From the monthly archives:

August 2009

vvffere are many theories as to what may cause Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, but one thing that researchers do know for sure is that women suffer from various forms of dementia, including Alzheimer’s, at a greater rate than men. That is an established fact, and one that has generated much controversy among medical researchers trying to understand why.
Alzheimer’s in Women: Longer Life Span
The current state of research seems to favor the simplest explanation for this phenomenon, says Malaz Boustani, MD, assistant professor of medicine at the Indiana University School of Medicine and a center scientist with the Indiana University Center for Aging Research. “Women live longer,” Dr. Boustani says. “Alzheimer’s disease depends so much on time. Men die earlier, and therefore they have less prevalence of Alzheimer’s. There is a mortality difference.”
On average, a girl born in 2005 is expected to live to age 80, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A boy born that same year is expected to live to age 75. According to current consensus, that’s why more women tend to develop Alzheimer’s disease. They are simply more vulnerable to the greatest risk factor associated with Alzheimer’s: advancing age.
Alzheimer’s Symptoms in Men Vs. Women
Alzheimer’s also appears to affect men and women differently. Here are some ways in which the condition can present itself in men versus women:
* Men with Alzheimer’s disease tend to develop more aggression — physical, verbal, and sexual — than women do as the disease progresses. They also tend to wander and perform socially inappropriate actions more frequently than women diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
* Women with Alzheimer’s disease tend to become more reclusive and emotionally unstable. They hoard items more often than men do, refuse help more often, and exhibit laughter or crying at inappropriate moments. They also seem more vulnerable to depression and to suffering from delusions. are many theories as to what may cause Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, but one thing that researchers do know for sure is that women suffer from various forms of dementia, including Alzheimer’s, at a greater rate than men. That is an established fact, and one that has generated much controversy among medical researchers trying to understand why.
Alzheimer’s in Women: Longer Life Span
The current state of research seems to favor the simplest explanation for this phenomenon, says Malaz Boustani, MD, assistant professor of medicine at the Indiana University School of Medicine and a center scientist with the Indiana University Center for Aging Research. “Women live longer,” Dr. Boustani says. “Alzheimer’s disease depends so much on time. Men die earlier, and therefore they have less prevalence of Alzheimer’s. There is a mortality difference.”
On average, a girl born in 2005 is expected to live to age 80, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A boy born that same year is expected to live to age 75. According to current consensus, that’s why more women tend to develop Alzheimer’s disease. They are simply more vulnerable to the greatest risk factor associated with Alzheimer’s: advancing age.
Alzheimer’s Symptoms in Men Vs. Women
Alzheimer’s also appears to affect men and women differently. Here are some ways in which the condition can present itself in men versus women:
* Men with Alzheimer’s disease tend to develop more aggression — physical, verbal, and sexual — than women do as the disease progresses. They also tend to wander and perform socially inappropriate actions more frequently than women diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
* Women with Alzheimer’s disease tend to become more reclusive and emotionally unstable. They hoard items more often than men do, refuse help more often, and exhibit laughter or crying at inappropriate moments. They also seem more vulnerable to depression and to suffering from delusions. are many theories as to what may cause Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, but one thing that researchers do know for sure is that women suffer from various forms of dementia, including Alzheimer’s, at a greater rate than men. That is an established fact, and one that has generated much controversy among medical researchers trying to understand why.
Alzheimer’s in Women: Longer Life Span
The current state of research seems to favor the simplest explanation for this phenomenon, says Malaz Boustani, MD, assistant professor of medicine at the Indiana University School of Medicine and a center scientist with the Indiana University Center for Aging Research. “Women live longer,” Dr. Boustani says. “Alzheimer’s disease depends so much on time. Men die earlier, and therefore they have less prevalence of Alzheimer’s. There is a mortality difference.”
On average, a girl born in 2005 is expected to live to age 80, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A boy born that same year is expected to live to age 75. According to current consensus, that’s why more women tend to develop Alzheimer’s disease. They are simply more vulnerable to the greatest risk factor associated with Alzheimer’s: advancing age.
Alzheimer’s Symptoms in Men Vs. Women
Alzheimer’s also appears to affect men and women differently. Here are some ways in which the condition can present itself in men versus women:
* Men with Alzheimer’s disease tend to develop more aggression — physical, verbal, and sexual — than women do as the disease progresses. They also tend to wander and perform socially inappropriate actions more frequently than women diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
* Women with Alzheimer’s disease tend to become more reclusive and emotionally unstable. They hoard items more often than men do, refuse help more often, and exhibit laughter or crying at inappropriate moments. They also seem more vulnerable to depression and to suffering from delusions.There are many theories as to what may cause Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, but one thing that researchers do know for sure is that women suffer from various forms of dementia, including Alzheimer’s, at a greater rate than men. That is an established fact, and one that has generated much controversy among medical researchers trying to understand why.
Alzheimer’s in Women: Longer Life Span
The current state of research seems to favor the simplest explanation for this phenomenon, says Malaz Boustani, MD, assistant professor of medicine at the Indiana University School of Medicine and a center scientist with the Indiana University Center for Aging Research. “Women live longer,” Dr. Boustani says. “Alzheimer’s disease depends so much on time. Men die earlier, and therefore they have less prevalence of Alzheimer’s. There is a mortality difference.”
On average, a girl born in 2005 is expected to live to age 80, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A boy born that same year is expected to live to age 75. According to current consensus, that’s why more women tend to develop Alzheimer’s disease. They are simply more vulnerable to the greatest risk factor associated with Alzheimer’s: advancing age.
Alzheimer’s Symptoms in Men Vs. Women
Alzheimer’s also appears to affect men and women differently. Here are some ways in which the condition can present itself in men versus women:
* Men with Alzheimer’s disease tend to develop more aggression — physical, verbal, and sexual — than women do as the disease progresses. They also tend to wander and perform socially inappropriate actions more frequently than women diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
* Women with Alzheimer’s disease tend to become more reclusive and emotionally unstable. They hoard items more often than men do, refuse help more often, and exhibit laughter or crying at inappropriate moments. They also seem more vulnerable to depression and to suffering from delusions.ere are many theories as to what may cause Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, but one thing that researchers do know for sure is that women suffer from various forms of dementia, including Alzheimer’s, at a greater rate than men. That is an established fact, and one that has generated much controversy among medical researchers trying to understand why.

