Archives

Using Antibiotics Early Could Reduce the Risk of Sepsis

Using Antibiotics Early Could Reduce the Risk of Sepsis

People are hesitant to prescribe antibiotics because they wipe out all bacteria, both good and bad. Using antibiotics early could reduce the risk of sepsis in elderly patients who have urinary tract infections (UTI).

Using Antibiotics Early Could Reduce the Risk of Sepsis

Using Antibiotics Early Could Reduce the Risk of Sepsis

 

This discovery is from the Imperial College London and Public Health England and published in BMJ.

The researchers say the results from the study show evidence that helps doctors make clinical decisions about when to prescribe antibiotics.

The team looked at records from 157,264 patients over the age of 65 in England who have had a UTI. 87% of patients had been prescribed antibiotics right away, 6% were delayed up to a week, and 7% didn’t get antibiotics at all.

Only 0.2% of patients who got antibiotics right away developed sepsis within 60 days. Patients who had their antibiotics delayed or didn’t get any at all were eight times more likely to develop it.

Research also showed that 1.6% of patients who got medicine right away died within the following 60 days. Risk of death for patients who had their prescription delayed increased by 16%. Patients who didn’t have any medicine had over double the risk of death.

The researchers stress that the study only shows delayed antibiotics are connected with an increased risk of sepsis and death. It doesn’t cause it directly. There could be other factors included in their risk of sepsis.

Read more about the study here.

Does Inflammation Affect Bone Healing?

Inflammation can cause all sorts of havoc in your body. Now, a study is saying that inflammation affects bone healing. This could explain why it takes so long to heal after a broken bone as you get older.

Does Inflammation Affect Bone Healing?

Does Inflammation Affect Bone Healing?

 

The study was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).

It’s well known that your body gets more easily inflamed as you get older due to wear and tear. Inflammation caused by the immune system thinking something is attacking you. It’s supposed to be part of the healing process.

This study looked at how the age-driven increase in immune signals ruins the ability of stems to multiply. Stems cells are crucial to bone repair and creating new bone.

The team tried and successfully restored the skeletal stem cell number and function in aging mice by using the anti-inflammatory part of aspirin.

Their results prove that the decrease in the number and function of the skeletal stem cells that enable bones to heal is due to inflammation, not age.

This could mean that it would be better to start taking anti-inflammatory drugs weeks before any orthopedic surgeries, instead of waiting until after a bone breaks. Doing this could result in an average healing speed.

Read more here.

12 Different Ways Your Eyes are Warning You About Your Health

12 Different Ways Your Eyes are Warning You About Your Health

Your eyes aren’t only good for seeing. They can also give you signs about your health. Depending on the symptoms, it can be obvious or subtle. It’s essential to pay attention when your eyes are warning you about your health.

12 Different Ways Your Eyes are Warning You About Your Health

12 Different Ways Your Eyes are Warning You About Your Health

 

1. White Spots on Your Cornea

This can mean you have an eye infection, which is a common problem if you wear contact lens.

It can also be a sign of a corneal infection.

2. Eye Twitching

You already know that stress comes out in different ways, including eye twitching. Luckily, this symptom isn’t dangerous, but it is a sign that you need to relax.

3. Blurred Vision

Usually, blurry vision means it’s time to break out the glasses, but it could mean more. Not only can blurry vision be a sign of eye problems like cataracts or macular degeneration, but it can also be a sign of diabetes.

A 2014 study found that 73% of diabetic patients sampled had blurry vision. Your eye doctor could detect diabetes when they are checking your eyes.

4. White Ring Around Your Iris

If this is noticed during an eye exam, it may be time to go to your doctor. While a white ring can be a sign of aging, it can also be a sign of high cholesterol. Your eyes could be telling you that you are at an increased risk of heart attack or stroke.

5. Damaged Blood Vessels in Your Retina

This isn’t a symptom that you can see in a mirror. This is the type of symptom that gets noticed during an eye exam.

