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My Tales and Tips

Tag Archives: Alzheimer’s

Drink Up!

11 Sunday Aug 2013

Posted by yeloros in Body Talk, mind/body

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Alzheimer's, brisk walking, charley horse, dehydration, dry mouth, kidney failure, kidney stones, low blood pressure, nightmare, rapid heart beat, sitting

pressione altaHow are you coping with the hot weather? Are you sick and tired of this heat? I mean are you really sick and tired due to the temperature? Feel like you’re chugging along on one cylinder? Dehydration could be the culprit. Nothing triggers fatigue, depression and mood swings like dehydration.  Unfortunately, it can take hours before you realize that your body is in trouble.

I found out the hard way. Hopefully, my encounter with this lack of fluid will help you avoid the same pitfall.

Needless to say, I felt awful and couldn’t function normally. Before I could even get out of bed, “Charley Horse” grabbed my legs and also forced my toes to bend and curl against their will–pain, pain, pain! A rapid heart beat had me feeling like I had been running a race–as I got out of bed each morning. My throat was painfully dry and my tongue felt like it was glued to the roof of my mouth.

14737877_s (1)All day I was completely drained. Concentration abandoned me. Couldn’t even follow a simple recipe. Head was “swimming” and I couldn’t remember what I had just been thinking about. This went beyond brain fog. I thought I had come down with a case of dementia.

At times, chills had me reaching for a sweater even though the thermostat was on 79. Dizziness had me stumbling from room to room. Blood pressure dipped dangerously low leaving me even more tired, wobbly, and weak. Most afternoons, sleepiness took over sending me back to bed to nap. (I hadn’t napped since kindergarten.)

Increased thirst is a sign of dehydration, but you can’t rely on it, I never got thirsty. I blamed this lack of water for a disturbing nightmare about my father who died years ago. (I hadn’t had a nightmare about anyone or anything in years.) Not getting enough water will also show up in your face, highlighted by deeper fine lines and even deeper wrinkles–every woman’s nightmare!

20841774_sNow I could understand this lack of fluid if I had been exercising or working in the yard, but I hadn’t been out of the house in several days. Beware! Dehydration can set in while spending most of the day sitting still in an air-conditioned room. Every day we naturally lose water and a small amount of electrolytes through sweat, breathing, and waste. Most of us fail to drink enough fluids to cover all we lose.

In my attempt to get back to normal, in addition to drinking water, I ate lots of soup, broth, fruits, and vegetables but nixed sugary drinks and juices.

How easy it is to forget the time when we’re engrossed in whatever we’re doing. To make sure I now get enough fluids every day, I set the timer so that I have to get up from the computer to go into the kitchen to drink or eat. Mounting evidence shows that sitting too long can cause major health problems and take years off your life. Also, by getting up, I’m reminded to do three 10-minute sessions of brisk walking in order to reach my goal of at least 30 minutes of exercise daily. When inconvenient to walk outside, I walk throughout the house–no excuses.

Obviously, staying hydrated is crucial for good health. Water is essential for every function, organ and cell in the body and can help with whatever ails you. For instance, evidence shows that water reduces the risk of kidney stones. Unfortunately, the rate of painful kidney stones is rising. One reason could be because adults, as well as children, would get a failing grade for water intake.

Dehydration is serious and can be deadly. When water level is really low, the body starts to shut down. My mother, who was an Alzheimer’s patient in a nursing home, died from kidney failure due to severe dehydration.

Enough said.

Drinking water

Let us know your thoughts. You’re the reason for this blog (see the “About You” page). So please, leave a message in the Comments section below and arrow down to click the Post Comment button. What you say may be just the thing to make someone’s day. Thanks.

