Aging and Seniors

Bone Basics for Baby Boomers

There are presently millions of "baby boomers" in the United States. Baby boomers...that's the term we give to individuals in this country born between 1946 and 1964...a time in our culture when having babies was all the rage...very much in vogue. The boomers already make up a significant portion of the American population. As we age as a nation, and extend our longevity, too, the boomers will become more and more of a factor in the American healthcare delivery system.

What Causes Dementia?

The exact cause of Alzheimer's Disease, a form of dementia, is still unknown. However, scientists have been able to indentify several contributing factors. Alzheimer's Disease is known to have a genetic componant as well as an environmental one. While Alzheimer's is a form of dementia, dementia is not necessarily Alzheimer's. There are many forms of demetia, some which are entirely curable. It is imporatant to understand the distinction between Alzheimer's disease and dementia.

Management of Problems Associated with Dementia

Behavioral problems commonly coexist with cognitive deficits during the course of Alzheimer's and other dementing diseases. They cause significant morbidity, interfere with the performance of activities of daily living, and often have a greater impact on the quality of life of family and caregivers than cognitive impairment.

You Can Make a Difference: 10 Ways to Help an Alzheimer Family

"We like to go out, but my husband's too much to handle alone. I could use some help." "Call me, If I can't talk, I'll let you know." "It's difficult when friends stay away."

Asthma Hits Hardest At Night, So Should Medication

Expert says traditional treatment ignores timing of severe symptoms. The symptoms suffered by some 10 million Americans with asthma can be as different as night and day, with the time of day often a key factor in their severity, according to an expert who contends the patterns of the disease should be considered when treating it.

The Truth about Fitness

The spine you have is the only one you ever get! Through the miracle of modern medicine, many organs that fail or wear out can now be replaced. Heart, lungs, liver, kidneys and even artificial lenses for the eyes can make someone feel like new. Unfortunately for the spine, the one you were born with must last you your entire lifetime!

Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and Possibly Other Dementias

Given the reduced risk of AD for persons with at least 8 years of education, it is reasonable to recommend active, regular use of thinking skills such as reading, writing and arithmetic. For example, research in the area of use-dependent plasticity has shown that persons who use language skills have larger, more elaborate connections in the areas of the brain related to language function. Also, we routinely see, clinically, patients with AD who have particular talents that are well preserved until moderately demented.

Risk Factors for Alzheimer's disease (AD)

Aging Aging is still the largest risk for becoming demented, with the prevalence doubling every 5 years between ages 65 and 85 ( 1% at age 65, 5% at age 75 and 15-25% at age 85). Family history of AD

Dementia: Definition, Causes and Symptoms

Dementia is a general term that includes specific disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Vascular or Multi-infarct dementia, Pseudodementia, and others. Dementia is defined as a loss in at least two areas of complex behavior, such as language, memory, visual and spatial abilities, or judgment, that significantly interferes with a person's daily activities. Dementia affects over 4 million Americans, is the 4th major cause of death, and costs society $100 billion annually. Causes

Glossary of Medical Terms

Following are the Most Commonly Used Medical Terms:

Abortion: the premature termination of a pregnancy; may be induced or spontaneous (miscarriage)
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS): a fatal disease caused by a virus that destroys the immune system's ability to fight off infection

Medications for Erectile Dysfunction

Few Drugs Used for Erectile Dysfunction Treatment are Listed Below:

Infertility Medication: Brand vs. Generic

What do FSH, HCG and HMG stand for? FSH, HCG, and HMG are abbreviations for three different medications used to treat infertility. The following table summarizes generic and brand names that correspond to each abbreviation:

10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease, a progressive, degenerative disease of the brain in which brain cells die and are not replaced. According to the Alzheimer's Association, its ten chief warning signs are: Recent memory loss that affects job skills Difficulty performing familiar tasks Problems with language Disorientation of time and place Poor or decreased judgment Problems with abstract thinking Misplacing things Changes in mood or behavior Changes in personality Loss of initiative

Treating Arthritis More than Just Physical Healing

Patient education as important as drug therapy The latest and most effective way to treat arthritis, to-date, is through an individualized approach combining drug therapy, diet, exercise, patient education, and as a last resort surgery, according to Lee S. Simon, M.D., Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School in Boston, Mass., and the Education Council Chairman of the American College of Rheumatology. Dr. Simon spoke at a recent AMA media briefing on arthritis. Treatment Dilemma leads to New Advances

Fibromyalgia

Do you ache all over and have difficulty sleeping? You may be suffering from Fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is a condition of inflamed muscles and tendons. Although patients with the disorder may fear that they are developing arthritis, the disease actually does not affect the joints.

Non-Surgical Approach to Low-Grade Prostate Cancer Does Not Affect Life Span

Life span is decreased without surgery for high-grade prostate cancer patients. Men aged 65-75, treated conservatively for low-grade localized prostate cancer, probably will not die any sooner than similar members of the general population; however, men diagnosed with high-grade tumors often have a 6-8 year loss of life expectancy when treated with conservative therapy, according to an article in a recent issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association.

Steroids - You May Not Get What You Bargained For

Anabolic steroids are derivatives of the male hormone testosterone that are typically injected into the body. Many brands must be administered with huge syringes, and the needle must penetrate the muscle deeply. An estimated one million Americans, half of them teenagers, use anabolic steroids. Most are obtained illegally...through the black market. And...the market for black-market steroids is huge: in excess of $400 million. It's highly likely that huge profits are being made in some circles at the expense of our young people.

Power Food: What to Eat for More Energy

You move? Find out now what to consume to be in the form during physical exercise! A healthy diet is essential to keep you in shape, offers more power and also help you to cure after a training session. Last but not least, a healthy diet is the secret to losing weight quickly and efficiently! In contrast, if an inadequate diet, or rather in its absence, your state physics will suffer and you will be weak and lacking energy during exercise. So, your performance improves physical choosing healthy menus at regular hours! 1. More energy before training ...

Medicines for Asthma

What are the medicines used to treat asthma? There are basically three kinds of medicines: Relievers (Bronchodilators) are medicines that relax smooth muscles that have tightened around the airways. They relieve asthma symptoms. Short acting b2-agonists, short acting aminophylline, and ipratropium are bronchodilators or relievers.

Investigation of Asthma

Why we investigate asthma patients? For classification and assessment of severity For diagnosis of concomitant illness For exclusion of other causes of cough, wheeze dyspnoea or chest tightness What are the investigations for asthma? We should do four basic investigations of all patients. 1. Blood for TC, DC, ESR, Hb% and :