We have all heard the advice: one of the best things we can do to stay healthy, besides a balanced diet, is to stay physically active. This bit of advice has been around for ages, but until recently, researchers did not have much data to support the idea. A systematic review of 16 studies find […]
Hypertension (high blood pressure) affects 31.1% of the adult population worldwide and contributes to the burden of health problems. [1] Hypertension increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure, and accounts for about 9.4 million deaths every year in the world. [2] A recent study finds that people who take a midday nap […]
Your mother probably told you it is not healthy to sit and watch TV so much, but you thought she was just making it up. Actually, over the past 40 years, a number of studies have shown negative health effects related to watching TV for hours each day. A recent addition to this collection of […]
A study published recently in the New England Journal of Medicine shows that higher blood glucose levels may increase the likelihood of dementia. [1] This statement holds true even for those who do not have diabetes but consistently exhibit higher than average blood sugar tests. The ability to stay physically active is an important component […]
Insufficient or low-quality sleep may be more than an annoyance. It can be a major health concern meriting a visit to your general practitioner or a sleep specialist. Difficulty sleeping that impairs activities of daily living and lasts greater than three months meets the clinical definition of insomnia. Insomnia can be a disorder or a […]
As people get older, there is a risk of decline in mental health. Dr. Genieve Zhe Hui Gan and her team of researchers set out to explore the relationship between pet ownership in older adults and the influence on mental health.[1] The results of this study were published in the journal of Aging and Mental […]
We might find it interesting to know that adopting a pet comes with some surprising health benefits for the new owner. For those who truly consider a dog to be man’s best friend, it helps to know the health benefits dogs can bestow on a human being. In fact, some studies show that dog ownership […]
Various studies suggest a large portion of seniors with dementia have unrecognized, severe pain. A recent study out of the University of Rochester suggests that nearly a third of severe pain cases go unrecognized when seniors have dementia.1-3 Pain in dementia can lead to other problems such as agitation, aggression, hallucinations, delusions, depression, impaired physical […]
Loss of muscle mass is part of aging, but we can slow and even reverse it. Age-related muscle loss, also called sarcopenia, is a natural part of the aging process. Less muscle means there is more weakness and less mobility. Both of these factors can increase the risk of falls and fractures. Losing muscle mass […]
Neck pain, without trauma or an injury, often comes from poor posture, which creates stress on the muscles and joints. Exercises may help with range of motion and reducing pain. People who experience severe or sudden neck pain should not attempt to do neck exercises without the advice of a healthcare professional. Therapeutic exercise and […]