Damaged blood vessels in your retina are also known as hypertensive retinopathy.

It’s a sign that your blood pressure is too high.

6. Your Eyes are Dry All the Time

If you are rubbing your eyes all the time and the skin around them is red, this can mean you have allergies. Rubbing too much or too hard can cause your eyelid to become looser and even saggy. This can cause wrinkles, increased exposure to air, and make your eyes dry.

7. Eye Floaties

Occasionally you will see little specks in your vision, and while most of the time they are harmless, they also shouldn’t be shrugged off. If you notice you have more than usual, this could be a sign of a retinal tear or detachment.

8. Puffy and Red Eyes

This symptom doesn’t necessarily mean infection. It can be a sign that you are tired. Your eyes are telling you that you need to sleep.

9. Yellow Patch or a Bump on the Whites to the Side

A tiny percentage of this is precancerous, but most of them are not. Getting too much sun can cause these patches. You can wear special glasses that will protect you from the sun if you notice these patches appearing.

10. The Whites of Your Eyes Turning Yellow

If you see this symptom, it could mean that you are developing Jaundice, a condition where you have too much bilirubin. It’s a yellow compound formed from the breakdown of red blood cells.

You can get this due to an infection, alcohol-related diseases, or cancer.

11. Eye Strain and Tearing Up

It’s hard not to be on the computer all day in this new age of technology. If you stare too long at a computer or TV screen, your eyes can get too dry and start tearing up.

12. Broken Blood Vessels

While no one likes to look in the mirror and see this, it’s essential to notice. This can mean that you are straining your eyes. Maybe give your eyes a break.

Read more here.

Seniors Need to Drink More H2O

Seniors Need to Drink More H2O

Drinking water is essential for our everyday health, so why are seniors not drinking enough? There are many conditions that seniors develop due to dehydration that aren’t recognized. Seniors need to drink more H2O.

Seniors Need to Drink More H2O

Seniors Need to Drink More H2O

 

Around 40% of seniors who live in a community are chronically underhydrated. Underhydration is the final step before dehydration kicks in.

Dehydration caused a 5% increase in preventable emergency room visits between 2008 and 2012. People 65 and older have the highest hospital admission rates for dehydration.

How is So Much Dehydration Happening?

 

One of the most significant problems when it comes to battling senior dehydration is knowing whether they are dehydrated or not. There is no perfect way to figure it out.

Salivary osmolality could be used as a way for doctors to check hydration in seniors. It compares the ratio of water to certain chemicals that are naturally in saliva and is measured by using an osmometer. The device is noninvasive and only needs a sample the size of a teardrop.

A study published in SAGE Open Nursing showed the team taking urine samples from 53 adults at 2 different senior communities and an adult day care center in Los Angeles. They take samples twice a day, one day a week, over a 3 week period.

By measuring salivary osmolality, the team found that the participants had higher osmolarity, AKA greater dehydration, than younger people. Dehydration was higher in the morning than in the afternoon. It was also higher in those who couldn’t move around.

The team found that a big reason for the early morning dehydration is because seniors were afraid to have an accident overnight.

Health Issues Caused by Dehydration

 

Many health problems can be tied to dehydration. There’s the most obvious which is a urinary tract infection. But, if a senior stays underhydrated for a long period of time, any virus or bacteria they are exposed to are more likely to turn into an infection.

This can include UTIs, pneumonia, and other respiratory diseases. Seniors will be treated for the infection, but not for the dehydration.

Also, dehydration can cause falls in the morning.

Read more here.

5 Causes of Heart Disease You May Not Know About

5 Causes of Heart Disease You May Not Know About

Heart disease is a severe problem in America. 1 in 4 deaths is due to heart disease. While it’s pretty well known that exercise and a good diet keep your heart healthy, there are some causes of heart disease you may not know about.

5 Causes of Heart Disease You May Not Know About

5 Causes of Heart Disease You May Not Know About

 

1. Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea puts a tremendous amount of stress on your heart. People who have sleep apnea can also have high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat), and pulmonary hypertension.

