Blood Pressure Medications Support Muscle Building

Seniors fighting muscle weakness could be helped by widely available blood pressure medications.

As people age, the blood vessels that supply muscles with the amino acids they need to grow become less responsive and less able to do their jobs, according to researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. In a small study involving 12 healthy older adults, researchers found that a drug used in hospitals to fight high blood pressure was effective in dilating the blood vessels, increasing the flow of nutrients to the muscle.

"We were able to make our 70-year-olds look like 30-year-olds, at least in terms of muscle growth," said lead author Kyle Timmerman. This results complement earlier UTMB research, which found that elevated levels of insulin also dilate the blood vessels and promote better muscle growth among the elderly (McKnight's, 9/28/09).

Mesothelioma - Know the Signs

The following is a guest blog by Alex Johnson,

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer which stems primarily from exposure to asbestos. It usually begins to show noticeable symptoms anywhere from 15 to as many as 50 years after the initial exposure. When the symptoms begin to show it means that the cancer is already present in the body and immediate action must be taken. Persons with a history of exposure to asbestos should inform their doctor and take the greatest care to have regular checkups so that the doctor, armed with this information, can be on the lookout for any signs of danger. This should be done even if the patient appears to be in perfect health and whether or not they are exhibiting mesothelioma symptoms. Undergoing regular X-rays of the chest and lungs as well as regular pulmonary function tests will help the patient and his doctor to stay aware of the patient’s exact condition as well as make sure any signs of mesothelioma are spotted as early as possible.

Because the symptoms of mesothelioma are similar to those of many other, less serious complications, persons afflicted can often remain unaware of their situation for far too long. Here are some things to look out for.

There are four types of mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma accounts for around six out of every ten cases of mesothelioma. Peritoneal mesothelioma is the next most common form. Rarer is pericardial mesothelioma and testicular mesothelioma. Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma may include any long term, dry cough which produces hardly any or no phlegm. A cough that produces blood may also be a symptom of this type of mesothelioma. Other symptoms include steady pain in the area of the chest and lungs, difficulty breathing or swallowing, and fatigue. When lumps begin to appear around the chest area under the skin, this can be a sign of slightly more advanced pleural mesothelioma. At this point, any delays in seeking treatment can be very dangerous.

Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may come in the form of feverish nights and unexplained weight loss. The abdomen may swell slightly and cause pain, nausea, or vomiting. Bowel movements may change in consistency and anemia may develop along with increased feelings of fatigue. Once again, when lumps appear under the skin around the area of the chest and lungs, this is a final warning sign and immediate action should be taken.

While treatment can be administered if the illness is caught early enough, if early symptoms of mesothelioma are ignored, the illness could progress into the more serious stages and harsh complications could ensue.

Grant Money Announced to Help People Navigate Long-Term Care

From McKnights: The Department of Health and Human Services announced that $68 million in grant money is available to help seniors, the disabled and their caregivers better understand options for long-term care. Twenty-four states will receive grants designed to strengthen the role of Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ARDCs) in the Money Follows the Person program, which helps with the transition between care settings. All 50 states, along with 125 tribal organizations, will receive funding to help educate beneficiaries on the benefits for which they are eligible.

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Don Berwick said in a statement: “These grants will help families make informed decisions and make sure patients have more control over their own care.”

For more information on the dispersal of these grants, go here.

Goal Driven People Can Better Manage Early Dementia

Achieving personal goals can help people in the early stages of dementia manage their condition, according to Alzheimer's Society research published in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry.

Researchers at Bangor University, Wales found that people who received cognitive rehabilitation felt their performance of daily activities improved. Caregivers also noted an improvement in their own quality of life.

Cognitive rehabilitation is a treatment where people with dementia work with health professionals to identify personal goals and develop strategies for achieving them. Goals were tailored to the participants' specific needs and included things such as remembering details of jobs to be done around the house, maintaining concentration when cooking, learning to use a mobile phone, and remembering the names of people at an exercise class. The cognitive rehabilitation group said they saw an improvement in their ability to carry out all of the chosen activities.

