HowToDoThings.com Recent Seniors' Health Articles

How To Prevent MRSA

bronwyn — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 17:06:23 -0600

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA, is an extremely drug-resistant bacterium, also known as a superbug. A form of staph, the MRSA bacteria can be spread by touching surfaces that are contaminated, and by skin-to-skin contact. MRSA causes skin infections, pneumonia, blood poisoning, and toxic shock syndrome - but there are ways to prevent MRSA!

How To Use the Power of Touch in Your Yoga Practice

melbeau — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 16:15:02 -0600

When we suffer from anxiety, our minds can become scattered and our bodies riddled with tension. Yoga has the ability to pull us out of a state of anxiety and place us into an environment of physical and mental solitude. Practicing yoga enables us to use all of our physical senses to help pull us back to calmness. One powerful sense we can learn to apply and cultivate in our asana (pose) is touch. By shifting our attention into pressing our hands and feet to the earth and grounding our asana, we've established a stable environment that can be calming and healing.

How To Prevent or Heal Osteoporosis

freepam — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 15:14:44 -0500

Women in the U.S. are diagnosed with bone problems, first osteopenia and then osteoporosis, more than in any other country in the world. Most doctors recommend bisphosphonate drugs, but there are many easy non-drug alternatives that can make your bones much stronger with no side effects.

How To Treat and Prevent Insomnia

contact@bodyfixes.com — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 13:17:13 -0500

It is one thing to know why older people don't sleep as well; it is quite another to do something about it. There is no easy solution because the aging process proceeds at a different pace in different people and affects each of us differently. If you are one of the 35 million Americans who has trouble sleeping, remember that age is not the only culprit. Here are some general measures to help you get sleep, no matter how old or how young you are:

How To Get Out of Bed

tjbooks — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 11:51:37 -0500

My grandfather use to wake me up in the middle of the night and say, "John, rub my legs." I would rub his legs until I got the circulation going again so he could go back to sleep. His one leg was pitted with scares where bone fragments had pierced the skin during a two-year healing period after he had crushed in in a quarry explosion. Old age made things worse. My grandfather died at age 95 when I was fighting in Korea.

Old injuries are painful to old people, but we are susceptible to new life-shortening injuries to our bodies. They may come by accident or by other means such as not eating breakfast. Here are some ways to stay healthy in old age:

How To Recognize Perimenopause

Staff468 — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 11:47:00 -0500

Understanding that the prefix "peri" means "around" helps explain the meaning of perimenopause. Perimenopause is the time around menopause, both the years leading up to menopause and then the first year or so after. Here is some information that will help you to recognize perimenopause:

Hormone Levels. During perimenopause, your hormone levels are all over the map. Estrogen and progesterone levels, which used to shift predictably, begin to rise and fall unevenly.

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How To Learn About the Hormone Replacement Therapy Study

Staff468 — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 16:02:00 -0500

From 1991-2006, the National Institutes of Health ran the Women's Health Initiative (WHI), a long-term study that focused on strategies to prevent diseases that affect women. The 15-year project involved more than 161,000 women from across the United States, aged 50-79. As part of the Women's Health Initiative, a clinical trial testing the effects of hormone replacement therapy on heart disease, breast and colorectal cancer risk and osteoporotic fractures, was run. Hormone therapy is the administration of either estrogen only or estrogen in combination with either progesterone or progestin (progesterone in synthetic form). We have the Women's Health Initiative to thank for putting a stop to the routine practice of prescribing women hormone replacement therapy upon menopause. The information here (gleaned from the hormone therapy trial of the Women's Health Initiative) will help you better understand why:

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How To Understand Age Spots

Staff468 — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 13:45:00 -0600

Age spots, also commonly known as liver spots or sun spots, are those flat, brownish black skin discolorations that are often seen on people who are advancing in years. Age spots tend to appear on skin that receives a lot of sun exposure, including the back of the hands, forearms, feet, and shoulders as well as the neck and face (particularly the forehead). Just for the record, even though age spots are sometimes referred to as liver spots, they have nothing to do with your liver. Here are a few points that will help you to better understand age spots:

The skin produces melanin in an effort to protect itself from ultraviolet rays. Age spots are basically an excess of melanin concentrated in one area. Age spots rarely appear in areas that have not been exposed to the sun.

