Exercise and social interaction are the forces that power the senior community in the eastern Washington city of Spokane. Several regional senior activity centers as well as many cultural activities are designed to meet the needs of the older...
When starting a strength-training program, lift lighter weights and focus on learning proper lifting technique. Methods to determine your starting resistance or weight include a percentage of your one-repetition maximum and your perceived...
The elderly are a growing population, but unfortunately, many elderly people are also isolated both physically and socially. They may reside in nursing homes or live far away from friends and family. This can negatively affect their health because...
Dehydration, or not having enough fluids in the body, is a serious and sometimes fatal condition. Staying properly hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids like water or coffee is important for preventing dehydration. Mild dehydration can usually be...
Influenza, or the flu, is a highly contagious viral infection that attacks the respiratory system: the throat, the nose, the lungs and the bronchial tubes. The virus is airborne and usually enters the body through the mouth, the nose or the eyes....
Diesel engine exhaust contains carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and other potentially toxic gases. It also contains fine particulate matter, some in the form of soot, which can build up in a person's lungs. People who live in high-traffic or...
Based on clinical research, recommended targets for glucose levels in diabetes have been established. The target range for glucose levels will depend on specific individual needs. Targets may be different for children, women who are pregnant or...
Many elderly people with Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia are at high risk of poor nutrition. This occurs due to physical, psychological and emotional reasons. Alzheimer's disease can severely change eating habits and cause other...
American women are now living longer and are more likely to experience certain health problems as they age. The Women's Health website states that heart disease, cancer, stroke, Alzheimer's disease and fall-related injuries, especially hip...
Elderly adults often have specific concerns related to eating. With a little planning and consideration, it shouldn't be difficult to manage their dietary needs, however. Ask the elderly person's physician how many calories she should consume each...
As you age, several factors that influence your diet and the foods you eat change. Getting adequate nutrition is important to keep all systems running efficiently. Having an imbalanced diet and limited food selection can cause problems with...
A soft diet emphasizes eating softer foods that may be easier to chew and swallow. It is used to help people who can't necessarily eat normal solid foods, but still need to get all of the nutrition of a balanced diet. Certain populations including...
Alternating between eating as many healthful foods as you'd like one day and eating just 25 percent of your energy needs on the second can help you lose weight. In addition to losing body fat, you can lower your cholesterol and triglyceride levels...
The Pneumo, or Pneumococcal vaccine is given for the prevention of pneumococcal disease. Pneumococcal disease is caused by the Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. Pneumococcal infection can cause serious problems, such as pneumonia, which affects...
Benadryl (diphenhydramine) is an antihistamine that is used to treat allergies. The medication is also found in combination medicines sold over the counter, such as Tylenol PM. Sominex contains benadryl. A side effect of Benadryl is drowsiness,...
Dementia is a disorder that is rare for people under the age of 60; the risk of dementia increases with age. The causes of dementia can be degenerative disease, like Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia, which cannot be treated. However,...
Aortic aneurysms occur 65 percent of the time in the abdomen, according to the Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Abdominal aortic aneurysms, called AAA, can be repaired by conventional surgery or endovascular surgery. In conventional surgery, the...
Some medications are nephrotoxic, which means that they have an elevated risk for harming the kidneys. In the worst case, the drug causes kidney failure, while in other cases, the kidneys are damaged, but don't fail. The most common nephrotoxic...
Low to moderate exercise may help improve your immune response when suffering from common cold symptoms such as a sore throat. However, if your sore throat is accompanied by additional symptoms such as a fever, you may want to avoid exercise until...
Alfalfa is an herb that grows all over the world and is used medicinally for a wide variety of health conditions. However, to date, the medicinal benefits of alfalfa sprouts have not been confirmed in clinical studies. So, as with any new...
Sudden weight loss in elderly people can lead to irreversible health problems or be a sign that serious health problems are occurring. Testing and nutritional monitoring can show physicians or caregivers why mysterious weight loss occurs within...
The aging process increases the risk of several health problems. The elderly will often lose strength because of muscle loss. Bones become more brittle, so a fall can be more serious in your 60s than in your 20s. Taking the appropriate amount of...
As medical technology advances, lifespans are increasing. But that means the average person's likelihood of developing diseases of aging is also growing. Some purported life extension techniques, such as caloric restriction, carry the promise of...
Your body requires vitamins, minerals and other nutrients on a daily basis. Increasing evidence suggests that the elderly are not getting enough needed nutrients and calories, leading to malnutrition, according to CNN. Aging-related issues, such...
Bloating can be an unpleasant side effect of a high-sodium diet. Too much dietary sodium can also lead to high blood pressure and even heart disease, so reducing sodium-related bloating can also help your health in the long run. Know where sodium...
Influenza is a contagious respiratory virus that produces mild-to-severe disease in people of all ages. Most people who become sick with influenza experience mild-to-moderate disease that resolves on its own within two to five days. Some...
Your energy levels are likely to drop when you are sick. Odds are that lying in bed all day seems much preferable to working out. Depending on your condition, there are a couple different ways to assess your illness and determine whether it is...
Skin becomes thinner and more fragile with age. In fact, the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics reports that elderly skin is prone to moisture loss, sagging and an increase in wrinkles. Dry, itchy skin is common in the elderly and is often...
Whether coffee is good or bad for you depends on who you're asking and when. It seems that a new reason to drink or not drink coffee comes out every week. People with a medical condition or taking prescription medication should talk to their...
