“Unfortunately, we didn’t know what was behind her memory and thinking issues until her late 80s,” McIntosh says. “Back then, we just did the best we could in caring for her—but I really wish we had known more.”

That lack of answers stayed with Arlinda. Today, in her late 60s herself, the fashion designer and founder of Sofistafunk is both vigilant about her own cognitive health and inspired to create garments on what she calls a “creation with a cause”:

The Memory Skirt, Her Fashion Tells a Story

McIntosh, best known for her voluminous, whimsical skirt collections beloved by stars including Lauryn Hill, Queen Latifah, Mary J. Blige, and Yvette Nicole Brown, has always believed her designs should do more than look beautiful. “My skirts tell stories. They celebrate who we are and where we’ve been,” she says. The Memory Skirt takes that idea even further, weaving personal histories into wearable art.

Each one-of-a-kind piece incorporates a variety of fabrics, colors, textures, and needlework that reflect the life of the wearer. A recent commission was for Rita, a former journalist living with early symptomatic Alzheimer’s disease. Her skirt was designed with simulated newspaper clippings, fuchsia begonias, butterflies, cactus, and pink-and-gold-toned fabrics that remind her of home. “This skirt was my way of celebrating Rita,” McIntosh explains. “It was threaded with care, resilience, and hope.”

A Personal Wake-Up Call

McIntosh admits that as she got older, she began to notice a few “memory moments” of her own—things she once brushed off as stress or the overload of life as a mother, grandmother, and entrepreneur. But her family history weighed on her and pushed her to dig deeper. ”

One day, I thought, perhaps this is more than normal aging, and I should speak with my doctor to discuss it further,” she says. In true McIntosh fashion, she researched everything she could before her appointment, stumbling across terms like amyloid plaques—protein buildups in the brain linked to memory and thinking issues. “That was enough to give me even more reason not to miss my appointment,” she says. “After all, self-advocacy is my top priority—and there’s nothing wrong with a little cognitive testing—because I have many more skirts to sew.”

A Creative Legacy on A Mission

McIntosh’s career in fashion spans more than four decades, from hand-finishing garments at Norma Kamali in the 1970s to launching Sofistafunk in 2000 with her daughter-in-law. Known for slow, sustainable design (aka upcycling), she primarily works with natural fabrics like cotton, linen, wool, and silk, believing they carry an energy that supports well-being.

With The Memory Skirt, McIntosh masterfully blends artistry with advocacy. Inspired by her late mother and grandmother—women she once watched pick cotton and tobacco as sharecroppers in North Carolina, and both of whom later experienced memory and thinking issues—she sees the project as both a celebration of life stories and a gentle reminder for others to pay closer attention to their own cognitive health.

Why It Matters

McIntosh’s message is clear: if you notice memory or thinking changes in yourself or a loved one, don’t ignore them. Talk to a doctor. Ask if testing could be the next step in getting a complete evaluation. “Understanding that my mother’s symptoms were more than normal aging has totally shaped the way I approach my own health today,” she says. Through Arlinda’s designs, she’s making something beautiful out of something deeply challenging—a way to destigmatize memory and thinking issues while honoring the people who live with them every day.

Learn More

If you want your own version of The Memory Skirt? McIntosh says, “You can email her up to three photos and she will convert them into ‘heat transfers’ that will be beautifully incorporated into your skirt’s design.” She has had clients submit images from family albums, fashion magazines, vintage catalogs (i.e., Spiegel), and old album covers (i.e., Nat King Cole).

It depends on what your parent or loved one is or was into. For more information, go to sofistafunk.com and follow her on Instagram @funkingafter50. To learn more about memory and thinking issues and what steps you can take if you’re concerned for yourself or someone you love, visit More Than Normal Aging.

The post The Memory Skirt Weaves Fashion and Cognitive Health Together appeared first on Black Health Matters.

When Hypertension Goes Untreated

She explains how stress, discrimination, limited access to preventive care, and diets high in sodium contribute to early-onset hypertension. Left untreated, it increases the risk of stroke and contributes to brain damage. “Regular checks of blood pressure are critical, and anyone with high blood pressure should get treatment to help protect their brain.”

Defining Lack of Access to Care

When people talk about limited access to care, it can sound vague, but Dr. Brangman breaks it down in concrete terms. “Limited access to care can occur in a variety of ways, whether that’s a lack of health insurance, long wait times for an appointment, issues with transportation, or the inability to take time off from work to go to the doctor.” For someone navigating mental health concerns, these barriers aren’t minor. They can be the reason help isn’t reached in time.

The Struggle For Us is Real

The disparities Dr. Brangman describes reflect broader national trends. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), only 37.9% of Black adults with any mental illness received mental health treatment in 2022, compared to 56.1% of white adults.

In cognitive health, delays in diagnosis remain common. The Alzheimer’s Association reports that Black Americans are nearly twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s or other dementias. However, a study from the National Institute on Aging noted that Black participants were 35% less likely to be diagnosed compared to their white counterparts, often entering care later when fewer options remain.

For many Black families, navigating dementia care means facing a system shaped by inequity. Whether it’s delayed diagnoses, limited access to specialists, or feeling dismissed in clinical settings, the barriers can be challenging to overcome.

What Change Looks Like on the Ground

Changing habits takes time and support, but Dr. Brangman has seen progress happen. “It can sometimes be a challenge to adjust long-term habits we may have, such as eating fast food or getting very little sleep,” she notes. “However, with the right information and support, many adults can make the changes that are needed to improve their brain health.”

She recommends starting with just one or two goals, such as switching from sweetened beverages to water or seltzer, and establishing a bedtime routine that helps people wind down gradually without the use of screens. These efforts are manageable and have made a difference in the patients and communities she’s worked with.

Meeting People Where They Are

Dr. Brangman pushes back on the notion that communities aren’t interested in brain health. She has found that engagement is high when the message fits the audience. Community is a vital force in shaping mental and brain health. “In general, people in the Black community are very interested in learning about health issues,” she says. “It is important to develop a trusting relationship and adjust the discussion to meet the needs of the person.”

Whether through one-on-one conversations or community workshops, she sees the most impact when the information reflects real challenges and respects lived experiences.

Building Representation into Brain Health Research

Progress in research hasn’t kept pace with the needs of diverse populations. Dr. Brangman sees this clearly in geriatric and brain health studies. “There is still much work to do to improve the participation of women, older adults, and non-white individuals in brain health and aging research,” she says.

Her team at Upstate Medical University created a Community Research Liaison role to address that gap—someone who steps into neighborhoods, builds trust, and invites people into research opportunities designed with them in mind. Because at the end of the day, good healthcare is shaped by compassion, not bias.

Brain Health Habits That Fit Different Lives

For those in under-resourced areas, practical steps matter most. Dr. Brangman encourages regular walking, starting with 15 minutes and gradually increasing to 30 minutes. “If you live in a neighborhood without sidewalks or a safe place to walk, you can try walking at a mall or maybe on the track at a local high school,” she says.

She also suggests pairing physical activity with social interaction, like walking with a friend. Other recommendations include quitting smoking with support, reducing alcohol consumption, and finding ways to learn something new, such as a hobby, music, or reading.

Making Prevention a Priority

The interest in brain health is growing, and Dr. Brangman finds it encouraging. “One of the most surprising things I’ve learned recently is how eager people are to learn about ways to improve their health,” she says.

She stresses that people shouldn’t wait until signs of decline appear. Discussing healthcare options with providers early can lay the groundwork for better outcomes in the future. For those ready to begin, she recommends the Brain Works campaign, a free resource hub created by the McKnight Brain Research Foundation, which offers clear steps and trusted information about cognitive aging.

Closing the Loop

Your mental health, physical wellness, and cognitive function aren’t separate tracks; they are interconnected. Protecting brain health means paying attention to all aspects of health, not just during times of crisis, but in day-to-day life. Let this be a quiet reminder to pause, reflect, and take care with intention.

Resources

Mental Health by the Numbers | National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

Still Ringing the Alarm: AN ENDURING CALL TO ACTION FOR BLACK YOUTH SUICIDE PREVENTION

– MBRF

Highlights by Race/Ethnicity for the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health

Race, Ethnicity, and Alzheimer’s

Data shows racial disparities in Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis between Black and white research study participants | National Institute on Aging

BrainWorks – MBRF

The post What Aging Reveals About Mental Health appeared first on Black Health Matters.

“We’re having a really hard time because my Aunt Bertha has Alzheimer’s,” Burruss told viewers of the live-streaming session.

We are twice as likely to get Alzheimer’s

“Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that mostly affects the elderly population worldwide, and which is characterized by a progressive decline in cognitive function,” according to the Journal of Biomedical Science. The CDC reports that it is a type of dementia that impacts 6.5 million people. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience reports that Black Americans are twice as likely to develop dementia as others.

Get familiar with the symptoms of Alzheimer’s

Symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease can include severe memory loss, a drastic shift in personality, physical and psychological aggression, and sudden mood swings. It is a disease that can be extremely difficult for loved ones and caregivers to support the afflicted person through. They are forced to watch them transform into someone unfamiliar. This can cause mental and emotional distress.

