ANALGESICS/DEMENTIA
Patients who use excessive amounts of pain medications containing
phenacetin may develop an Alzheimer's disease-like dementia. The
overuse of phenacetin may overpower the body's protective system,
producing premature accumulation of lipofuscin (wear and tear
pigment), and speeding neuronal aging. (The Lancet 2:242-245, July
31, 1971) Copyright Phylis Austin
BODY WEIGHT/LONGEVITY
Americans whose weight is at least 10 percent below the United
States average appear to be lower risk of death than are heavier
individuals. (Journal of the American Medical Association
257(3)353-358, January 16, 1987) Copyright Phylis Austin
EXERCISE/MENTAL FUNCTION/ELDERLY
Elderly people who are physically fit have higher fluid
intelligence scores than sedentary peers. An Ontario, Canada study
revealed that a 45-minute exercise period improved mental and
cognitive (perception) function. Even light exercise was sufficient
to induce this improvement. (Journal of American Geriatric Society
36:29-33, 1988) Copyright Phylis Austin
SALT SENSITIVITY/AGING
People may become more salt sensitive as they age. Dr. Myron Weinberger, director of the
hypertension research center at Indiana University, points out that sodium chloride (salt)
restriction is very important in the treatment of high blood pressure in the elderly. He
cautions that diuretic use may be dangerous in the older patient. (Medical World News
29(9)23, May 9, 1988) Copyright Phylis Austin
EXERCISE/AGING BRAIN
Regular physical exercise improves the mental ability of people
from their mid-50s and on, according to a Scripps College of
Claremont, California study.
A study of 300 people, aged 55-91 revealed that reasoning,
reaction time, and memory tests improved with exercise. A
significant difference was seen even in those who exercised for 30
minutes a day, but more exercise leads to better test scores. The
researchers speculate that the benefits may be due to improvement
in brain blood flow. (USA Today, June 21, 1989) Copyright Phylis Austin
BREEDING/LONGEVITY
A study on fruit flies conducted by Michael Rose, Ph.D., of the
University of California at Irvine, suggests that delaying breeding
may lead to a longer lifespan. Fruit flies in his studies lived 10
percent longer after 10 generations of delayed breeding; after 30
generations they lived 30 percent longer. Dr. Rose reported that
not only did the fruit flies live longer, but they were healthier
and more active longer into their lifespan. (Longevity 1(10)81,
July, 1989) Copyright Phylis Austin
AGING/PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
Aging individuals who remain physically active demonstrate better
mental functioning. Physical inactivity leads to decreased
cerebral blood flow. (Journal of the American Geriatric Society
38:123-128, 1990) Copyright Phylis Austin
SUGAR/AGING
Sugar intake may contribute to or cause aging, according to a
report in Longevity magazine. (Longevity 2(8)49-51, June 1990) Copyright Phylis Austin
EXERCISE/AGED
Elderly people, even up to 96-years-of-age, have been shown to
benefit from a high-intensity exercise program. A group of ten
elderly persons in a nursing home placed on an exercise program
demonstrated marked improvements in strength, walking speed, and
mobility. Some of the people in the study group were able to
discard their canes. They group demonstrated greater stability on
their feet, and were less likely to suffer falls. The study showed
increases in leg strength ranging from 61 to 374 percent over the
study period. (Journal of the American Medical Association
263:3029-3034, June 13, 1990) Copyright Phylis Austin
EXERCISE/HEART DISEASE RISK IN ELDERLY
Leisure time exercise in elderly people has been shown to increase
HDL cholesterol levels, and may reduce the risk of ischemic heart
disease. (Journal of the American Geriatric Society 38:847-854,
1990) Apparently we are never too old to benefit from exercise.
Retirement is a good opportunity to increase your exercise. Copyright Phylis Austin
SUNLIGHT/SLEEP IN ELDERLY
Institutionalized elderly often have sleep problems, which are
often treated with sleep medications, which often lose their
effectiveness after a few weeks, and expose the patient to
increased risk of falls, mental disturbances, and rebound
insomnia.
A group of twelve elderly, demented men were placed out-of-
doors in a brightly lit area twice a day, from 9-10 a.m. and again
from 2-3 p.m. each day. There were no particular activities
planned during the sun exposure time; patients who wished to sleep
were allowed to do so. Some patients demonstrated improved sleep
patterns the first night after sun exposure was begun. The men in
the study slept more hours at night (and during the day) and their
sleep was much more likely to be uninterrupted.
Earlier studies have demonstrated more sleep disturbances in
blind individuals, suggesting that lack of sunlight may contribute
to disturbed sleep.
Caretakers in the nursing home observed that the sun exposed men
also demonstrated improved appetites, better bowel habits,
increased attention spans and improved affect during the sun
exposure.
