Archives

The health risks associated with obesity in older adults are numerous and profound, including frailty. However, losing weight may accelerate certain age-related health issues such as bone and muscle mass. This, in turn, may contribute to osteopenia and sarcopenia.

The question, then, is how older obese adults can safely improve their health through diet and exercise, and what form of exercise is best for said individuals. In an attempt to answer this question, a clinical trial was conducted to assess the effectiveness of various exercise methods.

The Study

Several exercise modes were tested in this trial that involved 160 obese older adults. The goal was to evaluate how effective each mode of exercise was in reversing age-related frailty while also preventing the bone and muscle mass loss that often accompanies weight loss in such individuals.

Each participant was assigned to both a weight-management program and an exercise program. There were three possible types of exercise programs—aerobic, resistance, or combined training. A control group was also included in the study. This group did not have an exercise or weight-management program.

Physical Performance Test scores after six months were used as the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes were also evaluated, including changes in bone mineral density, body composition, physical functions, and other measures of frailty.

Findings

Of the original 160 obese older adults that were included in the trial, 141 finished the study. Both the aerobic group and the resistance group saw a 14% increase in the Physical Performance Test score. The combination group, on the other hand, increased by 21%. All of these groups saw more improvement than the control group.

All training groups saw a 9% decrease in body weight, while the control group saw no significant change. The aerobic and combination groups saw the highest increase in peak oxygen consumption. The combination and resistance groups experienced the largest increase in strength.

The combination and resistance groups also saw the least amount of lean mass decrease and bone mineral density decrease among the exercise groups.

Some musculoskeletal injuries were observed as adverse events related to exercise.

What it Means

The best method for losing weight in an effective, healthy manner in older adults that are obese is a combination of aerobic and resistance exercises, according to this study. This should provide individuals and their physicians valuable insight when addressing obesity-related health issues and how to mitigate them via weight loss.

Los Angeles residents who experienced severe or long-lasting Covid-19 symptoms may feel overwhelmed with the countless treatments being touted as cure-alls for their struggles. Recently, physical therapy has emerged as a recommended tool for recovery – but can it really help?

How physical therapy can help

It is well-documented that Covid-19 can result in health issues long after a person has fought off the infection. For those who were severely ill, that risk is heightened – not only because of Covid-19, but because of the physical inactivity required to recover from the disease.

The longer muscles go unused, the more function they lose. Extended periods of immobility can also reduce stamina, which needs to be rebuilt slowly. People experiencing long Covid may have postexertional malaise (PEM), a condition that causes their symptoms to worsen with exercise. A physical therapist can guide someone with PEM to carefully pace themselves in rebuilding stamina.

When should physical therapy start?

Physical therapy can begin as early as hospital recovery, depending on a patient’s condition. Physical therapy this early in recovery looks different than therapy beginning later in recovery. This type of physical therapy aims to prevent muscle deterioration and increase the likelihood of returning to full mobility/function long term. Examples of what physical therapy in the hospital make look like includes:

• Helping people change positions in bed
• Passive joint motion, which means the therapist moves the patient’s body for them
• Teaching stretches or motions that patients can perform in bed or at bedside
• Practicing walking

A recent study indicated that hospital physical therapy can make a significant difference in long-term prognosis, leading to lower mortality rates. In this study, Covid-19 patients who received physical therapy had a 12% mortality rate, compared to a 25% mortality rate in those that did not. This is even more remarkable considering that those who received physical therapy were overall older, had more comorbidities (other chronic health issues), and were generally at lower levels of physical function than those who did not receive physical therapy.

The challenges of physical therapy during the pandemic

For those receiving physical therapy for Covid-related illness after being released from the hospital, receiving physical therapy has become more of a challenge. Efforts to reduce transmission have led many physical therapists to offer telehealth services through video chat. While effective for consultation sessions and those patients able to perform directives unassisted, this is insufficient for patients who need hands-on care.

For these patients, doctors have worked to bring services to patients in the form of house calls. Providers who offer these services will bring equipment to you, and conduct a physical therapy appointment on location.