How may this diagnosis impact Burruss, her family, and   the restaurant

“If anyone’s ever dealt with somebody in your family going through that, and it gets worse, it’s not easy,” continued Burruss. “So…it’s a time.” She regained her composure after briefly appearing distressed due to the intimacy of the topic.

Burruss went on to change the subject, expressing that she did want to get “emotional” when discussing her aunt.

Old Lady Gang is a soul food eatery that offers “delicious down-home Southern recipes” developed by Jones, Burruss’ mother, “Mama” Joyce Jones, and Burruss’ other aunt, Nora Wilcox. Burruss and her husband, Todd Tucker, came up with the idea for the restaurant in 2016. The family shared their journey opening Old Lady Gang on The Real Housewives of Atlanta, where Burruss was a cast member.

Bertha played a minor role with a major impact on the reality show. She became a fan favorite when she uttered the memorable catchphrase “a scheme that Todd set up” during episode 13 of season 7. This is often quoted on social media, where people mimic her memorable expression during the scene. Patrons flooded the restaurant, hoping for a glimpse of Bertha’s trademark snark to accompany their meals.

Alzheimer’s and Women, Especially Black Women

Women have double the chance of being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease as men.

A 2023 article in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience reported that Black women have a “disproportionately high risk” for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

The same article detailed how Black women face barriers to accessing treatment that could diagnose them faster and help them navigate. Those barriers are particularly troubling as many are not diagnosed during the preclinical phase, where symptoms have not yet begun manifesting in the patient.

This phase often occurs in midlife, and recent studies have theorized that there could be a connection between Alzheimer’s disease and the onset of perimenopause and menopause.

But in our day-to-day lives, The Journal of PEC Innovation reports that we don’t have an acute perception of the risks hanging over our heads in our community about developing Alzheimer’s disease.

Our Lifestyle Puts Us at Increased Risk for Dementia

Lifestyle can impact one’s risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease. The CDC identifies binge drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes, and failing to exercise routinely as modifiable habits to reduce risk.

Other risks for Alzheimer’s disease include the presence of cerebrovascular diseases, depression, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and dyslipidemia.

Resources

 Neurodegenerative Disorders

Journal of Biomedical Science: Alzheimer’s disease risk factors 

Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience: Black Americans are twice as likely to develop dementia as others

NIH: What Are the Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease?

Nature Medicine: Women are twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s as men, but scientists don’t know why.

The post Kandi Burruss Reveals Her Aunt Bertha Has Alzheimer’s Disease appeared first on Black Health Matters.

While it is too early to definitively say, this has the potential to be a game changer for millions of Americans, especially for Black Americans who have the highest incidence of Alzheimer’s and dementia in the U.S., according to the Alzheimer’s Foundation.

This year, several studies were published on the ability to reduce risks for dementia in the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA). Further research continues to see if the vaccines stop or delay the development of dementia and for how long.

Both vaccines have successfully protected against the varicella zoster virus and the excruciating shingles rash that comes with it. However, neither was developed to specifically prevent or delay dementia.

What is Shingles and Why Get Vaccinated?

The source of the Herpes Zoster virus that causes shingles is the same one that causes chickenpox. Once a person gets chickenpox, usually as a child, the virus remains dormant in the body for years. And while not everyone who has had chickenpox gets shingles in later years, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that nearly a million people get the painful shingles rash yearly.

Shingles is known for its symptoms, which include blisters and burning, itchy rashes that appear on one side of the body and face, headaches, tiredness, high fevers, and nausea. While the blisters can take a month or longer to heal, the pain can last months longer.

Linda Marcus, 67, from Detroit, says she had a severe bout of shingles before she could get vaccinated. “It was awful. The blisters were so bad that I had a hard time wearing clothes,” Marcus said. “I kick myself for waiting.” When her doctor told her that she could get shingles again, she got vaccinated and was so glad. “And now I see the news that it may protect me from Alzheimer’s, I am really grateful,” Linda says she lost several family members to dementia.

Primary care physicians recommend that people over 50 get the vaccine to protect against the virus. The CDC’s current vaccine recommendation is Shingrix, a two-dose vaccine that has been shown to be more effective in prevention than Zostavax, an older medication. Recent studies also show that Shingrix may improve the potential benefits and risk reduction around dementia, while both vaccines show promise.

One of the recent studies, from Stanford, published in the journal JAMA. It found that patients who were given Zostavax were less likely to be diagnosed with dementia in the next 7.4 years than those who were not. Pascal Geldsetzer, a Stanford University epidemiologist and one of the study’s authors, said the “study collected data on over 18,400 people in their 70s and 80s.”

One significant change in shingles prevention in this country is that the CDC now recommends the Shingrix vaccine for people 50 and older.  Shingrix is thought to boost the body’s preventative immune response. Physicians are recommending that their patients now get the newer two-dose Shingrix, even if they had the single-dose Zostavax several years ago. Most health insurances, including Medicare, will pay for the two-dose Shingrix vaccine.

And while most of the significant studies were done on patients who got Zostavax, another study suggests that Shingrix might have even stronger protective effects. Another recent study was done on 103,000 people in the U.S. The results were published in 2024 in the journal Nature Medicine. According to the study, in the six years following vaccination, people who got the Shingrix shot were 18 percent less likely to get a dementia diagnosis than people who got Zostavax. The maker of Shingrix, GSK, plans to conduct more studies to study the link between their vaccine and dementia risk.

All of the published studies agree that they have not yet followed people long enough to determine how long the effects will last. While researchers continue to explore the short—and long-term benefits of these vaccines in preventing dementia, healthcare providers who see patients on a daily basis say that they are the best tool we have for preventing shingles now.

So, talk to your doctor about getting your shingles vaccinations as soon as possible.

Resources

Zostavax

Shingrix

Alzheimer’s Foundation.

Journal of the American Medical Association

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

 journal JAMA

Nature Medicine.

The post Can a Shingles Vaccine Reduce Your Risk for Dementia? appeared first on Black Health Matters.

The 2024 four-part Lifetime documentary “Where Is Wendy Williams?” revealed Williams had been diagnosed with aphasia and frontotemporal dementia. According to the journal Nature Reviews Neurology, “Primary progressive aphasia (PPA) is a disorder of declining language that is a frequent presentation of neurodegenerative diseases such as frontotemporal lobar degeneration.” The Alzheimer’s Association reports, “The nerve cell damage caused by frontotemporal dementia leads to loss of function.”

Understanding guardianship is essential, no matter one’s social or financial status.

Guardianships can occur in anyone’s life. You might be placed under guardianship due to illness or injury. You could also be called to serve as a guardian.

Williams described her surroundings. “I’m in this place where the people are in their 90s and their 80s and their 70s,” Williams continued. She described individuals facing challenges sharing their space. “There’s something wrong with these people here on this floor,” she added. Williams revealed she spent her past three birthdays alone and preferred that to being in the presence of facility residents. “I keep the door closed. I watch TV,” she said.

“I watch the window, you know? And I sit here as my life goes by.” The Breakfast Club host Charlamagne Tha God, who has long-standing personal and professional histories with Williams, alleged she is “trapped.”

“Wendy can make her own decisions. She is not cognitively impaired. She is not incapacitated. She is being taken advantage of,” he told the audience. Williams declared,

“This system is broken.” Williams’ niece, Alex Finnie, who participated in the interview, agreed. “She’s there in New York, in this place, essentially like what some call a luxury prison.”

What Is A Guardianship?

According to the International Journal of Law, Policy, and the Family, “The purpose of legal guardianship is to protect the interests and rights of a person with decreased mental capacity and to ensure they receive the necessary support.” Guardianship laws vary by state.

In New York, where Williams is, “A judge can appoint an Article 81 guardian to help a person manage their personal needs or property or both,” according to the New York Courts.

Guardianships are typically enacted following evidentiary hearings. The purpose of these hearings is “to have the input and background from medical professionals to assist the judge and determine whether or not somebody is incapacitated or incapable,” according to attorney Thalia Dubose.

Dubose commented on the importance of introducing full reports at hearings. “It is paramount, it is imperative, to have a comprehensive report and background of anybody, that the family or court is going to possibly decide on whether or not they are incapacitated or incapable of handling their own medical decisions,” Dubose told Black Health Matters.

What Kind Of Information Is Considered In Guardianship Updates?

Dr. La’Tesha Sampson, PhD, who has been subpoenaed in several guardianship cases, stressed the need for adequate time to be given to medical professionals making reports in guardianship cases. “Many times, the legal profession does not understand the length of time it may take to have a doctor write a comprehensive report,” she said. “They just subpoena things like the notes. Well, I can tell you, as a medical professional, oftentimes in notes, a lot of jargon is used.”

The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Journal of Patient Education and Counseling report that non-professionals can misunderstand and misinterpret medical jargon.

What Challenges Do Guardianships Present?

