TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack)

Some people experience a temporary “ministroke,” or transient ischemic attack (TIA).  The symptoms mimic a stroke, but clear within 24 hours.  TIAs are a warning that a real stroke may follow, however. So consult your physician immediately if you experience any signs of a ministroke.

It’s important to know the warning signals of a stroke and get immediate medical attention, to minimize the damage.  To help you remember what to look out for, the initials of the symptoms spell DANGER.

• Dizziness
• Absent-mindedness or temporary loss of memory or mental ability
• Numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg
• Garbled speech
• Eye problems, including temporary loss of sight in one eye, or double vision
• Recent onset of severe headcaches.

Used with permission from A Year of Health Hints by Don R Powell, PHD and the American Institute for Preventive Medicine, copyright 2010. www.healthylife.com

Reducing Stress

Stress is not so hard to find nowadays. Big things as well as small things can cause stress. 

When this happens, remember the following techniques:

• Get some physical exercise.  A quick walk around the block frees your mind from what’s bugging you, helps in your blood circulation, and boosts energy levels.  
• Regular exercise – with an approval from your doctor – is even better.
• Take a warm bath or shower, which tends to relax tense muscles and calm nerves.
• Talk over your troubles with a friend, relative, or profesional counselor. A “sympathetic other” can sometimes help you to see a problem more clearly – or help you think of practical solutions.
• Count to ten when you’re upset. It buys you time, so you can reflect on what’s bothering you and calm down.
• Pour yourself a cup of warm herbal tea. Sip it slowly and savor its soothing warmth and aroma.
• Listen to classical, new age or any soothing music.
• Do some form of meditation. It clears and relaxes the mind as well as the body.

Used with permission from A Year of Health Hints by Don R Powell, PHD and the American Institute for Preventive Medicine, copyright 2010. www.healthylife.com

Multiple Sclerosis

If you compare your brain to a telephone, the nervous system that carries messages to and from the rest of your body would serve as the phone wires.  If damage occurs to the wires, the messages would be distorted, weak or cut off.

That’s what happens to people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Normally, nerves are encased in a protective covering called myelin.  With multiple sclerosis, the myelin becomes inflamed and eventually dissolves.  Over time, scar tissue (sclerosis) accumulates where the myelin used to be.  “Multiple” sclerosis occurs in scattered locations in the spinal cord and brain. Nerve impulses that travel through nerves slow down considerably or come to a complete halt. This causes the symptoms of MS, which can include:

• Weakness
• Numbness
• Poor coordination
• Poor bladder function
• Transient blindness in one eye

No one knows what causes MS, but infection and other immunity factors are possiblities. People most susceptible to MS are:

• White adults between 20 and 40 years old
• People whose siblings or parents already have the disease
• Women (at a ratio of three women to every two men) 

While no cure exists for multiple sclerosis, you can take several steps to make living with the disease easier. These include: 

• Getting plenty of rest.
• Minimizing stressful situations, since stress seems to aggravate the symptoms.
• Avoiding hot showers or baths, since they can aggravate symptoms. (Cool baths or swimming in a pool may improve symptoms by lowering body temperature.)
• Getting regular exercise (physical therapy may be helpful).
• Having body massages to help maintain muscle tone.
• Getting professional, supportive psychological counseling.
• Taking prescribed medication.

Used with permission from A Year of Health Hints by Don R Powell, PHD and the American Institute for Preventive Medicine, copyright 2010. www.healthylife.com

Thyroid Problems

The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located just in front of the windpipe (trachea) in your throat. Its normal function is to produce hormones that influence thousands of metabolic processes in the body.

Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid produces too much thyroid hormone.

Signs and symptoms:

• tremors
• mood swings
• weakness
• diarrhea
• heart palpitations
• heat intolerance
• shortened menstrual periods
• unexplained weight loss
• fine hair (or hair loss)
• rapid pulse
• nervousness
• enlarged thyroid gland

Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland produces too little thyroid hormone to meet the body's requirements.

Signs and symptoms:

• fatigue and excessive sleeping
• dry, pale skin
• deepening of the voice
• weight gain
• dry hair that tends to fall out
• decrease in appetite
• frequently feeling cold
• puffy face (especially around the eyes)
• heavy menstrual periods
• poor memory

Used with permission from A Year of Health Hints by Don R Powell, PHD and the American Institute for Preventive Medicine, copyright 2010. www.healthylife.com

Brain power

With all the information from the Internet, we would expect people to be more knowledgeable about many things. However, many unnecesary things distract us from the more important ones.

Filtering the information we get is crucial in maintaing a sharp and astute mind.

As we grow older, we need to always exrecise not only our bodies but also our brain.

According to research, older adults who have active lives keep their brains fit and healthy, too.

Here sre some tips to maintain a healthy mind:

• Learn something new – or try something different – everyday.
• Play mind-stretching games such as Scrabble, chess and cards.
• Do the crossword puzzle in the daily newspaper.
• Read books and magazine articles.
• Attend lectures, plays, and exhibits, and watch educational television
• Use memory aids, such as appointment calendars, “to do” lists, and Post-it notes. 

Also, concentrate on what people say, repeat what you want to remember out loud, and associate an action with an object.    

Used with permission from A Year of Health Hints by Don R Powell, PHD and the American Institute for Preventive Medicine, copyright 2010. www.healthylife.com