Accessing Covid-19 testing at home

For many who have severe or long lasting symptoms, regular Covid-19 testing is necessary to determine when it’s safe to be around others. This can be a challenge for people who need physical assistance, but don’t want to infect others.

Onsite medical service providers    

The most accessible way to get rapid tests is through health care providers. Onsite medical service providers, like Concierge MD LA, Live Better Solutions, Becore will send a nurse with a Covid test to your house to administer Coronavirus tests to you and your household. In addition to convenience and risk of exposure, those recovering from severe Covid-19 symptoms may appreciate having the test administered by a professional who can ensure the test is administered correctly and with the least discomfort possible.

DIY Kits

The Covid-19 testing kits most easily accessible from retailers are PCR test kits. These tests require lab processing, meaning that you administer the test to yourself and mail it back to a laboratory in order to get results. The turnaround time for results can be anywhere from 3-14 days, depending on the lab and mail delivery times.

DIY rapid test kits were authorized for emergency use by the general public for the first time recently. These tests are designed to be administered at home and return results in 15 minutes. These kits are still in production, but are expected to debut in coming weeks. The tests are expected to cost roughly $30 once production is at full capacity, but will likely debut at a much higher price per test.

The use of e-cigarettes and vaping as smoking alternatives and general habits has risen dramatically since their introduction. Due to their newness and status as a non-traditional smoking option, the dangers associated with their use are often overlooked or understated.

However, many people have been hospitalized with EVALI—e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury—according to the CDC. In total, 2,558 nonfatal cases and 60 fatal cases have been reported as of January 7, 2020.

To help medical professionals better identify the condition and the patients most at risk of death from it, a study was conducted.

The Study

Two data sets were included in this study—that reported by health departments to the CDC and that from patient interviews and medical record abstractions. The EVALI data—including fatal and non-fatal cases—were compared to evaluate what patients were most at risk of death due to the condition.

By comparing the patients who developed EVALI and died from it, a profile of potential risk factors could emerge and be used for future identification, prevention, and treatment.

Findings

Of the fatal cases of EVALI, the majority were male (32 of 60). This trend held true for non-fatal cases of EVALI, as well, with 1,666 of the 2,498 included patients in this category being male. Further, patients who were white experienced EVALI, both fatal and non-fatal, at a higher rate than those in other ethnic groups (39 of 49 fatal, and 1,104 of 1,818 non-fatal).

Older individuals, defined as 35 or older, were more likely to experience fatal cases of EVALI than those under the age of 35 (44 of 60). However, this same group experienced fewer non-fatal cases than the younger group (551 of 2,514).

An individual’s medical history also played a vital role in the development and severity of EVALI. Fatal cases were linked to asthma, cardiac disease, and mental health conditions. Obesity was present in over half of the fatal cases.

What it Means

There are several characteristics that may contribute to fatality in patients hospitalized with EVALI. Of these, chronic health conditions were notable and included cardiac diseases, respiratory diseases, and obesity.

This study provides a basic profile that at-risk individuals may fit when developing EVALI. As such, clinicians should be aware of these risk factors when diagnosing and treating the condition to give each patient the most optimistic outlook possible.

Are you looking for cardio equipment that could make up for your skipped workouts? An exercise bike is one of the best cardio machines you could consider for a cardiovascular workout at home. It helps burn calories faster and strengthens your muscles, heart, and lungs.

You could choose from a variety of exercise bikes present in the market. To make the most out of them, you must select the right type that suits your fitness goals. There are various exercise cycles for sale in Canada, ensuring you high-quality performance at reasonable prices.

Exercise bikes exert less pressure on the joints compared to other kinds of cardio machines, thus are ideal for people experiencing joint problems. It also provides an effective aerobic workout, making your muscles stronger.

In this article, we will focus on the effective use of exercise bikes and how to gain maximum benefits. So, keep on reading to learn more about it.

How To Use An Exercise Bike Effectively?