An article in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society in 2022 stated, “Guardianship may pose an ethical dilemma for physicians, who must balance protecting vulnerable patients from potential safety concerns with respecting their autonomy.”

In 2016, the Journal of Aging, Longevity, Law & Policy reported that “over the years, the concept of surrogate decision-making has changed to move away from a “best interests” model toward “substituted judgment” standards in which the guardian or other surrogate uses the person’s values and preferences in making choices.”

Williams expressed that her wishes for things, such as the type of hairbrush she wanted to use, were not being honored during the interview.

Why Do You Need To Understand Guardianships?

“To educate yourself, it is to empower yourself,” said Dubose. “You need to have a full understanding of signs to look for when you believe that a parent or a loved one is displaying symptoms of incapacity.”

You must understand how these evaluations are made so you can speak for your loved one if required because the person determining their fate might not understand them.

Finnie expressed that those unfamiliar with her could misinterpret her aunt’s zany personality.

The Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that “it has been observed that even in situations where a standardized medical tool is available, medical doctors assess mental capacity inconsistently.”

“Medical health is a practice,” said Dr. Sampson, PhD. “It is based on the professional’s clinical assessment of the person at that time. So, I may assess a person at 8 AM, and someone else may assess a person at 8 PM and get two totally different outcomes. This is why it’s so important that people be educated about these issues.”

Dr. Bayo Curry-Winchell, MD, pointed out that the degree to which someone’s cognition can be diminished varies based on their circumstances. “I think it’s very important that it’s individualized because not everybody fits a textbook,” she told Black Health Matters.

She described how treating someone under guardianship requires nuance. “It’s a delicate dance because you want to make sure that that person’s autonomy, who they are, that central core to who they are, is preserved, honored, and recognized,” said Dr. Curry-Winchell, MD.

How Can Being In A Guardianship Affect One’s Mental Health?

Dr. Curry-Winchell, MD, explained why being placed under a guardian can make someone feel imprisoned. “Your rights are taken away, and when that happens, prison is a perfect word to describe the loss of your ability, or your autonomy to do what you would like to do,” she told Black Health Matters.

Dr. Sampson, PhD concurred. “You are essentially stripped of your constitutional rights,” she said in an interview. “People in society don’t understand what that means. You are unable to make any and all decisions regarding every aspect of your life.”

Dr. Sampson, PhD explained what it could feel like to be under a guardian you have no relationship with. “Imagine if every single decision in your life was made by someone else, who is not a family member, who’s not intimately familiar with you, your medical condition necessarily, or anything about your culture, your customs, your beliefs, your values,” she said.

How Are Guardians Chosen?

Guardians are court-appointed. Sometimes, they are loved ones. However, in cases where the court suspects a conflict of interest could harm the person under guardianship, a stranger can be assigned.

Guardianships Can Be Reevaluated

Not all guardianships are permanent. Cognitive abilities can fluctuate in some cases.

“I never want to put someone in a category and say you are this. And that’s how it’s going to be forever,” said Dr. Curry-Winchell, MD. “I think we need to utilize the technology, the medicine, [and] the ability to just make sure that person is really at that level still.”

Finnie indicated Williams’ cognitive abilities had not been tested again. “She hasn’t had, from what I understand, medical evaluation to see if her rights can be restored,” said Finnie during the interview.

How Can Clinicians Help Those In Guardianships?

If a clinician suspects that a guardian is taking advantage of their charge, they are required to speak up. They do not need hard evidence to raise a claim. Dr. Curry-Winchell, MD, shared that clinicians should feel empowered to advocate for their patients. “It’s okay to be wrong. We’re human. But you wouldn’t want to miss out on maybe helping someone, and not every clinician is an expert in everything and when it comes to abuse,” she said.

The post Wendy Williams Speaks Out About Her Guardianship Experience appeared first on Black Health Matters.

We had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Sharon A. Brangman, who brings a wealth of experience as a Trustee of the McKnight Brain Research Foundation. Dr. Brangman shares her wisdom on maintaining brain health, recognizing holiday stress and loneliness, and supporting cognitive well-being during this festive season. We all deserve a joyful and mentally healthy holiday season. So, let’s dive into this discussion and ensure we all take steps to support our well-being during this special time of year.

BHM: What were the key findings of the recent study on brain aging in Black communities, and how do these findings impact our understanding of cognitive health?

Dr. Brangman: While our consumer survey was nationally representative, we can break the data down by demographics and learned that more than 75% of the Black American respondents believe they have control over their physical health as they age compared to only 25% who believe they have control over their brain health.

We also found a lack of awareness around the normal changes that happen as the brain ages. For instance, when respondents were asked how they would react if an older person in their life started forgetting things like names or the day of the week temporarily and remembered them later, the majority (62%), said they d be concerned about dementia or Alzheimer s as opposed to realizing they were normal changes that can happen with aging. Additionally, over half of Black American respondents said they haven t felt the need to discuss brain health or cognitive aging with their primary care provider.

Our findings were comparable across all demographic groups who responded to the survey, underscoring the need for education and telling us in the field that we have a lot of work to do when it comes to raising awareness around how the brain changes with age and the importance of protecting your brain health.

BHM: What are some common signs of stress and loneliness during the holiday season that people should be aware of, particularly in the Black community?

Dr. Brangman: While we usually think of the holidays as a happy time, it sometimes can be overwhelming, leading to stress. Some common signs of stress we see around this time may include exhaustion, headaches, digestive problems, and anxiety.

People feeling lonely around the holidays may avoid socializing, withdraw from family and friends or even lapse into unhealthy habits.

Since the holiday season aligns with the darkening winter months, individuals may feel their stress and loneliness coincide with signs of seasonal depression like a persistent low mood, feelings of guilt or despair, lethargy and fatigue, and trouble concentrating.

BHM: How does stress and loneliness impact cognition, especially within the Black community?

Dr. Brangman: We know that Black communities are already disproportionately affected by stress through continued social bias and generational trauma which is why these factors are particularly important to address. Through my work, I’ve found that people with strong social ties are less likely to experience cognitive decline than people who spend most of their time alone.

Other work, like a study conducted by the University of Georgia, found that Black Americans with mental health struggles such as loneliness and depression may have larger variations between their true brain age and their chronological age, signaling a potential for cognitive decline or dementia.

BHM: What are some effective strategies for addressing stress and loneliness to support healthy cognitive aging during the holidays?

Dr. Brangman: Cultivating connections is important for combating stress and loneliness during the holiday season. While this time may look different for everyone, there are many ways to foster social connection, including volunteering at a food bank, attending community events, or practicing self-care with comforting activities like exercise, cooking, meditation, or exploring nature.

These practices have been found to lower the risk of other health problems and improve cognition, mood, and psychological functioning.

BHM: How can individuals recognize and address their feelings of loneliness during the holiday season?

Dr. Brangman: The darker winter months and holiday season may lead to feelings of loneliness and disconnection from loved ones, resulting in isolation and sadness. If you start to feel withdrawn or uninterested in your regular activities, it’s important to take the time and effort to forge strong social connections with others, whether they be family, friends, or local community members. However, if these feelings reach a low point and significantly impact your daily life and well-being, please speak with a medical professional.

BHM: What signs should families look for in their loved ones that might indicate cognitive decline, and how can they support them?

Dr. Brangman: At the McKnight Brain Research Foundation, we found there is a gap in understanding what changes are normal as you age versus the signs of a more serious memory problem and this lack of understanding often leads to fear. We launched the Brain Works initiative to reassure people that brain aging is a natural process that starts at birth and continues throughout one’s lifespan.

We want people to know that certain slip-ups like losing track of time or misplacing items around the house might initially be alarming but most likely are signs of normal brain aging.

More serious memory problems typically manifest with more intense symptoms, including asking the same question repeatedly, getting lost in familiar places, developing an inability to follow instructions or directions, or forgetting common words when speaking. Other worrisome symptoms might include becoming confused about time, people, and places and having changes in mood or behavior for no apparent reason. These may be signs of an underlying problem.

If you notice changes in a loved one and are concerned about their memory or cognitive health, use it as an opportunity to start a conversation with your loved one and then with a healthcare professional.

Talking with a healthcare professional is the first step to understanding what’s causing their memory loss and how to address it.

For additional information, I suggest checking out the McKnight Brain Works webpage, which we have curated to provide resources on better understanding the brain with age and how to talk with loved ones about concerns with their memory.

BHM: Which lifestyle changes are most effective in supporting brain health and mitigating the effects of stress and loneliness?

Dr. Brangman: Adopting a combination of healthy behaviors, which have been shown to reduce cancer, diabetes, and heart disease, will also help you protect your brain health and mitigate the effects of stress and loneliness.

* Connecting with people through social activities and community programs can keep your brain active and engaged with the world around you. Social activities may also lower the risk of health problems and improve well-being. Volunteer at your church or community center or share the activities you enjoy with friends and family.
* Managing stress and seeking medical attention for any symptoms of depression, anxiety, or any other mental health concerns
* Getting 7-8 hours of sleep per night as recommended
* Managing your blood pressure, weight, and cholesterol levels to reduce and manage your risk of cardiovascular disease
* Talk with your doctor about your health conditions and the medications and supplements you take, as that may impact your cognitive health.