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How To Recognize the Signs of a Stroke

The2 — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 17:17:00 -0600

Note: Always call 911 as soon as you suspect that a medical emergency has occurred.

The American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association, warns that a stroke is the third leading cause of death in American adults. Unfortunately strokes occur often, so it's important to know how to recognize one.

The most important thing to remember when you encounter someone who you suspect has had a stroke is time matters. If a stroke victim gets to the hospital within 2 hours of the onset of symptoms, doctors may be able to administer a drug that could counteract some of the effects of the stroke and help lead to a more meaningful recovery.

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How To Help Your Senior Who Is Hearing Impaired

L544 — Mon, 04 Dec 2006 10:19:00 -0600

Hearing impairment has far reaching implications not only for the individual with the loss, but also for those close to them. A recent study by the University of Florida indicates that 62% of elderly people admit to difficulty hearing. When you consider our aging population, this is a staggering number of people coping with hearing loss either directly or indirectly as a result of a family member or loved one who is hearing impaired.

In order to effectively help the hearing impaired senior in your life, consider the following tips:

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How To Learn About Cataract Surgery

Laura512 — Fri, 17 Nov 2006 13:55:00 -0600

The very words "cataract surgery" are enough to inspire fear of blindness for many. It doesn't have to be that way. In most cases, the fear is unwarranted. The fact is that cataract surgery is fairly routine. In the United States, it is also one of the safest surgeries that you can have.

A cataract is a clouding that develops in the lens in the eye. People get cataracts for many reasons including diabetes, advanced age, or physical trauma to the eye. In some instances the tendency to get cataracts may be hereditary.

Not all cataracts require removal. However, if the cataract interferes with the activities of daily living such as driving, reading, or watching TV, then cataract surgery may be needed. A cataract that prevents your doctor from treating other eye conditions should also be removed.

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How To Learn About Exercise For the Elderly

Laura512 — Thu, 16 Nov 2006 13:48:00 -0600

In most cases, elderly individuals can enjoy the benefits of some type of regular exercise. A few seniors, however, will be too frail for certain types of exercise. For others, special precautions need to be made to eliminate the risk of falls.

For the elderly, the benefits of exercise include lower incidence of depression, reduced chance of dying prematurely, increased alertness, improvements in blood pressure and other cardiovascular benefits, and reduced risk of diabetes. Seniors who exercise regularly typically remain independent for a longer period of time.

It is not necessary for the senior to spend huge amounts of time in strenuous exercise. Those individuals who exercised regularly for as little as 30 minutes per week still experienced significant benefits. This was true even if the exercise required only moderate amounts of effort.

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How To Get Laser Eye Surgery

Staff468 — Tue, 14 Nov 2006 16:34:00 -0600

Laser eye surgery is a term commonly thought to be synonymous with refractive eye surgery. Well-known refractive surgical procedures like PRK (photorefractive keratectomy), LASEK (laser-assisted sub-epithelial keratomileusis) and LASIK (laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis) have cemented the association between refractive surgery and laser eye surgery. In truth, a nonrefractive procedure can involve the use of a laser, just as refractive surgery does not necessarily involve a laser. For the purposes of this article, however, we will explore how to get the refractive kinds of laser eye surgery.

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How To Transition Your Senior Into a Nursing Home

Laura512 — Sat, 11 Nov 2006 06:58:00 -0600

One of the most difficult decisions you will ever have to make is that of moving an elderly loved one to a nursing home. Yet there are times when the severity of a senior's health problems are best met in a nursing facility.

Most seniors are apprehensive about making this move. Stories of neglect and elder abuse at nursing homes can add to their fear. The high costs associated with a nursing home can further add to the stress.

There are things that you can do to ease the transition.

If your senior's health allows it, involve them in as much of the process as possible. This may mean visiting prospective nursing homes with them, or simply discussing the details of your own visits. If your senior is unable to accompany you on the visit to the nursing home facility, photographs may help them participate in the decision.

