Newspaper Page Text
16
• MEDICAL GLIDE 2008
What Most People Fear
m)
(MS) - Aging is something
everyone around the world
must face. Each year time
ticks by and changes take
place - some good, some less
desirable.
Certain common fears
arise over and over in stud
ies conducted about the fear
of aging. But thanks to simple
steps most people can take,
quality of life doesn't have to
be compromised just because
there are a few extra candles
on your birthday cake.
COMMON FEARS
ASSUAGED
1. Memory loss: "I'm afraid
that one day I will wake up
and have little memory of ihe
people around me or won't
be able to remember what I
watched on TV a few hours
earlier," says Susan, 65. "I
don't want to end up being
MEN’S HEALTH
for men than women.
6. More men die from lung
cancer than any other type of
cancer.
7. Cancer is the leading
cause of death for both men
and women.
ANSWERS:
1. False: Thirty minutes of
About Their Aging Bodies
The majority of us will make it to retirement age. It's
how you're holding up at that point that makes the
difference between having tea parties at home.,.or
in a nursing home
put in a home because I can
not be trusted to care for my
self.
According to a study
conducted by Elizabeth L.
Glisky, Ph.D., Susan R. Ru
bin, M.A. and Patrick S. R.
Davidson, M.A., research
ers from the University of
Arizona, memory loss is
not an inevitable part of ag
ing. Despite the stereotypes
of seniors walking around
aimlessly because they can
not remember anything, the
study has found that only some people
over 65 suffer greater losses in "source
(contextual) memory" than in memory
for facts and items. Source memory is
memory for the broad contextual aspects
surrounding an event, such as who was
speaking, or whether you learned some
thing from a book or TV.
- Solutions:
• Get writing: Write things down to re
inforce memory.
• Make associations: Put medications
next to breakfast cereals so you remem
ber to take them.
• Challenge yourself: Do puzzles or
other challenging games to help boost
brainpower.
• Pay full attention to tasks at hand: Sup
posed memory loss may really be the
result of being distracted.
2. Urinary Incontinence: "I fear that
the incontinence issues I'm beginning
to have will get worse and that soon my
quality of life and freedom will be great-
exercise is recommended daily.
2. True: Certain chemicals present can
impact sperm health and the propensity
for conception.
3. True: In 2005, statistics indicated
that men accounted for 93 percent of
workplace fatalities.
4. False: Adults should acquire routine
vaccinations for tetanus and influenza
at the least.
CONT. FROM PG. T 5
SUPPLEMENT TO THE HOUSTON HOME JOURNAL
ly compromised," says Bill, 57.
Roughly 33 million Americans have
urinary incontinence issues. This can
happen both to men and women of all
ages, but bladder problems have high
er occurrence with advanced age. Fre
quent trips to the bathroom are bother
some and can impede sleep schedules
and quality of life. Incontinence can be
the result of illness, medications, child
birth or problems of the urinary' system.
While it's common for older adults, it's
not a problem exclusive to the elderly.
- Solutions:
• Dietary changes: Some foods and
beverages can be harder on the bladder
than others. Citrus fruits, carbonated
beverages and coffee are some of the
more common offenders. A doctor may
be able to suggest changes to your diet
to improve health.
• Behavioral modifications: These may
include Kegels, which are exercises de
signed to strengthen the pelvic floor;
and other techniques such as bladder re
training, a behavioral technique that in
volves scheduling bathroom visits and
gradually increasing the time between
urination.
• Supplementation: BetterWOMAN
and BetterMAN are proprietary formu
las made from a blend of natural Chi
nese herbs and are supplements based
on Traditional Chinese Medicine. The
products naturally improve blood cir
culation, promote hormone balance and
modulate neuromuscular functions.
Studies have shown that the majority of
users saw improved control within two
months of taking the supplements. Cir-
5. False
6. True: Although it is widely believed
that prostate cancer causes the most Na
talities.
7. False: Heart disease is the biggest
concern for men and women. Lowering
cholesterol, exercising and getting rou
tine health checkups can help prevent
heart attacks and heart disease.
S^Selems' ATE
' culation improvement and rejuvenation
of muscle tone are also improvements
from BetterWOMAN and BetterMAN.
The stronger the muscles, the better
the bladder control. To learn more, visit
www.BetterWOMANnow.com or www.
BetterMANnow.com or call 1-888-686-
2698.
3. Lack of mobility: "I don't want to
end up a couch potato because my legs
just don't want to work as well as they
used to," says Barbara, 72.
One of the biggest fears seniors have
is a lack of independence. This can stem
from reduced mobility, whether trouble
walking or a decision to give up driv
ing. While certain impairments to mo
tor function may be a result of illness or
injury, in general, a healthy senior may
be his or her own worst enemy when it
comes to mobility issues. That's because
regular exercise and a balanced diet is
essential to maintaining proper fitness.
- Solutions:
• Watch your diet: If you're on a special
diet (for example, diabetic) maintain that
diet. Eating the right foods will stave off
excess weight gain, reduce the chances
for edema and give you the fuel to make
it through each day.
• Exercise: Check with your doctor
about a fitness plan. If you want to start
slowly, simply taking a walk each day
(indoors or outside depending upon
weather), and building up your distance
can maintain a healthy heart and im
prove muscle tone.
• Supplementation: Bone loss and other
skeletal problems may be the culprits
behind mobility issues. Calcium supple
mentation and other suggestions from
a doctor or pharmacist may be able to
help.
The golden years can be
I "