Sleep apnea symptoms are daytime sleepiness, memory problems, and irritability.

Being overweight and having certain features like having a prominent chin or tongue may cause you to develop sleep apnea.

Premenopausal women are less likely to have sleep apnea than men. Though, postmenopausal women and men share similar risks. Sleep apnea becomes more common with age until you hit 60, then it starts to slop down.

A way to treat sleep apnea is to use a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine at night. Though some people don’t like using it. Other treatments are weight loss, oral appliances, nasal decongestants, and surgery.

2. Stress, Anxiety, and Loneliness

Stress is a part of life, but that doesn’t mean that it’s good for us. While there is such a thing as good stress, most of the time the stress people experience is bad.

It might be hard to believe, but lack of social interaction and positive relationships can be bad for your heart. Lonely people are at a higher risk of heart disease and depression.

The American Heart Association says that it’s still unknown how stress plays a role in heart disease.

3. Sitting All Day

You know exercise is good for you, but did you know that sitting all day can increase your chance of developing heart disease?

A 2014 study showed how an unmoving lifestyle affected blood pressure. They found that sitting all day can increase blood pressure. Even if you exercise an hour a day, sitting all day can increase your risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.

4. The Flu

The flu is already bad enough, but now it can increase the risk of heart problems. This is due to the inflammation the flu causes. The illness has been connected to heart trouble between October and February of every year.

One 2016 study found that people who had the flu were 6 times more likely to have a heart attack within the first 7 days of their condition being confirmed with testing.

Just another reason to get a flu shot.

5. Dental Disease

You may not realize how important your dental health can be to your overall health. Mouth issues like cavities and gum disease can create chronic inflammation. Inflammation can speed up the hardening of the arteries, which cause the risks of heart problems to go up dramatically.

Though with good brushing, flossing, and trips to the dentist, you should be all set.

Read more here.

6 Ways to Protect Your Eyes From Macular Degeneration

Eye Tracking Tests Can Help Detect Alzheimer's

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an incurable eye disease that affects millions. Is there any way to prevent AMD? Experts do say there are a few ways you can protect your eyes from macular degeneration.

6 Ways to Protect Your Eyes From Macular Degeneration

What You Need to Know About AMD

 

AMD causes blurred vision because of damage to the macula. The macula is a small area at the back of the eye. It’s normal to have damage in that area by the time you are 60.

It’s also more common in women and people who are white. Anyone who has a higher chance of getting AMD should get yearly eye exams.

6 Ways to Protect Your Eyes From Macular Degeneration

 

1. Stop Smoking

Smoking can double your risk of developing AMD.

2. Know Your Family History

If you have a relative that has AMD, that means you have a higher risk of developing it yourself. Knowing your family history will allow you to look for any potential symptoms.

Symptoms to look for are having a hard time recognizing faces, not being able to adapt to low light, and straight lines looking wavy.

3. Eat Your Greens

Spinach, kale, Swiss chard, and other leafy greens are high in antioxidant vitamins. These protect against cellular damage from free radicals.

4. Take Multivitamins

If you don’t eat well, you need to be taking multivitamins. If you have a large risk of AMD, you need to ask your doctor for a special blend of supplements called AREDS.

This isn’t a treatment or cure but will minimize your risk of getting a more severe version of AMD.

5. Wear Sunglasses

Wear sunglasses that will protect you from UV and blue light. These types of light can cause eye damage. Sunglasses with a “UV 400” label are best.

6. Healthy Blood Pressure

Poor circulation due to high blood pressure can restrict blood flow to your eyes.

Read more here.

Seniors on Medicare are Spending Less on Healthcare

How Ageism Hurts Seniors' Health

A new Harvard study has discovered that seniors on Medicare are spending less money on healthcare. In fact, it has lessened dramatically since 2005. By 2012, the reductions saved the average person around $3,000 a year. With the whole senior population, the savings equaled around $120 billion.