Care should be taken that the patient not suffer sunburn during
the exposure. Hats and sunscreen were utilized in this study.
The patients quickly returned to their poor sleep habits when
the sun exposure was discontinued. (Journal of the American
Academy of Physician Assistants 4:321-6, 1991) Copyright Phylis Austin
EXERCISE/MEMORY IN AGED
Memory in elderly individuals may be improved by a regular exercise
program. A group of elderly individuals ranging in age from 61 to
83 years of age demonstrated improvement in verbal memory following
a 9-week water aerobic exercise program. (International Journal of
Sports Medicine 12: 340, June 1991) Copyright Phylis Austin
EXERCISE/AGED
A group of veterans aged 65-74 were exercised three days a week for
90 minutes with warm up and cool downs, bicycling, strength
development, and walking. Over the two year follow-up the
participants demonstrated increased flexibility and improved
cardiac function. (Journal of the American Geriatric Society
39:549-554, 1991) Even the elderly benefit from exercise!
Another study revealed that exercised individuals demonstrated
better cognitive function and sustained cerebral (brain) blood
flow. (Inactive individuals suffer decreased brain blood flow).
(Journal of the American Geriatrics Society 38:123-128, 1990) Copyright Phylis Austin
HYPERTENSION IN ELDERLY/MENTAL CHANGES
Long lasting high blood pressure may lead to brain damage,
according to a study from Netherlands. The white matter of the
brain is damaged, resulting in decreased mental ability. (Internal
Medicine World Report Geriatric Medicine News and Reports 1(1),
March 1992) Copyright Phylis Austin
EXERCISE/LONGEVITY
Each mile an inactive person walks may increase his life span by 21
minutes, according to a study prepared by the RAND Corporation.
(University of California at Berkeley Wellness Letter 8(8)1, May
1992) Copyright Phylis Austin
BATHS/ITCHING/ELDERLY
Many elderly people suffer itching, dry skin, particularly during
the winter months. Heating and lower humidity may lead to a
condition often called "winter itch," which can be quite
distressing. Dermatologists suggest that itch sufferers bathe
without the use of soap, or use a cold-cream based soap. Water
should be only tepid, not hot, and drying should be done in a
patting rather than rubbing motion. (Medical Tribune 32(20)11,
October 3, 1991) Copyright Phylis Austin
SLEEP PROBLEMS IN ELDERLY
Many elderly people complain of sleep difficulties. Researchers at
Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina, studied
24 men over the age of 60. Half of the men in the study exercised
regularly and were physically fit; the other half of men were
healthy, but inactive.
Men who exercised fell asleep at night in half the time it took
non-exercisers, woke up fewer times during the night, and had
longer periods of refreshing, energy-restoring slow-wave sleep.
(Medical Tribune 33(12) June 25, 1992) Copyright Phylis Austin
NATURE/ELDERLY APARTMENT DWELLERS
Elderly adults who had access to nature in their surroundings were
significantly more satisfied with life than those who did not have
this exposure. An apartment overlooking a park or wooded area may
be very helpful to the elderly. (International Journal of Aging and
Human Development 33(2)119-130, 1991) Copyright Phylis Austin
POOR APPETITE IN ELDERLY
Elderly people often complain that food does not taste good. In
some cases this causes a reduction in the amount of food consumed,
which may lead to malnutrition. Fergus Clydesdale, a University of
Massachusetts food scientist reports that brightly colored foods
may allow the sight to adjust for the lack of flavor, making food
more appealing. (Your Health, September 20, 1994, p. 12) Copyright Phylis Austin
ELDERLY/WEIGHT TRAINING
Weight training decreases the risk of hip fractures in the elderly
by improving muscle strength, and decreasing the risk of falls. It
also provides cardiovascular benefits, and improves mental
outlook. (Internal Medicine News and Cardiology News 27(19)1, 18,
October 1, 1994) Copyright Phylis Austin
AIR POLLUTION/LONGEVITY
The air pollution which occurs in large cities may shorten lives.
Heart disease, lung disease, and lung cancer were all highest in
cities with the highest levels of air pollution. Tiny, invisible
pollutants may be inhaled deeply into the lungs where they may
cause disease. (Medical Abstracts Newsletter 14(1)1, January 1994;
New England Journal of Medicine 329:1753-1759, December 9, 1993) Copyright Phylis Austin
EXERCISE FOR ELDERLY
High-intensity resistance exercise programs reduce physical frailty
and counteract muscle weakness in elderly persons. (New England
Journal of Medicine 330:1769-1775, June 23, 1994) It reduces the
number of painful falls by increasing muscle control and dexterity.
