Alcohol Dependence Doesn't Have a Face

18th of April, 2017

Alcohol Dependence Doesn't Have a Face:

Alcohol dependence, also known as alcoholism, affects around 18 million Americans per year.*

Alcohol dependence doesn't have a face. People from all economic backgrounds, races, genders and countries can experience it. There are many factors affecting alcoholism including genetic predisposition, history of depression, and binge drinking regularly. If someone in your family suffers from alcoholism, then you are more likely to develop the same problem.

Signs and symptoms of alcohol dependence include: inability to stop drinking, constant thoughts about alcohol, binge drinking until you feel sick or throw up. Binge drinking is considered 5+ drinks in an hour for a male and 4+ drinks in an hour for a female, approximately.

Treating alcoholism is difficult but not impossible. There are many recovering alcoholics who lead normal lives. Therapy (group or individual) is helpful in treating alcoholism, as most people are not unable to kick the addiction themselves. Some individuals choose to join 12-step groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous.
It is very important to seek medical help when going through withdrawal from alcohol. Alcohol withdrawal causes the following symptoms: shaking, sweating, insomnia, increased depression and anxiety, seizures, suicidal thoughts, decreased appetite, anger and irritability, nausea. Everyone's withdrawal symptoms will be different but will require some form of medical supervision. A hospital stay and an IV may be needed in severe cases to replenish the body and keep the individual stable.  In worst case scenarios, alcoholism can be treated with certain medications.

If you feel like you may have an alcohol addiction, please contact a professional to get an assessment. To get more help you can visit the following websites:

https://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/treatment/treatment.htm

http://www.aa.org/

https://aidinrecovery.com

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https://medlineplus.gov/alcoholismandalcoholabuse.html*

Dealing with Depression

11th of April, 2017

Dealing with Depression:

 Depression, also known as clinical depression, can affect people from all backgrounds and genders. Depression is a mood disorder that causes negative feelings of sadness, hopelessness, anxiety and worthlessness.

These are just some of the feelings that occur during depression. There are other factors that occur with depression and it varies from person to person.

Some of the other symptoms of depression are: trouble sleeping (sleeping too much or too little), loss of appetite or overeating, irritability, lack of energy, loss of interest in hobbies or people, thoughts of death, anxiety, low energy, fatigue.

An individual can not just "get over" depression. It is a difficult feeling that some people may not even be able to recognize themselves until confirmed by a healthcare professional. The direct causes are unknown but the link seems to be genetic as well as environmental. Certain medications and life traumas can induce depression in someone who has never had it before. Depression is also most likely to occur in those individuals whose family members had a history of depression. Depression is also very common in the geriatric population and those with dementia.

Some ways of dealing with depression can include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, anti-depressant medications and Electroconvulsive therapy. Exercise and getting a lot of sunlight can increase feel-good neurotransmitters and can also help fight depression. If you feel like you may be experiencing some of these symptoms, talk to a mental health professional. Not all individuals require medications or intensive therapy. Every person will require a different combination of treatment to help you live a happier and healthier life.

What are Shingles?

6th of April, 2017

What is Shingles?

Shingles (Herpes Zoster) is a virus that occurs in individuals who had chicken pox as children. The chicken pox is dormant in your body, but once in awhile it travels down the nerves in the body and creates a very painful rash called shingles. This can happen to anyone but the likelihood increases with age. Individuals who take immunpsuppressing drugs or have HIV are also at an increased risk for shingles.

Shingles cannot be passed down from person to person, but it can pass on chicken pox to someone who has never had it before.

Shingles is incredibly painful but it presents other signs and symptoms as well. The most common ones are fever, nausea, red rash on body, itching, chills and aches all over the body. As the virus progresses, the blister-like rashes burst and crust over. 

Shingles can last anywhere between 2-5 weeks and although the recovery is not pleasant, most people get better.

The best way to prevent shingles is by getting a vaccine, especially if you are over 60 years old. Talk to your doctor and discuss getting a shingles vaccine. To treat shingles one must take anti-viral medication such as acyclovir or famciclovir. Pain medicine may also be provided to those who experience severe pain from the shingles virus.

The best way to diagnose and treat shingles is by seeing a trusted healthcare professional!

Diabetes: Causes, Symptoms and Prevention

5th of April, 2017

Diabetes: Causes, Symptoms and Prevention


Diabetes is a disease that involves problems with insulin.  The pancreas releases insulin to help your body utilize and store sugar for energy. Unfortunately in people with diabetes, this does not work the way it should and insulin is either not produced at all, not enough, or the body doesn't respond to insulin. Diabetes can affect people of all ages, races and sizes.  