For an effective workout, you must set-up your bike in a way that is most comfortable to you. Adjusting its seat and handlebar properly will provide you comfort while using the bike. Here we have highlighted the required adjustments you would need to set-up your exercise bike before getting started.

Adjust The Seat Height

Wear your biking shoes and place your feet on the pedals to adjust the seat height properly. As your one leg is fully extended on the bike, make sure there is a slight bend in the knee of 5-10 degrees.

You should pedal comfortably without pointing your toes to fully extend your leg. If your hips move side-to-side as you pedal, it indicates the seat is quite high for you.

In a recumbent bike, seats are adjusted forward and backward. Be sure to extend your legs fully with a slight bend in your knees.

Handlebar Height

You should be able to reach for handles comfortably while cycling. You may experience back, shoulder, hand, or neck pain if the handlebars are too low, too high, too far away, or too close. Make sure to bend your elbows slightly while riding.

It is better to raise your handlebars a little higher to prevent pressure on the lower back and neck. Also, you could consider advanced adjustments, like altering the handlebar height or width.

Seat Fore/Aft Position

Besides adjusting a seat’s height, you could adjust it forward or backward that is fore and aft position. During pedaling, ensure your forward knee is aligned with the pedal axle.

Pedal Clips Or Foot Straps

Stationary bikes that feature straps, help in keeping the feet in place while pedaling. The clip-in pedals offered in spin bikes allow exercisers to clip their cycling shoes securely in the pedals.

If you have your feet strapped into the pedals, you can push and pull the pedals in a circular motion, creating a smooth pedal stroke. Make sure there is less space between the upper part of the strap and the shoe.

Resistance Level

Exercise bikes come with the option of manually adjusting the resistance and speed. You could set them depending on your fitness goals.

If you increase your resistance level, it will work your glutes and hamstrings more. Make sure to push and pull on the pedals for an effective workout.

The Right Way To Ride An Exercise Bike

Keep in mind these steps when you get on an exercise bike:

1. Before you hop on to the bike, make sure you are dressed in padded bike shorts or apply a gel pad on the seat. It will provide you added comfort while riding the bike.
2. As you sit on the bike, make sure your legs are fully extended with a slight bend in the knee when you are pedaling. If so, it indicates that your seat is placed correctly.
3. Make adjustments to the resistance level. For interval training, you may have to adjust the resistance to have a rigorous workout. You may reduce the resistance to take some rest while riding.
4. Pedal gradually as the bike powers up. Remember to not move your ankles while pedaling.
5. Begin cycling gradually and then pick up the pace. You may increase the resistance and speed after few minutes of riding. As you are finishing up, reduce the resistance to help you stabilize your heart rate.
6. Utilize different programs if you are using an electronic bike. They have multiple options, such as a heart rate monitor, workout duration, and various levels of resistance. Also, you could select programs that help you strengthen muscles or burn calories.

Experts recommend exercise bikes for burning calories and strengthening your muscles. So, if you use the equipment the correct way, you will be able to achieve your fitness goals in a few weeks.

Your health should always be a priority to ensure that you live a long, happy life. Health professionals are constantly making us aware of the importance of being healthy by exercising and eating a balanced and varied diet. A sedentary lifestyle can lead to health issues such as venous insufficiency. This condition essentially means that the venous wall in your legs cannot function well, and does not allow for the blood to be pumped from the legs to the heart. This results in a blood pool in the legs region, causing itchiness and swelling around the ankles.

Although venous insufficiency is not a serious condition, those who suffer from it can feel constant pain and this issue can disable them and prevent them from taking part in daily activities. It is important that you act quickly if you suffer from this issue and take the appropriate actions to prevent it from worsening. In this article, we will advise you of the things you need to do right away if you are experiencing venous insufficiency.

