Maryland's Health Matters - BWMC - Winter 2014 - (Page 5)

AGE APPROPRIATE Find out what's "normal" about growing older- and when it might be time to seek medical care W ith age comes wisdom, so it only makes sense that we listen to messages our bodies send us. Some changes that occur as we advance into our retirement years are normal, but others Q 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. should raise a red flag. Make sure you know the difference! Below, the medical staff at UM Baltimore Wash- Cartilage wears down from years of use. ington Adult and Senior Care answers some of the most We become less flexible and, as a result, common questions about aging and wellness. repetitive motions that we're used to Q As we age, certain changes are expected, like needing a stronger eyeglasses prescription or asking people to talk into our "good ear." How can we tell when a change is cause for more serious concern? "Two words: uncommon and unusual. Keep those qualifiers in mind when assessing age-related changes and whether to be alarmed. If you're doing, such as bending down or walking up stairs, can cause injury and pain. Ellen Cassidy, MD There's no way to rebuild cartilage, so make sure your bones and joints are as healthy as possible as you age. This can be achieved through regular exercise, such as walking, stretching and weight-bearing activities." Q As we get into our 60s and find our memory isn't what it used to be, is it normal, or should we suspect something like Alzheimer's disease? experiencing a sudden ache or pain that as we age, and this isn't neces- Bring this to your physician's attention Josephine Nwachukwu, CRNP "Memory can gradually worsen you've never felt before, pay attention. sarily a sign of dementia. Normal along with any persistent pain that usual memory loss may include walking remedies, such as over-the-counter into a room and forgetting why medication or rest, aren't relieving." you did so, or having a mental block on a word. But if things that used to be pretty easy to remember suddenly aren't so-such as Mohit Negi, MD GREAT CARE IS A CALL AWAY your neighborhood, or people UM Baltimore Washington Adult and Senior Care offers compassionate primary care to adults 50 and older. To make an appointment, call 410-553-8092. doctor. Other warning signs of dementia include you know and love-it's worth bringing up with your 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." and click on the issue cover to get started. mybwmc.org | Winter 2014 5 http://www.mybwmc.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Maryland's Health Matters - BWMC - Winter 2014

Maryland's Health Matters - BWMC - Winter 2014
Contents
A Healthy Start
Age Appropriate
The Brain and Beyond
Your Point of View
Back on the Beat
At a Glance
News and Events

Maryland's Health Matters - BWMC - Winter 2014

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