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February 13, 2014

Health & Wellness

Managing MS: Part II: Four courses of MS and Multiple Sclerosis symptoms

Sun City resident and MS Ambassador Sue Iwinski explains “MS is divided into two major classifications: relapsing-remitting and progressive.” Inside those two larger titles, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society informs says “people with MS can typically experience one of four disease courses, each of which might be mild, moderate, or severe.”

Profiles in courage: Managing MS

It is estimated that over 2.3 million people are affected by multiple sclerosis worldwide. MS is managed by approximately 400,000 Americans or one in every 700 American adults.

Profiles in Health: Paul Souchek

According to Social Securi­ty’s 2010 Life Expectancy Report, American men should live an average of 76.3 years. Sun City resident Paul Souchek defied the odds, celebrating his 90th birthday on Sept. 30, 2013.

Winterizing the body and mind

We take great preparation in winterizing our cars, air conditioners, sprinkling systems, and outside drainage pipes. As seniors, however, it is much more important to winterize our physical and mental selves. How can we keep winter sniffles and blues down to minimum occurrences?

Pumpkin power

‘Tis the season of autumn and time to celebrate the amazingly versatile and incredibly healthy squash fruit/vegetable known as the pumpkin. Introduced to the pilgrims by Native American Indians, the pumpkin was documented as having been served during the second Thanksgiving meal.

The high cost of low vision, Part 4: Low vision’s support resources, cost of services, research

“Helping someone with low vision and giving them the tools to live independent, productive, and happy lives can hopefully be achieved by listening to qualified speakers, learning about adaptive tools and technologies and available resources,” Marlene Pilger, one of the two ladies who started M’Eye Low Vision Group, said, summarizing the group’s mission.

The high cost of low vision, part 3: The use of rehabilitation/therapy and technology

Remembering regular eye checkups is critical to controlling and limiting damage done to our eyes as seniors. With proper management, even those eye diseases that can cause blindness can usually be helped.

The high cost of low vision, Part II: How M’Eye Low Vision Support Group can help those with low vision

Certainly one of the priceless perks of living in our senior community is our residents’ easy accessibility to support groups. All of these groups are exclusively for Sun City/Huntley seniors and are facilitated by our residents.

The high cost of low vision Part 1: Low vision’s four most common eye disorders and their symptoms

As we grow older, it is normal for our eyes to change. John Hopkins Medical Publication (Sept. 2013) tells us “Advancing age also puts you at risk for more serious eye diseases, as do chronic diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure. Age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma are among the most common causes of serious visual impairment, and their frequency is rising.”

Ticks are in the thick of it – Part II: Symptoms and complications of Lyme Disease

From Part 1 of this 2 Part Series, we learned that the blood-thirsty tick is an arachnid (related to the spider and scorpion), who, through its bite, spreads a dangerous form of bacteria. In the Northeastern and Upper Midwestern parts of our country, the resulting illness, Lyme disease, has reached epidemic proportions in recent years.

Ticks are in the thick of it – Part 1: Statistics, preventative measures, and tick removal technique

Having lived in the Kildeer/Long Grove area for 35 years, I am quite aware of that pesky, bloodsucking, disease-transmitting arachnid referred to as a tick.

The brutal impact of lupus, Part II: Lupus diagnosis guidelines and treatment options

In Part 1 of this series, lupus (SLE) was described as a very serious autoimmune disease, where over a period of time, the body’s defense system can attack multiple organs in the body. No single test exists today that can confirm a positive diagnosis of lupus.

The brutal impact of lupus, Part I: Background information and difficulty in diagnosis

“Lupus is an unpredictable and misunderstood disease in which the immune system is out of balance, causing damage to [possibly] any organ system in the body,” Diane Magerko, a volunteer for Lupus Foundation of America, Illinois Chapter, said.

Sun City seeks surfers for Relay for Life team

A popular cliché about a person’s future dreams is, “find a cure for cancer.”
The truth is, our society is making significant progress toward finding a cure – one day, one fundraiser, one cancer survivor – at a time.

A plan for safe summer exercise

Helpguide.org states, “Exercise is the key to healthy aging.” Cathy Segarra, Centegra Huntley’s Wellness Center program manager and registered nurse, added, “According to the National Institute on Aging Health, studies have shown that even doing moderate amount of exercise…can improve your health.”

Top 10 yearly screening tests for seniors

Did you know that Sun City/Huntley’s Wellness Department now provides one yearly free Wellness Visit or “Well Check” to residents who have had Medicare Part B for longer than 12 months? Lab work and diagnostics requiring a copy, and Medicare Part B deductible are not included in the checkup.

Learn more about the little-known Amyloidosis

Amyloidosis, a rare and unusual disease, occurs when amyloid proteins build up in the organs. Usually produced by cells in the bone marrow to help fight infection, these defective antibodies refuse to be broken down and recycled after they have served their purpose.

Parkinson’s Disease: A Journey of Hope

According to the Parkinson’s Dis¬ease Foundation, in 2005, “There were an estimated 4.1 million people worldwide with Parkinson’s disease. In 25 years, that number is predicted to climb to 8.7 million.” The number of people living longer has led to the projection that by 2030, “There may be 80 percent more Americans with the disease.”

Parkinson’s Disease: A Journey of Hope

As previously stated, Parkinson’s Disease, a chronic malady, itself is not yet curable. However, significant findings from research help physicians in treating its symptoms. As PD progresses differently in people, the use of certain medications, exercise/stress-controlled (meditation/mental stimulation) activities, positive attitude, diet, and physical, occupational, and speech therapies have proven to be helpful.

Parkinson’s disease: A journey of hope

Because those with Parkinson’s Disease may have different symptoms, physicians often have great difficulty in positive diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease.

Parkinson’s disease: A journey of hope

To my Sun City friends diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, I am sending this Valentine of love as I write my four-part series on your debilitating disease. For all of our residents, these articles will teach us lessons of courage and hope.

AS 2013 turns forward, turn the scale backward

As we age, our metabolism slows up to 5 percent per decade, according to AARP’s October/November 2012 edition. The magazine states that to help fight seniors’ susceptibility to chronic inflammation associated with heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis, it’s important to “shed excess pounds, eat a good diet, and exercise.”

AS 2013 turns forward, turn the scale backward

Looking to make a life-changing New Year’s Resolution? Here’s a goal we as seniors should all attempt to keep – to strive for maximum health as we age.

Survive the holiday battle of the bulge

If you still feel stuffed from your Thanksgiving dinner, you might not like this fact: the average person consumed 3000 calories on that particular holiday. You would have to run for four straight hours, walk for 12 hours, or play tennis for six hours to burn off those calories.

A gift of love for those grieving during the holidays

After writing my two-part story on SAD, it recently occurred to me that there are many Sun Citians truly sad during the holidays due to the loss of loved ones who have died at this time of year, in the past year, or in recent years. At a time when people are expected to be “jolly” at holiday parties, December becomes a most difficult period especially for those grieving.

Fixing SAD for the holidays Part 2: Treatment Is Available

If you have seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, treatment can help prevent complications, especially if the disorder is diagnosed and treated in its early stages before symptoms get worse. According to Mayo clinic.com: “It’s normal to have some days when you feel down. But if you feel down for days at a time and you can’t seem to get motivated to do activities you normally enjoy (especially during this holiday season when social life should abound), see your doctor.