The trial compared eight weekly individual sessions of cognitive rehabilitation with relaxation therapy and no treatment. As well as setting and working on goals the cognitive rehabilitation group also learnt and practiced techniques for taking in new information, managing stress, and maintaining attention and concentration.

As well as using feedback from participants researchers also used MRI imaging. The brains of participants who received cognitive rehabilitation did show different responses after the intervention suggesting the treatment may have stimulated greater activity in certain brain areas and networks, reactivating some areas that were under-functioning due to the effects of the disease.

Life lesson and one I learned from elders about living a quality of life – continue to have purpose. This study is related because when you have purpose you more than likely will be setting goals to live that purpose.

Source—Long Term Living Magazine

HHS Seeking Public Input for a National Health Care Quality Strategy

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is seeking public input in the
development of a National Health Care Quality Strategy and Plan. The National Quality
Strategy will be a comprehensive strategic plan and the identification of priorities to improve
the delivery of health care services, patient health outcomes, and population health.

The National Quality Strategy is intended to be a living and changing guide for the federal government, as well as for states and the private sector.

A briefing was posted on www.hhs.gov outlining the initial thinking regarding the plan and includes specific areas where feedback would be particularly valuable.

To provide feedback, go directly to the HHS.gov website. Alternatively,
you may submit comments electronically to national~quality~strategy@hhs.gov. Written
comments may also be submitted and should be addressed to the Agency for Healthcare
Research and Quality, Attention: Nancy Wilson - Room 3216,540 Gaither Road Rockville, MD
20850 or faxed to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Attention: Nancy Wilson at
(301) 427-1210. All comments should be received no later than 5 p.m. on October 15,2010.

Denial is not Just a River in Egypt - Fat is Fat so Face Up To It

I just read a study that said that 30% of Americans classified as overweight say they are a normal weight. And 70% of the obese say they are simply overweight. People are in DENIAL!

In a Harris Interactive/HealthDay survey, respondents were asked to provide their height and weight, from which pollsters calculated their body-mass index (BMI), a ratio of weight to height. Respondents were then asked which category of weight they thought they fell into.

These findings may help to explain why overweight and obesity rates in the United States continue to go up, experts say.

As one of the study authors noted - if you do not recognize the problem you are less likely to do something about it. In a culture were most people are overweight that would seem to be the norm. In fact I attended an Advisory Board presentation on health care reform and it was shocking to see in just a few short years how we went from just a few states where the majority of the population was overweight to ALL states where the population is overweight.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 34 percent of adults aged 20 and older are obese, and 34 percent are overweight. Among children, 18 percent of teens aged 12 to 19 are obese, 20 percent of children aged 6 to 11 are obese, as are 10 percent of kids aged 2 to 5.

59 percent of people who responded said they should be getting more exercise and lack of exercise not eating habits was what they blamed their predicament on. As for weight-loss interventions, the respondents deemed surgery the most effective method, followed by prescription drugs, then drugs and diet-food supplements obtained over-the-counter. And that makes my blood boil too. Because we have become a culture that says I can let myself go because there will be a pill, procedure or implant to fix it.

As my wife tells people "Suck It Up Cupcake!" and start taking responsibility for your actions. I am all of 5 foot 5 so I have always carried an extra 10 pounds around. To keep it from getting way out of control I exercise every day. Aerobics, pilates, weights - it's a constant battle but you have to enter the battle first!

As a new season of The Biggest Loser begins take some inspiration from the contestants. But then get off the couch and follow their lead.

Flu Vaccination Could Reduce Risk of First Heart Attack by 19 Percent

Receiving a vaccination in the late summer or fall could help reduce the risk of a first heart attack by an average of 19%, according to a new study by British researchers.

They examined 78,706 patients in England and Wales for their study. A total of 8,472 of them had received a flu vaccine and 16,012 had had a heart attack. Patients who had received a flu vaccine early in the season—sometime between September and mid-November—lowered their risk of heart attack by 21%. The benefit for late-season vaccine recipients was lower, with a roughly 12% reduced risk, according to the study.

