CarePlus

Category: Health

  • A Joke a Day Keeps the Doctor Away

    We’ve all heard about it before, the power that positive thinking has on our physical health. To many, it sounds hokey, especially given today’s chaotic mix of proven, cutting-edge scientific techniques and the resurgence of holistic and alternative medicine. Is there any truth to it? And if there is, how exactly does a good attitude affect your physical health?

    In a recent survey of over 160 studies on the subject, lead by University of Illinois professor emeritus of psychology Ed Diener, there was a surprisingly consistent result: that a positive attitude did, in fact, give you better chances of having good health and more longevity.

    Not only did otherwise healthy people live longer and healthier lives when they felt more positively about their lives, but animal studies backed that up. Animals who received the same treatment (food, exercise, attention, etcetera) but were exposed to more stress (by having less space or more cage mates) had weaker immune systems and a higher incidence of heart problems—and, not incidentally, higher mortality rates.

    But why is this the case? Experiments have proven that stress-related hormones are reduced and immune function is increased when humans experience positive emotions; they even promote the recovery of the heart after exertion!

    Even scientists, though, seem to be surprised by the apparent conclusiveness of this evidence. Diener is quoted as saying that he is “certainly surprised to see the consistency of the data.” He also cautions that “happiness is no magic bullet” and that some studies show exceptions to this rule, but does suggest that doctors should be urging their patients to not only eat right, exercise more, and avoid smoking, but to try to increase the positivity with which they view their daily lives.

    Easier Said Than Done

    Changing your lifestyle is hard enough, when you get right down to it—but changing the way you think can seem like a nearly impossible task. We get so trapped by our thought patterns that it can seem like a Sisyphean task to break through or change them. Is it even possible to change the way you think?

    It is—but it’s not easy. The sheer amount of money spent in modern society on therapy, self-help books, and other methods of attempts to gain clarity on the human mind and the sources of its conflicts—from psychics to mediators and lawyers—is a testament to that. And you certainly won’t learn how to change your thought processes by reading a blog in a newsletter. There are, however, a few beginning steps you can take.

    1. Try to let go of past grudges. Is it really doing you any good to hold onto that hurt?
    2. Appreciate the good things in life. Try making a list at the end of the day of all the good things that happened to you since you woke up.
    3. Do nice things for other people. You’d be surprised what a boost this can give your own mood!

    It may not be easy to do, but adjusting the way you think about your life may just end up being more than a mental health benefit—you could see it reflected in how long you live, as well.

  • Is It Dementia–Or Is It Depression?

    At one point in your parents’ life, depression was a topic no one spoke about–if they were even aware of it. Today, that’s not the case. Even though depression’s no longer one of those unspoken topics, however, people rarely think of it in terms of seniors. While depression can be a very serious issue for adolescents and young adults, it’s also damaging one of our most vulnerable populations—the elderly.

    Some people assume that being depressed is just a fact of life when you get older, but it’s not; in fact, though depression is common enough that it can be mistaken as dementia, it’s very possible to live a happy and fruitful life long after retirement.

    While there are biological and mental causes of depression, a person’s environment contributes to its development as well. And, let’s face it, growing old is no picnic. At any given time, a senior may have to deal with one or all of the following possible causes of depression:

    –          Health problems, which can not only exacerbate that feeling of being stuck, but can also affect self-worth and sometimes even count depression among their symptoms;

    –          Loneliness and isolation created by the loss of mobility, a driver’s license, and the dispersion—or death—of one’s family;

    –          Reduced sense of worth, thanks to leaving the workforce, having children ‘leave the nest,’ or physical limitations on beloved activities;

    –          The many fears that accompany aging, such as a fear of illness, death, loss of mental faculties or independence, and anxieties over finances and the wellbeing of loved ones;

    –          And bereavement and grief following the losses of friends, spouses, siblings, and other loved ones an individual has known for a long time.

    To even further increase the risks, many of the medications that seniors frequently take—including beta-blockers, sleeping pills, and drugs used to treat arthritis and various heart diseases—can worsen existing depression or even have depression listed as a possible side-effect.

    So how can you tell whether or not it’s depression? It can be tricky, especially since the physical symptoms that accompany depression—lethargy, lack of concentration, and a disinterest in previously enjoyed activities—can mimic various types of depression.

    –          They notice their problems. If your senior is having mental symptoms and is both aware of them and possibly worried about them, there’s a good chance it’s depression, and not dementia; seniors with dementia are generally more unaware.

    –          Mental decline is rapid. If the mental decline progresses at a slower, more staid pace, it may be dementia; decline due to depression occurs much more quickly.

    –          Concentration vs. memory. Is the issue also with their short-term memory? It may be dementia. If they’re just having trouble concentrating, chances are that it’s depression.

    What symptoms should you be worried about?

