Get Fit and Beat Aging

You've probably heard many times how important exercise is. That's right! But exercise
means different things to different people. The most recommended exercise you will find
in medical resources is...walking.

If you want to reverse your age, look great and feel great, you need to do more than just walk. A good exercise program consists of 2 elements:
1. Resistance Training (or "weight training")
2. Cardio Training (or “aerobics”).

You have learned that cardio is the activity you must spend most of your time at to get fit ("burn your calories"). Recent discoveries in the fitness science have changed this outdated belief. Weight training has become the major age fighter.
"Anti-Aging Fitness" puts the first priority on weight training and the second priority on cardio training. The ratio is about 80% for weight training and 20% for cardio training.


Weight (Resistance) Training
Here are some age symptoms that weight training offsets and reverses:

Muscle Loss:
Muscle loss is the most noticeable aging symptom. Muscle loss makes you weaker and
doomed to injuries and unattractive posture. As a result of muscle loss, your metabolic rate declines because muscles are the biggest fat burner. Therefore you start to accumulate body fat, which increases your risk of heart disease, diabetes and stroke.

You can offset this vicious cycle of muscle loss if you...rebuild your muscles back. The only effective way to gain muscle is weight training. That's true for men and for women. Diets don't support muscle gain. Slimming pills and fat burners don't build your muscles either. Even cardio activities such as jogging, biking, and walking don't build your muscle. When you gain muscle you speed up your metabolic rate. You burn more fat, get a dream body which makes you look much younger than your age.

Bone Loss:
The less noticeable symptom of aging is a loss of bone density. Unfortunately, by the
time you are diagnosed with bone mass loss, it can be too late because you've already
developed osteoporosis. The common medical advice you usually get is to supplement
with calcium and vitamin D. Your doctor will probably recommend that you exercise (not more than walking or...dancing). Usually you get this advice from overweight doctors that are doomed to develop degenerative diseases even more than you are.

Supplementation doesn't solve bone mass loss! Bone mass loss relates to hormonal
imbalances and women are at much greater risk than men especially if they're postmenopausal. The most effective cure is the least revealed one. Weight training will restore your bone mass and dramatically reduce your osteoporosis risk. Don't wait to start when you're already sick. Start now!

Hormone Decline:
The third symptom of aging is the decline in your hormone levels. Your hormones are
decreasing at a "free-fall" pace when you are over 40. Your sexual hormones are at their peak when you're 20-30 and they decline every year after. Men's testosterone declines after puberty but its rate of decline is faster after 40. Women's estrogen levels drop down pre-menopause.

The unrevealed secret that only a few athletes and bodybuilders know is that weight
training increases the secretion of hormones. That’s why men and women who exercise
with weights look younger than their age. Weight training makes you look really great. Women are usually concerned weight training will make them look “bulky”. They perceive weight training as a "men's activity". No more. It's clear cut that women can change their physique dramatically without increasing testosterone. The reasons are still unknown but it has been proved in many studies.

If you want to change your body and your life you need to do some weight training. The benefits are enormous. You will look 5, 10, even 15 years younger than your age. Your energy, stamina and vigor will skyrocket. Weight training increases your endorphins and pheromones which stimulate you all day long even when you wake up one hour earlier …and miss your coffee.

Not all weight training programs are designed equally. To get the hormonal secretion
effect that makes you many years younger, follow a specific technique that is revealed in the Anti-Aging Fitness Program “Change Your Body and Be Admired”. Many of the exercises that you remember from your childhood or adolescence are obsolete. Take sit-ups for example. Sit-ups are the less effective exercise for abs because
your hips take some of the motion and because of the risk of low back injury.

Cardio Training
Most people exercise because they want to "burn calories". This is based on the theory that if you burn more calories than you consume, you will probably lose weight. That's right...partially.

Studies show that there are other factors much more effective than calorie balance like managing blood sugar levels, raising metabolic rates, working with your body type and changing your body composition. It's not just calorie consumption. Not all calories are built equally. 1000 calories of sugar aren't equal to 1000 calories of vegetables. The sugar peaks your blood sugar level while the same amount of calories consumed as vegetables won't affect your blood sugar at all.

The same thing is true with calorie burning. One hour on the treadmill burns roughly 800 calories. You need many hours to burn all the food you eat if you're following the calorie balance theory. But gaining 20% more muscle will burn the same calories even without doing any cardio at all. This is how powerful weight training is. You gain muscle, speed up your metabolic rate and get a rush of hormones that make you look and feel much younger than your age. Should you engage in cardio at all? Cardio’s main goal is to improve your....cardio condition. That means improving the strength and efficiency of your heart and lungs while improving your vigor, energy, stamina, and endurance. Cardio training shouldn't target only calorie burning. Millions jog slowly because they have been told that long duration/low intensity cardio training is the best way to burn fat. It’s definitely not the most effective way.

