Senior Fitness

Senior Fitness
By Kirsten Hawkins

Staying fit and mobile plays a large role in senior health. It’s not always easy to maintain fitness levels as we age. Naturally, our bodies change, but we don’t want them becoming immobile! Here are some tips to make your senior years more enjoyable and fit.

As much as possible, continue doing your daily living tasks. Taking a bath, even if it’s just a sponge bath, gives your arms a mini-workout. You’re bending and keeping flexible, which is vital for proper joint health.

Cooking involves peeling vegetables, some walking, bending to reach pots and pans. Don’t fret that you may not be able to do all grocery shopping by yourself. As long as you can continue cooking at home, this allows more chance for movement.

So, we’re continuing our daily tasks, and now it’s time to consider some specific exercise.

Golfing provides fun, a chance for walking, bending, and maintaining flexibility. Even miniature golf allows for some of these tasks, so join the grandkids if you can.

Perhaps getting out to a golf course isn’t possible for you right now. Buy one of those mini-putting greens you can use indoors. Even these will improve your ability to move more freely.

Several times a day, make it a point to stop and work on a flexibility exercise. For instance, stretch your legs while sitting in the recliner. Do five or six mini leg lifts or stretch your arms over your head and hold them there for a count of ten. All activity, even simple ones, increases your ability to move freely and with less pain.

Check with your doctor about the exercises he or she suggests. You may be asked to visit a physical therapist who will work with you on improving your fitness. Therapists have some fun ideas on staying fitter – simple games you can play in your home with your grandkids, like batting a balloon back and forth with a plastic racket. You’ll find yourself enjoying the exercise even more with your children around!

By making a simple choice each day of staying mobile as much as possible, you increase your chances of living a more independent life.

About the Author: Kirsten Hawkins is a nutrition and health expert from Nashville, TN. Visit http://www.popular-diets.com/ for more great nutrition, well-being, and vitamin tips as well as reviews and comments on popular diets.
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Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Usually Diagnosed In People 40 Years Old Or In The Senior Years
By Connie Limon

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) develops slowly over many years sometimes before you notice symptoms such as “feeling short of breath.” Cigarette smoking is the most common cause of COPD. It can also be caused by breathing in lung irritants like pollutions, dust, or chemicals over a long period of time.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is usually diagnosed in people 40 years old or older, and is a major cause of death and illness throughout the world. In the U.S.A., chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is the 4th leading cause of death. There is no cure for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It is not a
contagious disease. Damage to airways and lungs cannot be reversed. There are only things you can do to feel better and slow the damage to your lungs.

In a healthy person airways of the lungs are clear and open andthe air sacs are small, elastic, and springy. In people diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, the airways and air sacs lose their shape and become floppy.

Causes of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease include:

•Cigarette smoking (most common cause)
•Breathing fumes and other pollutants that irritate and damage the lungs and airways.
•Pipe, cigar and other types of tobacco smoking can cause COPD especially if the smoke is inhaled.
•People with a family history of COPD are more likely to get the disease if they smoke.
•Secondhand smoke plays a role in causing COPD.
•Frequent, severe lung infections in childhood may increase the risk for acquiring COPD later in life.

Symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease start years before the flow of air in and out of the lungs is reduced and include:

•Cough with sputum production (most common is a cough that does not go away and coughing up lots of sputum).
•Shortness of breath especially with exercise.
•Wheezing or whistling sound when you breathe.
•Tightness in the chest.

It is important to note that not everyone who has a cough and sputum goes on to develop chronic pulmonary obstructive disease.

A doctor looking for chronic pulmonary obstructive disease will examine you, listen to your lungs and ask you questions about your medical history. Physician questions will include what kind of lung irritants you may have been around for long periods of.time and if you smoke.

A breathing test called “spirometry” may be used. It is painless and used to show how well your lungs work. Based upon this the spirometry test results, your doctor can determine if you have chronic pulmonary obstructive disease and just how.severe it is. There are four levels of chronic pulmonary obstructive disease severity, they are:

•People at risk for COPD
•People with mild COPD
•People with moderate COPD
•People with severe COPD

Goals of treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease include:

•To relieve symptoms with no or minimal side effects from the treatments
•To slow progress of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
•To prevent complications from the disease
•To improve overall health

The exact treatment plan for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can be different for each person and is based on whether symptoms are mild, moderate or severe.