Heart attacks typically increase during the winter. It has been suggested there may be a link between heart attack and respiratory infection, according to a press release from the Canadian Medical Association Journal, which published the study on Monday. Researchers say that further study into the link could lead to changes in recommended timing and targets for flu vaccine efforts.

Source: McKnights

Quality of Life at End of Life Can Be Aided by Palliative Care

Some terminally ill patients who receive palliative care live longer and with a better quality of life than those who receive standard medical care, a new report suggests.

Researchers at Harvard Medical School evaluated the life expectancy and quality of life of roughly 150 patients with terminal lung cancers. They compared 74 patients who received standard medical care in the last months of life with 77 patients who received palliative care in addition to standard care after diagnosis. Patients were asked questions about their mood and their quality of life at the start of the study and again after 12 weeks of treatments.

Patients receiving palliative care, which focuses on treating pain, anxiety and loss of appetite, reported a 50% lower rate of depression than non-palliative patients. They also lived an average of 2.5 months longer than the other patients, according to the report. The study appears in the the New England Journal of Medicine.

Death an dying is not something people want to talk about. Even when loved ones have spelled out their wishes we often subject them to unnecessary medical treatment that does little good. I was speaking to a hospital client last week and we talked about how some treatment modalities such as hospice care are so misunderstood. There is a time when the medical establishment clearly has done all it can. Wouldn't you rather have a few more months with a loved one who was lucid and living a quality life to their last day. Consider these options and talk to your family members about them. End of life discussions are not easy but the sooner you have them the better.

Heart Attack & Stroke Risks Higher for Combative Types

People who tend to be confrontational, especially those who are competitive and aggressive, run a higher risk of heart attack and stroke, according to a study by researchers at the National Institute on Aging (NIA).

Researchers examined 5,614 residents of four villages in Sardinia, an Italian Mediterranean island. People who classed themselves as aggressive on a standard personality test were more likely to suffer from thickening of the neck arteries than those those who were classed as affable or accommodating.

Thickening of the arteries is a risk factor for heart attack and stroke, note the authors of the study which appeared in Hypertension: Journal of the American Heart Association.

Three years after the first research was done, "those who scored higher on antagonism or low agreeableness -- especially those who were manipulative and quick to express anger -- continued to have thickening of their artery walls. These traits also predicted greater progression of arterial thickening," the study found.

Among those examined, people who were the most antagonistic 10 percent had about a 40-percent higher risk for thicker arteries.

"People who tend to be competitive and more willing to fight for their own self interest have thicker arterial walls, which is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease," said Angelina Sutin, Ph.D., the lead author.

"Agreeable people tend to be trusting, straightforward and show concern for others, while people who score high on antagonism tend to be distrustful, skeptical and at the extreme cynical, manipulative, self-centered, arrogant and quick to express anger," she added.

The NIA-funded study was done on Sardinia, with participants aged 14-94 (42 on average) and 58 percent were women.

Yikes, I am of Italian heritage, evidently from Calabria, home of the heard headed Italians and I am a Taurus as in the stubborn bull. Hmmm....have a nice day!

Copyright © 2010 AFP. All rights reserved. More »

Weight Lifting - It's Not the Amount of Weight but the Amount of Reps

Some weight lifters may already know this. A new study by researchers at McMaster University has shown that lighter weights can provide the same muscle growth as heavier weights and that the key to building muscle mass is achieving muscle fatigue, not necessarily lifting the heaviest weight.

Given that Sundays, Tuesday and Thursday are my weight lifting days, I have learned this over time. I only have a certain amount of weight that I can max out on my dumb bells. So because I can not add more weight, I tend to do more reps until I am fatigued. Seems to get good results.

Participants in the study were given sets of weights corresponding to a percentage of what they were physically able to lift. People could lift the heavy weights five to 10 times before fatigue set in; people could lift the lighter weights 24 times before fatigue set in.

"Rather than grunting and straining to lift heavy weights, you can grab something much lighter but you have to lift it until you can't lift it anymore," said Stuart Phillips, associate professor of kinesiology at McMaster University.

So here is another excuse that you can eliminate for not wanting to exercise. There is a weight for everyone. Find yours. Get started.

The report appears in PLoS ONE.