What's wrong with long duration/low intensity cardio training for fitness purposes?
• It's time consuming. It's difficult to commit regularly to such demanding activity.
• It causes you to lose muscle rather than gaining muscle. You achieve the opposite
result. You slow down your metabolic rate and you accelerate your aging.
• It is based on calorie balance of "input" and "output". In an hour you burn only
around 800 calories.
• You stop burning fat when you stop your activity.
• Your cardiovascular capability doesn’t improve because the heart rate is low.
• Your lung capacity doesn't improve because you don't train in the anaerobic zone.
• It's b-o-r-i-n-g!

The right cardio is short duration high intensity training. The optimum time is 20
minutes. The intensity of the training should be up to 85% of your maximum heart rate. The first few minutes are below 85% for warm up and the last 1-2 minutes can be even 90% of your maximum heart rate (heart rate over 85% also boosts your free-radical production. Don’t stay there for too long!). You can learn more about using heart rate monitor, high intensity cardio training and effective interval training, in the Anti-Aging Fitness Program “Change Your Body and Be Admired”.

Short Duration High Intensity cardio training is the most effective fitness routine:
• It takes a short time and you don't need to do it more than 2-3 times a week.
• It builds muscle. Compare sprint runner’s body to marathon runner’s body.
• It improves your cardiovascular and lung capability
• It burns fat long hours after you're off because the anaerobic features
• It's easy to stick to, because it's short and interesting
• It has a positive mind motivator benefit. Finishing a training session is very
rewarding.

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Acute Bronchitis

Many people suffer from a variety of respiratory disorders. It is important that your respiratory system remains in a healthy condition. Many people ignore the early signs of a respiratory disorder, as a result of which they are unable to control a condition that can later becomes chronic and lead to disability. For example, acute bronchitis, when neglected, leads to chronic bronchitis, a condition that causes severe, irreversible damage to your respiratory system and leaves you disabled for life. Therefore, updating your knowledge about bronchitis and its various signs and symptoms is of utmost importance. Neglect of this condition could lead to a medical as well as a personal disaster.

What is Acute Bronchitis?
Acute bronchitis is a disease of the respiratory system caused due to viral infection of the bronchial tree. In some cases, the infecting agent is a fungus. Usually, people mistake this condition to be common cold and underestimate the seriousness of it. This is the common reason why most people tend to ignore bronchitis.

Children and infants are easy prey for this condition because their immune systems are still in the growing phase and are not that well-equipped to battle the virus. Bronchitis also affects tobacco smokers and those who reside in highly polluted cities.

Treatment for Bronchitis
If the condition is acute bronchitis caused by a virus, it does not require any special treatment. All that you need to do is rest and relax as much as possible and drink plenty of fluids such as water and the juices of fruits and vegetables. If you or someone at home is suffering from bronchitis, it is highly advisable that you use humidifiers to raise the humidity in the rooms. If this is not possible, place wet towels or blankets in different areas of the house. A humid condition is ideal for the recovery of a person suffering from bronchitis.

Acute bronchitis does not last more than 10-12 days if treated properly. Usually, it is closely followed by a flue or cold. You might also cough for 2-3 weeks, and you will continue to cough till your bronchioles are completely healed and free of infection. If the cough persists, it may be due to another condition. In this case, you need to consult your physician and get yourself checked for any other medical condition. It is very important to know that acute bronchitis, if left unattended to, can lead to a condition called chronic bronchitis. This can cause intense misery
and last from 3 months to two years. Moreover, it can permanently damage your respiratory system.

Signs and Symptoms of Bronchitis
You know that you are in for acute bronchitis when you experience breathlessness, slight pain and tightness in the chest, light fever, chills, persistent cough that brings out a lot of mucus, wheezing, and headache. Now, this can easily be mistaken for a common cold. Only a doctor can make out the difference. So, as soon as you experience these symptoms, visit your family doctor and get a medical examination.

A number of tests are required to determine if you are suffering from acute bronchitis or just a common cold. A doctor will study your breathing pattern through a stethoscope. Chest X-rays will be taken. Laboratory tests will be conducted to examine your mucus in order to determine if the condition has been caused by bacteria, virus, or fungus.

Recovering from Bronchitis
If you are diagnosed with acute bronchitis, quit smoking immediately. Avoid cigarette smoke completely if you want a speedy recovery. Smoke is really bad for you, so is polluted air. Ensure than the air around you is perfectly clean. You can do so by installing an air purifier or two inside your house.

Prevention of Acute Bronchitis
You don't need to suffer from acute bronchitis. You can easily prevent it by taking a few precautions. It is important to avoid getting infected by virus, bacteria, and fungi that cause acute bronchitis, and you can do so by washing your hands regularly and giving up smoking.

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Hormonal Downfall of our Diet

The low-fat, high-carbohydrate, low-protein diets of the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s have had wide-sweeping implications on our health. These diets have triggered high frequencies of degenerative diseases, unmanageable levels of stress and excessive weight gain. No attention was paid to the importance of hormonal balance or the nature of a functional hormonal axis.

