SPECIAL SECTION: HEALTHY LIVING
Glaucoma: The second leading cause of blindness, glaucoma is
a group of diseases that damage the eye’s optic nerve. The risk of
developing glaucoma increases with age and if parents or siblings
have the disease. During an eye exam, glaucoma can be detected
by measuring eye pressure, inspecting the drainage angle of the
eye, evaluating the health of the optic nerve and testing the visual
field of each eye. Depending on the type and severity of the
disease, glaucoma can be treated through eye drops, medication
or surgery.
u Cataracts: A cataract affects vision by clouding the lens of the
eye. Chances of cataracts increase greatly with age, with more
than half of all Americans either having a cataract or having had
cataract surgery by the age of 80. People in their 40s and 50s
can have cataracts, but they are typically small and do not affect
vision. Cataracts are detected by blurred vision, faded colors,
glare from headlights or lamps, poor night vision, double vision,
or frequent prescription changes in eyeglasses or contact lenses.
Early detection can improve cataracts through new eyeglasses,
anti-glare sunglasses or brighter lighting. Surgery can also be
done to remove the cloudy lens and replace it with an artificial
lens.
u Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD): One of the
common, but lesser known eye conditions is AMD. A leading
cause of vision loss among people 50 years of age and older,
AMD affects the macula, the millions of light-sensing cells that
provide your eye with sharp, central vision. Age is a major risk
factor for developing AMD, with most cases occurring after the
age of 60. Genetics, race, and smoking can also affect risk for
AMD. A comprehensive eye exam can detect AMD through
dilation and testing. Your eye care professional will look for
yellow deposits beneath the retina to determine if you have
AMD. Intermediate and late AMD can be treated with daily
intake of vitamins and minerals that can slow the progression of
the disease. Therapy and surgery can also be considered for types
of advanced neovascular AMD, which typically results in severe
vision loss, to stop further progression.
u
Hearing Loss and Prevention
It is common for hearing loss to occur as you age. According to the
Mayo Clinic, about 25 percent of people in the United States between
the ages of 55 and 64 have some degree of hearing loss, increasing
to one in two people by age 65 and older. Chronic exposure to loud
noises and aging are the two main causes of hearing loss, resulting
in muffled speech from others, difficulty understanding words,
frequently asking others to repeat themselves, loud volume on the
television or radio, and avoidance of social settings.
Hearing loss occurs when there is damage to the inner ear, infection
in the ear, or ruptured eardrum. Damage to the inner ear can happen
with age, or constant exposure to loud noises over an extended period
of time. These cause wear on the nerve cells in the cochlea that send
sound to the brain. When they are damaged, signals aren’t transmitted
as effectively, causing loss of hearing. Heredity, aging, occupational
and recreational noises, some medications, and some illnesses may
cause either partial or full hearing loss, but there are ways to treat
hearing loss. Treatment can include surgical procedures, hearing aids,
or cochlear implants.
Preventive measures can also be taken to protect against noiseinduced hearing loss and to avoid age-related hearing loss. Be sure
to wear protective earmuffs if you work in a loud environment or if
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you are hunting, going to concerts or doing other loud activities for
an extended period of time. It is also important to have your hearing
tested on a regular basis. Early detection is key to preventing complete
hearing loss.
Mouth Health
Your mouth can tell a lot about your overall health. Investing in
your oral health is also investing in your general health. There are
several conditions that are linked to oral health including endocarditis
and cardiovascular disease. When bacteria from your mouth, or other
parts of your body, spread through your bloodstream they can attach
to your heart, causing an infection in the inner lining, also called
endocarditis. Research suggests that poor oral health is linked to
clogged arteries and stroke as well.
Keeping tabs on your oral health is critical for warding off bad
breath and poor health. It is important to brush at least twice a day,
floss, eat a healthy diet, replace your toothbrush every three to four
months, and avoid tobacco use to maintain a healthy mouth. Visiting
your dentist for regular cleanings can also ensure that oral hygiene is
at its best.
Heart Health
We are all aware that it is important to eat healthy and stay fit
for heart health. A diet rich in plant foods and low in processed
food and animal products lends itself to a happy heart. Paired with
cardiovascular exercise, you’ve got it made for a healthy body. But
have you ever thought of staying positive as a way to keep your heart
healthy? A research study being done at the University of Illinois
shows that people with optimistic attitudes have higher odds of
having ideal cardiovascular health when compared to pessimistic
people. The study analyzed “the mental health, levels of optimism,
and physical health of 5,100 adults ranging from 45 to 84 years of
age. Heart health scores—based on American Heart Associationapproved metrics, including blood pressure and body mass index—
increased right alongside optimism levels.” So when you’re feeling
down, remember that staying positive affects more than just your day,
so keep your head up and your heart happy.
Digestion
Digestive issues affect all of us at one time or another. From upset
stomach, gas, and heartburn, to constipation and diarrhea, digestive
problems are painful and embarrassing. Some of the most common
digestive problems are:
Food Intolerance – Often confused with a food allergy, food
intolerance allows you to eat a small amount of the offending
food without any issues (a food allergy could be life-threatening).
Causes include celiac disease, sensitivity to food additives, food
toxins, and absence of an enzyme needed to fully digest a food.
u Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) – A chronic
digestive disease, GERD is defined as experiencing acid reflux
and heartburn at least twice a week. GERD affects 20 percent
of Americans and can cause persistent bad breath, tooth
erosion, nausea, pain in chest or upper abdomen, or it can make
swallowing and breathing hard to do.
u Hemorrhoids – Hemorrhoids are inflamed blood vessels found
at the end of your digestive tract. Often painful and itchy, they are
caused by chronic constipation, diarrhea, or a lack of fiber in your
u
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