Live Smart - Fall 2013 - (Page 7)

What's Normal About Aging? With age comes wisdom, right? So it only makes sense that getting older should mean you listen to the messages your body sends you about your health. Some changes that occur as you advance into retirement years are normal, but others should raise a red flag. Make sure you know the difference. The need for reading glasses and louder TV volume seems like a standard part of the aging process. But how do you know when a physical change is cause for serious concern? Two words: uncommon and unusual. Keep those qualifiers in mind when assessing age-related changes and whether to be alarmed, says Rick Madden, MD, a family physician and a spokesman for the American Academy of Family Physicians. If you're experiencing something sudden that you've never felt before, pay attention. "It could be a new kind of headache you haven't had before, or an ache or pain that you don't know where it came from," Madden says. Bring this to your physician's attention along with any persistent pain that usual remedies, such as over-the-counter medication or rest, aren't relieving. What causes those general aches and pains that come with getting older, and is there a way to prevent them? "As we age, the elasticity of our muscles, tendons and ligaments decreases. Cartilage wears down from years of use," Madden explains. We become less flexible, and as a result, repetitive motions that we're used to, such as bending down or walking up stairs, can cause injury and, likewise, pain. There's no way to rebuild cartilage, so make sure your bones and joints are as healthy as possible as you age. This is where exercise comes into play. Weight-bearing activities build bone strength, and exercises that require balance, such as yoga and tai chi, can help prevent falls. Is discovering that your memory isn't what it used to be normal, or should you suspect something such as Alzheimer's disease? Memory can gradually worsen as you age, Madden says, and this isn't necessarily a sign of dementia. Normal memory loss may include walking into a room and forgetting what you were about to do, or not being able to come up with a specific word. "But if things that used to be pretty easy to remember suddenly aren't so, such as your neighborhood, or people you know and love, it's worth bringing up with your doctor," Madden says. Other warning signs of dementia include poor judgment, such as not putting on a coat when going out in the snow, or asking the same question repeatedly without remembering it was already answered. * By Amanda Kippert Q & A TOOLS TO STAY ACTIVE AS YOU AGE Go4Life, a campaign from the National Institute on Aging, is designed to help you fit exercise and physical activity into your daily life. The tool helps you set goals, make a plan and track your progress. Go to SkyLakes. org/LiveSmartOnline/bonus and click "Set exercise goals." FALL 2013 7 http://www.SkyLakes.org/LiveSmartOnline/bonus http://www.SkyLakes.org/LiveSmartOnline/bonus

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Live Smart - Fall 2013

Live Smart - Fall 2013
A variation on a classic recipe lets you use up leftover veggies in a hearty combination
Test your knowledge when it comes to stroke and learn what you can do to protect yourself
Quitting smoking is the most important thing you can do to prevent and manage lung disease
Some changes that occur with age are normal, but others should raise a red flag. Make sure you know the difference
Keep Calm and Carry On

Live Smart - Fall 2013