IN Keystone Oaks Winter 2018 | Page 18

HEALTH & WELLNESS S P E C I A L S E C T I O N
for breast cancer
Join in
OCTOBER
and
30 *
$
will be donated to
BREAST CANCER
RESEARCH
Locally Owned and Operated
300 Mt. Lebanon Blvd., 2nd Floor
Lebanon Shops, Pittsburgh, PA 15234
412-343-8200
*During October, $30 of the enrollment fee will be donated to breast
cancer charity of the club’s choice. See club for details. Valid only at
participating locations and requires joining same day as first visit for a
minimum 12-month recurring billing contract. Monthly membership
fees vary by location. No cash value. Offer Expires 11/10/18.
© 2018 CURVES NA
Do you need help understanding
MEDICARE?
• Picking the best insurance plan
for your needs?
• Learning about your Medicare
Prescription Drug plans?
• Find the best time to enroll?
Independent brokers with over 25 years experience
Erin Hagan Hart and Liz Kanche
412-657-3028
1910 Cochran Road, Manor Oak One
Suite 405, Pittsburgh, Pa 15220
16
724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE
❘
judgment, and visual perception.
At least two of the aforementioned
symptoms must be severely impaired
to indicate signs of dementia. Usually
the signs and symptoms are progressive
and get worse over time. If caught early
by a health care professional, some
symptoms can be treated. One of the
most common types of dementia is
Alzheimer’s disease.
Alzheimer’s accounts for 60 to 80
percent of all dementia cases. It causes
severe problems with daily tasks that
involve memory, thinking and behavior.
It is not a normal part of aging, but the
greatest known risk factor is increasing
age since the disease is progressive.
While it is most common in people
over the age of 65, younger-onset
Alzheimer’s is found in five percent of
people as young as their 40s.
According to the Alzheimer’s
Association, evidence shows that
incorporating the following habits
will keep you fit both physically and
mentally:
• Heart Health – Obesity, high blood
pressure and diabetes—all risk
factors for cardiovascular disease—
negatively impact your cognitive
health. Cardiovascular activity
increases blood flow to the brain and
body, reducing the risk of cognitive
decline.
• Helmet Up! – Brain injury is one of
the leading causes of dementia and
cognitive decline. Play it smart and
always wear a helmet to protect from
brain injury.
• Sleep Tight – Have you ever stayed
up late, only to find you’re forgetful
and mentally lethargic the next day?
Not getting enough sleep can result
in lower brain function, affecting
memory and thinking.
• Be a Social Butterfly – Staying
active with friends and loved ones
may support brain health as well.
A recent study from the Women’s
Healthy Aging Project found that
babysitting grandchildren could
lower the risk of Alzheimer’s.
• Challenge Yourself – Enjoy
crossword puzzles or painting? Keep
your brain challenged by doing
something new each day, whether it
is learning a new language, doing a
jigsaw puzzle or reading a book!
icmags.com
Eye and Ear Health
Hearing and vision are two essential
parts of our everyday lives. Yet there are
many individuals who let ear and eye
problems go unattended. Ear and eye
health is equally as important as taking
care of the rest of the body and should
be well maintained to ensure many
years of seeing and hearing the things
you love.
Eye Health
It is important to visit your eye
care professional once a year for a
comprehensive eye exam. Although you
may think you are seeing fine, issues
may be lurking without any warning
signs. During a yearly visit, your pupils
will be dilated, or widened, so that your
eye care professional can examine the
back of the eye for damage or disease.
It is important to know your family’s
eye health history as well, since some
conditions are hereditary. Some of the
most common eye diseases include
diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma,
cataracts, and age-related macular
degeneration (AMD).
• Diabetic Retinopathy: This type
1 or type 2 diabetes complication is
caused by damage to blood vessels
in the retina, the light-sensitive
tissues in the back of the eye. If left
untreated, diabetic retinopathy
could cause blindness. Early stages
of this condition may go unnoticed
if an eye care professional is not
visited yearly. As the condition
progresses, symptoms may include