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How To Know If You Qualify for LASIK

Staff468 — Fri, 03 Nov 2006 13:54:00 -0600

LASIK eye surgery is a great option for many people who suffer from poor vision. The word "LASIK" stands for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis, a procedure to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. But not everyone is a good candidate for LASIK.

Age. If you are under the age of eighteen, you are not eligible for LASIK.

History of vision correction. Recent history is more the concern when it comes to LASIK. Risk of complications rises if you are in a period of what is known as "refractive instability." Essentially, this means that your vision is possibly changing because it has changed very recently. If you have been seen by an eye doctor within the past year, and prescribed new corrective eyewear, then you are not a good candidate for LASIK. Vision is often in flux for young twentysomethings and pregnant and breastfeeding women.

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How To Help Your Senior Who Has Memory Loss

Wendy118 — Sun, 29 Oct 2006 12:17:00 -0600

It is important that adult children know that memory loss is a sign of old age. By the time a person is in their late seventies, they will have lost approximately 10 percent of their brain cells. This means that a senior's vocabulary may shrink. Their verbal, math and spatial skills may also decline.

If your senior seems to be having acute memory loss, you should take him to the doctor to check for Alzheimer's disease, or mild cognitive impairments.

If you have a senior who has memory loss, how you behave and act toward your senior can have a great impact. These tips are for you to help your senior who is displaying mild memory loss.

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How To Buy Ostomy Supplies

Staff468 — Tue, 26 Sep 2006 15:03:00 -0500

It comes as no surprise that every ostomy patient is physically unique, since we all accept that each person on earth is physically unique. So it should come as no surprise that ostomy supplies are prevalent and diverse. You return from the hospital with a particular ostomy bag and particular ostomy supplies, but might come to the conclusion that you could benefit from experimenting with other ostomy supplies. Ostomy bags and barriers, ostomy belts, covers, adhesives, odor removers - all of these ostomy supplies and more can be found in various forms and from various manufacturers. Available models vary within the same manufacturer's catalogue, and there are numerous manufacturers of ostomy supplies, so your choices of ostomy supplies are abundant.

To buy ostomy supplies, you can visit a pharmacy, make a call on the telephone or order online. Where you purchase ostomy supplies can limit the kind of supplies you can buy in certain ways.

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How To Find a Lasik Surgeon

Staff468 — Tue, 19 Sep 2006 13:14:00 -0500

Looking for a Lasik surgeon? Many people struggle with poor vision and yearn for a reasonable solution. Lasik surgery can dramatically improve your vision, and Lasik surgeons are becoming increasingly easier to find. But when eyes are concerned, you can't be too careful. Find the best possible Lasik surgeon in your area.

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How To Change Your Ostomy Pouch or Bag

Staff468 — Tue, 12 Sep 2006 13:28:00 -0500

All aspects of caring for your ostomy bag will to some extent depend on what kind of bag you have chosen, but some general guidelines will be useful to everyone when it comes to changing an ostomy bag.
One way to divide ostomy bags is by the number of pieces in their assembly.

If your ostomy bag is a one-piece, then its bag and barrier are the same piece. A barrier is sometimes called a flange or wafer - basically, it's the part of the apparatus that connects to the skin around your stoma. Most often, the barrier contains an adhesive layer that binds to your skin, but some people prefer to use a belt system to keep the ostomy bag pressed firmly against the body.

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How To Clean an Ostomy Bag

Staff468 — Mon, 11 Sep 2006 15:22:00 -0500

If you're preparing for the changes in your daily routine that an ostomy bag will bring, this article and its links will provide you with information about cleaning an ostomy bag. If you're a patient with an ostomy bag, or a nurse or caregiver assigned to care for the patient, you should have received training from your hospital prior to reading this. If you are confused by the process and feel that you never received adequate training by a professional in the proper technique of cleaning an ostomy bag, then be sure to talk to your doctor's office; this article offers general guidelines, but does not comprehensively cover the subject of ostomy bags and could not substitute for the information you can gain from your medical professional.

