Can you avoid macular degeneration?

Age-related macular degeneration can be slowed or treated. There is hope for future treatments, and many approaches are being studied, such as gene therapy and stem cell therapy. For now the only advice to help ward off AMD is to practice healthy lifestyle habits such as exercising, not smoking, controlling blood pressure, and eating a healthy diet. Getting regular, comprehensive eye exams is one of the best ways to detect eye disease early and save vision. (Locked) More »

Can we slow the aging process?

Scientists are beginning to understand the natural biological processes that control aging, and they have made exciting discoveries about tinkering with the process. For example, they’ve been able to make aged cells act like brand-new cells in lab experiments; they’ve figured out how to make worms live five times as long as they normally would; and they’ve been able to keep mice from becoming obese and from developing diabetes, kidney failure, and heart failure. (Locked) More »

Fight chronic inflammation and cholesterol to protect your heart

High cholesterol and chronic inflammation together raise the risk for heart attacks, strokes, and related problems. Several approaches can fight both at the same time. One is eating a heart-healthy diet that includes vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, nuts and seeds, lean proteins (fish and poultry), low-fat dairy foods, and olive oil. Another is controlling weight, since fat tissue triggers chronic inflammation. Other approaches include increasing physical activity and addressing sleep and stress issues. (Locked) More »

How isolation affects memory and thinking skills

Isolation is associated with the potential for cognitive decline, so it is important to reach out to others and stay socially connected. Ways to do that include using social and video apps to see and chat with friends or join an online club; making phone calls to family and friends to catch up; or signing up for a buddy-call service at a senior center to be paired with a volunteer who will call and offer conversation. More »

6 ways to maximize lung health

There are many ways to maximize lung health. For example, exercising gets the heart and lungs pumping, causing a person to take deep breaths. Those deep breaths open up all areas of the lungs and assist in clearing out accumulated lung secretions (mucus). Other ways to maximize lung health include avoiding exposure to air pollution, quitting smoking, practicing deep breathing exercises, controlling weight, and getting out of a chair at least once per hour to take some deep breaths. (Locked) More »

The 3 main options for physical rehabilitation

Several types of physical rehabilitation are available to assist with recovery after medical problems such as a fall, illness, or surgery. Inpatient rehab is prescribed after a hospital stay, when one isn’t well enough to go home; it offers comprehensive care from doctors, nurses, therapists, and other health professionals. At-home rehab sends skilled professionals—including nurses and therapists (physical, occupational, or speech)—into a person’s home for therapy sessions. Outpatient rehab is for people well enough to get to a rehab facility throughout the week. (Locked) More »