that eight ounces of yogurt with live and active cultures eaten daily reduces yeast in the vagina. And because the live-active cultures of yogurt increase absorption of calcium, an 8-ounce cup of yogurt puts more calcium in you than the same amount of milk. Bulgarians, who consume lots of yogurt, are noted for their long life spans while remaining in sound health well into old age. You should know, however, that not all yogurts provide such health as indicated above. Probiotics are the good bacteria that add to a healthy digestive system. Two such bacteria cultures, lactobacillus bugaricus
and streptococcus, are used to make yogurt. The National Yogurt Association developed a “Live and Active Cultures” seal to identify a yogurt that has 100 million cultures per gram at the time of manufacture. Companies have to pay thousands of dollars to use this seal. Yogurt with the added probiotics enhances your immune system. Regular yogurt without the added probiotics can enhance the immune system, too, but not as much. When shopping for yogurt, look for yogurt cups with less than 180 calories, less than 4 grams of fat, less than 30 grams of sugar, at least 5 grams of protein, at least 20 percent of Daily Value (DV) of calcium, at least 10 percent of DV of vitamin D. Yogurt used to coat raisins, nuts or fruit is often highly sugared. So you eat more sugar than yogurt, which can also be true of most flavored yogurts. Read the nutrition labels carefully so you’re getting more than just candy in a container. Personally, I eat yogurt most days at lunchtime. My dog, Beans, loves to lick out the dregs from the nearempty cup. It probably helps his colon, too. ■
12 health & wellness
www.BeaconSeniorNews.com
September 2013
Medicine wars: traditional vs. alternative Alternative medicine says high cholesterol doesn’t cause heart attacks. Too low cholesterol causes early death. The side effects of taking statin drugs are muscle weakness and pain, loss of memory, and neuropathy. My cholesterol was normal when I had my first heart attack. After seven years on statin drugs, I suffer from irreversible shoulder pain and neuropathy, numbness in my feet, gradually ascending into my calves. Traditional medicine says I’ll die if I stop taking my statin drug. Alterna-
By Grant Flint
O
ld, 83, I am a victim torn between two warring camps: traditional medicine and alternative medicine. If Solomon were the judge, each camp could have half of my severed body. Traditional medicine backs the use of hundreds of billions of dollars of statin drugs to reduce cholesterol. It now would start children on statins to forestall their ever having high cholesterol with subsequent heart attacks.
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tive medicine says I’m dying because I’m taking my statin drug. I wish Solomon were here to judge the case, unless he would say, “You both can have him. But he will be dead.” Twelve days now until the first anniversary of my third heart attack. A year ago, as the doctor threaded the wire through my groin up to my heart, the happy drug took hold, and as he unplugged the clot, I said, “Yes! Yes! Better, that’s better!” And I began to blab about how I had weaned myself recently off the heart meds I’d been on because I was told to do so by most of the alternative medicine advertisements, which came daily in the mail. This doctor, this traditional doctor, thought that was funny. In fact, he called out the info to a nearby doctor who also got a big kick out of it. But his laughter had a smug, superior edge to it, so I added defensively, “But now, I get it! From now on, whatever meds you give me, I’m on it for life.” We all had a nice chuckle about that. Unknown if there was to be any more life. “He’s not out of the woods yet,” the doctor told my family later in the waiting room. But I’m still here and in pretty good shape for the shape I’m in, faithfully taking my Cardedilol, Simvastatin, Clopidogrel and Lisinopril. Suffering the side effects, grit-teethed: fatigue, breathlessness, dizziness on arising, dry cough, skin rash, diarrhea, poor sleep, excessive urination, my blood pressure too low, my balance becoming worse, feet more numb, and calves becoming numb. I keep on dosing daily, no more weaning myself off, though my alternative doctors tell me in their slick-papered ads that I’m killing myself with those four drugs. They promise me they have natural, alternative, non-side effect herbs,
potions, powders and pills, which will heal without harming. They say I am a victim of the Pharmacia Industry, a pitiful pawn of outdated, stuck-in-themud traditional medicine. They point out that traditional doctors still don’t admit that statin drugs remove CoQ-10, endangering the heart itself, and the brain, and most noticeably the muscles, and causes neuropathy, memory loss and diabetes. But I resist the alternative medicine saviors, throwing away each day a half dozen pamphlets, solicitations, promises, and pleas at $39 a bottle, plus postage. I have purchased four dozen of them over the years. Who all agreed that traditional medicine is killing me is in service to Big Business, and that the traditional doctors are pampered, persuaded, bamboozled and out of touch, killing poor innocents like myself. So what if I stop taking the four traditional heart attack drugs tomorrow? Immediately I would have 50 percent more energy, no more dizziness on arising, 40 percent better sleep, the itch would subside, the breathlessness would ease, and no more dry cough. Maybe even the neuropathy would diminish. Alternative medicine has a safe alternative to statin drugs. I can buy it at any health store for a tenth of the cost of statin drugs, with none of the side effects and it does not deplete CoQ-10. But I won’t stop taking my four traditional prescribed meds. Can’t quite take the chance. I have no one to trust, traditional or alternative, as I near 84. My problem is your problem. We really need all the forces of medicine to use all that is best, old and new, to save us. Me now. You later. ■
Traditional medicine says I’ll die if I stop taking my statin drug. Alternative medicine says I’m dying because I’m taking my statin drug.