Treatments used for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease include:

•Medications such as bronchodilators that work by relaxing the muscles around the airways to open them up and make it easier to breathe. Bronchodilators are inhaled directly into the lungs via an inhaler
•Pulmonary or lung rehabilitation
•Oxygen treatment
•Surgery
•Treatments to manage complications or sudden onset of symptoms

•Pneumococcal vaccine may be recommended to prevent pneumonia
•Annual flu shot to avoid breathing complications from the flu

Surgery is usually done for patients with severe symptoms that do not improve from other types of treatments, and have a hard time breathing most of the time. The two types of surgery that are considered in cases of severe chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease are:

•A bullectomy to remove a large air sac that may compress a good lung
•A lung transplant

Hospitalization may be needed if:

•You have a lot of difficulty catching your breath
•You have a hard time talking
•Your lips or fingernails turn blue or gray

Source: The American Lung Association

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The information in this article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. All health concerns should be addressed by a qualified health care professional. This article is FREE to publish with the resource box.

© 2007 Connie Limon All rights reserved

About the Author: Connie Limon Visit
http://smalldogs2.com/SeniorHealth for an extensive list of
articles all about the health and care of seniors.

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Massage Therapy For Senior Citizens
By Stephanie Macintosh

Massage therapy can offer senior citizens a number of benefits
that will greatly improve their sense of health and wellbeing.
As the population continues to age, it is important to consider
ways that we can work to improve the lives of those affected by
the passing of time. A number of studies have shown that massage
therapy can have a direct impact in managing the effects of
aging. It has also shown promise in bringing comfort to those
suffering from arthritis and other physical ailments.

As people age, they naturally become less active. This lack of
physical activity can lead to the onset of other conditions
which, if not dealt with, can greatly reduce their quality of
life. The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage
and Bodywork (NCBTMB) has been promoting the use of massage
therapy for some time now. According to a recent study, there is
a general awareness of massage therapy but a lack of
understanding of its direct benefits.

In the case of senior citizens, there are a number of benefits
that be derived from therapeutic massage. According to the Touch
Research Institute, it is extremely useful in the treatment of
Alzheimer's patients, as it can facilitate relaxation and
communication. In the case of arthritis sufferers, it can
greatly assist in pain management and help increase range of
motion. It also triggers natural joint lubrication, which is
extremely important for those suffering from arthritis.

Massage therapy has also shown promise by helping to increase
strength and muscle coordination. It can also greatly improve
one's posture by reducing muscle tension, which has the added
benefit of assisting seniors with a higher quality of rest.
Massage has also been known to boost one's natural energy
levels, along with their mental awareness. Study after study has
shown that there is a place for massage therapy within the
health care community.

More and more people are becoming aware of the benefits of
massage therapy. In an age where the common approach to pain
management has been dominated by the interests of the
pharmaceutical industry, massage therapy has shown to be an
effective and natural solution to the ailments associated with
process of aging. If you or a loved one are interested in
learning more about the benefits of therapeutic massage, please
visit the website mentioned below.

About the Author: Stephanie Macintosh is a certified massage
therapist based in Portland. When she is not busy with her
growing practice, she writes for
http://www.massagetherapy101.com – an insightful website with
information about the benefits of Massage Therapy, Massage
Techniques, Massage Equipment and more.

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What Do You Need To Know About Senior’s Health

What Do You Need To Know About Senior’s Health
By Mansi Aggarwal

As one progresses in age, he retreats in health or fitness. Though senior citizens are counseled to stay fit, it is barely the case like. Numerous natural transformations occur in the body as it moves towards fragility. For instance, the bones and muscles lose their potential reducing the stamina of the body, the kidneys and other internal organs start malfunctioning and the vigor of the skin recedes.

But the fact is that health is wealth at every stage of life. It is more crucial when one enters into the senior citizens category because there are few caretakers in those times. So, the elderly should concentrate on fitness as much as possible.
There are quite a few ways in which the aged can enjoy a good physical and mental health.