Therefore the person suffers fewer fractures. Copyright Phylis Austin
WALKING/ELDERLY/HEART DISEASE
Walking more than four hours a week significantly reduces the risk of heart disease or
death from heart disease in the elderly. (Journal of the American Geriatric Society 44: 113-
120, 1996) Copyright Phylis Austin
EXERCISE/DEPRESSION IN AGED
Inactive elderly persons are more likely to be depressed than are those who exercise
regularly. Regular, intensive physical exercise was associated with better overall health and
a meaningful life and satisfaction with life. Other studies have demonstrated improved
cognitive function in exercising elderly. (Age and Aging 24:282-296, 1995) Copyright Phylis Austin
EXERCISE/AGING
Exercise is effective in slowing, or even preventing, many age-
related declines in physical function. Muscle strength decreases
10 to 20 percent between the ages of 20 and 50, but decreases an
additional 25 to 30 percent during the next 20 years. This decline
can be slowed, or even prevented, by exercise. One study showed
that 70-year-old men who actively participated in strength training
from middle age were as strong as 28-year-olds who did not train.
Strength training can double or triple the strength of 80- or 90-
year-olds in just months.
Stretching is also important in maintaining good physical function
into old age. It has been estimated that each decade of life
brings a five percent reduction in flexibility. A regular
stretching program may prevent this stiffness-related decline in
function.
Inactive persons will benefit from exercise regardless of their
age. Older individuals should warm up for five to ten minutes, and
cool down slowly after the exercise period. A sudden cessation may
produce dizziness, fainting, or other adverse effects.
Adequate fluid intake is important, the elderly are less likely to
feel thirsty. Drinking 16 ounces of water about two hours before
the exercise session and eight ounces every 20 minutes during the
exercise session, and another cup about 30 minutes after exercise
will prevent exercise-induced dehydration. (Consumer Reports on
Health 8(7)73-76, July 1996) Copyright Phylis Austin
DIABETES/GLUCOSE INTOLERANCE/AGED
A study of over 7,000 men and women aged 55 or older revealed that undiagnosed
diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance are common in the elderly. As the study
group aged the incidence increased. Eleven percent of women under 60 years of age and
34.7 percent of women over 85 had abnormal glucose metabolism. Almost 9 percent of men
less than 60 years of age and 24.3 percent of those 85 or older had abnormalities. Both
diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance increase the risk of heart disease. (American
Journal of Epidemiology 145:24-32, 1997) Copyright Phylis Austin
DIET/MENTAL ALERTNESS IN ELDERLY
A 15-year study from Loma Linda University revealed that elderly individuals with high
caloric intake had lower cognitive function than did those who consumed a diet lower in
calories.
Low educational attainment and the use of psychotropic drugs (drugs which affect mental
function) were also associated with poorer mental function. (American Journal of
Epidemiology 143(12)1181-1190, June 15, 1996) Copyright Phylis Austin
MODERATE EXERCISE/SLEEP IN ELDERLY
A study of elderly persons reporting sleep problems revealed
that a moderate intensity exercise program (brisk walking for 30 to
40 minutes four days a week over a course of 16 weeks) improved
sleep quality. Eight weeks into the study there was no marked
difference between the exercising group and the non-exercisers, but
by 16 weeks the benefits of exercise were evident.
Sleep problems are common in middle-aged and elderly persons,
and this simple, drug-free treatment will not only improve sleep,
but will improve over all health. (Journal of the American Medical
Association 227(1)32-37, January 1, 1997) Copyright Phylis Austin
WALKING/MENTAL FUNCTION IN ELDERLY
Elderly cardiac patients with brain atrophy or dementia have
improvement in their mental abilities, including memory, with a
walking program. Those patients who walked the most had less brain
atrophy than non-walkers. (Journal of Internal Medicine 238:423-
428, 1995) Copyright Phylis Austin
ANTIOXIDANTS/MEMORY IN AGED
People 65-years-of-age and older have better memories with
higher levels of ascorbic acid and beta-carotene plasma levels.
These antioxidants may slow the manifestations of brain aging.
(Journal of the American Geriatric Society 45:718-724, 1997) Copyright Phylis Austin
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE/BRAIN CHANGES IN ELDERLY
Structural changes occur in the human brain as we age. High
blood pressure accelerates these changes, particularly shrinking
the temporal and occipital regions. (Stroke 28:1410-1417, 1997) ED
- Since most persons with high blood pressure who would participate
in such a study are under the care of physicians who use drug
medications to treat their hypertension we postulate that it is
possible that the medications cause the shrinkage. We would like
to see a comparison of patients treated with drugs and those
treated with diet, weight loss, and herbal remedies. Copyright Phylis Austin