Many nutritional researchers feel that accelerated aging, beginning from 35 to 50 years of age, is mainly due to hormonal dysfunction or hormonal miscommunication.The following four factors are the primary markers of accelerated aging—all of which stem from poor food choices and excess stress.

Excess Blood Glucose Levels: Excess glucose, from eating refined or processed food that is high in calories and sweeteners, can combine with proteins in our body to make advanced glycated end products (AGEs). AGEs represent a serious problem for our body. They are very sticky and quickly adhere to places they shouldn’t, causing accelerated biological damage to all cells. They accelerate the occlusion (opposing walls stick together) of blood vessels and capillaries that nurture the heart, eyes, kidneys and brain. This means we become more prone to heart attacks, blindness, kidney failure and stroke.

Excess sugar consumption (natural or synthetic sweeteners), from any source, elevates blood glucose levels. Part of the hypothalamus is responsible for sensing the amount of glucose in the blood and controlling the pancreas hormonally, to stabilize blood sugar levels using the hormone insulin. Chronic sugar consumption leads to constantly high blood glucose levels that wash over the hypothalamus in a glucose swell that causes glucose-induced toxicity in the hypothalamus that jams its switches on “off.” In this situation, insulin cannot do its job well and we become insulin resistant, a primary marker of aging.

Excess Insulin Levels: Insulin is secreted by the pancreas in response to incoming calories (primarily processed carbohydrates). The fewer the calories consumed, the less insulin is secreted. As insulin levels go down, we lose excess fat and support the synthesis of hormones such as testosterone, DHEA and growth hormone and hormonal communication. High levels of insulin inhibit the release of the important brain-feeding hormone called glucagon. The stress hormone cortisol acts as a back-up system to raise blood sugar levels for the brain. Cortisol is able to make more glucose by cannibalizing existing body structures such as muscle. The problem is that even though cortisol may be trying to help the brain by raising blood sugar levels, elevated cortisol levels destroy the hippocampus portion of the hypothalamus.

Excess Cortisol Levels: Too little stress in our body is just as bad as too much stress. To be alert, keen and observant, we require small amounts of the stress hormone cortisol. Cortisol is the body’s molecular mediator of stress, for short periods of time.

Cortisol output is governed by circadian rhythms. Levels are highest in the bloodstream between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., and then gradually decrease throughout the evening.

Excess cortisol has the capacity to kill at the cellular level. The thymus gland, the central control station of our immune system, is very sensitive to excess cortisol.
This is why the thymus shrinks with age and we experience a loss of immune function.
Excess cortisol also reduces brain longevity by directly destroying cortisolsensitive neurons in our body’s “control center”—the hypothalamus. Engaging in low levels of prolonged moderate exercise (like walking) and simply learning to relax can dramatically help us to lower cortisol levels.


Excess Free Radicals: The mitochondria are the power generators, or furnaces,
in each of our 100 trillion cells. A well-conditioned muscle cell may contain 1,000 to 3,000 mitochondria. They burn glucose to make adenosine triphosphate (ATP), or aerobic cellular energy. The constant biochemical functioning of mitochondria gives off a “smoke” called a free radical. These free radicals are destructive to our cell walls and cellular processes.

In short, the fewer free radicals you make, the longer you can live. Research shows that 90 percent of all free radicals are formed from the vast amounts of food we consume. Our body must do something with all of those incoming calories, after all. The bottom line is, the less food we take in and the fewer the calories we consume, the less energy is required to process incoming food, and hence, the fewer free radicals we make. The fewer the free radicals we make, the longer we live! In other words, unrestricted eating is the best way to accelerate aging.

The goal, therefore, is to eat enough food—good food—to maintain optimum mental, emotional, physical and spiritual health, but never too many calories. Consider, for example, that a commercial cinnamon bun contains 670 calories and virtually no essential nutrients, while a power protein shake has only 130 calories with 35 grams of protein and adequate amounts of immunesupportive nutrients.

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Herbs ,Heat and Ice Treatment for Back Pain

Herbs for back pain
Current research suggests that depression and stressful events can make pain worse, meaning that chronic pain sufferers are likely to respond to depression or stress with more pain. Consequently, this research suggests that substances which can calm and soothe your nervous system will therefore also help to relieve your pain.

For this reason, herbs that can reduce your stress levels are likely to be highly effective aids in your fight against back pain. Included in this category would be skullcap, valerian, St John’s wort, poppy, willow bark, angelica, cayenne, wild yam, motherwort, rose and lavender.

In addition, the essential oils of peppermint,pine,rosemary,frankincense,ginger, cloves or juniper can be used as pain killers because every one of them has recognized analgesic qualities. Infuse one liquid ounce of a suitable carrier oil like olive or coconut oil with 10-12 drops of any of these essential oils, shake well and then rub the oil on the skin in the area of back pain. This will alleviate the pain and also reduce any swelling or inflammation.

