What to expect as your body ages

Written by Free Press Tuesday, 03 November 2009 13:40

The signs of aging aren’t always as obvious as a few more wrinkles and grey hairs. The body naturally changes as you get older, but what exactly can you expect and how do you make sure you’re aging in a healthy way?

The experts at Mayo Clinic offer a list of things to look for as you age, and tips on how you can stay healthy:

n Heart. As you get older, your heart must work harder to pump the same amount of blood through your body. Your blood vessels may narrow if hardened deposits of fat have formed on your arteries. This can lead to high blood pressure (hypertension).

You can help prevent high blood pressure by maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly and reducing your salt intake.

n MUSCLES, JOINTS, BONES. Your bones...

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Prevention is seniors’ best guard against impact of flu

Written by Free Press Tuesday, 03 November 2009 13:40

HealthSeniorFlu.jpg “If you provide care, or even just frequently visit with a senior, pay attention to their living environment to make sure it is safe and protects your loved one from viruses. And make sure you take care of yourself as well, so you don’t pass on the germs.”

Schools with only a third of the students sitting in chairs, offices sending notices to employees asking anyone with a fever or cough to please stay home, and hand sanitizer stations popping up everywhere; the signs are very visible this year that flu season has arrived.

Seasonal and H1N1 flu viruses are making big headlines. While everyone has the potential to catch either variety, senior citizens tend to suffer more from the complications of...

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Six things you should know about the fight against fat

Written by Anna Woods Tuesday, 13 October 2009 13:53

Man-on-scale.jpg Are you wondering why you can’t keep the fat off? Have you hit a plateau in your fat-loss efforts? Are you still looking for a plan that works for you?

If so, you may be getting bad information. Most everything the media write and “sell” on the topic of fat loss is incorrect. Marketing ads and infomercials are there to sell a product, not inform you of what really works, or what is most effective for you.

Here are real answers to six fat-loss questions.

 

1 Do crunches reduce belly fat? No. You cannot spot-reduce an area of fat. Fat loss is a process of shrinking fat cells, not eliminating them. A process to reduce body fat involves much more than crunches.

Crunches are a strengthening move that, in truth, aren’t very...

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Seniors shouldn’t fear getting vaccinated for H1N1

Written by Fred Cicetti Tuesday, 13 October 2009 13:51

Flu season in the northern hemisphere can range from as early as November to as late as May. The peak month usually is February.

But this coming season is expected to be unpredictable because of the emergence of the H1N1 influenza virus or swine flu. The H1N1 has caused the first global outbreak—pandemic—of influenza in more than four decades.

Some are concerned the 2009 H1N1 virus may make the season worse than a regular flu season. It is feared there will be many more hospitalizations and fatalities this season. The 2009 H1N1 virus caused illness in the United States during the summer months when influenza is uncommon.

The 2009-10 flu vaccine protects against the three main flu strains that research indicates will cause the most...

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