Rice County This is Living Fall 2019

living THIS IS

HEALTH, RECREATION AND LIFESTYLE FARIBAULT DAILY NEWS NORTHFIELD NEWS NOVEMBER 2019

 How to give back to seniors in your community  5 ways to protect  How adults can against hearing find new hobbies loss

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SENIOR LIVING

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

The relationship between exercise and cancer

(Metro) Exercise benefits the body in myriad ways. Studies have shown that routine exercise can help people effectively maintain healthy weights, sleep better at night and have more energy throughout the day. But exercise also may play a role in preventing one of the world’s most deadly diseases.

notes that cancer is annually responsible for about one in six deaths across the globe, making it the second leading cause of death in the world. Many of those deaths can be prevented by employing some simple yet effective strategies, such as avoiding tobacco products and applying sunscreen before going out in the sun. And while researchers The World Health Organization aren’t exactly sure why, the National

Cancer Institute notes that substantial evidence suggests high levels of physical activity are linked to lower risks of several cancers.

mune system and cancer risk. Such research is rooted in the notion that exercise can reduce inflammation, an acute or chronic response by the immune system that can contribute The relationship between exercise to cancer risk. and cancer risk is complicated. The NCI notes that nearly all of the evi- The NCI also notes that the many dence that links physical activity to biological effects of exercise on the cancer risk comes from observa- body might shed light on the potentional studies. In such studies, in- tial link between routine physical

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dividuals report on their physical activity and are then followed for years to see if and when they are diagnosed with cancer. While such studies are no doubt valuable, they cannot definitively establish that physical inactivity causes cancer or that physical activity prevents cancer. All they can do is establish a link between physical activity and lower cancer risk.

activity and a lower cancer risk. For example, the NCI says exercise lowers levels of certain hormones, such as insulin and estrogen, that have been linked to cancer development and progression. Exercise also has been linked to improved immune system function, and a stronger immune system is more capable of fighting various conditions and diseases, including cancer.

As mysterious as the relationship between exercise and cancer can seem, researchers can theorize about the connection between the two. For example, the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute notes that scientists have recently begun probing the connections between exercise, the im-

The relationship between routine exercise and cancer remains a mystery in many ways. But the potential for exercise to lower cancer risk is yet another reason for people of all ages to embrace physically active lifestyles.

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How to give back to seniors in your community (Metro) The strongest communities tend to be those in which members make a concerted effort to give as much as they get. Giving back to one’s community can foster strong relationships with fellow residents and ensure that everyone, including the less fortunate, is in position to live happy, healthy lives.

Certain people in a community may be more vulnerable to issues that can adversely affect quality of life than others. For example, the National Institute on Aging notes that, as men and women age, many are alone more often than when they were younger, leaving them vulnerable to social isolation and loneliness. Such feelings can prove very harmful to their health, potentially contributing to problems such as depression, cognitive decline and heart disease.

Volunteering to help the aging members of one’s community is a great way to give back, and such

living

efforts can prove rewarding for both seniors and long way for seniors. Adults who want to help but the volunteers who lend them a hand. don’t know where to begin can do the legwork for their aging neighbors. Contact agencies such • Pull an extra chair up to the dinner table. Many as AARP to determine if there are any financial a meaningful connection has been made and assistance programs that can help seniors effecmaintained over the dinner table. Breaking bread tively manage their money and take advantage with a senior from your community is a great of age-specific perks, such as programs that may way to foster such connections and provide an help seniors lower their energy costs. avenue for social interaction for seniors. Seniors who live alone might not enjoy cooking for one • Offer to help around the house. Seniors who each night, but they might jump at the chance to reside in single-family homes may not be able to eat dinner with a neighbor and even help prepare keep up with routine home maintenance. Neighthe meal. Invite a senior over once per week, en- bors who want to help can offer to mow the lawn, couraging them to share stories about their lives tend to the landscaping and tidy up inside. Keep as well as how the community has developed an eye open for other issues, such as clogged gutters, that can be fixed easily but prove costly if over the years. they go ignored.