If you have chronic back pain, try to drink a few cups of skullcap infusion every day, or alternatively take a dozen or so drops of skullcap tincture every day. Alternatively, a mixture of equal parts of the skullcap tincture, St John’s wort and oat straw is known to be particularly effective for calming the nerves, and that will have a knockon effect in helping to alleviate chronic back pain.

St John’s wort oil can be liberally rubbed into any area of your back in which you feel pain, and as it is a particularly effective treatment for muscular pain, this can be an extremely valuable antidote to chronic or acute muscular back pain.

Heat and ice treatment for back pain
Both heat and ice treatments can be used to deal with back pain from muscles, with the most suitable choice depending upon the reason for the pain.

If you have suffered some kind of back muscle injury, the first thing to ascertain is whether there is any swelling or inflammation. If there is no swelling, you are probably best advised to use heat to reduce the pain,because applying heat to a muscle increases its flexibility and elasticity.

Especially if activity is in the offing (even if it is only having to go to work), applying heat is probably more appropriate than applying an ice pack to your damaged muscles. In this way, you will encourage movement in your muscles, which is going to enable you to use them as and when it becomes necessary without suffering an undue degree of pain.

Because heat increases blood flow and skin temperature, you can apply an appropriate source of heat to your muscles for 15 to 20 minutes at a time. As moist heat is best, you could try using a hot towel or you could use a special athletic heat device or application on the injured area. There are also quite a few websites where you can buy natural heat applications like the National Allergy site.

Alternatively, there might be times when applying ice to your injury could be more appropriate. Although it is generally believed that applying an ‘ice pack’ of some description to any muscle injury is the best idea, heat works best for chronic pain.

If you are in the situation where your back pain is caused by an obvious injury where there may be swelling or inflammation, then application of an ice pack is likely to work better than applying a heat source. The application of ice acts as a vaso-constrictor, meaning that it will cause your blood vessels to narrow and that will limit internal bleeding and swelling.

Apply ice to the affected area (wrapped in a cloth or towel to prevent discomfort or ‘ice burn’) for 10 to 15 minutes at a time. After application, allow your skin temperature to return to normal before repeating the process as many times as necessary.

This is a process that you can repeat as many times as necessary for three or four days, but if after that, the problem still persists, you should seek appropriate medical advice.

If your back pain is caused by excess or unaccustomed physical activity or exercise, then the application of an ice pack may be the most

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Medical treatments for Back Pain

Natural treatments for back problems, it should be obvious from the range of medical conditions that can cause back pain that natural treatments are not capable of curing every problem that might cause such pain. For example, anti-inflammatory drugs (more commonly known as nonspecific anti-inflammatory drugs) can sometimes be useful for reducing the pain in your back, and also bringing down any associated inflammation. However, like all pharmaceutical drugs, even NSAIDs can have side-effects such as an increased risk of gastro-intestinal bleeding.

Thus, they are not ideal for everyone who suffers from a back pain problem, and they should be taken for as short a period of time as possible. In addition, there are narcotic pain killers that will reduce the pain symptoms, but they can also be used only for a limited period of time with any degree of safety. Drug based muscle relaxants might also be prescribed by your medical attendant if the primary cause of your back pain problems is muscle spasms. In this case, however, muscle relaxants (such as Valium) are likely to make you drowsy, so once again, great care has to be applied if you intend to take such drugs.

If you are suffering from inflammation around the spinal nerves, your medical practitioner may recommend an epidural steroid injection that will reduce both the pain and the inflammation around the nerves at the same time. Steroids are another pharmaceutical drug that you should only take for a limited period of time, and most people who have had an epidural will tell you that it is no walk in the park!

The final solution is spinal surgery, but this actually only happens in a small number of cases. Spinal surgery only becomes necessary after trying all other treatments without success, hence it is most commonly used as a treatment of last resort.

Spinal surgery is only really effective for a limited number of conditions such as spondylolisthesis, spinal stenosis or to remove a ruptured disc should that become necessary (which is unusual).

Most physicians will only consider surgery when they believe that the risk of not undertaking surgery is greater than the risk of doing so. For example, if after a considerable period of non-invasive treatment, a slipped or ruptured disc is not getting any better, it can quite easily start to get worse. In this situation, it is possible that spinal surgery will be considered.

Balanced against this, there is always a risk involved in such surgical procedures, specifically the risk of paralysis, because this is surgery undertaken in very close proximity to the individual patient’s spinal cord. Surgery is generally only considered when all else has failed and the situation is clearly deteriorating.

Beyond this short list of recognized medical treatments for various causes of back pain and associated problems, there are many natural treatments that you can apply to reduce the severity of your back pain, and to treat your condition at the same time.

Before starting to look at these natural treatments in greater detail, however, let me first set out what I would consider to be a sensible approach to consulting a qualified member of the medical profession about your back pain problem.

As suggested, the majority of back problems that most people suffer from are likely to be caused by muscle strains of one form or another. In this situation, it is unlikely that there will be any need for serious medical attention or treatment.