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How To Relieve Arthritis Pain

Vickie313 — Sun, 18 Jun 2006 17:39:00 -0500

Millions of people suffer from arthritis pain every day of their lives. Osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease), or rheumatoid arthritis (an autoimmune disorder) can make getting out of bed in the morning unbearable, and a good night's rest seem gone with the days of old. While living with arthritis can be difficult, it is not impossible. The following seven suggestions may help ease your day to day activities, and make living life with arthritis a little more bearable.

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How To Treat Alzheimer's Disease

Vickie313 — Mon, 12 Jun 2006 19:55:00 -0500

Alzheimer's Disease is a disease feared by many. With no known cure for Alzheimer's Disease (AD), treatment focuses on the symptoms, and in helping to maintain the highest level of functioning possible for as long as possible. Despite the fact that there is no cure for AD, there are some things you can discuss with your doctor about treating AD:

Pharmacological Treatment a.k.a. "Drug Therapy" While there are no cures for AD, there are several drugs on the market that can be used to treat some of its symptoms. Drugs such as Aricept are often given to people to try and help improve their memory. This tends to help quite a few people, however, it will eventually stop working altogether. Antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs are also often prescribed to treat the depression and anxiety that go along with AD.

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How To Recognize the Stages of Alzheimer's Disease

Vickie313 — Tue, 06 Jun 2006 11:10:00 -0500

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is the most common type of dementia in the world today. A progressive deterioration of the brain, AD most commonly affects adults in middle to late life. While the cause of AD is unknown, treatment is geared toward maintaining the highest quality of life for the AD patient as possible. There are generally three stages of AD: early, middle and late. Each stage has characteristics that are unique and will help you be able to identify the stage of AD your loved one/patient is in.

Stage 1 - Early AD

Short term memory loss. People in this early stage generally forget where they put things or even the name of the object they lost. Now, this does not mean that just because you forgot where you put your car keys that you have AD, however it is something to look for and consider when forgetfulness increases or becomes habitual.

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How To Recover From Cataract Eye Surgery

Sat, 13 May 2006 19:53:00 -0500

If you have been diagnosed with a cataract or a clouding of your eye lens, you probably know that this is often a normal part of the aging process. Cataracts can also be caused by certain diseases or medication, or can be hereditary. No matter what the cause, if your cataracts have reached the stage where they are significantly affecting your vision, your doctor may suggest corrective surgery. If you are considering this procedure, here are some things you should know about what is involved and what to expect during the recovery period.

Cataract surgery involves removing the natural eye lens that is affected and replacing it with a permanent lens implant. Expect that the implant will be custom-made to fit your prescription and eye dimensions.

Cataract surgery is usually done as an outpatient procedure.

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How To Get Arthritis Treatment

Sat, 13 May 2006 18:39:00 -0500

If you suffer from arthritis or joint inflammation, you are probably all too familiar with the discomfort and pain that it can cause. With more than 100 different types of arthritis that exist, the symptoms you experience may vary from a mild annoyance that flares up occasionally, to a debilitating illness that greatly impacts your daily routine. No matter how your arthritis affects you, it is important to seek out the most appropriate treatment options that can help you to manage your condition so that you can focus your attention on other things.

Get a diagnosis to find out what type of arthritis you have. Osteoarthritis is one of the most common forms, but there is also a wide range of other conditions that affect people, from a mild bout of tennis elbow to a severe case of rheumatoid arthritis.

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How To Learn About Hip Replacement Surgery

Wed, 26 Apr 2006 19:46:00 -0500

If you have severe arthritis pain in your hip that is interfering with your normal activities, you may be a good candidate for hip replacement surgery. This is a very common procedure that replaces the rough or diseased surfaces of bone at your joint area with a smooth implant. While the surgery may be painful, many people have found the results well worth it and have been able to resume an active lifestyle following the recovery period.

Here are some ways to find out more:

Talk to your doctor about what to expect with hip replacement surgery. Some questions to ask include: how long will the surgery take, what kind of pain should I expect with the procedure, what does the recovery involve and how long will the results last?

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How To Get Alzheimer's Care

Fri, 21 Apr 2006 20:40:00 -0500

If someone you love has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease and is no longer able to take care of him or herself, you may need some help in finding a skilled nursing home or extended care facility that will provide the level of care the patient will need. Here are some tips to help you with this difficult task:

Recognize that caring for a patient with Alzheimer's Disease is a full-time responsibility and you may not be able to handle it alone.