1. Health Insurance- it is the first and foremost requirement of every senior citizen. A medical insurance is the greatest friend in the time of need. It can provide you and your family the financial aid in worst times of your life.

But one should be pretty careful in purchasing a health care policy. The plan that facilitates maximum benefits should be taken up.

2. Diet and Exercise- the diet of individual varies with the age along with other factors. But at an older age, a person should be extra careful in matters of eating. This is because, the antibodies or the immunity system receives a setback in this
age and one becomes more prone to all sorts of illnesses. The diet therefore should be thriving in vitamins, minerals, proteins and carbohydrates. Fats should be strictly avoided as they make one susceptible to numerous diseases particularly
heart problems. There must be an extra intake of calcium to support the diluting bones.

But a rich diet is not enough. Some exercises should be a part of daily routine in this age. Individuals need to be extra cautious about movements of their limbs for the natural strength and the disease fighting ability of the body keeps on retiring
in older ages.

3. Those who have a family history of ailments like prostrate and colon cancer, the diseases that most likely hit men in fifties and above, should get regular medical check ups done. They must follow the doctor’s advice and all the injunctions and
prohibitions.

4. Women are more likely to be affected by breast cancer. They also are vulnerable to other diseases due to menopause. Though the course of destiny can never be averted yet prevention should never be ignored. There are some medicines that women should take after menopause in order to minimize the risk factor.

5. Alzheimer’s disease and Dementia are even threatening for women. The former is a fall in certain cognitive brain functions. It is a type of dementia. Dementia impedes an individual’s intellectual functioning and capability to work. These diseases mostly affect women in sixties and above that. Such women gradually become forgetful and incompetent in doing skilful work. As soon as some of these symptoms are evident, doctor should be consulted without delay. Drugs at early stage might stop the situation from worsening.

6. Avoid stress. Stress is as harmful as any other contagious disease. Don’t stoop to drugs so called stress busters. Consult a psychiatrist if conditions run out of control.

About the Author: Mansi aggarwal writes about seniors health
Learn more at http://www.seniorandhealthy.com
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Resolving Age Spots: Procedures That Can Work For You

Resolving Age Spots: Procedures That Can Work For You
By Matty Mathias

People often times say that there are two things in life that are certain: death and taxes. The fact is that there are three things in life that are certain for the vast majority of men and women: death, taxes and age spots. Through this article you are presented with a primer to assist you in understanding what treatments and procedures are available to you today to assist you in resolving troublesome age spots.

It is important to note at the outset that there are some over the counter applications, creams and products that have proven to be somewhat effective at improving the appearance of age spots for some people. Generally speaking, these products are designed to fade age spots. With that said, these products really cannot be said to resolve an age spot condition. Again, these applications work only to reduce the appearance of age spots – and, normally, that reduction in the appearance of age spots normally is only transitory or temporary.

Many people think that they save money through the purchase and use of some sort of over the counter product designed to combat age spots. While this initial cost of such a product may be a bit less than a professional treatment or procedure, the fact is that you will have to continually purchase such a product over time. In the end, you easily can spend far more on over the counter products in the long run and never achieve the type of result that you can obtain through professional treatments and procedures.

Specialists in the field of treating and resolving age spots can offer to you a wide range of different treatments and procedures. This includes the use of prescriptions that come in the form of creams. In many instances, creams and similar types of products are effective in resolving a milder age spot situation.

As has been the case in other areas of skin care and treatment in the past decade, there have been significant advances when it comes to resolution of age spots in the 21st century. For example, specialists are now applying the latest in laser technology for the care and treatment – for the complete resolution – of unattractive age spots.

In trying to decide what treatment option or procedure provided by a professional makes the most sense for you, you will want to spend some time online researching what is available to you today. Fortunately, there are sites in operation today that can provide you with comprehensive information about the care and treatment of age spots. In addition, these useful sites also maintain directories through which you can find a skincare professional who can assist you with appropriate treatments and procedures to deal with your age spots.

About the Author: http://www.dermanetwork.org is a leading provider of age spot information and resources. Find a local skin care professional today.
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