While not belittling the fact that back muscle strains can be very painful indeed, there is very little that your medical practitioner can do to help you in this situation other than prescribing painkillers and relieving creams or ointments. Unless you know that these are 100% natural, you may not want to take or use them in any event.

If you have a new case of back pain that you cannot explain, you may want to contact your medical practitioner for an evaluation.

However, there are certain situations where you should definitely seek medical attention for your back pain, because it may be that it is a symptom or an indication of something that might be more serious. In particular, make sure that you contact your doctor if:

• The pain lasts more than a week or so, and does not seem to be decreasing in severity;
• You have a back pain that is accompanied with an inability to properly control your bladder or bowels;
• You have chills, fevers. sweating, trembling or find that you feel alternately hot and cold. In this case, you have a fever as well as back pain, which clearly needs checking at the soonest opportunity;
• You notice any other unusual additional symptoms that would not normally be associated with a muscle strain or ligament sprain.

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Dementia treatment

How is dementia treated?
Dementia is not curable but more and more drugs are coming on the market that can delay cognitive impairment.Two types of drugs are commonly prescribed.Cholinesterase inhibitors (Aricept, Exelon and Razadyne) prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, a
neurotransmitter that is essential to memory and thought processes. These drugs are used to treat mild and moderate Alzheimer’s and can delay the progression of the disease up to a year. Only about half the people who have tried the drug have benefited. The other drug, memantine (Namenda), regulates glutamate, a different neurotransmitter. It is prescribed for patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer’s. It also delays the disease’s progression in some patients. Other symptoms such as restlessness, combativeness, hallucinations and delusions can be treated with behavior modification as well as medication. Caregivers need to be alert to things that trigger behavioral problems, such as a change in environment. The patient may be responding to an awareness of their diminishing abilities, or attempting to communicate some need. Patients should be checked for injuries, illness, drug interactions or side effects. Dementia also can change sleep patterns, which can affect mood.
A variety of anti-depressant, anti-anxiety and anti-psychotic drugs are available.

Are alternative treatments available?
A number of nutritional supplements are sometimes used to reduce dementia symptoms. Research on their effectiveness is limited and claims are mostly anecdotal. Some may have side effects or interfere with prescription medications. The manufacturing of these products is not regulated and so their quality and purity can vary widely. Before trying any of these products, research the product and manufacturers. You should also consult a Physician as some vitamins/herbal medication may interfere with prescribed drugs.
Vitamin E is sometimes prescribed because it is an antioxidant. It may help delay mental decline. However, in high doses, Vitamin E can interfere with medications including blood-clotting drugs.
Another antioxidant, Coenzyme Q10, or ubiquinone, sometimes is used to treat dementia. It occurs naturally in the body, but little is known about effective dosages or side effects.
Turmeric, the bright yellow seasoning in curries, also has shown to have antioxidant properties. Studies in rats have found that turmeric stimulates an enzyme called hemeoxygenase to act as a defense mechanism against free radicals, which are believed to be a factor in dementia.
The herb ginkgo biloba has been used for centuries by the Chinese to treat memory problems. It has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Research has found that it can help with cognition and behavior, but it also can reduce the blood’s ability to clot. There is a lot of evidence that suggests ginkgo can help to reverse some of the memory difficulties of people with dementia – check with your Doctor before taking to make sure it doesn’t interfere with any other medication.
Another Chinese herb huperzine A has properties similar to cholinesterase inhibitors and is being tested in clinical trials. It has shown to be effective in small studies, but it is not known how it reacts with medications.
Omega-3 fatty acids are believed to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. Omega-3 also is shown to protect nerves and elevate mood. These fatty acids are found in fish and plants such as flax. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends that no more than 3 grams be consumed. Since fish often are contaminated with mercury and other toxins, it is important to use pharmaceutical grade oil.
Phosphatidylserine is a type of lipid that makes up the membranes around nerve cells. Since these membranes deteriorate in dementia, it is believed that phosphatidylserine may help slow the progression of the disease. However, little official research has been done. B vitamins are vital for mental health and a deficiency in any of these will rapidly affect how someone thinks and feels. Because B vitamins are water soluble you need to make sure you get a daily intake, either from food or taking vitamin supplements.

Do mental exercises help?
All kinds of exercise help the brain – physical, mental and social. It’s a case of use it or lose it. Several studies have found that physically exercising at least twice a week can reduce the risk of developing dementia by between 40 and 60 percent.
Researchers recommend a 20-minute walk twice a day as a way to increase blood flow to the brain.
Mental exercises such as solving puzzles or pursuing hobbies help stimulate the brain. It’s probably best to stick to familiar activities like crosswords and jigsaw puzzles. People with dementia find it harder to learn new things and if they’re not used to puzzles like Sudoku, may find it difficult to master!
Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) has been shown to have a positive effect on dementia sufferers. CST consists of activities like word games, reality orientation and other information processing activities. It's been shown to improve cognitive ability and quality of life for participants.
Contact your local support group or speak to your physician about whether this is available in your area.
Social interaction also is valuable. It stimulates the brain and improves emotional health. Having friends and family visit or phone on a regular basis is a good way of ensuring the dementia patient gets adequate social contact.
And, finally, good nutrition is important. A diet with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables is good for the whole body.

