Healthy aging and longevity Archive

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Urgent care clinics are convenient when you don't feel well and can't see your doctor right away. But a study published online July 16, 2018, by JAMA Internal Medicine found that people who go to such clinics may be more likely to be given prescriptions for unnecessary antibiotics. Researchers analyzed 156 million insurance claims from 2014 and found that 46% of people treated at urgent care centers for viral conditions — like a bad cold, the flu, or viral bronchitis — were prescribed antibiotics. The problem: antibiotics kill only bacteria, not viruses. The study underscores the need to ask health care workers if you have a viral or a bacterial condition before you take antibiotics.

News briefs

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If you've tried to buy medications by phone or on the Internet but received an FDA warning letter instead, beware. The FDA warns that criminals are forging these notes, possibly with the goal of later getting your money. The letters look official, like they're from the FDA or the Federal Trade Commission, and they claim that the FDA has identified drug violations based on a review of your parcel and social media accounts. Don't be fooled. The FDA doesn't send letters to consumers. So why are you getting one? The FDA says it may be because you're contacting an illegal online pharmacy. "Many of these illegal websites appear legitimate, and it can be hard to tell the difference," notes FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb. They may try to sell your personal information or charge you for products you never ordered. And scams aren't the only risks. Illegal pharmacies typically sell counterfeit — and unsafe — medicines. If you believe you've received a fake warning letter, email the FDA at FDAInternetPharmacyTaskForce-CDER@fda.hhs.gov. Send information about the letter or a scan or photo of the document.

Research we're watching

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Good news for urban dwellers: the heart benefits of your workout aren't canceled out by health risks caused by car exhaust fumes in the city air you breathe. A study in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that regular workouts still reduce the risk of heart attack even when people are regularly exposed to moderate to high levels of air pollution caused by traffic. Air pollution is known to raise risk for heart attacks as well as respiratory problems, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Researchers studied data on more than 51,000 people ages 50 to 65, looking at how often the people exercised and other lifestyle factors, as well as their exposure to the traffic pollutant nitrogen dioxide. Over a period of nearly 18 years, nearly 3,000 of these people had a first heart attack, and 324 had a recurrent heart attack.

People who lived in areas with higher nitrogen dioxide levels had a 17% higher risk of having a first heart attack and a 39% higher risk of a recurrent heart attack, compared with those who had low exposure to traffic pollution. But regular exercise appeared to reduce that risk. Active participants had a 15% lower rate of initial heart attacks, regardless of air quality. So, even if the air you are breathing is less than ideal, regular workouts help protect your heart.

Lost your spark and gusto? These strategies can help you recharge.

Everyone has the occasional low-energy day when you are easily fatigued. Often the feeling passes, and you bounce back to your regular robust self. But if you struggle with a constant lack of energy, you may have a problem deep within your cells.

Mitochondria are the power source inside all your body's cells. These tiny structures fuel the body by producing molecules called adenosine triphosphate or ATP. However, as you grow older, your body has fewer mitochondria.

Being more social is linked with greater health benefits, but what if you're not comfortable in the company of others?

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Research continues to stress the relationship between social connection and long-term health. Interacting regularly with other people appears to lower your risk for heart disease, depression, and early death.

But what if being social is not who you are? People who are introverts — that is, they prefer time alone over group outings — are often at a disadvantage when it comes to social engagement.

Here is why you should invest in this fitness technology.

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There is a lot of technology that tracks your health, from counting steps to counting burned calories. One of the most valuable fitness tools though is a heart rate monitor, which tells you how many beats your heart takes per minute.

"Whether you're just getting started with an exercise routine or are a committed fitness enthusiast, tracking your heart rate can help you maintain the necessary moderate level of intensity for optimal benefits without worrying about doing too much or too little," says Dr. Aaron L. Baggish, associate director of the Cardiovascular Performance Program at Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital.

In the journals

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More reasons to take good care of your eyes: it may protect against cognitive decline and keep you safe behind the wheel, according to two studies published online June 28, 2018, by JAMA Ophthalmology.

In the first study, researchers looked at almost 560,000 adults ages 65 and older and found they had 9% fewer serious car crashes in the year following cataract surgery. Besides causing blurry vision, cataracts can intensify the glare from headlights and sunlight, which can make driving dangerous, according to the researchers.

In the journals

People who feel younger than their actual age also may have brains that age more slowly, suggests a small study published online June 7, 2018, by Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience.

Scientists took brain scans of 68 healthy older adults, ages 59 to 84, to measure the volume of gray matter in various regions. The participants then answered surveys to determine if they felt older or younger than their age and to measure their cognitive abilities and perceptions of overall health.

In the journals

If you have problems sleeping through the night, you may be at risk for atrial fibrillation (afib), an irregular heart rate that may cause heart palpitations and is a leading cause of stroke.

A study published online June 25, 2018, by HeartRhythm reviewed four studies and found a link between afib and poor sleep. In one study, people with afib had more frequent nighttime awakenings compared with those who did not have the condition. In the other studies, poor sleep quality, including frequent nighttime awakenings and less REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, predicted which individuals would develop afib.

When a person needs to be intubated to help them breathe, they are unable to speak, and if something happens it’s possible for someone to die without a chance to have a final conversation with their loved ones. But it’s possible for doctors to adjust intubation protocol to allow for such a conversation.