By following Dr. Brangman’s advice, we can create a truly joyful and cheerful season. Stay connected, look out for one another, and prioritize mental well-being. Here’s to a holiday season filled with happiness and good health.

The post The Connection Between Brain Health & Holiday Loneliness appeared first on Black Health Matters.

According to The New York Times, Ms. Houston was born Emily Drinkard in Newark on September 30th, 1933. She was the youngest of eight children born to Delia Mae and Nicholas Drinkard. Her father encouraged her to sing. By age five, she sang with her sister Anne and brothers Larry and Nicky in local churches as part of a quartet called the Drinkard Four, later called the Drinkard Singers, who once opened for Mahalia Jackson at Carnegie Hall in 1951. They recorded an album, “A Joyful Noise,” on RCA in 1958. While raised in the AME church, she became the Minister of Sacred Music at New Hope Baptist Church.

After her first marriage ended in divorce, she met and married John Houston, with whom she had three children: Gary, Michael, and Whitney. While many equated Cissy Houston with gospel music in the early 1960s, she was better known for R&B music when she collaborated with her family members, nieces Dee Dee and Dionne Warwick, in the girl group The Sweet Inspirations. According to USA Today, the group provided backup vocals for many artists, including Otis Redding, Dusty Springfield, and the Jimi Hendrix Experience.

By the 1970s, Houston was a solo artist releasing records ranging from soul-pop to disco before returning to gospel. In 1997, she won a Grammy in the best Traditional Soul gospel category for her Face to Face album, and two years later, she won again for the album “He Leadeth Me.”

Whitney sang backup on her mother’s albums before she began her solo career, and Cissy sang backup on her daughter’s debut album.

The NY Times quotes Baylor professor Robert Darden, who said Ms. Houston was “a significant figure not because she sold a lot of records, but because of the people she influenced who did sell a lot and because of her work as a sustainer and nurturer of the gospel music tradition.”

Ms. Houston was the matriarch of her family, and although she was under hospice care, her family is feeling her loss. Her daughter released the following statement on behalf of the family:

Our hearts are filled with pain and sadness. We lost the matriarch of our family,” Pat said in a statement. Mother Cissy has been a strong and towering figure in our lives. She was a woman of deep faith and conviction who cared greatly about family, ministry, and community. Her more than seven-decade career in music and entertainment will remain at the forefront of our hearts.”

Pat continued, “Her contributions to popular music and culture are unparalleled. We are blessed and grateful that God allowed her to spend so many years with us, and we are thankful for all the valuable life lessons that she taught us. May she rest in peace alongside her daughter Whitney, granddaughter Bobbi Kristina, and other cherished family members.”

We extend our sincere condolences to the Houston family.

 

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The post Cissy Houston, Mother of Whitney Houston Has Died at 91 appeared first on Black Health Matters.

BHM: Can you tell us about the McKnight Brain Research Foundation and its work to bridge the knowledge gap on normal cognitive aging?

Dr. Brangman: The McKnight Brain Research Foundation is the only foundation focusing on normal cognitive aging. We concentrate on what is normal as we get older regarding how our brains function and overall brain health. Right now, the foundation is sponsoring a campaign called BrainWorks to spread the word across the United States about maintaining brain health and recognizing what is normal versus what might be concerning.

In my work, I often see many Black people seeking help when their disease is far advanced. At that point, our options are limited. This is why it is crucial for people to understand what is normal and what might be worrisome.

BHM: Can you explain cognitive aging and how it differs from more severe conditions?

Dr. Brangman: Cognitive aging is the usual process our brains undergo as we age. It includes “senior moments,” like forgetting names or words. Like hard drives, our brains have accumulated a lot of information over a lifetime, leading to “slow retrieval.” This means it takes longer to access information, but we usually get there eventually. You might remember a name or word after a while. Misplacing items like phones, keys, or glasses often happens because we multitask too much. Our brains are designed to do one thing at a time, but our culture bombards us with information.

When multitasking, we don’t lay down memories properly, leading to frustration when searching for misplaced items. With normal cognitive aging, you can usually retrace your steps and find the missing object. However, with severe problems like dementia, you might be unable to retrace your steps, or the object might be in a strange place. Our brains are overloaded due to constant information from news and social media, which consumes brain energy.

BHM: What are some common signs that memory problems might be linked to mental illnesses like depression or anxiety rather than cognitive decline?

Dr. Brangman: Well, there can be some overlap. Some people who are depressed may have trouble remembering information because they just can’t put the energy or focus into keeping information straight. Some may have difficulty concentrating and focusing when they are depressed.

A good healthcare provider can help sort out whether your memory problems are due to depression or something more problematic, such as dementia—the same thing with anxiety.

Anxiety is quite common in our society. I have patients who watch the news and get anxious about what is happening and how it will impact them. We have a lot to worry about and be nervous about. Some people with severe memory problems have that, too. Again, if you go to your healthcare provider, they can help sort out what is related to general anxiety and what may be an indication of something more serious.

BHM: What are some early signs that a family member might be experiencing severe cognitive decline?

Dr. Brangman: It’s essential to educate yourself so you can watch for signs in family members. It can be tricky for someone to realize they have a problem, and other family members often notice it. For example, you may repeat a story within a few short minutes. I have had patients who ask their spouse or partner every 5 minutes for the time of a doctor’s appointment. They get the information, but it doesn’t stay. There is an inability to hold onto new information. You might see people start to have trouble with driving, getting lost going to places they usually drive to without any problems.

For example, I had a patient who went to the same hairdresser every week for 20 years, and then one day, due to road construction and a detour, she couldn’t figure out how to get back on the correct road to her hairdresser. She was hours late. They may start to forget appointments or miss paying bills. Now and then, we all miss a bill, but then we realize it and fix it. But I’m talking about people who may not pay their light bill for months and don’t even realize it. They may run out of medications and not get a refill, have problems keeping their house organized, and the mail may pile up. Maybe you notice their clothes are soiled and wearing the same thing repeatedly. It could be very subtle signs.

If you have a mother, father, grandparent, uncle, or anybody in your family and start to notice these changes, you might want to get together with other family members or think of ways to get them to a doctor and get them checked out.

BHM: Why is early intervention crucial for memory problems, and how can it benefit individuals in the long run?

Dr. Brangman: The impact is significant because not everyone with a memory problem has dementia. Sometimes, it can be related to certain vitamin deficiencies or specific medication side effects. A person may think everybody is making a big fuss over nothing. So, you must have a strategy. Maybe you’re working with your doctor or the person’s doctor to see how to get them evaluated and get help. So, you want to ensure that your finances are organized and that you know all the treatment options right now. Some medications can maybe slow down the process a little bit.

BHM: What lifestyle changes can we make to protect our brain health and reduce the risk of cognitive decline?

Dr. Brangman: You want to do things to help maintain your brain health throughout your lifespan. Our brains are designed to last for our whole life, but there are things that we do every day that can increase our risk of having severe memory problems as we get older.

Exercise is fantastic for your brain! It boosts chemicals that help nerves grow and stabilize and improves blood circulation around your brain. You don’t need to train for a marathon; move more daily.

A daily walk is perfect, aiming for 30 minutes, but you can break it into shorter sessions if needed. Simple exercises using your body weight or even a few cans of corn can do wonders.

Diet plays a huge role, especially in our community. Historically, our diets have been high in fat, which might stem from when we had to do heavy physical labor and needed a lot of energy. Now, we need to shift towards healthier eating. Stick to whole foods, not highly processed ones. Reduce fried foods and high-fat meats like red meat. Opt for chicken, fish, lots of vegetables, and fresh fruits. Be mindful of how you cook your veggies and avoid too much fat and salt.

Alcohol is another area to watch. Contrary to popular belief, there’s no safe amount of alcohol for your body. It’s toxic to nerve cells, especially in your brain. Try to limit alcohol to special occasions and avoid daily drinking. Social connections are healthy. This doesn’t mean scrolling through social media. It means face-to-face interactions.

Our brains thrive on personal connections. So, take a walk with a friend. You’ll be hitting two birds with one stone: exercising and socializing.

Stress is not suitable for your body or brain either. Exercise, meditation, or spiritual practices can help reduce stress. There is emerging research that shows discrimination and racism take a toll on our bodies, and over time, it can lead to chronic diseases like high blood pressure and diabetes. We must avoid unhealthy coping mechanisms like smoking or drinking. Instead, find healthy ways to unwind, even if it’s just a few moments to concentrate on things aside from your current worries. I also want to add that if you have high blood pressure or diabetes, keep them under control. These conditions can increase your risk of dementia. And if you smoke, consider quitting. It’s never too late to stop.

BHM: Why is adequate sleep important for brain health, and what happens when we don’t get enough sleep?