What are the care options?
Dementia is a progressive disease and the types of care required will change as the disease changes.
Many families try to care for their loved one at home, which can be very challenging. In the early stage of the disease, the patient will have lucid times and confused times. A familiar face often is reassuring. But homecare requires a support network of family and friends to provide respite for the caregiver. Some visiting nurse agencies now provide nursing and personal care services for dementia patients.
Assisted living facilities are becoming a popular choice. Many of these facilities offer several levels of care so the patient’s needs can be addressed in one place. Often the spouse can live at the facility with the patient and can participate in their care without bearing the full brunt of it. These facilities provide food, laundry, maid, personal hygiene and nursing services. Many of them cater to Alzheimer’s patients and offer recreation and other stimulating activities.
Nursing homes often become necessary in the late stage of the disease as the patient loses the ability to care for themselves or communicate with others.

What to do in the early stages of dementia
Candid conversations on a variety of subjects are important in the early phases. Sit down with family, close friends and a trusted financial adviser to talk about the financial situation.
Set up direct deposit of checks and direct payment of bills, and make sure someone is double-checking that nothing falls through the cracks.
Consider establishing a joint bank account.
Check insurance policies so that everyone knows what medical and long term care options are available.
Consult with a lawyer about power of attorney, guardianships and other legal avenues for caregivers. This also is a good time to update wills and living wills to make wishes known about end of life care.
Let people around you know what is happening. A neighbor, the mailman or the gardener can be alert to problems. And get acquainted with services available in your community such as respite care and adult day care.
Write it down - in the early phases of dementia, it can be helpful to post a daily schedule, including meals and medication times, to help the patient keep track of their day. You could use an erasable white board placed somewhere prominent, such as the kitchen.
Be aware that early on the patient wants to stay as independent as possible and may become hostile or sullen if they feel people are trying to take over their life. Make sure you allow them to be as independent as possible.

Keeping their long-term memory
Being surrounded by familiar possessions can be a comforting thing early on but later as cognition begins to decline, too many objects can be confusing.
There will come a time when the patient’s environment needs to be simplified.
A few family photos, labelled with names, can help stimulate the memory. But a treasured collection of porcelain figurines should probably be put out of harm’s way. Throw rugs and electrical wires should be eliminated from frequently travelled areas.
Use what’s known as “Reminiscence therapy”. This is where you help to stimulate your loved one’s long term memory by showing them pictures, or objects from the past. Or talk to them about past events. Additionally, you could use music, videotapes etc. You’ll find when it comes to talking about their younger days; most dementia patients’ memories are as good as ours!
Rather than starting your loved one on new hobbies or tasks, try to stick to familiar tasks that they can do almost automatically – without having to think about it. This could be things like; folding laundry, making beds, setting out cutlery, gardening, washing and drying plates and the like. This makes it more likely that they’ll be able to remember what to do and in carrying out the task successfully, they’ll feel satisfied that they’re being useful.

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Dementia

What is dementia?
Dementia is caused by the destruction of brain cells from ageing, illness or injury. It is commonly associated with aging, although it can affect adults of all ages. The first sign is usually memory loss, although not all memory loss is an indication of dementia.
A person with dementia might forget where he lives or how to put away the groceries. Over time, dementia affects a person’s ability to reason,communicate and focus. It can cause their personality to change.

1.2 What are the different types of dementia?
Alzheimer’s is the best-known and most common type of dementia – it accounts for about half of all cases. Over time, people with Alzheimer’s lose their memory and their ability to speak or understand language. They cannot make decisions or solve problems. They don’t recognize friends or family. They don’t know their own name or know where they are.
Vascular dementia is the result of small strokes that cause bleeding in the brain. The bleeding damages that area of the brain. If the bleeding occurs in the language area of the brain, for instance, the speech will be affected.
The damage is not always reversible but if the cause of the strokes is treated, then further bleeding can be stopped. This type of dementia is the second most common type (around 20% of dementia patients suffer from vascular dementia).

Dementia with Lewy bodies is similar to Alzheimer’s. It gets its name from abnormal collections of protein (Lewy bodies) which occur in the nerve cells of the brain. But unlike Alzheimer’s, it includes elements of Parkinson’s disease such as muscle rigor, trembling, shuffling gait and slurred speech. Hallucinations may also be experienced.
Pick’s Disease is the rarest form of dementia and causes personality and behavior changes. It is caused by degeneration in the front temporal lobe of the brain that controls judgment and social behavior. This type of dementia can occur in people in their 40s.