    –          Sadness

    –          Fatigue

    –          Abandoning or losing interest in hobbies or previously-enjoyed activities

    –          Social withdrawal and self-isolation

    –          Weight loss or loss of appetite

    –          Self-medication via alcohol or other drugs

    –          Sleep disturbances (insomnia or hypersomnia)

    –          Loss of self-worth

    –          Fixation on death or suicidality

    As always, if you have any concerns about your loved one—or yourself—consult a physician.

  • Caffeine and Your Health

    Thanks to today’s 24/7/365 news coverage and the public’s obsession with health, it seems like every week there’s a new study either touting or demonizing something we’ve been consuming for years as a miracle food or the newest thing that’ll kill you.

    One of the most popular subjects of such speculation is coffee. If we believe everything the health reporters on the news tell us, coffee will cure cancer, induce heart attacks, prevent mental decline and ensure debilitating migraines, all while either saving a bus full of small children being thrown from a bridge or plotting to take over the world. In other words—science and society have made a lot of claims, most of them pretty big, about such a tiny bean.

    To be fair, though, that tiny bean plays a huge part in the life of the average American. Recent statistics show that about three-quarters of the caffeine consumed in the US comes from coffee, and that over $4 billion worth of coffee—that’s right, billion, with a b—is imported to the US annually.

    So with all this caffeine we’re ingesting, what exactly are the health effects, for good or for bad?

    It’s hard to say; most of the research is inconclusive, especially when compared with other lifestyle habits such as smoking, drinking alcohol, and exercise and diet habits. For every bad claim, there’s a good one. It has been shown that caffeine can increase blood pressure, but only temporarily; and there is some evidence, though it’s not conclusive, that caffeine consumption can help the elderly retain mental acuity longer.

    There is, however, one thing that experts can agree on—too much caffeine is a bad thing (though many disagree on exactly how much is too much). More than 300 mg—about the equivalent of three cups of coffee—a day has been shown to have detrimental effects in the short term, and possibly in the long run as well.

    It should also be noted that caffeine sensitivity increases with age; the elderly may be more susceptible to its immediate effects, which on the upside include increased energy, wakefulness, and an ability to focus, but can also include jitters, tremors, nervousness, upset stomach, and a fast heartbeat. Not only can age contribute to this, but certain medications and supplements may increase caffeine concentration in the blood (such as echinacea) or have their own side effects amplified by caffeine (like antibiotics).

    What should you take away from the jumble of information available out there about the effects of caffeine? Cut back that consumption, especially if you’re older—a cup or two a day should suffice—and as always, if you have any questions or concerns, it’s best to skip the (probably confusing) Google search and ask your doctor.

  • Taste the Rainbow!

    No, we’re not talking Skittles, colored with Blue #1, Red #40, and Yellow #6–we’re talking red bell peppers, butternut squash, bananas, kale, blackberries and eggplants. One of the easiest rules when it comes to eating healthy is to make sure that your plate is as colorful as possible—with natural food colors, though! Those artificial food colorings that trail along at the end of almost every packaged ‘ingredients’ label can have some frightening effects on the body—including hyperthyroidism, hyperactivity in children, and even allergic reactions.

    When it comes to fruits and vegetables, though, a general rule of thumb is that the darker or more vivid the color, the more packed with healthful nutrients it is.

    Red fruits and vegetables (like beets, cranberries, pomegranates, rhubarbs and tomatoes) are chock-full of nutrients like lycopene that can reduce the risk of prostate cancer, reduce tumor growth in existing cancers, and lower LDL (or bad) cholesterol levels.

    Orange and yellow fruits and vegetables, including pumpkin, bananas, carrots, and sweet potatoes, pack a punch with beta-carotene, flavonoids, potassium and vitamin C, which can promote healthy joints, fight harmful free radicals, and work with magnesium and calcium to build healthy bones.

    Greens are sometimes the easiest to find! Spinach, broccoli, avocado, kiwi and cucumbers are all contain chlorophyll, calcium, folate, and lutein, among other nutrients; they can help reduce cancer risks and lower blood pressure, normalize digestion, improve your retinal health and boost your immune system.

    Blue and purple fruits and veggies, like the others listed, can do wonders for your cholesterol and digestion, but they also fight inflammation and limit the activity of cancer cells, along with improving the absorption of calcium and other minerals. Try black currants, plums, grapes, figs and raisins.

    An often forgotten group of vegetables and fruits are the white ones, such as ginger, mushrooms, onions, jicama, and garlic. While they may not pack the visual punch of their more colorful counterparts, they contain nutrients that boost the immune system, balance hormone levels, and reduce the risk of colon, breast and prostate cancers.

    So next time you look at your plate, ask yourself this—how many (natural) colors are present? The more there are, the healthier you’re eating!