Wear Compression Garments

When you notice that you are suffering from venous insufficiency, it is a good idea to wear compression garments on the inflicted area. These garments are usually made of elastic, flexible fabric and can promote blood flow from the leg towards the heart and reduce swelling and pain. Although you can obtain one yourself. Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to prescribe you a

Consult With Your Doctor

As we mentioned previously, venous insufficiency is not considered to be a serious health threat. However, it can be extremely uncomfortable and prevent the individual from living a normal life. It is important that you do not ignore the symptoms when you suffer from this issue, and seek advice from a health professional. Depending on how severe your condition is, the doctor may recommend that you find an expert in the field for additional support – if this is the case you can make an online search to find Vein Doctor locations by city so that you find someone in your local area. A professional will be able to recommend the appropriate treatments as well as suitable lifestyle changes you may need to consider.

Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle

Having a sedentary lifestyle, smoking and a lack of exercise will contribute to venous insufficiency. You must assess your lifestyle and consider any changes that you might have to make to improve your condition. You can also ask your doctor what they recommend. Changing your lifestyle may not be easy to achieve, but it is fundamental that you do.

Maintain a Healthy Weight

Being a healthy weight is vital for the functioning of our body. When we are over the weight we should be, we are prone to developing a range of severe health conditions. As you can imagine, your weight is a contributing factor to venous insufficiency as the extra weight puts additional pressure on the valves in the leg veins. If you are overweight, you should consult with a nutritionist to discuss your weight and the type of diet you should eat. It is important to note that you can develop this health issue even if you are of a healthy weight, and in this case, you should continue to monitor your diet and activity levels to prevent issues.

Increase Activity Levels

Exercise is a must when it comes to your health – no matter what issue you have. Both your physical and mental well-being will benefit from physical activity. Any doctor will advise you to start exercising when you present with venous insufficiency. Even if you do not enjoy going to the gym and do not believe this is for you, there are other activities that you can do. Walking, for example, will help better this condition and you can always make the time for it in the day.

Elevate the Legs

This condition can be a result of long periods of standing up or sitting down, which you may have to do on a daily basis due to your job. If this is the case, ensure that you take regular breaks and move the legs around or elevate them as much whilst sitting down. This will increase blood circulation and avoid the pooling of blood from forming.

Avoid Tight Clothing and High Heels

Wearing tight clothing and high heels may make you look good, they certainly will not help your legs feel good. Although you may wear these occasionally, you should refrain from wearing these items on a daily basis as they restrict blood circulation within your body.

Venous insufficiency can have an impact on your daily life, you must take appropriate steps to ensure that you improve the condition and the discomfort and pain that comes with it. Follow the tips discussed above right away if you are suffering from this health issue.

As the COVID-19 pandemic took the world by storm in early 2020 and continues to linger, multiple methods have been employed in attempts to slow the spread of the virus and keep the global population as healthy as possible. In the flurry of activity, many of the measures were implemented without much consideration of the consequences—blunting the transmission of COVID-19 was simply too important.

One method, in particular, has been exceptionally controversial on many fronts, including that of mental health. The lockdowns put into place in many communities across the world were intended to reduce the rate of transmission but may have had unintended health consequences.

To determine the accuracy of these assumptions, a study was conducted in the United Kingdom.

The Study

Individuals aged 18 and up were surveyed in four waves. These surveys took place between 2015 and 2020. In all, 27,000 adults were included, and of those, 9,748 had complete data and were eligible for use in longitudinal analysis.

The outcomes that were measured were alcohol consumption, current cigarette use, e-cigarette use, loneliness, and psychological distress. These outcomes were assessed in relation to various associations, as well, including age, education level, ethnicity, and gender

Findings

The study found that lockdowns caused psychological distress to rise within one month of implementation. The rise was significant (19.4% to 30.6%) overall with certain demographics experiencing the increase to varying degrees. For example, individuals of Asian background, those with degrees, women, and young adults were the most affected.

Loneliness did not notably increase, while smoking actually declined. Alcohol consumption, however, increased in both those drinking four or more times a week and those binge drinking.

What it Means

According to this study, the lockdowns implemented around the world in attempts to control the spread of COVID-19 had an overall negative effect on all people, and certain demographics were more likely to experience mental health consequences—namely women and young adults.