1.3 What causes dementia?
All dementia is caused by damage in the brain. Sometimes the damage is reversible, sometimes not. It is important not to jump to conclusions.
Memory loss or some other symptom of dementia could be caused by something minor and treatable. You should always consult a knowledgeable physician.
Alzheimer’s and Lewy body dementias are caused by areas of protein that develop in the brain. The clumps of protein – called plaques and tangles -- scramble the messages sent in the brain. Researchers aren’t sure what causes the proteins to develop, but they suspect inflammation is partly responsible.
Vascular dementia is caused by strokes that produce bleeding in the brain. Treating the underlying cause can stop further damage.
Certain lifestyle choices can cause dementia, too. Poor diet, smoking, excessive drinking, not exercising, can all adversely affect brain health.
Recent studies have found that being a smoker increases your risk of dementia by 50% - another great reason to give it up! Something as simple as dehydration can affect mental function.
Severe head trauma such as is seen in boxers can also result in dementia.
Researchers are now seeing a link between head trauma and the onset of dementia years later.
Reactions to medications, especially in older people with slower liver function, can also cause dementia. Dementia from these causes can usually be reversed by lifestyle changes.
Several research studies have suggested a possible link between aluminium and Alzheimer’s disease and some research suggest that people living in an area where there is a high concentration of aluminium in the water supply may be more likely to develop Alzheimer’s – but this evidence is not conclusive. Using deodorants or drinking tea, where there is low exposure to aluminium has not been linked to an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
Exposure to mercury (e.g. in dental fillings) is also unproven to cause Alzheimer’s although mercury can be toxic to the central nervous system.
A variety of diseases can be accompanied by dementia:
1 Sexually transmitted diseases like syphilis and AIDS
2 Pellagra, a lack of niacin or B-3
3 Pernicious anaemia, a lack of B-12
4 Hypoglycaemia, caused by lack of sugar in the bloodstream
5 Hypothyroidism, decreased thyroid function
6 Severe brain infections like meningitis and encephalitis
7 Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, a brain infection
8 Huntington’s, a hereditary brain disease
9 Parkinson’s
10 Down’s syndrome
It’s interesting that in countries like India and China, people are less than half as likely as people in western countries to suffer from Alzheimer’s. This is a clear sign that the difference is to do with diet, lifestyle or other environmental factors. It’s unlikely to be due to the difference in genetics, as people emigrating from these countries to western regions, soon catch up in terms of a greater risk of dementia.

1.4 Who is at risk?
Dementia can occur at any age, although it is typically a disease of old age. Almost half of people over 85 suffer from Alzheimer’s, but only about 5% of people between 65 and 74 are diagnosed with it.
A person with a parent or sibling with Alzheimer’s has a higher risk of developing it. Early onset dementia that occurs at midlife is believed to be hereditary.
Women are more likely than men to have Alzheimer’s, possibly because they live longer. Researchers also think women who take hormone replacement therapy after age 65 increase their risk for dementia.
Researchers are finding that people who chronically use antacids such as Tagamet, Pepcid and Zantac have 2 ½ times the normal risk for Alzheimer’s.
In addition to acting on stomach acid, the drugs also inhibit the brain’s cholinergic system, which is involved in memory and cognition.
Education levels also seem to be an indicator. Research has found that people with lower levels of education are at greater risk. The theory is that mental stimulation may be a preventive.
Relationships have also been found between the development of Alzheimer’s and disturbances in insulin and glucose metabolism. This may explain why people with diabetes have a much higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

1.5 Is dementia preventable?
There’s is no proven way to prevent dementia such as Alzheimer’s but keeping to a healthy diet and staying physically and mentally active seems to reduce the risk. Mental fitness is particularly important. Solving puzzles and engaging in hobbies are recommended as ways to exercise the brain.
Studies show that the use of anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Motrin and Advil), naproxen sodium (Aleve) and indomethacin (Indocin) may reduce the risk. But they should be used with caution because they can cause gastrointestinal bleeding.
Statin drugs like atorvastatin (Lipitor), rosuvastatin (Crestor) and simvastatin (Zocor) that are used to treat high cholesterol may also reduce the risk, but researchers are not sure how.
Another drug, raloxifene (Evista), that is used to treat osteoporosis seems also to reduce mild cognitive impairment, a memory disorder that precedes Alzheimer’s.

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Body Detoxification

Are you looking for a full total body detoxification? If so, then you might want to try a 10 day detox or some refer to it as the 2-week detox. A 10-day detox is a full body detox that usually means taking several different steps to reach your total body transformation. It might involve a change in diet, exercise and more.
A full body detox is more thorough than a 24-hour fast of 72-hour juice diet. You need a full body detox program and you need to be ready to commit the full amount of time that it will take to get the full benefit of your detox.
You need a system that can help you by:

- Removing heavy metals such as lead and mercury
- Detoxify your liver, kidneys and other organs – even the brain
- Replenish the friendly bacteria with a pro-biotic formula
- Recharge your immune system with a powerful antioxidant support

You might also want to work on your emotional state and detoxing your mind. While your brain is an organ as well and will get the same benefit from detoxing the other organs of your body, detoxing the soul is a bit different.
If you want to cleanse and refresh your body, it is a great idea to cleanse and refresh your mind and spirit at the same time which can be done in a 10-day full body detox. Spend time relaxing, recouping and retraining your mind. Take time to de-stress from all the worries and trouble in the world and in your life while also cleansing your body physically.
You might want to try journaling and breathing and relaxing exercises in addition to the ingested regimen you have for your 10 day detox. You will come out of the process feeling like a new person.