  • Cholesterol: The Good, the Bad, and the Confusing

    First of all—what exactly is cholesterol, and why are there different kinds?  Are doctors purposely trying to confuse us?

    There may in fact be a secret consortium of conspiring physicians out there, but here’s what we know: cholesterol is a waxy substance that is both produced by our bodies and found in our food. We need some cholesterol—good cholesterols—because they help allow our cells to absorb fluids and assist in manufacturing hormones and even Vitamin D. So, as you can guess, having cholesterol in your body isn’t necessarily a bad thing—but having too much of a specific kind can be.

    So what exactly are these different kinds?

    Living in today’s world and inundated by news (often conflicting) about health, I’m sure you’re familiar with the terms ‘good cholesterol’ and ‘bad cholesterol.’ Because cholesterols, like other fats, can’t dissolve in the blood, they have to be carried around by special substances called lipoproteins.

    The Good

    Good cholesterol is an easier-to-remember epithet for cholesterol carried by HDL, or high-density lipoprotein. Why is HDL cholesterol good? It seems like even the experts are confused on this subject, but there are two theories. One is that HDL carries cholesterol away from the arteries and to the liver, where it can be passed from the body. Some experts also think that HDL might be dragging cholesterol away from plaque, and in doing so, slowing its build up in arteries.

    So, HDL cholesterol is good. We want more of it. In fact, the higher your HDL, the less likely you are to have a heart attack or stroke. How do you raise your HDL levels? Quitting smoking, losing excess weight and being more active all help increase HDL levels, and there are some medications out there that can help, too.

    And that brings us to…

    The Bad

    Bad cholesterol is any cholesterol that’s carried by low-density lipoprotein, or LDL. LDL cholesterol tends to build up along the inner walls of arteries, and when combined with other substances in the blood make a hard, thick substance called plaque that can narrow the arteries and make them less flexible. The biggest danger to this buildup, though, is the possibility of a clot forming and getting stuck in the plaque—blocking the flow of blood and cutting oxygen off from vital organs. That’s right, this is often the stuff to blame for heart attacks and strokes.

    There are ways to keep your bad cholesterol (LDL) levels low, though. Diet and exercise are the most commonsense ways, but if they’re just not cutting it, your doctor also has medications to lower your bad cholesterol.

    Still Confused?

    Don’t worry. Your doctor or a stroke care professional can explain all of this—and give you your blood cholesterol numbers by performing a simple blood test. Just remember: keep your high-density lipoprotein count (HDL cholesterol) high, and your low-density lipoprotein (LDL cholesterol) low, and just like your doctor, your mom, and your own common sense have been exhorting you your whole life—eat your veggies and take the stairs!

  • Three Easy Steps to a Healthy Heart

    February is American Heart Month. Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer in American society today—in 2006, 81 million Americans had one or more forms of cardiovascular disease, including high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, stroke or heart failure. That same year, over 831,000 of those suffering from cardiovascular disease died.

    What can we do to stop heart disease? Even on a personal level, it seems daunting—how do we undo years’ worth of too many sweets, too many fats, too many days spent inside on the sofa instead of out in the world? How can you make your heart a healthy heart?

    The good news is, you don’t need to completely revamp your lifestyle to get a healthy heart and cut your risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Here are three easy steps you can incorporate into the life you already live that will do just that—without requiring too much of a sacrifice.

    1. Go for a walk. You don’t have to purchase an expensive gym membership or pick up a fad exercise class, and you don’t need to load up on confusing exercise equipment. All you need to do is tie on a pair of sneakers and walk—just half an hour a day can cut your risk of developing heart disease!
      For added encouragement, tips and information, explore the American Heart Association’s Start! program, which encourages Americans to get out and stretch your legs while improving your health.
    2. Pay attention to what you put on your plate. Eating a healthy diet doesn’t necessarily mean giving up all the tasty treats that we enjoy, and it doesn’t mean cutting out all fat and sugar. Try making heart-healthy substitutions—for instance, go for fats and oils that are in liquid form, rather than solid form. Solids—like stick butter—tend to be full of bad fats, the saturated and trans fats, while liquids—like vegetable oil—are usually monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which can not only help lower your bad LDL cholesterol but also give you omega-3 and omega-6 oils.
    3. Take a deep breath. Stress can contribute to the development or exacerbation of cardiovascular disease—so relax! Eliminating stress may sound easier said than done, but there are some easy ways to do it. Watch your favorite comedy—laughter is an instant stress-reducer—or go for a walk with a friend you haven’t seen in a while. Use to-do lists and prioritize tasks to reduce anxiety, and go to bed early to get that good night’s sleep. Giving up alcohol, cigarettes and caffeine can also bring your stress levels down—and improve your physical health at the same time.

    For more information on how to keep your heart healthy, visit the American Heart Association’s site at www.heart.org.