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  • 123rf.com

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A Joyful Noise

10 Sunday Mar 2013

Posted by yeloros in health, mind/body

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

Alzheimer's, arthritis, bone marrow transplant, brain chemicals, brain injuries, music keyboard, music therapy, Parkinson's disease, skin graft, stroke, WPLongform

4997454_sThe day I sat down to write this post, I couldn’t concentrate because of the excruciating pain from a tooth that needed a root canal. Nothing worked to relieve that pain. Consequently, I turned to my best pain-killer–music. Yes, music! I put on my old school CD’s, meaning songs with a melody and lyrics you don’t have to decipher. For about three pain-free hours I had a wonderful time singing along with the artists just as if I had been there when they were recording. Now there’s nothing mysterious about this.  It’s nature’s way of releasing pain-relieving and “feel good” brain chemicals (endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine) resulting in temporary relief. It must be music that you like. Hearing music you don’t like has negative results. We are all blessed with these remarkable brain chemicals. But keep in mind, music doesn’t eliminate the cause of the pain and music won’t work on that need-to-get-to-the-hospital type of pain.

Music lets us–makes us–allows us to FEEL, it touches our soul.  Research has proven that music can excite the brain whether we’re singing, listening, dancing, playing an instrument, humming, whistling.

These same pain chasers also pull me through while playing the keyboard or organ. The challenge of practicing to play a song without making mistakes, rearranging a favorite piece of music, or trying to play a song by ear, makes pain run and hide while sending my mood skyrocketing. (By the way, don’t let a little kid hear you say that you can play by ear!)

Every human responds to music, even at a very early age. Children have a natural love of music. It’s no doubt about how soothing lullabies help babies relax and sleep better. It’s even been shown that premature infants have gained more weight and have lower blood pressure and a stronger heart when exposed to music. We have all probably watched those toddlers, smiling and clapping their hands, bobbing and weaving, while trying to dance with those little chubby unsteady legs.

"Watch this!"

“Watch this!”

"This is fun!"

“This is fun!”

"Start the music."

“Start the music.”

“Monkeys on the Bed” and “Old MacDonald’s Farm” never fail to bring squeals of delight from preschoolers, and flash cards take a back seat to singing the “Alphabet Song”. Remember how excited those teenagers were on Dick Clark’s “American Band Stand”? And Don Cornelius provided the “joy spotlight” for those showing off their dance moves on “Soul Train”.

Music not only makes us happy and reduces pain, it helps us cope with many situations and has a powerful effect on our body as well as our brain. No one is claiming that music cures anything or that it should take the place of medicine or treatments, but it can be a helpmate for all who need help. This is where music therapy comes in. With individualized care plans, trained therapists use music in a variety of ways to aid in the healing and rehabilitation process, in an effort to improve a patient’s quality of life. It’s not always meant to just entertain, and a musical outcome isn’t the goal. No sheet music, musical ability, or prior music lessons required.

Music therapy has been around since ancient times demonstrating that music seems to be good for what ails us. It’s used in many settings, including schools, hospitals, community clinics, nursing homes, substance abuse treatment centers, hospice care, and prisons.  From what I witnessed, it seems to have the power to transform some harden criminals into genteel gentlemen for a while.

Music can even change our brain by creating new pathways around areas damaged by stroke, tumor, or other brain injuries. In other words, the incredible brain can make a way when there is no way, as seen in patients with brain injuries or brain tumors who can’t talk, but with music therapy, they can sing! (See “The Wonders of Music”.) It helps stroke victims learn to walk, and some veterans with one limb find it beneficial in their effort to walk. Several VA hospitals are also using music therapy to help vets cope with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). Walter Reed Army Medical Center recently added a music therapy program.

In patients with cancer, music can help them cope with some of their symptoms and side effects of their treatment, as well as reduce pain and anxiety, according to the American Cancer Society. Music can be a calming outlet for heart patients and decrease their blood pressure, heart rate and improve their breathing as stated by the American Heart Association. It’s been shown to even benefit autistic children by helping them communicate and develop social skills, giving them an opportunity to express themselves.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAPlaying the keyboard can be a godsend for the blind as they eagerly find the keys to make music. It’s been shown to calm the shaking, trembling hands of people with Parkinson’s disease. Easing the pain and stiffness in the hands of those suffering with arthritis has been demonstrated. An individualized care plan involving the keyboard can help a burn victim recovering with painful skin grafted hands.