• Help seniors manage their finances. Many seniors struggle to manage their finances, as laws Helping aging neighbors is a great way to give regarding taxes and investing are subject to rou- back and build strong communities. tine changes. A little help in this area can go a

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Wednesday, November 20, 2019

5 ways to protect against hearing loss

(Metro) A certain degree of hearing loss can be a normal part of the aging process. However, people who take steps to protect their hearing long before Father Time takes his toll can prevent the extreme hearing loss suffered by millions of seniors across the globe.

John’s Hopkins Medicine states that approximately 15 percent of adults aged 18 years and older report some difficulty hearing and up to 39 percent of adults in their sixties have hearing problems. Lost hearing cannot be restored, though hearing aids and other devices can help people with hearing loss hear better. Hearing aids are not always an accessory people look forward to needing, so it’s good to know that a few simple strategies can protect people’s hearing over the long haul.

1. Get a baseline hearing exam. Speak with an audiologist, who can test your hearing and establish a baseline level against which future tests will be measured. This way it is easier to see if hearing loss is increasing over time.

2. Turn down the volume. Audio devices can contribute to hearing loss.

Earbuds are particularly dangerous because they fit directly next to the eardrum. The World Health Organization says that 1.1 billion teens and young adults worldwide are at risk

for noise-induced hearing loss from unsafe use of audio devices. Set the maximum volume on audio devices below 60 percent and wear headphones for no more than an hour a day. Keeping music low on other devices is also adviseable.

3. Wear protective gear. Protective gear includes ear plugs and protective earphones. This gear should be worn whenever you expect to encounter loud noises, such as when you mow the lawn, go hunting or

shooting, attend rock concerts, or 5. Avoid loud noises. Steer clear of fireworks, noisy city centers, loud visit construction sites. performances, and other situations 4. Limit use of cotton swabs. Ear wax if you do not have hearing protecis beneficial to the ears and can stop tion. dust and other particles from entering the ear. Furthermore, using a Remember, hearing loss often cotton swab can potentially cause doesn’t produce immediate sympdamage to sensitive organs in the toms or pain. However, over time, ear if they are inserted too far or too hearing loss can become noticeable. roughly, advises the hearing testing A proactive approach can help people avoid significant hearing loss as service Ear-Q. they age.

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Wednesday, November 20, 2019

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Questions older drivers can ask themselves to see if it’s still safe to drive

son’s driving that the person does not. The concern expressed by loved ones should not be taken lightly.

(Metro) Men and women know that adjustments must be made as they get older. Athletes nearing their golden years may not be able to push themselves as hard at the gym as they once did. Professionals nearing retirement age might not be able to pull long hours at the office like they used to.

But aging affects more than just work and play. As men and women age, their ability to perform everyday tasks, including driving, may diminish as well.

T he National Highway Traffic Safety Administration notes that, as people age, certain changes they experience can affect their ability to safely operate an automobile. Changes in eyesight, physical fitness and reflexes may require aging drivers to reassess their skills behind the wheel.

The NHTSA notes that drivers can ask themselves the following questions as they try to assess their driving abilities.

How is my eyesight?

The American Optometric Association notes that vision changes naturally occur as a person ages. Such changes do not necessarily mean drivers have to give up the keys to their vehicles. In fact, they may just require more routine eye examinations. The NHTSA says having trouble reading signs easily, recognizing someone from across the street, seeing streets signs and pedestrians, and handling headlight glare are common signs of age-related eye problems.

Do I drive with passengers?

Drivers who routinely drive with passengers, especially young children, carry extra responsibility. As a result, such drivers owe it to themselves and their passengers to honestly assess their driving abilities.

Various remedies can address agerelated driving issues, and drivers should discuss them with their doctors the moment they feel as though their skills behind the wheel are starting to diminish. control their vehicles. Some signs that drivers might be having trouble controlling their vehicles include trouble looking over shoulders to change lanes, difficulty moving foot from the gas pedal to the brake pedal and difficulty turning the steering wheel. Pain in the knees, legs or ankles also can make it difficult for drivers to control their vehicles.

