Archive for April 2013
Preventative Care for Ages 50+!
Some great information from WebMD Medical Reference.
- High blood pressure can lead to heart attack, stroke, and eye and kidney problems. Get your blood pressure checked at least once a year, even if you think you’re OK.
- Colon cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. The risk goes UP after age 50.
- Once you turn 60, talk to your doctor about a bone mineral density scan – it checks your risk for osteoporosis, or bone thinning.
- Twenty-seven percent of Americans, 65 and older, have diabetes. Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to blindness, kidney disease, even amputation.
- Quit smoking — or don’t start. Eat healthy and exercise regularly to keep a healthy weight. And always practice safe sex.
Anti-Aging Diet Tips
A few Anti-Aging tips from www.webmd.com!
1. Try for at least 3 oz. of whole grains a day – such as oats, quinoa, barley, wheat, or brown rice. They are rich in fiber and they also lower your risk for type 2 diabetes.
2. Be sure to snack on nuts – they help to reduce your risk of high blood pressure and high cholesterol. By eating even 1/4 of an ounce of nuts a day — about 4 almonds — it will do the trick.
3. Limiting sugary foods and drinks (that are high in calories and low in nutritional value) also help! By eating too much sugar, you can send your blood sugar levels on a roller coaster of up’s and down’s.
4. Eat at least 3 cups of fat-free or low-fat dairy a day. Options such as milk, yogurt, or cottage cheese have calcium and fortified vitamin D, which are essential for strong bones and staying active for life.
5. In place of red meat, add more beans and lentils! Beans and lentils are low in fat and rich in protein, protective antioxidants, and fiber. They are also inexpensive and easy to cook
A few fun facts about Seniors and Health from MedIndia
1. Currently people over 65 years number 483 million in the world and by 2030 the number will reach 974 million. By the year 2025 approximately 18% of the world population will be seniors.
2. There are 72 men for every 100 women in the age group ‘above 65 years’ and there are 45 men per 100 women in the age group ‘above 85 years.’
3. The number of people over 50 years who access the web is growing every day. It is estimated that 19% of the web users are over 50 years.
4. In the United States on Nov 1st, 2005 there were an estimated 67,473 centenarians (people aged 100 or older).
5. There are immense benefits of increasing the life spans of people in our community. Kevin Murphy and Robert Topel made some interesting estimates on insurance pay-outs if we increased our longevity. Reducing the death rate from heart disease or cancer by 20% would be worth around $10 trillion to Americans. This would be more than one year’s U.S. Gross Domestic Product.
6. As per the Guinness Book of World Records – Jeanne Louise Calment was the oldest human who lived for 122 years and 164 days. She was born in France on February 21, 1875, and died at a nursing home in Arles, southern France on August 4, 1997.
7. In the United States, seniors account for 40% of all prescriptions although they form only 15% of the population.
8. Older people are more prone to loneliness and depression and have a higher rate of suicide. In 1997, 20% of all U.S. suicide deaths were by individuals aged 65 and older.
9. Keeping physically active can slow the ageing process. Exercise is the mantra to keep young and feel good. A study published in 1995 that tracked 9,777 men between 20 and 82 years found that physically unfit men who became fit had death rates 44% lower than those who remained unfit.
10. Regular exercise prevents bone loss and incidence of fractures; it increases the muscle strength and hence the balance and co-ordination.
References:
1. World Health Network
2. USA Today
3. National Center for Health Statistics
* Read more: Top Ten Facts About Senior Health | Medindiahttp://www.medindia.net/health_statistics/health_facts/senior-health-facts.htm#ixzz2LwYT56LI*