There are genetic factors that cause diabetes. If a family member has diabetes, then you are more likely to develop it too. Constant weight fluctuations, excess sugar consumption and obesity are also factors that can cause diabetes.

There are several types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes occurs in young adults and children.
Gestational Diabetes occurs in pregnant women who were previously not at risk for diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes is more common. This occurs when the body doesn't make its own insulin or does not respond well to insulin that is being made.

Some warning signs of type 2 diabetes are poor eyesight, intense thirst, weight loss, constant urination.
Warning signs for type 1 diabetes are similar and include constant urination, weight loss, nausea, constant hunger, lethargy, numbness in lower extremities,
Gestational diabetes usually does not present any signs or symptoms and must be tested by a professional. A blood test would reveal if a pregnant woman has gestational diabetes.


Although in many cases diabetes is genetic as well as environmental, there are many ways to reduce the likelihood of developing diabetes.
Here are some ways of preventing diabetes before it even happens:

Maintaining a healthy weight/proportional to your height.
Getting regular exercise (cardio and resistant training).
Keeping sweets to a minimum (an occasional treat)
Keeping stress to a minimum.
Making healthy food choices and limiting sugary drinks.

In some cases, diabetes can be reversed with a healthy diet that is limited in animal products and regular exercise and stress management. Seek advice from a healthcare professional in this regard, as results vary for every individual. 

Bunions: what are they and how to fix them.

3rd of April, 2017

Bunion: what are they and how to fix them:

Bunions can occur at any age but usually worsen as a person ages. Bunions are not life threatening but can certainly be very inconvenient during walking, exercising or purchasing footwear.

The medical term for a bunion is Hallux Valgus. There are several causes for bunions. The main cause is the genetic structure of the foot. You may notice that other close family members also have bunions as well. This is because foot shape and structure is determined by your genetics so bunions fall under that category.

Another cause for bunions could be due to arthritis, as inflammation in the joints can change its shape and cause it to protrude.

Sometimes uncomfortable footwear can also rub against a small bunion and cause it to inflame and become bigger.


Some ways to prevent bunions are by wearing comfortable footwear and by watching for growth.

Once a bunion has grown, the best way to treat is through surgery. Please see a health care professional if you feel like a bunion is preventing you from leading a normal, pain-free life. Often doctors will perform surgery if no other option is available. During mild cases of bunions, the doctor might prescribe a pain reliever and some heated foot creams to ease the discomfort.


Seeing an orthopedist is the best course of action if you have questions or concerns about your bunions!

Preventing Skin Cancer

29th of March, 2017

Preventing Skin Cancer:

With summer around the corner, one of the main affects of skin cancer is radiation from the sun. Constant exposure to the sun increases the risk of developing various forms of skin cancer. This occurs when the rays from the sun alter the DNA make up in your cells and cells begin to grow exponentially. The lighter your complexion, the more sensitive and susceptible you are to the damaging affects of the sun.


You are also more likely to get skin cancer if you have a family history of skin cancer. Moles, birthmarks and lesion also increase the risks. Excessive exposure to sun leading to sunburns also increases your risks for cancer. Older people, children and people with weakened immune systems are also at a higher risk for developing skin cancer.



So here are some ways to prevent skin cancer:
Use a broad spectrum sunscreen (UVA and UVB) whenever you are outside for long periods of time. Lather it on your face, hands and any areas exposed to the sun. It is important to use sunscreen  and not just at the beach - use it every day.

Protect your eyes and make use of sunglasses. When you purchase them make sure that the label includes UVA & UVB protection.

Avoid the sun during the harshest times. 10am-3pm is the time of day and is when sun should be avoided. If you NEED to be outside during those times - by all means cover up your head and parts of your body with clothing to avoid harsh sun exposure.

An overall healthy lifestyle also decreases the risks of all types of cancers. Eat a healthy, balanced diet, avoid smoking and excess alcohol use and maintain an exercise regimen.

Finally, visit a skin doctor at least once a year. It is important to have your skin looked at by a professional for any warning signs!

Glaucoma: Signs, Symptoms and Treatment

27th of March, 2017


Glaucoma: Signs, Symptoms and Treatment.

Glaucoma is a disease that damages the optic nerve of the eye. It can cause loss of vision, pain and blindness in some cases.
There are two types of glaucoma. Open-angle glaucoma has the least amount of signs and the damage is permanent. Sadly this is the most common type of glaucoma and gives very little warning. Regular visits to the eye doctor are necessary for early detection. In this type of glaucoma, the eye's drainage angle becomes blocked and due to excess fluid and pressure, the nerve deteriorates.