Source: McKnights

Spinal Tap test and Alzheimer

Researchers have discovered what may prove to be a 100% accurate method for early detection of Alzheimer's disease.

In their study, researchers at Ghent University, Belgium, analyzed data from more than 400 seniors. A total of 114 were cognitively normal, 200 had mild cognitive impairment and 102 had Alzheimer's disease. Without considering cognitive ability, researchers identified levels of three biomarkers associated with Alzheimer's in the participants' spinal fluid. The bio “signature” was discovered in 90% of Alzheimer's patients, 72% with cognitive impairment and 36% of those with no cognitive difficulties.

In follow-up tests, researchers confirmed the accuracy of the spinal tap test. Autopsies confirmed that 64 of 68 patients diagnosed as having Alzheimer's had the bio signature. The signature model also was 100% accurate in predicting which patients would develop Alzheimer's. The results indicate it may be possible to accurately diagnose Alzheimer's susceptibility in cognitively healthy individuals, according to the report.

There is no cure for Alzheimer's and many look at early detection as somewhat of a bad thing leading to needless worry, suffering and increased medical costs. I believe there is a middle ground. I would rather know, if the test was indeed accurate, so that I could prepare for my older years while I still had the cognitive ability to do so. And if an early diagnosis shows me how to not take a single day for granted ever again, then even if it turned out to be a wrong diagnosis, well maybe that isn't so bad.

The full study appears in the Aug. 10 edition of the Archives of Neurology.

High School Sweethearts Reunite After 62 Years

Jack and Betty's inspirational story was caught on tape—and will surely capture your heart.

Obese Older Adults More Likely To Use Mobility Devices at Younger Age

Obese older adults are more likely to use walkers, canes, and other mobility devices at a younger age, and may run the risk of using them incorrectly, according to new research from Purdue University.

“Baby Boomers are coming of age and obesity is an epidemic for this population as well,” researchers noted. “If obesity continues at this rate, we are going to see an increase in the use of assistive devices, which can be costly to individuals and the healthcare system.”

The study, published in The Gerontologist, followed more than 1,000 individuals, ages 65 and older, and tracked both their body weight and use of assistive devices for 10 years. The data is from a national survey about Medicare patients.

A third of adults older than 65 use at least one device, and lower body disability is what drives and predicts their use, researchers said. The most popular devices are shower seats and tub stools; grab or handle bars for bathing; walkers and canes; and raised toilet seats.

Researchers also discussed that when used improperly, the intended solution could make problems worse. People should consult with healthcare professionals, such as physical therapists, about how and when devices should be used.

“You can buy these devices almost anywhere—home improvement stores, discount stores or the pharmacy. It's big business,” researchers said. “These older adults, or even their adult children or other caregivers, are just trying to cope by helping adapt to physical changes, but there is no substitute for proper use of the devices.”

I think this post can speak for itself in terms of our actions.

Source: Long Term Living Magazine

Senior Exercise Vital No Matter When You Start

Keeping seniors moving is vital, and some exercise is better than none at all.

According to a recent HealthDay News item, getting seniors to work out can be challenging. Experts in elderly exercise note that seniors will give reasons as varied as feeling self-conscious to serious fears of falling when it comes to why they don't exercise. Different methods of motivating seniors, including competitive drive, body-image issues and health concerns, could be used to get seniors up and moving, according to HealthDay.

Some ways to keep seniors motivated to exercise include: focusing on small accomplishments, rather than lofty goals; using exercise time as social time; and using a bathroom scale to track progress. Evidence of the effectiveness of exercise on our health as we age is compelling, according to Dr. William Hall, director of the Center for Healthy Aging at Highland Hospital and professor of medicine at the University of Rochester School of Medicine in New York.

Some of this is self-evident from my observations of the seniors I am around. Thinks of ways you can motivate a loved one to action.

Medicare Beneficiaries' Flu Shots Free This Year

Individuals covered under Medicare will be eligible to receive this year's flu shot without co-pays or deductibles, according to health officials.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act mandates that those with Medicare and private health plans receive flu vaccine coverage, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said. This year, a new, higher-dose vaccine will be available to those over 65. The vaccine contains about four-times as much antigen—the “active ingredient” in flu shots—as a normal vaccine.