Alzheimer’s patients, in every stage of the disease, can benefit from participating in all forms of music. Those who don’t even recognize family members and can no longer speak clearly, have been known to play the piano or sing their favorite songs–just like they did before their lives were derailed by the dreaded brain robber. (My mother was one of them.) Some can even be seen doing what’s called “the wheel chair boogie” when listening to their personalized iPod playlist while wheeling down the hall. It’s like they are being transported back to happier times when they hear what has now become those oldies but goodies. (See “The Wonders of Music”.)

8557756_s

The TV program “Nightline” featured a woman who had a double hand transplant. I would think music therapy could play a crucial role in her healing process. Robin Roberts, co-anchor on ABC’s “Good Morning America” said that music helped her through the painful, debilitating bone marrow transplant.

Music can benefit you, too.  It doesn’t have to be tunes from yesteryear and you don’t need to have a problem to reap the benefits.  How do you feel when you hear your favorite music? It has the power to lift your spirits, calm nerves, help you sleep, chase depression, move you to dance.  How about dancing with your kids or grandkids? They’ll get a kick out of your old-timey moves, and the joy and laughter won’t come from any medication. Do you include music in your daily life? Let us know what music means to you.

I love music–country, gospel, jazz, soul, rock and roll, R&B.  It’s as nourishing as food and essential vitamins. Every day music allows me to enjoy the wonderful benefits of nature’s medication prescribed by the Great Physician–possible side effects: toe tapping, laughter, dancing, singing, happy tears.

bigstock_Woman_portrait_silhouette_with_13427765

Watch music therapy in action–Click here “The Wonders of Music”

Resources:

*type music therapy in search box at site

  • *Cleveland Clinic (http://www.clevelandclinic.org)
  • http://www.newsblog.mayoclinic.org/2011/04/21
  • Center for Music Therapy (http://www.centerformusictherapy.com)
  • American Music Therapy Association (http://www.musictherapy.org) find certified music therapists
  • *American Cancer Society
  • *American Heart Association
  • Institute for Music and Neurologic Function
  • *Everydayhealth (http://www.everydayhealth.com)
  • *(http://www.healthline.com)
  • *Alzheimer’s Association (http://www.alz.org)
  • *The Huffington Post (http://www.huffingtonpost.com) healthy living section

Images:

  • 123rf.com
  • Bigstock.com
  • istock.com

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The Wonders of Music

10 Sunday Mar 2013

Posted by yeloros in mind/body, Music, Videos

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Alzheimer's, aphasia, music keyboard, music therapy, Parkinson's disease, stroke

Musical Rainbow

From the post “A Joyful Noise”

youtube.com/the healing power of music

See using keyboard for rehabilitation and education therapy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rv3BWfYnr2E

Note: You too can learn to play the keyboard, it’s not just for therapy.  If you buy one, be sure it is full-size with 88 WEIGHTED keys, meaning it feels like playing a piano.

See Arts and Medicine Institute:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WPJQbzRVOE

See Parkinson’s and music therapy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-5LdT9zHPM

See music therapy and aphasia (stroke patient):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_5verI-bj8

Watch an Alzheimer’s patient “come alive” when listening to music: http://ximotionmedia.com

Find out about Musicians On Call, a non-profit bringing live and recorded music to the bedside of patients in healthcare facilities

www.musiciansoncall.org/site/PageNavigator/home

Image:

Fotolia.com

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No Wheat, No Weight? – Part 1

23 Saturday Feb 2013

Posted by yeloros in mind/body

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Alzheimer's, aqua jogging, belly fat, bocce ball, body mass index, bone loss, celiac disease, chair exercises, daily food journal, exercise, gluten sensitivity, glutten-free, obesity, overweight, physical activity, subcutaneous fat, visceral fat

man and woman abstractLet’s just say that this is Mary and Joe Scofield on their way home from their doctor’s office, where once again they heard their yearly lecture.  Obviously, they are in that 68.8% of Americans who are overweight or obese and experiencing the consequences. When reading their charts, everything that should be low is high, and everything that should be down is up, including their weight.  The doctor reminded them that getting rid of the weight would probably eliminate some, if not all, of the medications they are taking for heart problems, elevated cholesterol, blood pressure, and diabetes.