Dr. Brangman: Sleep is another big issue, and it’s necessary for brain health. When we sleep, our brain cleans up all the chemical reactions during the day. Without adequate sleep, this self-cleaning process can’t happen. Many of us have responsibilities outside regular working hours, leading to late nights. Society often values hard work and long hours, which isn’t good for our health.

Another essential thing to know is that there are no magic sleeping pills. Many advertised on TV either don’t work or have harmful side effects on your brain. Similarly, memory supplements are often a waste of money. Instead, establish a routine and turn off screens, smartphones, and TVs at a set time each night to create a quiet, dark environment. Consistency is crucial; your brain needs good sleep every day, and you can’t catch up on a week’s sleep on the weekend. Some people think a glass of wine before bed will help them sleep, but it disrupts deep restorative sleep. Caffeine is another culprit. While this stimulant enables you to wake up in the morning, it can keep you awake at night. So, be mindful of your caffeine and alcohol intake. Your brain will thank you!

The post Brain Aging: What’s Normal & When Should We Worry? appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Study Findings

The study found that epigenetic aging can be impacted by exposure to racism. Epigenetic aging presents a precise picture of how one’s cells are aging instead of chronological age. There are considerable disparities in the rate at which Black people are diagnosed with certain brain health disorders, including Alzheimer’s Dementia. “Epidemiologic studies suggest that Black individuals have a 2-fold greater risk of Alzheimer’s dementia compared with White individuals; racial discrimination has been indicated as a contributing factor,” according to information obtained from a 2019 study by the Alzheimer’s & Dementia, the Alzheimer’s Association.

Theories on the impact of systemic racism on many aspects of healthcare are widely accepted.

Racism as a Public Health Crisis

In 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declared racism a legitimate public health crisis. The negative results of racism are sometimes referred to as weathering. Previously, “Emerging neuroimaging research has shown that racial discrimination affects brain function and structure,” in a 2022 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. It found that “racial discrimination may lead to a proportionately greater response and connectivity in brain networks involved with threat processing and emotion regulation” as a result of the sustained exposure to the trauma racism embeds into the bodies it seeks to diminish. Other studies have highlighted genetic predispositions passed down as a result of this enduring trauma, including the “altered connectivity of the amygdala and anterior insula.” Those findings held even after the information was effectively adjusted for socioeconomic status. This dispels that all it takes is improvements in financial equity to overcome risk factors.

The results of these studies are not dependent on the racist encounters being connected to macro-aggressions or micro-aggressions specifically.

How Codeswitching Factors In

In a 2024 interview with NPR, Negar Fani, a clinical neuroscientist at Emory University evaluating individuals with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, and Nate Harnett, an assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, suggested the adaptability required to self-regulate emotions with coping methods like codeswitching could contribute to the potential degradation of brain health. Their hypothesis pondered whether constantly finding measured responses to a series of harmless hair touches or casual epithets can erode one’s brain health over time.

The pair worked on a 2021 study researching their theories.

The Journal of Biological Psychiatry Published their study, which reported that “experiences of racial discrimination were associated with significantly lower fractional anisotropy in multiple white matter tracts, including the corpus callosum, cingulum, and superior longitudinal fasciculus.” The statistical variations in this study remained “even after accounting for variance associated with trauma, posttraumatic stress disorder, and demographic- and scanner-related factors.”

“There’s no such thing as a free lunch when it comes to the brain,” Harnett told NPR. “Energy has to come from somewhere. And what we think ends up happening is, you know, an energy that’s reserved for other processes then gets taken away.”

While there has been a rise in the visibility of studies connecting systemic racism to health issues, there has not been an adequate amount of peer-reviewed studies. “Despite numerous studies highlighting the associations between racial discrimination exposure and negative brain health outcomes, few empirical studies have examined racial discrimination–related neurobiological mechanisms that may underlie these outcomes,” according to the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Identifying how racism impacts the mind and body is essential to learning how to treat its effects in the future.

The post Racism and Codeswitching Are Aging Our Brains appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Jenni A. Shearston, an epidemiologist at the University of California, Berkeley, led the study. According to the study, “Between 52–86% of people who menstruate in the United States use tampons—cotton and/or rayon/viscose ‘plugs’—to absorb menstrual blood in the vagina.

Tampons may contain metals from agricultural or manufacturing processes, which could be absorbed by the vagina’s highly absorbent tissue, resulting in systemic exposure. To our knowledge, no previous studies have measured metals in tampons.”

The team examined “14 tampon brands and 18 product lines and compared the concentrations by tampon characteristics.” (Think: Regular, Super, and Super Plus).  They found 16 metals in total: arsenic, barium, calcium, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, iron, manganese, mercury, nickel, lead, selenium, strontium, vanadium, and zinc.

They purchased products in the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union. All the types tested had detectable levels of metals, which Newsweek reports may cause depression.

Are you safer with organic brands? Not exactly. You are exposed to different toxins. The non-organic tampons tested had higher lead levels, and organic tampons were more likely to contain arsenic.

Newsweek reported, “Despite this large potential for public health concern, very little research has been done to measure chemicals in tampons,” said Jenni Shearston, a postdoctoral scholar at the UC Berkeley School of Public Health and UC Berkeley’s Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management, said in a statement.

“To our knowledge, this is the first paper to measure metals in tampons. Concerningly, we found concentrations of all metals we tested for, including toxic metals like arsenic and lead.”

What’s the risk to our health? Exposure to metal can cause things like infertility, cancer, diabetes, and dementia. They can impact maternal health and fetal development and cause damage to the liver, kidney, brain, and cardiovascular system. However, it is unclear whether the amount of metals contained in tampons would impact us this way.

Since this is the first study of its kind, be aware of the possible implications. Stay tuned to see if there will be any changes in the laws that will include better labeling.

Also, talk to your GYN about your alternative.

The post Some Tampons Brands (Even Organic Ones) Contain Arsenic & Lead appeared first on Black Health Matters.

What is Primary Progressive Aphasia?

According to The Mayo Clinic, ” Primary progressive aphasia (uh-FAY-huh) is a rare nervous system syndrome that affects the ability to communicate. People with it can have trouble expressing their thoughts and understanding or finding words.” According to their website, patients may exhibit symptoms before age 65, which is the case with Williams. The disease progresses gradually and worsens over time. Some people with primary progressive aphasia can lose the ability to speak and write. Her disease has not progressed to that point yet.

According to a statement by her representative to USA Today, “[Williams] can do many things for herself. She was involved in choosing the members of her care team. She was involved with and approved the statement released this morning.”

Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) Explained

The Alzheimer’s Association defines frontotemporal dementia as “a group of disorders caused by progressive nerve cell loss in the brain’s frontal lobes (the areas behind your forehead) or its temporal lobes (the regions behind your ears).” The nerve deterioration can impact behavior, personality, and difficulty producing or comprehending language. Her primary progressive aphasia is a result of the type of dementia she has been diagnosed with. Actor Bruce Willis also has FTD, and his family has shared updates on his health.

Where is Wendy Now?

The statement on Williams’ health also comes shortly after People’s cover story on the daytime and radio legend’s family sharing their perspectives on her struggles. The story also revealed that she was filming her documentary through last spring, and filming ended when she entered a facility to treat her cognitive issues in April 2023.

Wiliams has been under financial guardianship since 2022. According to the story, her legal guardian is the only one with unfettered access. But Williams is now in touch with her family and talks to them on the phone.

Williams is under the care of a team at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City, one of the top medical research centers in the country. It has an Alzheimer’s Disease & Memory Disorder Program. According to their website, “The Memory Disorders Program features healthcare professionals with extensive experience managing the full spectrum of cognitive and behavioral problems that can accompany degenerative brain disorders.” We hope that Williams is receiving the care she needs.

The post What We Know About Wendy Williams’ Health Diagnosis appeared first on Black Health Matters.

That means much of the weight loss rhetoric we’ve been fed in high doses hasn’t only been confusing and misguided. Still, it has also been expensive, driving Americans to spend billions on gym memberships and exercise equipment guaranteed to help us lose weight.

We Are Following Some Outdated Advice

Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford, MD, MPH, MPA, Associate Professor of Medicine, Mass General Hospital, Pediatrician, and Obesity Medicine Physician Scientist, urges us to forget everything we think we know about losing weight, specifically what she calls an oversimplified idea suggesting to lose weight, we must burn more calories than we consume.

In an article on the Harvard Health website, she insists, “This idea of ‘a calorie in, a calorie out’ when it comes to weight loss is not only antiquated, it’s just wrong.” The archaic claim seems to ignore that how effectively the body burns calories depends on its metabolic rate, gut health, and the quality of food intake. Now that makes sense.

The Mayo Clinic reports, “Sometimes the effectiveness of exercise for weight loss is oversold, and people may overestimate how effective it will be toward their goal of losing weight. And for most people, conflicting theories like this that contradict everything they’ve ever been told about how to lose weight is extremely difficult just to accept.”

Curious about how others might react to this information, we reached out to Andrea Farquharson, who has lost weight, burning loads of calories with exercise in the past, to find out where she is on her weight loss journey. “I just celebrated my 50th and have minimal motivation to work out, especially dealing with bursitis in my left hip,” she laments. She works out four days weekly with trainers, seeing no results. We know she’s not alone.