This year, health officials expect that the most hazardous strain of flu circulating the country will be the H3N2 strain, which is linked to more serious disease and death, USA Today reported. The new vaccine will protect against H3N2, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Protection.

Source: McKnight's

Home Care Aides' Salaries Near Poverty

More and more personal and home care aides (PHCA) are being paid wages that put them at risk of falling below the poverty line, according to a recent salary analysis.

Between 1999 and 2009, wages for PHCA rose from a national median of $7.50 an hour to $9.26 an hour, or roughly 26%. But after adjusting for inflation, real wages were essentially unchanged, according to the updated PHI State Chart Book on Wages for Personal and Home Care Aides. In 2009, wages in 36 states fell below 200% of the federal poverty level, or roughly $10.42 per hour. Workers receiving these wages are eligible for many state and federal public assistance programs.

The PHI Chart Book tracks wages in all 50 states and the District of Columbia and presents an entire decade of data from 1999 to 2009. PHI is a direct-care worker advocacy group.

What is disconcerting here is that with a move toward aging in place, these are the exact people that will be caring for your loved one. If employment screening programs are not in place by home care providers you risk the possibility that anyone desperate for a job could fill these roles and then exploit elders. Then when you do get someone who truly cares for those in their charge, you risk them leaving for any other higher paying job. And that is at the core - caring for our elderly should be a noble cause and occupation. And it should be paid accordingly. Not to do so sends a statement about how we value our elders.

Wrist Fractures in Women as Dangerous as Arthritis, Diabetes and Falls

New research indicates that older women who experience a wrist fracture tend to develop more disabilities. Wrist fracture is the most common upper-extremity injury sustained by elderly individuals, according to a report from researchers at Northwestern University in Chicago.

Of the 6,107 older women followed sampled for the report, 268 experienced a wrist fracture during the 7.6-year study period. Over that time, women with a wrist fracture were 50% more likely to experience functional decline than women without a wrist fracture.

Wrist fractures are as clinically significant for older individuals as arthritis, diabetes or falls. Researchers say that osteoporosis outreach efforts should include information about preventing wrist fractures. A cursory search did not reveal much here in terms of prevention measures. So if you have read about how to prevent wrist fractures please share it in the comments. Thanks.

Physician and Patient Email Communication Improves Quality

Kaiser Permanente studied 35,423 people with diabetes, hypertension, or both, who used secure patient-physician e-mail within a two-month period. That communication was associated with a statistically significant improvement in effectiveness of care as measured by the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS). In addition, the use of e-mail was associated with an improvement of 2.0–6.5 percentage points in performance on other HEDIS measures such as cholesterol and blood pressure screening and control.

Is your physician embracing new forms of communication?

Dance Therapy Improves Seniors' Balance

Two recent studies conducted by University of Missouri researchers found that participation in dance-based therapy can improve balance and gait in older adults. Improved functionality among seniors can decrease their risk of falling and reduce costly injuries.

The researchers used a dance-therapy program called The Lebed Method (TLM), which includes a combination of low-impact dance steps choreographed to music. Sessions were led by certified TLM instructors and adjusted to fit the specific needs of the seniors who participated. The study included 18 dance sessions offered throughout a two-month period. Participants reported that they enjoyed the sessions and wanted to continue the program.

Researchers found that among seniors that stand up and move during sessions, dance therapy can increase their walking speed and balance, which are two major risk factors for falling.

In 2008, Krampe and MU researchers conducted a six-week pilot study with the Alexian Brothers PACE Program (Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly) in St. Louis. More than half of the eleven participants self-reported improvements in gait and balance.

TLM, also called Healthy Steps, was created by Shelley Lebed Davis and her two brothers who sought to improve range of motion and boost the spirits of seniors.

Heck, I didn't need a study to know this. My soon to be 89-year-old mother went dancing three nights a week up until just a few years ago. She has not taken any tumbles of late. With her it is more the fear of falling that is in her head that puts her more at risk to actually fall.

Source: ScienceDaily