This time the doctor was impressed with their optimism as they began talking about what they will do to improve their health.  Watching the HBO special “The Weight of the Nation” was a wake-up call for them to go online to research their conditions. They even had a list of questions to ask the doctor about a sensible diet, a safe exercise program, and they set realistic short-and long-term goals as an important first step.  They’re particularly excited about being able to exercise at home and showed the doctor a printout of how they can get a full-body workout with chair exercises.  (Read “Move It! You’re Losing It” and cdc.org at end of post.) Because they have been inactive, part of the plan is to gradually build up to a variety of more intense exercise routines.

According to The National Institutes of Health, 30 minutes of moderate physical activity most days of the week can have positive results, even when spread out in ten-minute sessions throughout the day.

The couple was also motivated after reading that Honey Boo Boo’s mama even lost over 100 pounds by being more physically active (walking and moving) while taping their TV show, 365 lbs. to 263 lbs. so far.

To jump-start their physical activity, Mary and Joe decided to make brisk walking part of their daily regimen. Studies show that those who regularly walk (not stroll) to lose weight, are more likely to keep it off.  Their pedometers will let them know how close they are to their goal of 10,000 steps a day, but even if they don’t reach 10,000, every step is better than none at all.  Plus, brisk walking will help melt away that dangerous, deadly (visceral) belly fat.   This is the kind of fat wrapped around the organs in the abdomen, increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, even death. (*See web site at end of post for body mass index.) According to the American Cancer Society, there’s strong evidence this type of fat may even cause colon cancer.  Moreover, it is linked to a higher risk of other cancers and poor brain health, increasing the risk for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.  Research has also linked belly fat to bone loss in men.  Experts say this fat is often the first to go when combined with diet and physical activities you do regularly, like walking, biking, dancing, even housework and working in the yard.  Crunches, sit-ups and other abdominal exercises are good for getting rid of fat located directly under the skin (subcutaneous).

6975217_sJoe is excited about golfing (no cart) with their neighbor and joining a group of friends a few days a week to play bocce ball.  Mary is looking forward to shedding pounds by aqua jogging (running in water) with her friends.  She is also motivated to plant a garden, which promises to be a great form of physical activity.  Consequently, she is looking forward to shopping (more walking) for that new wardrobe after her weight loss. They both realize that daily physical activity and a healthy diet translate to a life-long change, now that they are seriously aiming for longevity and working on their bucket list.  Who knew fun and games could equal health and wellness?

Because they have heard so much about this thing called gluten, they are wondering if it could be the answer to some of their complaints, such as bloating, joint pain, diarrhea, gas, and stomach aches.  (Read “Tips-Gluten No-No’s”.) Since so many people are boasting about losing weight on a gluten-free diet, they are hoping it might work for them also. The doctor is testing them for celiac disease even though they don’t fit the profile, for studies show that even overweight people can have the disease.  In the meantime, they will plan their meals for the week, keep a food journal and take note of when their symptoms worsen. The journal will also allow them to see just how much, what and when they are eating and document all junk food, sugary drinks, processed foods, snacks, and “grazing”.

For years they have tried many ways to lose weight, but failed: diets, treadmill, gadgets, pills, drinks.  Nevertheless, they wonder if there’s any scientific evidence to back up those gluten weight loss testimonials, because it all sounds too good to be true.

Dieting couple

*To calculate your body mass index (BMI) go to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute Web site, http://www.nhlbisupppot.com/bmi.

Related posts:

  • “Move It! You’re Losing It”
  • “No Wheat, No Weight? – Part 2”
  • “Tips-Gluten No-No’s”
  • “Goodbye Arthur“

Resources:

  • (http://www.mayoclinic.org)
  • (http://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/growingstronger/exercises/index.html)
  • Stanford University School of Medicine
  • Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
  • National Institutes of Health (www.nia.nih.gov/Go4Life)
  • University of Washington Medical School
  • American Cancer Society
  • American Heart Association
  • Harvard Medical School, Boston
  • HBO Special – “The Weight of the Nation” – 4 parts
  • (http://www.clevelandclinic.org)
  • (http://www.celiac.org)
  • (http://www.webmd.com)

Images:

  • Fotolia.com
  • 123rf.com

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