What Is A Body Detox Routine?
Are you planning a body detox to cleanse your body? If you want to try a body detox either for your first time or if you have done it before, you will want to have a detox routine. So what exactly is a detox routine? Basically a detox routine is an all-natural method of cleansing your body by giving it the time and conditions it needs to rebuild and heal from the damages of daily life and the foods you eat and other substances you intake.
There are many different types of known detox routines. Some common types include:

- juice fasting
- water fasting
- minimal eating/fasting
- herbal detoxification
- detox baths
- colon cleansing
- caloric restriction
- and many more

Your detox routine will be the specific plan that you take to detoxify and rejuvenate your body. It might be a pre-purchased plan that you get which contains all the steps needed for a healthy detox or it might be a plan that you helped formulate yourself.
You might want to try different detox routines or different combinations of different detoxification routines until you find one that works well for you. Once you find something that works well for you, you can continue to use it every time your body needs a detox.How often you detox will also depend on your routine, the type of routine you use and how often you plan to use it. It will vary according to what your regular lifestyle is as well. After your detox, do you continue to eat healthy and avoid things that create a lot of toxins? If so, then you will not need your detox routine very often.
If you detox and then go back to a poor diet, caffeine and sugar and even nicotine, then you will need another detox sooner as your body will have more build up of toxins faster.

Detox for better skin
You might have heard about body detox and all the great things it can do for you. You probably have also heard that it can help cleanse your colon, remove toxins and waste from the body and help prevent disease and illness. You probably also know that it can give you more energy and boost your immune system.
Did you know that a body detox can also give you great skin? If you want to have younger, smoother, healthier looking skin, then a detoxification of your body might be the way to go. It can make your skin look and feel refreshed. By cleaning out the toxins in your body, the result is that you look and feel healthier all over. Our skin is often a sign of our inner health. People that are unhealthy may have dry, brittle skin, more wrinkles and more signs of age than a healthier person.
Toxins in the body can cause your skin to be pale and dry and look unhealthy. It can contribute to signs of aging earlier as well. When you clean your body deeply from the inside out, you remove these toxins that weigh down on your body and skin and refresh yourself. In the days that follow your detoxification, you should notice your skin becoming healthier and more alive.
Over time, this will continue. Drinking a lot of water- whether it was specified in your detox program or not- will also be very helpful.
There are also special skin detox formulas you can purchase that are specifically for people with problem skin, acne or other skin conditions. There are many specially formulated detox systems that are designed for people that have skin problems or for those that might be experiencing aging and fine lines or wrinkles and just want to rejuvenate their skin.

Detox- Cleansing the body inside out
It is important to cleanse the body of the toxins that have accumulated through the months.These toxins play havoc with the vital organs of the body and leave a trail of destruction. They need to be removed from the system without trace – if that were possible. In order to cleanse the system of toxins one must clean the colon. It is said that death begins with the malfunction of the colon. Though the kidneys and the liver are primarily responsible for the cleansing of toxins from the system the colon is a vital player in assisting the process of detoxification. So where do these toxins come from? There are many sources for toxins that enter the body through every possible opening, including the tiny pores in the skin.
The air we breathe is a rich source of toxins that make their way into our blood stream. Toxins are deposited into the air through car fumes and pollution from industries. The vegetables we eat are polluted with toxins through the insecticides we spray to kill the pests that destroy the plants. The chemical fertilizer we use for the plants is another source of toxins that make their way into the vegetables and fruit we eat. The water we drink is treated with cleansing and purification agents, again chemicals. These make their way into our system and finally add to the toxic levels in our body.
Another great source of toxins is the medications that we take to heal ourselves. In fact, any form of chemical intake leads to the build up of toxins in out system. Then again here are the chemical toiletries such as deodorants and sprays; these are a big source of toxins.
So, how do toxins affect our system?
Toxins affect all the organs of our body. They mainly attack the kidneys, liver and the colon.Toxins hamper the functioning of the immune system and leave the body open to attacks from diseases leading to ill health. Some of the main symptoms are aging, skin rashes and many other skin disorders, indigestion, nausea, and most of all behavioral changes including depression, a rising disorder linked to toxin levels in the system.
The best way to rid the system of toxins is to go on a detox diet. This is a program that consists on vegetables and fruits. A 5 day diet of leafy vegetables and fresh fruit along with at least 4 liters of water every day will rid the system of over 80% toxins. There are other ways that include home detox kits complete with herbal detox pills and tonics that work independently on each organ to detoxify the system.
Whatever the process you choose to detoxify your body it is important to do so on a regular basis such as twice a year. A detoxified body is a healthy body and a happier individual.

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