Understand that for early stage Alzheimer's, an assisted living facility may be enough care, but for patients in a more advanced stage, full-time, live-in care will likely be most appropriate.

Find out what local services exist in your community that can help.

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How To Recognize Symptoms of Alzheimer's

Thu, 13 Apr 2006 21:01:00 -0500

Many changes come about as you age, so sometimes it can be difficult to tell if the memory lapses you are experiencing are a normal part of getting older or could be the signs of something more serious, like Alzheimer's Disease. While the differences can be very subtle, there are some warning signs that you shouldn't ignore. If you are concerned about your health, here are some symptoms of Alzheimer's to be on the lookout for:

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How To Treat Elderly Depression

Wed, 12 Apr 2006 17:47:00 -0500

If you struggle with depression, or suspect that a loved one is depressed, it is important to seek help as soon as possible. Untreated depression, particularly in older people, can lead to a host of related psychological and health problems. In addition, untreated depression has been linked to suicide in older people. Therefore, if you feel hopeless or helpless, or know someone else who does, you should talk to a medical professional as soon as possible. With professional help and support, you -- or your family member -- will have the resources to start feeling better.

If you suspect you suffer from depression:

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How To Prevent Depression in the Elderly

Wed, 12 Apr 2006 09:25:00 -0500

Do you find yourself feeling sad much of the time? If so, you may be suffering from depression, which is a medical condition that affects many older Americans. While senior citizens seem to particularly be at high risk for depression, it is not a normal part of growing old and should always be treated seriously or better yet, prevented. Here are some things you can do to prevent depression and enjoy life to your fullest potential:

Engage in activities that spark your interest and make you feel alive and happy. Rather than sitting in your room alone at night, get out and do something you enjoy!

If you experience a loss, seek support from family and friends and also participate in groups that focus on helping people grieve and cope.

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How To Prevent Memory Loss

Wed, 12 Apr 2006 08:48:00 -0500

Are you finding it harder to remember things than it used to be? If so, you are not alone. As people get older, their memory may not be quite as strong. But while some of the decline in memory may be a natural occurrence that happens with age, much of it may actually be due to factors you can control and prevent. Here are some things you can do to keep your mind sharp:

Keep your mind active. If you challenge yourself continually to learn new skills and practice existing ones, you will help your memory be at its best. Some helpful activities include completing crossword puzzles, playing scrabble, memorizing poetry and staying current with politics.

Make sure you are getting enough sleep. If not, your mind may be tired and this can lead to poor memory.

Reduce stress as much as possible from your life. When you have a lot of worry on your mind, you may find yourself becoming more forgetful.

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How To Prevent Falls in the Elderly

Wed, 12 Apr 2006 07:32:00 -0500

As people age, their risk of falling increases. In fact, falling is a serious health concern for the elderly, since older people's bones are more brittle and can break more easily than those of a younger person. While you can't stop yourself from aging, you can take steps to safeguard your house and your environment. In doing so, you can minimize your risk of falling and help to keep yourself healthy and strong.

Become active on a regular basis. By engaging in moderate exercise that is appropriate for your age, you can help improve your strength, maintain your balance and help yourself stay limber.

Work with your doctor or pharmacist to determine the side affects of all prescription and over-the-counter medication you take. Some may affect your balance, may make you more tired or cause confusion. All of these things can make you feel less sure on your feet.

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How To Protect Mental Health in the Elderly

Kathleen93 — Fri, 31 Mar 2006 09:53:00 -0600

This list of tips will help to protect mental health in the elderly, provided that the senior is in good to fair mental health to begin with. There are some conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, which may for the most part be out of our control.

The first thing to do is to make sure that the senior isn't already suffering from some type of mental illness. If they are having drastic mood swings, are unusually forgetful, or very depressed, they should go to see a mental health doctor, one who specializes in seniors.

If they have a history of alcoholism, drug use, or have undergone some devastating life changes, then those things should be investigated by a mental health professional. This is to make sure that those issues have been addressed and are in the past. If they have not been addressed, they can become an issue again later in life.

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