Given how absent minded men are (just kidding guys) I was surprised to learn that women actually suffer from Alzheimer’s disease more than men.

Here’s an interesting snippet that I found as to some of the reasons and I wanted to share it:

“Women live longer,” “Alzheimer’s disease depends so much on time. Men die earlier, and therefore they have less prevalence of Alzheimer’s. There is a mortality difference.”

Alzheimer’s also appears to affect men and women differently. Here are some ways

* Men with Alzheimer’s disease tend to develop more aggression — physical, verbal, and sexual — than women do as the disease progresses. They also tend to wander and perform socially inappropriate actions more frequently than women diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. (just like normal!)

* Women with Alzheimer’s disease tend to become more reclusive and emotionally unstable. They hoard items more often than men do, refuse help more often, and exhibit laughter or crying at inappropriate moments. They also seem more vulnerable to depression and to suffering from delusions.

Interesting stuff. Awful condition.

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BogusOn thing that I have noticed in surfing senior sites is that many of them – perhaps the majority of hem – are bogus.

What do I mean by that exactly?

It relates to a lot of sites being nothing more than “fronts” for some kind of sales pitch at best – or a scam at worst.

Some of these are very sophisticated and can look legitimate. Many are centered around health issues but the subject matter cuts across many products and services. I have some friends and relatives that work in the internet and they can help me spot these and I will in turn alert you. Many are pretty obvious – but even those can fool you.

Now – one thing to note – when I say “bogus” I don;t mean that the company is not legitimate. Rather I am saying that they are posing as an independent site like mine when they are not unbiased. So I guess determining is the site is unbiased or not is the key. But Bogus is just easier and kind of speaks to thew overall issue

So – I am starting the “Bogus Senior List” of sites that you can use as a reference as well. And if you would like to submit your own – please do so in the comments section.

I hope this proves useful for you!

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My friend seems to itch all the time. He has seen his primary-care doctor and and dermatologist and they told him to just “live with it.”  I’ve noticed some of the same issues too so I looked into things a bit. I found and interesting summary from Dr. Robert Butler and here is what he had to say:

As people get older, their skin can certainly become drier and more prone to itching. But that doesn’t mean that you should have to live with constant itchiness. After ruling out more serious conditions, lifestyle changes  can help reduce the itching. here are a few:

 take fewer showers or baths throughout the week

 spend less time under the hot water when you  bathe, because that can bring on itchiness

And I found this really interesting….It’s important that people prone to skin irritation and itchiness use a body moisturizing oil like olive oil right after they get out of the shower or bath. Ideally, this moisturizer should be applied while the skin is still wet to lock in moisture. 

 

I never would have thought to use Olive Oil!

 

As people get older, their skin can certainly become drier and more prone to itching. But that doesn’t mean that your husband — or anyone else, for that matter — should have to live with constant itchiness. Since your husband has already seen his primary-care doctor to rule out any health conditions, like eczema or psoriasis, that could cause skin irritation and itching — and if he has not started any new medications that might have brought on the issue — I’d suggest that your husband begin to make some lifestyle changes that can help reduce the itching.
The first thing I’d suggest is that he take fewer showers or baths throughout the week and spend less time under the hot water when he does bathe, because that can bring on itchiness. I’d also recommend that he not wash his hair as frequently and that he use a moisturizing shampoo when he does. It’s important that people prone to skin irritation and itchiness use a body moisturizing oil like olive oil right after they get out of the shower or bath. Ideally, this moisturizer should be applied while the skin is still wet to lock in moisture. Your husband can pat his skin dry after applying the moisturizer. Between baths, I’d recommend using the oil at least once a day. Quite possibly Neutrogena (a light sesame formula) would be ideal for your husband’s skin. A qualified dermatologist can make further recommendations to help reduce the itchiness. Good luck!
As people get older, their skin can certainly become drier and more prone to itching. But that doesn’t mean that your husband — or anyone else, for that matter — should have to live with constant itchiness. Since your husband has already seen his primary-care doctor to rule out any health conditions, like eczema or psoriasis, that could cause skin irritation and itching — and if he has not started any new medications that might have brought on the issue — I’d suggest that your husband begin to make some lifestyle changes that can help reduce the itching.
The first thing I’d suggest is that he take fewer showers or baths throughout the week and spend less time under the hot water when he does bathe, because that can bring on itchiness. I’d also recommend that he not wash his hair as frequently and that he use a moisturizing shampoo when he does. It’s important that people prone to skin irritation and itchiness use a body moisturizing oil like olive oil right after they get out of the shower or bath. Ideally, this moisturizer should be applied while the skin is still wet to lock in moisture. Your husband can pat his skin dry after applying the moisturizer. Between baths, I’d recommend using the oil at least once a day. Quite possibly Neutrogena (a light sesame formula) would be ideal for your husband’s skin. A qualified dermatologist can make further recommendations to help reduce the itchiness. Good luck! 

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Hi there

Sorry for the long pause – I am going to be bringing Senior Health Moment back to life again and with some help from some new friends and contributors as well.

I hope to welcome many more visitors soon!

Thank you!

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