What Do Doctors, Nutritionists, and Psychologists Have to Say?

To shed some light on the dichotomy of exercise vs weight loss, I turned to medical doctors, registered dietician nutritionists, and psychologists to hear their take on what exercise Can & Can’t do for weight loss. If exercise doesn’t significantly impact weight loss, then what does? Dr. William D. Stanley, MD, FASAM, who specializes in internal medicine & addiction, tells us that as a primary care physician, he takes the responsibility of seriously conveying to patients the importance of maintaining a healthy weight. He says, “It is just as important as exercise is to prevent weight gain. Practicing healthy, balanced eating habits may matter more.” Dr. Cody Stanford agrees that improving the quality of foods and making sustainable lifestyle improvements are crucial to achieving and maintaining a healthy weight.

We now know that eating well is important more important than ever, resulting in weight loss as a symptom of intentional lifestyle changes.

Researchers at NIH & CDC agree that exercise can have profound effects on preventing chronic disease, reducing cancer risk, improving mobility and quality of life, preventing injuries, improving sleep, and increasing longevity. Exercise may delay and, in some cases, prevent mental and physical impairment, like Alzheimer’s and dementia, supporting the ultimate goal of living a happier, healthier life in mind, body, and soul. Exercise cannot compensate for an unhealthy diet, lifestyle choices, or a toxic relationship with food. It can’t effectively treat eating disorders.

Katrice Mayo, MS, RDN, CLT, is passionate about developing healthy lifestyle changes with her clients over time that nourish and fuel the body and build muscle while prioritizing adequate rest and reducing stress. She says, “Chronic stress and the stress response will (negatively) impact what you choose to eat, why and how you’re eating.”

Rather than focusing on the number on the scale, Mayo maintains that an essential part of sustainable weight loss is eating more quality whole foods and less processed food with trans fat and little or no nutritional value. She cautions people to choose real food for energy and to think twice before choosing processed protein or energy bars or protein bars over nutrient-dense, whole food.

Experts, we hear you. Weight loss is unique for all of us.” Embracing exercise and learning how to nourish the body—paying attention to hunger cues, learning to stop eating when you’re full, and frequently evaluating when and why will help you learn more about your nutritional needs and help with maintaining your weight loss.

Where Should You Begin?

Dr. Radisha Brown, Psychologist and CEO of IThrive Therapy believes, “On any weight loss journey, the most important relationship is the relationship with ourselves. This dynamic sets the tone for all other relationships, including our connection to exercise & food.

If you want to lose weight, ask yourself if you’re ready. Be honest about what you’re willing to start changing. Seek counseling if you think you need emotional support around food, and get support and create your community.

The post Should You Focus On Exercise When You Want to Lose Weight? appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Researchers discovered that participants with high HDL-C (80mg/dL) have a 27% increased risk for dementia. And the findings for those 75 and older are even more important to note since these folks had a 42% increased risk for dementia. (An ideal HDL-C level is 40 to 60  mg/dL for men and 50 to 60 for women).

The study reported that among 18,668 participants included in this analysis, 2709 had very high HDL-C at study entry, with 38 incidents of dementia in those aged less than 75 years with very high levels and 101 in those aged 75 and more with very high levels.

But what’s interesting is that risk factors are not related to diet but might result from a metabolic disorder. More research is necessary to use these findings in a preventative manner. These findings may help unlock who contracts dementia. Our community must understand that our elders are twice as likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s—or other forms of dementia as older white Americans.

But according to the Alzheimer’s Association, only 35% of African Americans are concerned about Alzheimer’s or dementia.

However, in the meantime, begin monitoring your LDL,  HDL, and Triglycerides numbers and work toward getting them all within healthy ranges. This may require modifications to diet, exercising more, and losing weight. But if you believe your numbers put you at higher risk for dementia in the future, it is essential to discuss this with your healthcare provider.

The post Dementia Risk and Cholesterol: What’s the Connection? appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Karen Good Marable and Nailah Elridge were brought together through the shared caregiving experience. Both Karen and Nailah were caregivers for their parents with dementia—an illness that causes a decline in mental ability and is not a normal part of aging. Through sharing their stories, the new friends recognized the relief of having someone to talk to and the role of this support in healing. This is what sparked the creation of the Refresh My Memory podcast.

‘Refresh My Memory’ is an ongoing conversation that digs deep into what life looks like from the lens of a caregiver.

Multi-hyphenate hosts Karen and Nailah take you through their journeys, from noticing the small changes in their parents to getting and living with official diagnoses.

Within our community, it isn’t uncommon that we often put off, ignore, or deny concerns about our health due to historical marginalization and disparities in healthcare spaces. By opening the door to conversations around health, caregiving, and dementia, Karen and Nailah are raising awareness while building a community we can rely on for support, advice, and healing.

With the holidays at our front door, managing all our roles while caregiving for our loved ones can be challenging. When asked for tips and advice for managing the holidays as a caregiver, Karen and Nailah had this to offer:

Keep gatherings early in the day.

Sundowning is a set of dementia symptoms that include anxiety, disorientation, and agitation. Making the most of the daytime hours can mean getting the best from your loved one without interrupting their evening routine.

Enroll everyone in helping.

Caring for a loved one is a shared responsibility. Ask friends and family to step in when and where necessary to help spread the love. This can ensure no one person is overwhelmed or left out. And if possible, Karen says including your loved one in activities can also help them feel included.

Keep it small and make everyone aware of the diagnosis.

An inner-circle-only gathering reduces sensory overload. You want your loved one to feel supported and comfortable. Karen suggests ensuring guests are aware of any diagnosis to communicate respectfully and avoid trigger phrases such as, “Remember when…”

Make time for yourself.

Take some moments for yourself, “even if it’s an hour alone to sit in the bathtub and read or have a glass of wine,” Nailah says. You can’t pour from an empty cup, so be sure to replenish yourself.

Take pictures and enjoy the moment.

Holidays are synonymous with family time. Appreciate every moment at hand. Taking it up a notch with pictures is a tip Nailah says helped their family during their first post-diagnosis holiday season. Putting pictures of their family at her dad’s bedside was a way to include him in the festivities and bring him comfort.

Keep traditions alive.

Karen emphasizes keeping traditions as close to “normal” as possible. From gift exchanges to favorite foods, keeping the environment familiar to your loved one may help ease them from any anxiety, confusion, or irritation they may experience. And while you’re gifting, keep those as practical as possible.

Caregiving is an experience that can be swept under the rug or buried under the many hats that we all wear. Too often, even the position of caregiver is assumed based on birth order, geographical proximity, financial status, and more. Though we may not talk about it, many of us can relate. For a parent, child, and everyone in between, caregiving is an ever-changing responsibility that affects many. It’s not an easy job, and it deserves to be recognized this month and every month. Happy National Family Caregivers Month.

Join Karen, Nailah, and their community in spreading awareness about life as a caregiver. Season one of ‘Refresh My Memory’ is available for streaming now. Stay tuned for more in the new year as Karen and Nailah gear up for Season 2, where they hope to expand to include voices from all experience backgrounds.

“When you’re in the thick of it, you think you’re alone. But you’re not alone.”

You can also find Refresh My Memory on Instagram or visit their website.

The post 6 Tips For Navigating Caregiving During the Holidays appeared first on Black Health Matters.

After a lifetime of facing racial and health inequities, Black seniors are confronted with the daunting prospect of spending their twilight years with declining health, limited income, and virtually no savings. The disparities in health outcomes, economic opportunities, and access to quality care have placed them at greater risk, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. This article explores the critical issues surrounding elder care in the Black community, including the alarming health disparities, cultural norms, and challenges that impact the quality of life for older Black Americans.

Health Disparities

1. Chronic Health Conditions: Numerous studies have shown that Black Americans suffer from a higher prevalence of chronic health conditions, including high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease. These conditions not only reduce their life expectancy but also lead to a diminished quality of life.
2. Healthcare Access: Generations of racial discrimination have resulted in limited access to quality healthcare for Black individuals. They often receive lower-quality care and face barriers in accessing essential medical services.
3. COVID-19 Impact: The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected older Black Americans, resulting in higher infection and mortality rates. Lack of access to healthcare, distrust of institutions, and comorbidities have compounded the crisis.

Economic Inequities:

1. Wealth Gap: Historical economic racism has left many Black seniors with low wages, low homeownership rates, and minimal savings or investments. The wealth gap between Black and white Americans is substantial and continues to grow.
2. Retirement Savings: Many older Black Americans lack retirement savings, with fewer participating in employer-sponsored retirement accounts like 401(k) plans. This leads to reduced financial security in their later years.
3. Social Security Reliance: A significant portion of Black seniors heavily relies on Social Security as their primary source of income. However, the average Social Security benefit is insufficient to cover essential expenses.

