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MY SUN DAY NEWS

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November 21, 2012

Joanie Koplos

Chronic pain management Part 1: Factors Leading to Long-Lasting Pain

Tens of millions of Americans suffer from chronic pain. In fact, one in every three people is dealing with chronic pain as I write this report. Chronic pain can be mild or excruciating, episodic or continuous, merely inconvenient or totally incapacitating.

The changing role of cholesterol, part 6: For your heart’s sake/necessary lifestyle changes

It has been documented in some fields of research that possibly as many as a third of coronary victims don’t have any of the accepted risk factors. Nevertheless, risk factors for coronary and vascular diseases loom as giants in predicting future problems. Indeed, the new cardiac research continues to bolster these arguments. Because it takes years for heart disease to rear “its ugly head,” now is the time to make those lifestyle changes.

The changing role of cholesterol, Part 5: Pros and Cons for Using Statin Drugs

Statin drugs, the treatment of choice by millions of Americans, are drugs that lower total cholesterol count by lowering LDL or “bad” cholesterol. They do not raise HDL or “good” cholesterol numbers, which instead can be improved greatly through regular aerobic exercise.

The changing role of cholesterol, part 4: More recent research on heart attacks

For all the progress that has been made, heart disease kills nearly one million U.S. citizens yearly, far more than any other disease. About 1.5 million suffer heart attacks. Bypass surgery and artery-opening technology, such as angioplasty balloons and stents – anchors of a $200 billion industry to treat heart disease – are very effective in relieving its chief symptom of angina chest pain. They do almost nothing to arrest the disease itself.

The changing role of cholesterol: Debunking old myths

The number 1 killer of adult Americans is still heart disease. The most prevalent form of coronary problems today is arterial disease with 14 million U.S. citizens affected. These kinds of numbers are sure to produce a few inaccuracies or myths about cholesterol, which has fallen into the ever persistent role of the “bad guy” in treating this mega-health problem.

The changing role of cholesterol: The difference between HDL and LDL

We read in Part 1 of this series that cholesterol is synthesized in the liver, where it is sent out into the body’s cells. A healthy liver should remove excess cholesterol from the body without the need for diet change, but genetics plays a large role in its ability to keep cholesterol at a healthy level.

The changing role of cholesterol

September is Cholesterol Awareness Month. Because of its connection to cardiovascular disease over the past 30 years, cholesterol has developed a bad reputation. In my six-part series, I would like to inform Sun Citians of the changing role of cholesterol on the medical, pharmaceutical, and nutritional scene.

Stingrays do it again at second summer swim meet

Five Stingray Swim Club members just can’t get enough of summer senior outdoor pool competitions. On August 21, the Sun City swimmers and their meet coach, Len Lencioni, were off to Lion’s Club Pool, Homewood-Flossmoor area, where for a second time in less than a month, they emerged victorious with a total of 18 medals: 16 gold and two silver.

Drink! Drink! Drink! Part 3: The best choice for hydration and electrolyte restoration

What is the best liquid choice for hydration? Inexpensive and zero calorie water is vital for good health, and there is no substitute for it. High calorie, sugary soda contains no nutrition. Beware, too, of some fruit juices that may be high in sugar, and vegetable juices that may be high in sodium. Avoid caffeinated beverages, as they only serve to dehydrate.

Drink! Drink! Drink! Part 2: Senior Dehydration Symptoms

One of the primary reasons seniors are prone to dehydration is our decreased sense of thirst. In addition, many of us experience a smaller appetite, limiting the amount of liquids we consume. Urinary incontinence, intestinal problems, fevers, or infections can also play roles in the loss of body fluids among the elderly.

Drink! drink! drink!

My husband is a long-distance runner; he always knows the value of hydrating the body. I am a long-distance swimmer; I don’t always know the value of hydrating the body. Perhaps because swimmers are exercising in the water, some of us don’t realize that we are perspiring at the same rate as runners! By the conclusion of this three part series, my Sun City readers and myself will have learned why we all need to hydrate often and efficiently.

Stress and the senior caregiver: Memoirs of three Sun City caregivers

Hilda Schmidt cared for Don, her husband of 57 years, through the last two years of his life. Don suffered from congestive heart failure and needed around the clock help. Hilda’s two sons, who live in the area, told their mom to call them first for any kind of needed assistance. Hilda says, “They were always there for me.” Her son Don and his wife are physical therapists who offered physical help and advice. They advised against Hilda doing heavy lifting with her husband.