At the same time, smoking actually declined in prevalence, but adverse alcohol use increased across the board.

This study only reported on psychological distress one month into the UK lockdown, meaning that there is a possibility of the results being skewed in either direction. Longer or repeated lockdowns could lead to worse mental distressed than observed in the study or have the opposite effect.

However, it is clear that in order to mitigate the negative health impacts of lockdowns, measures must be taken.

All medications are meant to heal. But some factors pertain to medicine use that could be potentially hazardous. And more so, if you are of over 65 years, the likelihood of having a medication mishap is higher than ever.

As we age, we become susceptible to medical conditions and diseases that require blood thinners, diabetes medications, antibiotics, among others. And without proper safety measures, a combination of these medications can draw a thin line between safe and unsafe medication practices.

And whether it is misusing beverages, taking drugs incorrectly, or using drugs that are prone to adverse side effects, there are medication tips that are indispensable especially for adults. And in the unfortunate event that you experience adverse side effects as a result of drug use, there are channels you can use to seek justice or any other drug-related complications.

Handy tips for adults regarding medications

Some medications are more culpable to adverse side effects when incorrectly used. In any case, the good news is that over 50% of all adverse side effects are thought to be avoidable, thanks to these tips.

1. Read the packaging labels and stick to the safety directions

As a rule of thumb, you should know when to use, how much to use, and how long to use your medication. Most medications come with such directions on their packaging, including containers that measure the millimeter amount. And in agreement with experts at DrugGuardians.com, simple drug safety measures are needed for specific drugs to stay effective. Insulin and most liquid antibiotics need to be refrigerated. Moreover, other types of medications such as nitroglycerin should be protected from direct sunlight to remain functional.

2. Consult with your doctor before stopping your regimen

We have all probably been there before. When you start taking medications, you realize that your problem has gone away so soon. So, what do you do next? You think to yourself that everything is okay, and you can disregard the rest of the medication.

That false sense of confidence that you are cured could be catastrophic. That’s because you risk stopping the medication prematurely before the condition can go away completely. In any case, it may just worsen. Therefore, for safety’s sake, contact your doctor to have their opinion first.

3. Check to find out if your medication is listed as unsafe for the elderly

We all trust our doctors, but the best advocate for your health is you. That said, it wouldn’t hurt to compare your medications against the U.S. Geriatric Society, which is the body that determines the criteria for potentially inappropriate medication use in adults.

The medications listed by this agency have an unfavorable balance of benefits and harm when used by adults, especially when pitted against the pharmacological alternatives. This list does not automatically eliminate the use of your medication. Therefore, you can consult your doctor for an alternative prescription or further directions.

4. Inform your healthcare provider of all your medications and nutritional supplementation

Make it habitual to keep your doctor informed about your medications every time you visit the hospital. The list could include:

• Dietary supplements.
• Vitamins and minerals.
• Weight-loss regimens.

5. Have your medication list to guide you

You could be seeing multiple doctors, and chances are each one will be prescribing their medications to take. Drug structures and effects on the body differ, but sometimes a combination of two or three medications could be toxic and cause adverse reactions.

And without a central database where your doctors can refer, then they might as well act only on the information you provide to them, which could be catastrophic. The ideal scenario would be to have your primary caregiver review the list on a regular basis to ensure it is updated for your subsequent visitations.

6. Be in contact with your doctor

Doctors put enough effort to ensure we are well and kicking. And whereas they do their part and prescribe the appropriate medications, our anatomy might respond with unforeseen reactions. That’s why you have to keep your doctor in the loop regarding your progress.

As you age, there is a high likelihood that you will start taking prescription medications to take care of symptoms and stay active. And aside from the tips recommended herein, the ideal scenario would be to stay in contact and have an honest conversation with your doctor.

And if you are taking medications for chronic conditions as part of your daily life, stick to safe medication practices to ensure you and your close ones are safe. While prescription drugs are a requisite for some conditions, it is imperative that you develop a workable plan to make sure you stick to the routine, stay safe and remain healthy for years.