Arthritis affects more than 50 million Americans, making it the leading cause of disability in the country. What is arthritis? Actually, it’s an umbrella term, covering a number of different conditions that affect the joints. The two most common are osteoarthritis, where the cartilage that covers the ends of the bones and provides cushioning begins [...]
April is Alcohol Awareness Month, a time to increase awareness and understanding of alcoholism, its causes, effective treatment and recovery. How serious a problem is alcoholism in the U.S.? Consider the following: An estimated 6.8 percent of adults engaged in heavy drinking in the past month. About 16.6 million adults in the U.S. have [...]
How Is Your Sleep? Getting a good night’s sleep is important for your overall health and your mood at any age. However, it can be particularly important in older adults. With National Sleep Awareness Week this month, now is a particularly good time to discuss your sleep (or lack thereof). Sleep problems in older adults [...]
Regardless of your age, January is a great time for New Year’s Resolutions. It’s a time to turn the page, to start over, to take a “mulligan” for all the things that weren’t done the right way in the past. The problem is that while resolutions are all well and good, the odds are overwhelming [...]
Not noticing a small patch of ice as he carried groceries on the way to his car, the 82-year-old man slipped and fell, shattering his pelvis. Forgetting that she had left her shoes in the darkened room, the 6-year-old woman tripped and fell over them, smashing her head on a table. According to the Centers [...]
October is Healthy Lung Month, a good time to pay attention to those symptoms that could be the first signs of lung disease, including COPD, asthma, emphysema and lung cancer. Knowing the early warning signs can help you receive treatment before the disease becomes serious or even life threatening. If you experience any of the [...]
Alzheimer’s patients often cover up so well that even adult children or siblings may see a totally different side when they visit or call. Yet, caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s, can be an all-consuming 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week challenge. Anna first began to notice when her husband, Peter, began to show some difficulty recalling words. [...]
With September being Pain Awareness Month, now is a good time to discuss a problem that affects an estimated 100 million Americans – more than diabetes, heart disease and cancer combined. Pain is associated with a wide range of injury and disease, and is sometimes the disease itself. Some conditions may have pain and associated [...]
Asthma affects an estimated one in 12 Americans. It is a chronic lung disease where the airways narrow and swell and produce extra mucus making it tough to breath. Other common symptoms include coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. While asthma has no cure, it can be effectively managed. Working closely with an asthma specialist [...]
The rate of fatalities involving drivers over 75 is about the same as teenage drivers. Seniors have a higher risk of being involved in an accident for every mile they drive. One of the most difficult situations we face is dealing with a Senior or Elderly person we care for that must give up driving. [...]