Cultural Norms and Family Dynamics:

1. Cultural Values: Providing care for elderly family members is deeply ingrained in Black culture. Many Black caregivers view it as a duty and privilege, to find meaning and purpose in caring for their aging loved ones.
2. Strong Community Networks: Historically, Black families have relied on strong community networks, including churches and extended family, to provide eldercare support. This has shaped cultural norms around caregiving.
3. Distrust of Institutions: Deep-seated mistrust of healthcare and government institutions, rooted in historical injustices such as the Tuskegee syphilis study, leads many older Black Americans to be hesitant about seeking outside help or institutional care.

Challenges and Solutions:

1. Increased Outreach: Healthcare providers and community organizations must engage in targeted outreach to build trust and provide culturally competent care to older Black individuals.
2. Economic Empowerment: Initiatives to address economic disparities, improve access to education, and promote financial literacy can help Black seniors accumulate wealth and retirement savings.
3. Caregiver Support: Acknowledging the vital role of caregivers, particularly in the Black community, and offering support services, respite care, and educational resources can ease the caregiving burden.
4. Culturally Relevant Healthcare: Healthcare professionals should receive cultural sensitivity training to better understand the unique needs and concerns of older Black patients.

Addressing these issues surrounding elder care in our community requires a comprehensive approach that prioritizes healthcare access, economic empowerment, and culturally sensitive support systems. As we strive for equity and justice, it is crucial to ensure that older Black Americans receive the care, dignity, and respect they deserve in their later years.

The post Respect For The Aged Day: Why Elder Care Is Vital To The Black Community appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Are You at Risk?

Black patients are also more likely to have more risk factors, worse symptoms, and more severe disease.³ Research suggests that there are multiple risk factors for Alzheimer’s. Risk factors associated with Alzheimer’s include factors we can control and some we can’t control. Click here to learn more about signs and risk factors of early Alzheimer’s Disease.

Age

Increasing age is the most notable risk factor. This risk significantly increases every 5 years after age 65.^4,5 About 5% of patients with Alzheimer’s are younger than 65 and may be impacted by early onset Alzheimer’s around 40 years old.⁴

Family History

Individuals who have an immediate family member (parent or sibling) with the disease are at a higher risk.^4,5 If you have more than one family member with the disease your risk is even higher.^4,5 Researchers have also identified specific genes that are linked to developing the disease.^4,5 Genetic counseling may be an option for patients with a strong family history of Alzheimer’s.⁴

Preventable Risk Factors

There are some risk factors that are considered preventable. You can make a conscious effort to help reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer’s.⁵

• Avoid head injuries. Since physical damage or trauma to the brain may result in the development of cognitive impairment, stay safe by preventing falls and wearing head covering or protection if taking part in potentially dangerous activities.
• Make heart healthy choices. Research suggests that up to 80% of people who had Alzheimer’s had heart disease. Poor heart health, including the presence of heart disease, may correlate to poor brain health. If you have conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, or if you have had a stroke, work closely with your healthcare provider to monitor and manage these conditions.
• Take care of yourself. Exercise, eat healthy, and avoid excessive use of harmful substances such as alcohol and tobacco.

Fact vs. Myth

MYTH: Memory problems are normal and most people who are older experience them.
FACT: While forgetting or losing things occasionally is normal, memory problems such as poor judgment and decision making, losing track of dates, and forgetting familiar people, is not.⁶ Many Black patients delay seeking medical attention for memory concerns or changes because they think what they are experiencing is normal.³

MYTH: Alzheimer’s only impacts older people. I shouldn’t be concerned if I am young.
FACT: Older individuals are at higher risk for Alzheimer’s, however early-onset Alzheimer’s, while rare, usually impacts those between the ages of 30-60.⁶

MYTH: Alzheimer’s can’t be treated.
FACT: While there isn’t a definitive cure for Alzheimer’s, there are treatment options that can help treat symptoms.⁶ Clinical trials help researchers continue to evaluate potential treatment options.^6,7

Importance of Clinical Trial Participation

Diversity in clinical trials is important.⁷ Race and ethnicity may play a role in how individuals with Alzheimer’s disease respond to treatment.2 Unfortunately, there is a lack of trust for clinical research and trial participation among Black Americans.¹ This is due largely to a history of medical bias and discrimination toward Black Americans.¹ The Alzheimer’s Association recognizes the importance of clinical trials in the management and prevention of Alzheimer’s disease, and the need for those in the Black community to participate in these trials.²

To learn more about Alzheimer’s disease and care partner support resources, visit Novo Nordisk’s Alzheimer’s disease webpage.   

– – –

This article is sponsored by Novo Nordisk.

References:

1. Alzheimer’s Association – Black Americans and Alzheimer’s 
2. African-Americans and Alzheimer’s Disease: The Silent Epidemic 
3. NIH National Institute on Aging – Data shows racial disparities in Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis between Black and white research study participants 
4. NHS – Alzheimer’s disease 
5. Alzheimer’s Association – Causes and Risk Factors for Alzheimer’s Disease  
6. NIH National Institute on Aging – 11 Myths About Alzheimer’s Disease 
7. Alzheimer’s Clinical Trials 

The post Alzheimer’s in African Americans: Are You at Risk? What You Need to Know appeared first on Black Health Matters.

African Americans are More Susceptible to Risk Factors

You may not be surprised that the African American population typically has more risk factors for dementia. Even those they share with different ethnicities and multiracial people, affect the race disproportionately. Some risk factors lead to others. Many are unavoidable, but some could be lessened with better education and resources within mainly black communities.

• Age: The risk of developing Alzheimer’s increases as you get older, with the highest risk after age 85. We should note that caucasians still have a longer lifespan, on average, compared to blacks, but that the life-expectancy gap has narrowed significantly in recent years.
• High Blood Pressure: More black men are diagnosed with hypertension than white males. The disparity between black and white women is even more significant.
• Vascular Conditions: While this is still being studied, those with chronic vascular conditions may be at higher risk.
• Stress and Depression: It’s well documented that African American communities experience higher rates of depression and related symptoms of stress due to racism, segregation, socioeconomic barriers, and more. Stress directly contributes to cognitive decline later in life.
• Diabetes: Stress and many of the same risk factors can lead to diabetes, which creates another risk factor for dementia.
• Heart Disease and Stroke: Vascular dementia is typically caused by a stroke but may be caused by any condition that reduces or blocks blood flow to parts of the brain, damaging brain tissue.
• Obesity: It hasn’t yet been proven that weight contributes directly to the risk of developing dementia. However, obesity does increase your risk of diabetes and heart disease. All three can be decreased with a healthy lifestyle.
• Family History: There appears to be DNA unique to African American populations making them more susceptible to dementia. If you have a family member with Alzheimer’s Disease, you should be screened regularly and limit your risk factors.
• Exposure to Pollution: One study suggests that those living in neighborhoods with higher levels of environmental pollution are at higher risk of developing dementia.

Many View Dementia and Aging Differently

African American adults perceive their health and the health care system differently than others, especially compared to white men. Some misperceptions may come from a lack of health education, and others from previous experiences, either their own or people they know. However, the Alzheimer’s Association reports that more than half of black people believe that significant memory loss is natural as they get older, and only about a third are concerned as symptoms develop. Even more startling is that these numbers are despite nearly two-thirds of Black Americans knowing someone with some form of dementia and severe memory problems.

Healthcare Discrimination Affects Patients and Caregivers

Discrimination is a significant part of black history. Healthcare disparity is one of the ways in which black communities are still affected by it, and there are several reasons these racial inequalities persist. Neighborhoods comprised mainly of African Americans often don’t have enough clinics or hospitals. If they do, they may not have access to the latest technology, or those who live there might not be able to afford it. The rates of low-income health insurance are higher in primarily black communities, which can limit the care received.

Even within these neighborhoods, there is a lack of diversity among providers, making it challenging for patients and caregivers to find a doctor with the same ethnic background. Caregivers may find navigating the healthcare system more difficult, especially with some types of insurance, like Medicare, because they haven’t done it before, and the processes can be confusing. Finding a caseworker or other advocate is a hurdle that many family members face when a loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease or dementia.

Blacks are Less Likely to Receive an Early Diagnosis

Even though black people are up to two times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s Disease than the general population, only a third will receive a correct dementia diagnosis and begin a treatment plan on the first visit compared to white patients. In total, African American patients are 10% less likely to receive a diagnosis of dementia at all even as the disease progresses and the first symptoms develop.

Cultural perceptions delay care for memory problems because many believe it to be a natural part of aging. Black people often won’t see a doctor until more severe signs of dementia develop, like hallucinations and behavioral symptoms. This makes it less likely they will be diagnosed early on. Discrimination may play a factor, as it seems that many patients need to exhibit more severe symptoms to warrant a dementia diagnosis than white patients. Some people may not have access to health care due to socioeconomic status, even with low-income options and the Affordable Care Act (ACA). In 2018, it was reported that 9.7 percent of black racial groups were uninsured compared to only 5.4 percent of Caucasians.