Seniors on Medicare are Spending Less on Healthcare

Seniors on Medicare are Spending Less on Healthcare

 

What is causing this drastic change? Could it because there is better preventive care available?

Most economists say that prevention doesn’t actually save money, but does save lives. Prevention programs need a lot of people to be effective, which makes them expensive. If everyone doesn’t get better from the program, then economists consider it a loss.

A Harvard study shows that this isn’t necessarily true. In fact, the study shows that cardiovascular health is the reason there is a spending dip among seniors on Medicare.

This is because heart disease and strokes are what make people spend so much time in hospitals. The number of people suffering from these conditions has declined a lot, this is due to preventive care.

So overall, this study shows that preventive care makes a difference, not only health wise, but money wise too. Who knows what this will mean with Medicare and healthcare spending in the future?

Read more here.

Too Much TV can Hurt Seniors’ Memory

What's the Best Term to Use When Talking About Aging Loved Ones

Remember your parents telling you that TV will rot your brain? In a sense they were right. Only it doesn’t mess with kids’ brains, it actually can hurt seniors’ memory. This is concerning because Americans still watch TV over anything else.

Too Much TV can Hurt Seniors' Memory

All About the Study Participants

 

A pair of British researchers found that too much TV makes verbal memory decline. The study showed that watching TV for more than 3.5 hours a day can contribute to cognitive decline.

The study, published in the English Longitudinal Study of Aging, had 3,590 participants. They started in 2008-9 and were followed up on 6 years later.

The researchers divided the participants into 5 different groups based on their TV habits.

  • Group 1: under 2.5 hours a day
  • Group 2: 2.5-3.5 hours a day
  • Group 3: 3.5-4.5 hours a day
  • Group 4: 4.5-7 hours a day
  • Group 5: over 7 hours a day

Women, single people, and low socioeconomic status people watched the most TV.

Too Much TV can Hurt Seniors’ Memory

 

The team of researchers studied two specific types of cognition, semantic fluency, and verbal memory. Semantic fluency was tested by thinking of as many animals as possible in a minute. Verbal memory was tested by remembering as many words as possible from a spoken list.

They didn’t find any associations with TV and semantic fluency. This is a commonly used marker of cognitive capabilities. They did find that watching more than 3.5 hours of a TV a day was connected to poorer verbal memory.

Accounting for other factors like demographics, health, and behavior, everything suggests that people who watched a lot of TV had worse brains. The most susceptible to decline were people with higher baseline cognition to begin with.

3.5 hours is the amount that causes an effect, not watching TV in general.

It’s thought that this happens because of the stress between your brain and body. When you watch TV, your brain is active, while your body is not. The “alert-passive interaction” can create a kind of cognitive stress that taxes your verbal memory skills.

Though there are cognitive benefits of more active screen watching like internet use and video gaming.

Read more here.

9 Exercises That Will Strengthen Your Knees

8 Exercises Strengthen and Increase Mobility of Hips

Knees. Can’t live with them, can’t live without them. Knee pain is no joke and a very common problem. It’s only second to low back pain. If you have bad knees, not all is lost. There are exercises will help strengthen your knees.

9 Exercises That Will Strengthen Your Knees

9 Exercises That Will Strengthen Your Knees

 

The key to doing exercises that will help your knees is to avoid the ones that cause you pain. We know that sounds obvious, but not all exercises should cause you pain.

For example, don’t do deep squats or high impact activities. Instead, you need to do exercises that focus on strengthening the quadriceps and hamstrings. This way you reduce the strain on your knees.

1. Mini or Partial Squats

This will strengthen your quadriceps.

Hold onto a chair or stable surface with knees shoulder-width apart and knees pointing forward. Next, bend your hips and knees a little as if you are starting to sit and then slowly stand up.

Do this 10 to 12 times.

2. Standing Hamstring Curls

Again, start by holding a chair or stable surface. Next, without moving your hips, bend your knees as far as possible. Try to get your heel up to your butt.