Does driving make me nervous, scared or overwhelmed?

Drivers who feel confused by traffic signs and traffic (including pedestrian traffic) should stop driving until they can discuss the issue with their physicians. Medication can sometimes make drivers feel sleepy or confused, and some aging drivers even find themselves overwhelmed in otherwise normal driving situations.

Are my loved ones concerned about my driving?

Aging drivers may feel offended Can I control my vehicle?

Age-related loss of strength, coor- when family members question dination and flexibility can make it their ability to drive. However, the hard for aging men and women to NHTSA notes that sometimes other people notice things about a per-

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Wednesday, November 20, 2019

How adults can find new hobbies (Metro) Leisure time can seem like a luxury for many adults. While it can seem like there’s little time in the day to do more than tend to responsibilities at work and at home, people may have more time to pursue leisure activities than they realize.

In its 2018 American Time Use Survey, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics found that 96 percent of people age 15 and over engaged in some sort of leisure activity on an average day. Leisure time also seems part and parcel of daily life in Canada, where the average person age 15 and over spent roughly one hour per day engaging in active leisure, which includes activities like drawing, playing an instrument and dancing, and more than two hours per day on passive leisure, such as watching television or reading books.

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How people spend their leisure time might affect their perceptions about that time. For example, few people may consider watching television an ‘activity,’ though the American Time Use Survey found that watching TV occupied more leisure time, nearly three hours per day, than any other leisure activity. Finding new hobbies that encourage active participation can make leisure time more memorable.

cooking for a family each night might be made more enjoyable by enrolling in a cooking class, where you can meet fellow foodies while fine-tuning your culinary skills. If you love to read, start a community book club.

• xpand your hori ons. ts easy for anyone to say ‘no’ to something new, but especially so for adults accustomed to their routines. But men and women who are willing to try anything are more likely to find something new to be passionate about than those who shy away from the unknown. You don’t have to make a big initial commitment when trying a new hobby, but approach any new ideas or suggestions with an open mind.

• ink back to your childhood.

Hobbies you once enjoyed as a child may have long since been forgotten, but it can be fun to reimmerse yourself in such interests. Adults who loved to play sports as a child can no doubt find adult leagues in their area, while once budding artists might want to dust off their easels and visit a local paint and sip Finding a new hobby as an adult facility. can be tricky. But approaching activities with an open mind may • Reinvent something you re already help people uncover new hobbies doing. Another way to find a new they can be passionate about. hobby is to consider the things you already do and see if there’s ways to make them better. For example,

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CBD oil and arthritis

(Metro) Health-conscious consumers have no doubt encountered advertisements for CBD oil at some point in recent memory.

Supplement stores, pharmacies and even gyms may promote CBD oil, prompting consumers to wonder just what CBD is and how it may or may not play a role in the treatment of certain conditions, including arthritis.

sativa plant, hemp and marijuana, produce cannabinoids, which Harvard Medical School notes is the second most prevalent of the active ingredients of cannabis. People unfamiliar with cannabidiol, or CBD, a type of cannabinoid, may assume it gets users high like marijuana.

However, CBD doesn’t get users high, as another cannabinoid, a psychoactive part of the marijuana plant known as THC, is responsible According to the Arthritis Foun- for that effect. dation¨, two kinds of the cannabis

Advocates for CBD often note its potential to alleviate pain associated with arthritis. While animal studies have supported those claims, the Arthritis Foundation notes that such studies do not always translate to humans. In addition, the Arthritis Foundation notes that, thus far, human studies examining the potential efficacy of CBD in treating arthritis pain have produced mixed results, and the Harvard Medical School notes that more studies are necessary to determine the poten-

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Laws also vary regarding the legality of CBD, though many places allow some form of CBD. Consumers should first consult with their physicians regarding their conditions and whether or not CBD might help them.

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Wednesday, November 20, 2019