Practicing self-care while care-giving

With an aging population expected to double by 2030, researchers are alarmed at a senior family health caregiver crisis in the making. In other words, all who give care to their families need to take care of themselves.

The adverse effects of caregiving

As a family caregiver watching a loved one in constant pain and distress, debilitating physical and emotional stress occurs. Whether the cared-for person is a spouse, parent, or a child of the caregiver, it is an overwhelming burden assumed by the person giving the care. The caregiver’s multitude of daily patient tasks generally includes providing transportation, administering medicine, aiding toilet use and bathing, dressing and feeding their patient relative, not to speak of the myriad household duties and family responsibilities to be performed.

Stress-busting techniques

Do you find yourself biting your fingernails? Does your skin break out into an occasional rash for no known reason? You might be suffering from a few symptoms of daily stress. Wouldn’t it be great if your immune system could be stress-free and thus resist almost any illnesses, especially those mentioned in Part 3 of this series? In Part 4, I will discuss stress-busting techniques to help fight the debilitating mental and physical problems related to stress.

Effects of chronic stress

As seniors, you already are aware of the debilitating effects of stress. How many doctor visits have you made when your physician’s answer to your physical, mental, or perhaps emotional and psychological illness ends with the diagnosis of stress and its released hormones? There are some experts who think that most illnesses are stress-related, either causing the problem or aggravating it.

What are stressors?

When you receive a threat, your nervous system responds by releasing a flood of stress hormones, including adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones rouse the body for emergency action. Your heart pounds faster, muscles tighten, blood pressure rises, breath quickens, and your senses become sharper.

What is stress?

It has been estimated that 70 – 90 percent of visits to primary doctors are for stress-related issues. The adult’s leading source of stress is jobs, but stress levels have also escalated in children, teenagers, college students, and seniors for reasons including: increased crime, violence, and other threats to personal safety (as even seen in Sun City due to its recent spree of home invasions).

Brushing up on your diet, part 3: A final overview

By now, Sun Citians know that the body is a complex machine. Foods you choose as fuel and how often you “fill up” affect your general health and that of your teeth and gums.

Giving a voice to victims of domestic abuse

With a presentation given on domestic violence and a spotlight placed on the issue in Sun City, Kathie Green, a three-year resident of the Arcadia Neighborhood, is taking matters into her own hands to help victims.

A happy smile showcases your teeth, Part 2

We know that bacteria produce tooth decaying acids as they feast in our mouths on the remnants of foods rich in sugars and carbohydrates. The good news is that there are foods that can prevent bacteria from making acids. These same foods may also be rich in calcium, vitamin D, and phosphorous, which create our bone system and keep our teeth strong. They also may contain other vitamins and minerals essential for a healthy mouth and smile.

Splashing our way through synchronized water

Splish, splash – there was a whole lot of synchronized water movement going on at Prairie Lodge’s Indoor Pool! When Cynthia O’Connor, Sun City’s Lifestyles Director, asked Chris Hinde to put together a water show for the Feeling Great Is Ageless Expo, Chris responded with an emphatic “Yes!”

Brushing up on your diet, part 1

In a few previous articles, I discussed the value of a happy face and its smile. In this three-part series, I will discuss the importance of choosing the correct diet to support your teeth’s health and, therefore, appearance for that smile. In part 1 of this series, I would like to explore these negative foods in greater depth and why they harm your teeth.

Put on a happy face part III: The power of optimism

My Put on a Happy Face Series reaches a conclusion with Part 3: The Power of Optimism. Not only does optimism help prevent or overcome (Part 1) clinical depression and (Part 2) chronic loneliness, but this upbeat mood also withstands senior challenges of poor physical health, a recent bereavement, and financial problems. Indeed, putting on a happy face and trying to make ourselves and others smile and laugh is the best thing we can do for our health and the health of those around us.

How the perception of loneliness takes its toll

“All the lonely people, where do they all come from?” Since these lyrics were written by Beatle Paul McCartney, the elderly population has seen huge increases in its population of individuals living alone.

Stingrays participate in master swimming competition

U.S. Masters Swimming recently wrapped up their 2011-2012 Winter Indoor Competition season with the Illinois State Swim Meet. The University of Illinois in Chicago hosted about 400 swimmers in 502 races and relays over the three-day event.