Do this 10 to 12 times with each leg.

3. Marching in Place

On your own, or if you need something stable to hold onto, take steps in place. Bring your knee up to a comfortable height.

Try to do 60 seconds of continuous marching.

4. Heel Raises

This will help your calf muscles.

Once again, hold onto a chair or stable surface. Then rise up on toes and lift your heels off the ground and then bring them back down.

Do 10 to 12 reps.

5. Quad Sets

You can do this exercise on the floor with or without a pillow under your knees. Sit with your legs out in front of you with your knees straight.

If you need to you can lean against a wall or on your hands.

Try contracting your quadriceps muscles and holding them as tight as you can for a few seconds. Then relax.

Do this 10 times. If you want, you can do this a few times a day if your knees ache.

6. Straight Leg Raises

Start with sitting on the floor with your legs and knees straight in front of you. Then doing this one leg at a time, pull your toes towards your knee.

If this is too hard, you can try to lie down on the floor.

Keep your other leg bent with your foot on the floor. Then squeeze your quads in the leg that is straight. After that, lift your foot about a foot off the ground and hold it for 5 seconds. Then slowly lower it back down.

Do this 10 times with each leg.

7. Wall Slides with Ball Squeeze

Stand with your back against the wall and your feet shoulder-width apart. Hold a small ball between your knees. Slowly slide down the wall with knees bent.

Your knees should form a right angle with your quads parallel to the floor.

Hold 5 to 10 seconds and slowly rise up to the starting position.

Do this 10 or more times.

8. Clams

Sadly, this has nothing to do with seafood. Instead, lie on your side with your hip and knee bent to a 90-degree angle. Your feet should be together.

While keeping your ankles together, raise your top knee up around a foot from the other. This will create a clamshell motion.

Repeat 10 to 25 times on each side.

9. Glute Bridges

On your back with your knees bent at a 90-degree angle and feet on your floor, tighten your butt as you lift it up. You should try to go as high as you can without arching your back.

Your shoulders, hips, and knees should align.

Hold this position as you lift one leg up, still keeping knees aligned. Try to hold this position for 3 to 5 seconds and then lower your body.

Do 10 to 25 reps with each side.

Read more here.

Are Seniors Being Pressured to Get Dialysis?

Are Seniors Being Pressured to Get Dialysis?

Dialysis is often the first go to when someone has failing kidneys. Seniors, in particular, are often encouraged to do this. But, are seniors being pressured to get dialysis instead of being encouraged?

Are Seniors Being Pressured to Get Dialysis?

Are Seniors Being Pressured to Get Dialysis?

 

While dialysis can be extremely helpful, for some seniors who are frail, dialysis does nothing for them.

A report in JAMA Internal Medicine, Dr. Susan Wong, and her team looked to see if seniors were being pressured. Wong is a core investigator at the VA Health Services Research and Development Center.

Wong looked through 851 medical records of veterans who had an average of 75. These veterans declined to have dialysis even though they have end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

Wong and her team found 3 major dynamics in the patient/doctor relations.

1. Some physicians constantly go back to dialysis using different methods to get patients to change their minds. When patients stand their ground, doctors questioned their cognitive ability to make that decision for themselves.

2. Physicians decide that dialysis wasn’t a good idea without talking about this decision with the patient.

3. Patients who didn’t want dialysis were told there was little else that doctors could do. Kidney specialists will sign off from the case with a recommendation of hospice care.

In some cases, doctors will bring in family members to try to convince the patient to choose dialysis.

Why is This Happening?

 

Wong thinks that training is the reason doctors won’t accept the patient’s choice when it comes to not getting dialysis.

Without dialysis, people with ESRD could only survive a few days or weeks depending on their kidneys.

Physicians are focused on longevity being the most important thing. This doesn’t always go along with what the patient wants. Quality of life clashes against medical training, which wants to help people live as long as possible.

The study shows that doctors need to remember that their patient is a person and that doctors need to take what the patient wants into consideration.

Read more here.