This is the Health News page. Our knowledgeable staff often has health-related information that they like to share with the community and our participants. We thought we would bring some of this information to you here.
Have a Heart •
Don't Fall! •
Good Night! •
Chow Down
Have a Heart
Pam Molnar, LPN,
Program Nurse-Coordinator,
BritesideTWO
The heart is a magnificent pumping machine that works continuously for all of your life. In an average lifetime, the heart pumps 180 million quarts of blood. When at rest, at a normal heart rate range of 60-80 beats per minute, the heart pumps 5-6 quarts per minute. With moderate exertion, at a heart rate of 100-120 beats per minute, the heart moves 7-8 quarts per minute. When seriously exerted, say at a heart rate of 200 beats per minute, the heart can pump 30 quarts per minute! It can accomplish this variable speed because it is made of specialized myocardial tissue. The very specialized tissue allows for a tireless machine capable of evenly paced beats that can change, as our needs require from slow to rapid. The heart is about the size of your fist. It is a small powerhouse of electrical activity!
What is a heart attack? When the heart muscle itself is deprived of its blood supply, it either pumps erratically or simply stops. Fatty plaques that have built up in the heart's vessel walls block blood flow. Also, spasms can occur causing inefficient beating, leading to poor cardiac circulation and ultimately a heart attack.
A woman's heart although physically no different from a man's behaves quite differently when disease occurs. Typically, a woman's symptoms may present themselves over days and weeks. She may experience fatigue, shortness of breath, pain in her back, indigestion, anxiety, dizziness and cold sweats. These symptoms should be reported, without hesitation, to a doctor. The major cause of heart attack in women is a spasm in the heart, not a blocked artery.
Prevention is the key! How? If you smoke, stop. Keep your weight, cholesterol and blood pressure under good control. Take a 30-minute walk at least 3 times a week. Decrease the stress in your life and maintain a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables. And, don't forget to smile! A healthy heart is a happy one.
Falls Among Older Adults
Petra Liana, RN, Assistant Director, BritesideONE
More than one third of adults ages 65 and older fall each year. Of those who fall, 20-30% suffer moderate to severe injuries such as hip fractures or head traumas that reduce mobility and independence, and increase the risk of premature death. The most common fractures are of the vertebrae, hip, forearm, leg, ankle, pelvis, upper arm, and hand.
Risk factors of falling:
Lower body weakness
Problems with walking and balance
Taking 4 or more medications
Seniors can modify these risk factors. They can increase lower body strength and improve balance through regular physical activity. Tai Chi is one type of exercise program that has be shown to be very effective.
They can also ask their doctor or pharmacist to review all their medications (both prescription and over-the-counter) to reduce side effects and interactions. It may be possible to reduce the number of medications used, particularly tranquilizers, sleeping pills, and anti-anxiety drugs.
Other risk factors are Parkinson's disease, history of stroke, arthritis, cognitive impairment and visual impairment. To reduce these risks, seniors should see a health car provider regularly for chronic conditions and have an eye doctor check their vision at least once a year.
To make living areas safer:
Remove tripping hazards such as throw rugs and clutter in walkways
Use non-slips mats in the bathtub and on shower floors
Have grab rails put in next to the toilet and in the tub or shower
Improve lighting throughout the house
Sleep Better .... Live Longer
According to the experts, a good night's sleep not only helps you wake feeling rested and refreshed, it can also help you live longer. Here are some of their recommendations:
Keep regular hours. Studies indicate that people who keep irregular sleep-wake hours have more sleep-related problems, probably due to the disruption of the body's daily rhythms. Exercise. Studies have found that moderate aerobic exercise in the late afternoon or early evening can contribute to deep, restorative sleep at bed-time. Avoid stimulants. Caffeine stimulates the nervous system and stays in the body for up to 20 hours. Don't smoke. The nicotine in tobacco stimulates brain waves, raises blood pressure and heart rate. Drink alcohol only in moderation. It may seem to relax you and make it easier to fall asleep, but alcohol can actually disrupt your ability to achieve deep, restful sleep. Avoid taking sleep aids. Sleep aid preparations can make sleeping problems worse by interfering with sleep cycles and other brain functions. If you've been taking over-the-counter sleeping pills regularly, you may need to work with your doctor to gradually eliminate your dependence on them. Light the way. Research indicates that even normal indoor lighting can "reset" (or upset) our sleep-wake cycles. Keeping lights "low" during evening hours can help signal our brains that sleep-time is near. Relax before bedtime. Try to avoid anything stressful before bedtime, like paying bills, heated discussions, etc. Some families find it useful to establish a rule that no major or stress-provoking issues are discussed after eight or nine O'clock at night. Others find that turning off the television and reading quietly or listening to soothing music helps bring about the ideal sleep state. Don't go to bed too full or too hungry. Either can disrupt your body's ability to achieve a restful sleep. Invest in a quality mattress. Most people sleep best on a firm mattress. When you consider that you spend more time on your mattress than you do in your car and on your sofa combined, it makes healthy sense to invest in a top-of-the-line mattress and foundation for everyone in your family.
Food Safety
The Centers for Disease Control, recommend these food preparation tips to prevent illness:
Rinse your hands before preparing a meal
Have a separate cutting board reserved only for cutting meat
Buy cans that are free of dents and bulges - wash lids before opening
Wash can opener after each use
Avoid foods made with raw eggs
Use a meat thermometer to check that meat and poultry has reached the proper internal temperature
