Aging & Independence Archives

Maca Root May Help Raise Your Spirits—But Proceed with Caution

Oct 21, 2019 · Cindy Foley · Aging & Independence

You may have heard of maca root, but what exactly is it? Native to the Andes Mountains in Peru, maca root—after harvesting—can be sundried and then processed as a supplement. Also called ‘‘Peruvian ginseng,” maca is an adaptogen, meaning it helps the body adapt to stress.. A popular health supplement, … Read More

Reduce Fall Risk with Assistive Devices

Sep 10, 2019 · Jim Brown, PhD · Aging & Independence

Canes, walkers, and other assistive devices offer a triple play of better balance, improved mobility, and fewer falls. If a person can get past the idea that assistive devices are just for “old people,” they can re-open a world that might have become smaller as a result of balance and … Read More

Calcium Deposits: 3 Areas of Your Body Where You’re Most at Risk

Jul 12, 2019 · Jim Brown, PhD · Aging & Independence

Calcium is an essential component of a person’s body chemistry. Almost all of it is in our bones and teeth, providing both with strength. The rest is present throughout tissues, organs, and cells. Almost every cell in our body uses calcium in some way. But collections of these tiny crystals—calcium … Read More

Incontinence: Relief is Possible with Treatment, Lifestyle Changes

Jul 3, 2019 · Leonaura Rhodes, MD · Aging & Independence

The International Continence Society defines urinary incontinence as “the involuntary loss of urine that represents a hygienic or social problem to the individual.” It is a symptom, not a disease, and can be caused by many factors. Urinary incontinence increases with age and is often underdiagnosed and underreported. According to … Read More

How to Build Self-Esteem, Self-Confidence, and Self-Worth

May 21, 2019 · Alison Palkhivala · Aging & Independence

We live in a culture that tends to undermine true self-esteem and self-worth. In a world where people are actively comparing with others how many designer clothes they have, what kind of car they drive, or how much weight they have lost, it’s easy to feel inadequate. Messages from the … Read More

Yoga Unites the Body and Mind

May 2, 2019 · JoAnn Milivojevic · Aging & Independence

Yoga strengthens and stretches the body while also using the breath to focus and calm the mind. The practice offers multiple benefits for everyone, especially older adults. Yoga is a wonderful exercise on its own and a complement to other sports and physical activities. Originating in India, yoga has been … Read More

Causes of Dizziness in Older Adults

Apr 2, 2019 · Jim Brown, PhD · Aging & Independence

Dizziness is not a specific medical disorder, but a set of symptoms frequently reported in older adults. Dizziness can be caused by many underlying factors that could involve the eyes, ears, thyroid, lungs, bladder, musculoskeletal system, brain, and heart. The emergency room physician who treats a patient with dizziness has … Read More

3 Excellent Natural Therapies for Perimenopause Treatment

Feb 26, 2019 · UHN Staff · Aging & Independence

Perimenopause can last for years and the unpredictable symptoms—ranging from PMS to hot flashes— can greatly diminish a woman’s quality of life. Part one of this two-part article discussed the wide variety of symptoms that can happen in perimenopause. Now, in part two, you will learn about perimenopause treatment using … Read More

Varicose Vein Treatment: Which Approach Is Best for You?

Jan 24, 2019 · Jim Brown, PhD · Aging & Independence

If you have varicose veins or spider veins, you are not alone. They affect one in five adults and half of people over the age of 50 in the U.S. Although varicose veins are an indication of weak or damaged veins, they are usually more of a cosmetic problem than … Read More

Muscular Dystrophy: What Causes This Disabling Condition?

Jan 4, 2019 · Leonaura Rhodes, MD · Aging & Independence

We typically think of muscular dystrophy as a singular disease. But, per the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, it's more complex than that: “The muscular dystrophies (MD) are a group of more than 30 genetic diseases characterized by progressive weakness and degeneration of the skeletal muscles that control … Read More

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