_ Brain Health Mental & Emotional Health Stress Management Stress-Free LivingNature’s Balm for the Stressed Brain By articleNew findings on nociception, a system in the brain that naturally moderates the effects of stress, shows promise for the development of therapies for anxiety and addiction. Collaborating scientists at The Scripps Research Institute, the National Institutes of Health, and the University of Camerino in Italy published their results in the January 8th in the Journal of Neuroscience.
_ Mental & Emotional HealthLaugh it Up! The Best De-Stressing Technique By articleWhether you're guiltily guffawing at an episode of "South Park" or quietly giggling at the latest New Yorker cartoon, laughing does you good. Laughter is a great form of stress relief, and that's no joke. Here, from the experts at the Mayo Clinic, is proof that laughter really can be the best medicine. Stress relief from laughter A good sense of humor can't cure all ailments, but data are mounting about the positive things laughter can do. Short-term benefits
_ OsteoporosisDrug Holidays From Osteoporosis Meds By articleDue to the risk of fractures in the thigh bones and tissue decay in the jaw bone associated with osteoporosis drugs known as bisphosphonates, The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists currently recommends a drug holiday or break from these medications after four to five years of bone density stability if osteoporosis is moderate and after 10 years of stability if fracture risk is high.
_ Sleep HealthWatch: 5 Signs You Might Have Sleep Apnea By articleHere's another addition to our ThirdAge Video Collection. Press play to start learning!
Heart HealthSurprise! Dense Heart Plaques Are Better, Not Worse By articleA surprise finding of study led by researchers at the University of California-San Diego School of Medicine shows that that coronary artery calcium (CAC) density may be protective against cardiovascular events rather than raising the risk of disease as has long been assumed. A release from the university quotes lead author Michael H. Criqui, MD, MPH as saying, "Current scoring systems assume that denser heart plaque (CAC) is more hazardous, but we found the opposite.
_ Heart HealthNew BP Guidelines Questioned By Sondra Forsyth articleOn December 19th 2013, ThirdAge.com reported on the new hypertension guidelines from The American Society of Hypertension Inc. and the International Society of Hypertension. The revised recommendation was150/90 for people 60+ before starting treatment, up from the recommendation of 140/80 that has been the standard for 30 years.
_ Pain ManagementMotion Evaluation Tool for Back Surgery Patients By articlePatients who have had extensive back surgery typically need repeated X-rays to monitor their progress but a new technology that skips the X-rays and repeated radiation exposure is on the horizon. The method was developed by , opting instead for an innovative, noninvasive, non-X-ray device that evaluates spinal movement. The technology was created and patented by two engineering undergraduate students, Kerri Killen and Samantha Music, at the University of South Florida.
_ Women's Health and WellnessA Nonsurgical Treatment for Pelvic Pain By Jane Farrell articleExperts say that a nonsurgical option can be as good as medicine or sugery for women suffering from pelvic floor dysfunction, which includes bladder and bowel probems as well as pelvic pain.
Skin Skin HealthThe Ultimate Anti-Aging Protection? By Jane Farrell articleResearchers have identified a substance that can offer total protection against some types of sun damage, and that may lead to skin looking younger for longer. Scientists from Newcastle University focused on the antioxidant Tiron, which targets mitochondria, known as the “batteries” of the skin cells. Comparing the types of mitochondria-targeting antioxidants with other antioxidants such as resveratrol and circumin, they found that the most powerful mitochondria-targeting antioxidant was Tiron.
_ Skin Skin HealthCause of Eczema Discovered By articleResearchers from the La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology in California have discovered a key player in the cellular interactions leading to eczema, a chronic inflammatory skin condition affecting more than 14 million Americans. The skin of sufferers becomes inflamed or irritated and is marked by redness, itchiness, and dry, cracked skin.
_ Women's Health and WellnessFake Headache Treatment May Be As Good As the Real Thing By Jane Farrell articlePatients who receive good information about the medicine they’re taking do better than those who aren’t given as many positive details, according to a new study of migraine sufferers.The study showed that patients’ expectations of the drugs’ effic
_ Mental & Emotional HealthAdults Often Under-Report Mental Health Issues By Jane Farrell articleMental disorders among adults may be substantially underestimated over the course of their lifetime.
_ Heart Health5 Reasons Senior Heart Patients Need Exercise By Jane Farrell articleEditor’s Note: You might think that the best course is to simply rest if you have heart disease. But doing the right kind of exercise can benefit you in some very substantial ways. Here, the American Council on Exercise and the Cleveland Clinic offer some suggestions to get you going. Remember, though, to talk with your doctor before beginning or resuming any exercise program, and to follow his or her recommendationis for the right exercises for you. 1. Exercise Optimizes Heart Health.
_ Mental & Emotional HealthUrban Green Spaces = Mental Health Benefits By articleGreen space in towns and cities could lead to significant and sustained improvements in mental health, According to a study published in January 2014 in the journal Environmental Science & Technology
_ Aging Well Beauty & Style Healthy Diet & Nutrition Skin Skin HealthHome Remedies to Keep Normal Skin Looking Young By articleBy Soriyya Bawa If you have normal skin, you may feel like you’ve won the skin care lottery. But despite what the name may suggest, normal skin requires just as much care as oily skin, dry skin, or combination skin. Before you rush out to rake up as many anti aging skin care products as you can, take a look around your home—you may already have everything you need to make your own anti-aging home remedies for normal skin.
_ Glaucoma Senior Health Vision HealthWhat You Must Know About Glaucoma By Sondra Forsyth articleBy Sondra Forsyth In April of 2013, I went for my annual eye exam. I’ve worn glasses or contacts for distance correction ever since elementary school but over the years, other than the usual age-related need for “readers”, I’ve never had any vision problems. This time, though, I saw a look of concern flash across the optometrist’s face when she did the test for ocular pressure. “Is something wrong?” I asked.
_ Heart HealthA Patch for Tracking Heart Rhythms By articleResearch done at the Scripps Translational Science Institute in San Diego has found that a small adhesive wireless device worn on the chest for up to two weeks does a better job detecting abnormal and potentially dangerous heart rhythms than the Holter monitor that has been the standard of care for more than 50 years.
Vision HealthBrain Hot Spots for Post-Stroke Vision Recovery By articleResearch done in Germany and published in the journal Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience suggests that vision restoration after a stroke depends mostly on activity of residual vision that is still left after the injury. The study showed that both local neuronal activity and activity in the immediate surrounding area influence the development of visual recovery "hot spots." The team maintains that this is evidence that recovery of vision is mediated by partially surviving neurons.