 |
||||
Smarts, Hearts and Joints 
As people age, many begin to see the wisdom in George Bernard Shaw’s famous lament, “youth is wasted on the young.” Just when life begins to slow down enough to enjoy it, bones start to creek. Memories fade. The old ticker doesn’t tick as well as it once did. Although bodies definitely age, experts agree that all is not lost after 50. Smarts Aging brings about both good and bad changes in the brain, says Dr. Gary Small, geriatric psychiatrist and director of UCLA’s Memory and Aging Research Center and the Center on Aging at the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior. Extensive brain scanning of older adults has revealed the build up of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, which cause a decrease in memory, he notes. But he points out an upside: the white matter coating thickens on axons, allowing the frontal lobe – the thinking part of the brain – to function better. “You can teach an older brain very quickly,” Small adds. 50s People may begin to notice memory differences as they age, especially if comparing their mind to a decade like their 20s. But it’s typically not anything serious, Small notes. Exercise and eating right is important to brain health. “Your brain is 70 percent fat, so the kind of fat you digest is very important,” he says, recommending the fresh fruits, olive oil and fish found in a Mediterranean diet. 60s+ The risk for dementia increases as a person ages, with people over 65 carrying about a 10 percent risk, Small says. The risk increases 20 percent at 70. Stay sharp with mentally stimulating activities, which have shown to lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Small suggests any kind of puzzle, especially visual ones like jigsaw puzzles or mazes, or crosswords, which “crosstrain” the left and right parts of the brain. It’s still possible to improve memory skills, and the results can last for years, Small says. The Alzheimer’s Association estimates that one in eight Americans over the age of 65 has Alzheimer’s, and nearly half of people age 85 and older have the disease. Most survive four to eight years after being diagnosed, although some live as long as 20 years more. Small notes that once a person has Alzheimer’s or dementia, having a good impact is difficult. Research continues to focus on early detection methods and treatments. Heart According to the American Heart Association, the average age of the first heart attack is 64.5 for men and 70.3 for women. About 81 percent of people who die from coronary heart disease are over age 65. Whether or not people are at risk for heart issues as they age largely depends on a number of risk factors, says Dr. Vincent Bufalino, president and CEO of Illinois-based Midwest Heart Specialists and Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine. High blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking and obesity can all negatively affect a person’s heart health. Those are all controllable, he notes, whereas another major risk factor, family history, is not. 50s Studies show that “if you make it to your 50s with no risk factors, your chance of living another 35 years is good,” Bufalino says. But those with risk factors may begin developing coronary disease, including blockages or “clogged up pipes.” He recommends taking a heart attack risk assessment quiz, like the one the American Heart Association offers one on its website, as well as being mindful of the controllable risks, eating well, exercising and controlling weight. “The better you take care of yourself, the more likely you are to live a long life,” he says. 60s Age begins taking its toll on the heart beginning in a person’s 60s, says Bufalino, especially when risk factors are present. Weakening of the heart muscle can begin presenting itself through being tired, short of breath and winded, and an inability to function in normal day-to-day life. Don’t ignore these early warning signs – today’s technology allows doctors to fix or control problems in 95 percent of patients they see. “We just need an opportunity to see these folks and intervene,” he explains. “You don’t need an elephant sitting on your chest type of chest pains to be seen.” It’s important to stay active. He recommends this age segment engage in activities that get blood flowing, such as walking or biking indoors. 70s It’s very common for people to develop more heart-related conditions in their 70s, which are the result of the heart being enlarged and beat up over time. Risk factors are “starting to take their toll,” Bufalino notes, especially in the form of arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation and blockages. “People need to see their doctor regularly,” he adds. “It gives us the opportunity to prolong their lives by finding problems early and dealing with them.” Also, continue exercising. Bufalino says his patients who exercise in their 70s seem happier and are the ones he prescribes less pills to and sees less often. 80s+ The result of a heart pumping for 80 years or more often becomes evident through heart problems like congestive heart failure. But those who take care of themselves can make it into their 80s with few issues, says Bufalino, and can better handle issues that come along. “People can have surgery and recover at that point,” he adds. “There’s no reason to throw in the towel.” The more active and independent a person remains, the better – and the duration and intensity of exercise should be less, he says. Joints Kathryn Schabel, orthopedic surgeon and assistant professor in Oregon Health and Science University’s Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation Department, says that taking care of joints is key at every age to avoid chronic pain and promote fitness. 50s How joints fair during this decade often depends on factors from a person’s younger years, such as injuries and activity level, according to Schabel. Worst-case scenario for the overly active could be joint replacement surgeries for those with pain and disabilities, she says. “We’ve also seen people who were active, then become weekend warriors,” Schabel adds. The result: tendon injuries and joint issues. At this age, women may suffer bone density issues following menopause. She advises having a bone density screening test and engaging in weight-bearing exercises to improve bone density. The 50s tend to be the heaviest decade in life. Stay active and light, says Schabel, with joint-friendly activities like walking, biking and swimming. 60s Orthopedic specialists see lots of arthritis in this decade, especially osteoarthritis, which is the wearing out of joints with no specific cause, Schabel says. Bursitis is also prominent, as muscles become less flexible and weaker. This chronic achiness can be limiting and requires a conditioning and stretching program. Establishing or maintaining an exercise program is vital at this age, but Schabel recommends seeking professional help for finding activities that don’t strain joints. 70s The issues of the 60s continue in the 70s, but are joined by a lack of stability. The drastic increase in falls, and in fragility fractures, can be credited to bone density issues, Schabel says. It’s a myth that people can’t remain active, but a primary care physician should monitor. In addition, walking sticks or Nordic poles can help stability while walking. 80s+ “We don’t have any age limit on people’s joints we’ll fix,” Schabel says. “More and more people are healthy into their 80s, especially women.” Joint replacements, specifically hip replacements, are worthwhile for healthy individuals with easily a decade of life left, she adds. Preventing falls is vital during these decades. As a person’s age increases, a fall can prove to be an event that “heralds bad things to come,” she says. Still, walking with a cane or a walker, if needed, is encouraged for staying active, as is maintaining a healthy weight. “Staying physically active is a big part of physical and mental health,” Schabel adds. © CTW Features |
||||
|
||||
