Physical activity and exercise Archive

Osteopenia is the precursor stage to osteoporosis (weak, thin bones that break easily). Ways to treat osteopenia include taking medications that slow bone loss and reduce fracture risk, exercising, eating protein- and calcium-rich foods, taking a calcium supplement to make up for a lack of dietary calcium, taking a vitamin D₃ supplement to help absorb calcium, and avoiding excessive alcohol intake. Vibration therapy (standing on a small vibrating platform) is not yet proven to be effective.

It's unnecessary to clean inside the ears unless someone has a blockage of earwax. Experts advise against using home earwax removal tools. Such tools include tiny cameras, scoopers, or vacuums that are placed into the ear. The safer, tried-and-true method of earwax removal involves placing a few drops of earwax lubricant (oil-based drops), water, or hydrogen peroxide in the affected ear, and then allowing it to dissolve the earwax and drain from the ear. If that doesn't work, a doctor can remove earwax.

Any type of eye-related surgery can trigger dry eye disease, which causes a burning, gritty, or itchy feeling in the eyes. Treatments typically start with over-the-counter remedies such as preservative-free artificial tears, eye gels or ointments used at night, and warm compresses or heated eye masks. If those approaches don't relieve discomfort, doctors can prescribe a number of treatments, such as prescription eye drops or nasal sprays, tear duct implants to help retain tears, special heat treatments, or amniotic membranes that help reduce inflammation.

About one in five medications taken by older people is inappropriate. Many of these are heart drugs that are potentially harmful, have no clear benefit, or aren't as good as other options. These should be stopped or switched. One common example is low-dose aspirin, which is advised only for people who've had or are at high risk for a heart attack. Other drugs that may need to be stopped or replaced include beta blockers, warfarin, and older diabetes drugs.

It's easy to feel too busy to be mindful, but everyone can find a few minutes during the day to pause and reflect. Even a brief, regular mindfulness practice provides a respite from the pace and stress of life, and can help with memory, concentration, and focus.

As research turns up new evidence about the harmful effects of alcohol, many people are considering the benefits of drinking less, even if they're not ready to give it up completely. If you are considering drinking less, these tips can help guide you.

Most people know that as they age, they need to put effort into staying healthy by eating carefully, exercising, and getting enough sleep. But there is another element to healthy aging: keeping your mind engaged helps protect brain health, and one way to do that is by maintaining an active social life.

When you are a caregiver for an aging parent, the joy of gathering for holiday meals can be overshadowed by stress. Planning in advance for things like the day's schedule, timing of the meal, what food your parent can or will eat, and making sure medications are taken will help children and parents enjoy the meal with as little stress as possible.

Good dental health protects against not only gum disease, gum inflammation, and tooth loss but also many other age-related diseases. Like other aspects of health care, prevention is the best medicine when it comes to your teeth and gums. People should see their dentist every six months for check-ups, x-rays as needed, and cleanings. In between, they should follow a daily dental hygiene routine of rinsing, brushing, and flossing to help reduce plaque buildup, gingivitis, and cavities.

Age-related eye changes can make it harder to see at night. These changes include the loss of light-sensitive eye cells called rods, which are essential for seeing at night; smaller pupils that let less light into the eyes; slowed reactions to changes in light, such as when walking into a dark room from a bright room; clouding of the lenses inside the eyes, which may cause glare around streetlights or headlights; and worsening vision that makes it harder to discern fine detail.