The second type of glaucoma is Angle-closure glaucoma. It gives a lot more warning and has the following signs and symptoms: blurry vision, severe eye pain or headaches, red eyes, nausea, rainbow/halo type-pattern around bright lights. The drainage angle becomes very narrow and slowly becomes blocked.

Although glaucoma does affect the older population significantly more often, children can also get congenital glaucoma. The symptoms in children usually include photosensitivity, watery and cloudy eyes.

You are likely to get glaucoma if someone in your family had it.  If you are diabetic you also have an increased risk for glaucoma. The chances of glaucoma increase with age as well.

Accurate treatment for glaucoma should come from a doctor. Glaucoma is diagnosed through the dilation of pupils and examination of the eye by a medical professional. Treatment may include prescription eye drops, laser eye surgery, and microsurgery to drain the eye of excess fluids.

Please refer to your health care professional if you feel you may have glaucoma. Don't wait until it is too late!

Springtime Activities for Seniors

15th of March, 2017

Springtime Activities for Seniors:



Springtime brings plenty of opportunity to do something fun and outdoorsy. It is a great opportunity for seniors to spend time with their families and get some sunshine as well. So take advantage of our tips and the good weather and spend some time together doing these fun activities!

1. Go for for a walk/hike.
             Whether you live by a hiking trails, the beach or the woods - it is the perfect opportunity to go out and get some exercise and get in touch with nature. Dress comfortable and go out hiking or walking when the weather is good. Remember to stay hydrated.

2. Plant or garden together.
             If you don't want to go out into the nature - bring the nature to you. Purchase some seeds and begin planing fruits, vegetables or herbs together in your garden. It is a great way to pass time and you will have something delicious to eat later.

3. Have a picnic.
           If there are nice parks near by you can combine the best of both worlds (food and nature) and have a picnic somewhere! This can be relaxing and they will have a wonderful time spending time outdoors with their loved ones.

4. Shop and Cook.
           This is a fun activity for the elderly to do with their caregiver or their friend or loved one. Go to a local farmer's market and shop for ingredients together. After you can use the ingredients to cook a meal together and enjoy.

5. Go to a museum or art gallery.
           
If you live in the city or in a town with a nice art district, then this is good for you. This is an activity the whole family can enjoy- no matter what age. Get a few people together and go to the local museum or art gallery. It will be time well spent and you can discuss your favorite artwork for days to come.

Take Advantage of Spring: Vitamin D

8th of March, 2017


Take Advantage of Spring: Vitamin D


As we begin to approach spring, the days are getting longer and the sunlight is available more hours of the day. There are great advantages to this; going for walks at the parks, hiking, beautiful beaches and just spending more time outdoors. One of the major benefits of spring is being able to spend time outside and enjoying the sunshine. The sunshine releases feel good chemicals such as serotonin and improves the mood. However, it is also a great source of Vitamin D. Vitamin D from the sun is essential to growing and keeping strong and healthy bones!

A large majority of elderly people do not spend a lot of time outside and unfortunately this contributes to the deterioration of their skeletal system. Taking your aging parent or grandparent for walks or to just sit in the sun is beneficial to preventing fractures during falls and deterioration of bones.

Vitamin D actually facilitates the absorption of calcium, which is also an essential part of healthy and strong bones. Getting Vitamin D just from your foods is not as advantageous as getting it from food AND the sun!

So this spring, take a walk outside and enjoy the sunlight - it has more health benefits than you think!

Lowering Your Cholesterol Levels the Natural Way

7th of March, 2017


Lowering Your Cholesterol Levels the Natural Way:


It is bound to happen to a lot of us, but rising cholesterol levels as we age are definitely preventable.
But is it reversible? It most definitely is with the right attitude, diet and exercise.

First let's find our how high cholesterol actually happens. Several factors affect cholesterol: aging, foods we eat, family history, being overweight. The negative aspects of cholesterol are possible heart attack, stroke, clogged arteries (atherosclerosis).

It is much more difficult to control cholesterol levels as we age, but is certainly not impossible. You can decrease your risks for high cholesterol by exercising several hours a week and eating a healthier diet consisting of fruits and vegetables. Decreasing foods from animal sources can also help decrease cholesterol. This means eating less meat, cheese, milk, etc. Not smoking cigarettes and decreasing alcohol intake are also a huge help! Increasing cardio and resistance training is definitely also a great source for lower cholesterol.

 While there are medications available for cholesterol control, changing old habits into healthier ones will take you a long way and have the most impact. Always consult your doctor prior to making any drastic changes to diet or exercise.