The Cost of Care is Typically Higher

The cost of medical care for those in the early stages of dementia is much lower. Many patients can still live at home with a family member as long as they have supervision until the disease progresses and memory loss worsens. However, this assumes a treatment plan only for mild cognitive impairment. Managing behavioral symptoms can be much more costly, including in-patient care in a facility designed for more advanced cognitive decline. According to UsAgainstAlzheimer’s, the cost of treatment of dementia and dementia-related illnesses in the United States for African Americans was over $71 billion in 2012. With the number of cases of dementia estimated to double overall by 2060, these costs will become astronomical, especially for those seeking care for more advanced stages of the disease.

Survival Rates Vary Among Ethnic Groups

It’s difficult to find a consistent answer when determining how long individuals living with dementia will live past their diagnosis. A study by the University of Southern California School of Gerontology found that the African American population with dementia had one of the shortest survival rates, only slightly longer than caucasians. One published by the National Institutes of Health places black people above both white and indigenous populations. However, we should note that many develop Alzheimer’s much earlier than they seek treatment, so their survival rates would be much longer had they received an early diagnosis at the onset of memory problems.

The Black Population is Under-Represented in Studies

Rena A.S. Robinson has been studying Alzheimer’s Disease on a molecular level, looking for a biological reason for the disproportional number of African Americans with dementia. While this research is vital, and you can read more about it below, she found something equally as significant regarding understanding how these statistics could be misinterpreted. Her research shows that most clinical trials rarely represent the actual U.S. population. On average, these studies include approximately 5% blacks, yet they comprise around 13% of the total population. This could lead to skewed results.

There is a Possible Biological Vulnerability

A recent study began by evaluating past medical research reports including over 1,200 people ranging from age 43 to 104. Researchers discovered that approximately one-third had symptoms of the early stages of dementia-related memory loss. They then used brain scans and spinal fluid samples to test for two biological markers indicating Alzheimer’s Disease. Amyloid plaques were the same regardless of ethnic background. However, in the study, spinal fluid from African Americans showed significantly lower levels of tau proteins. These levels seemed to correlate to the APOE4 gene directly. In other studies, this gene has shown an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s Disease even in those who are white, but the risk factor may not be as profound in black people. Still, tau proteins may mean that the African American population has a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s or other related dementias.

What is Being Done to Address These Disparities?

More Diverse Medical Research

Based on previous studies, new ones are underway to dive deeper into the reasons behind these staggering statistics. One example is the Health and Aging Brain Study by the HSC Institute for Translational Research. This study has been funded by several prominent organizations, including the National Institutes of Health, to understand better how Alzheimer’s Disease affects those with various ethnic backgrounds. Other studies continue to research amyloid plaques and tau proteins to better understand how they affect brain changes by race.

Health Education Programs

Education is becoming available at every level of health care, from neighborhood clinics to large universities like the University of Kansas Medical Center. At this university, a free program offers resources and tools for those most impacted by memory loss and encourages participation in their clinical trials. The community benefits from access to more resources like promoting a healthy lifestyle, and the research studies benefit from more engagement with the community. Programs like this are available or being developed around the country.

Caregiver Support Groups

Being a caregiver for a family member with memory loss is hard, even when you don’t face the additional challenges of discrimination and socioeconomic hardship. Caregiver support groups like the African American Dementia Caregiver Support Program and others near you or online may help you deal with everyday struggles and learn about additional resources available. If you support someone with impaired thinking skills, there are people available to support you as well.

Fighting the Disparities in Dementia

There are still many challenges, especially as the number of Americans with dementia symptoms rises. However, with continued efforts to combat risk factors, more clinical trials being funded, and additional resources being made available for vulnerable neighborhoods and socioeconomic groups, our black communities can defy the projections and become stronger against Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias. Support is available for people living with dementia, caregivers of any age, and even providers educating their patients.

The post Surprising Facts About Alzheimer’s And Black People appeared first on Black Health Matters.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, as many as 5.8 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease, and Blacks are about twice as likely as non-Hispanic Whites to develop AD and other forms of dementia Among Black Americans ages 70 and older, 21.3% are living with AD. Blacks are also carrying a disproportionate burden of the overall national cost for AD, which is mainly from caregiving costs, as well as loss of income and productivity, according to Stephanie Monroe, director of the African American Network Against Alzheimer’s. “Alzheimer’s is costing Blacks generations and generations of income and wealth that’s been built since the Civil Rights era,” Monroe told Caregiver Crossing, a podcast focused on caregiving.

Researchers are still examining why Blacks are impacted disproportionately by AD. Studies show that it’s a combination of socioeconomic disparities, higher rates of chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease, and genetics. Lack of participation in trials is another contributing factor. Last year, the National Institute on Aging, part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, launched an online tool, OutreachPro, to help researchers and clinicians increase awareness and participation in clinical trials in Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, especially among traditionally underrepresented communities. The tool, launched at the 2021 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Denver, allows researchers, clinicians, and trial administrators to create and customize outreach materials such as websites, handouts, videos, and social media posts with an emphasis on reaching traditionally underrepresented communities. “Outreach Pro was designed to provide well-tested and culturally appropriate outreach materials that resonate with diverse populations and encourage them to participate in clinical trials,” said Dr. Holly Massett, Ph.D., Senior Advisor on Clinical Research and Engagement at NIA, who oversees the implementation of the national strategy.

Researchers have begun to focus on having diverse participant populations in clinical trials. In the AHEAD Study, extensive efforts have been made to include underrepresented populations.

The study is designed to evaluate a potential treatment to slow the earliest brain changes and help prevent symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s disease. It’s the first  AD research study to recruit people as young as 55 years old who are at risk of developing symptoms of the disease as they get older.

In order to qualify for the study, potential participants are adults ages 55-80 who have not been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia. The treatment is experimental and participation is approximately 4 years with a variety of options available to accommodate participants’ busy schedules. Most study sites provide reimbursement for travel and a stipend for attending study visits.  Those interested in participating in the AHEAD study can apply here.

The post The Need for More Black Representation in Alzheimer’s Clinical Trials appeared first on Black Health Matters.

“In the Alzheimer’s brain, the pathology starts to build up about 20 years before the symptoms begin,” said Dr. David Holtzman. However, researchers need decades of monitoring after a COVID-19 infection to determine a cause.

“The brain has its immune response to the pathology involved in [Alzheimer’s] disease progressing,” said Holtzman, who was not part of the new study. “When there are other things that cause inflammation in the body that can affect the brain, likely what happens is that can even amplify the process that’s already going on.”

Unfortunately, other viruses can cause similar inflammation. COVID is just another potential risk factor. This is another reason why vaccination is essential, not just against COVID.

The latest study by the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease showed about seven new diagnoses of Alzheimer’s disease for 1,000 seniors who had contracted COVID in the past year. The recent findings call for more research on the underlying mechanisms of Alzheimer’s disease. Thus, explaining the association. However, in this new study, the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s was “mostly tentative,” said Dr. Eliezer Masliah, director of the Division of Neuroscience at the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute on Aging.

Alzheimer’s Statistics

About 6.5 million people over the age of 65 with the condition. And in 2020, it was the seventh leading cause of death in the U.S.

“Alzheimer’s disease is a serious and challenging disease, and we thought we had turned some of the tides on it by reducing general risk factors such as hypertension, heart disease, obesity, and a sedentary lifestyle,” said Dr. Pamela Davis, a research professor at Case Western Reserve University and co-author of the new study.

“Now, so many people in the US have had Covid, and the long-term consequences of Covid are still emerging. It is important to continue monitoring this disease’s impact on future disability.”

The post New Alzheimer’s Diagnosis Common Among Older People Who Had COVID-19 appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, which is a general term for the impaired ability to remember, think, and make decisions that can ultimately interfere with doing everyday activities. It’s a progressive disease that may start with mild memory loss and can possibly leading to loss of the ability to carry on a conversation and respond to surroundings.

As many as 5.8 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The number of people living with the disease doubles every five years beyond age 64—and this number is projected to nearly triple to 14 million people by 2060.

Scientists do not yet fully understand what causes Alzheimer’s disease. There’s likely not a single cause but rather several factors that can affect each person differently. Age is the best-known risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease.

African Americans are twice as likely as whites to develop the disease—and scientists may have found a biological clue that may help explain why. A 2019 study of 1,255 people, both Black and White, found that cerebrospinal fluid from African Americans tended to contain lower levels of the tau protein, a protein linked to Alzheimer’s. However, these low levels did not seem to protect African Americans from developing the disease. This led scientists to conclude that the underlying causes of the disease are different in African Americans and this may contribute to their increased risk to develop the disease.

While researchers believe that genetics may play a role in developing Alzheimer’s disease there are other risk factors that can be modified and can reduce the risk of developing the disease. CDC studies show that adequate physical activity, a healthy diet, limited alcohol consumption, and not smoking may protect brain health as people age.

According to the CDC, people with one or more of these 10 warning signs should see a doctor to find a cause:

• Memory loss that disrupts daily life (e.g., forgetting events or repeating yourself)
• Challenges in planning or solving problems (e.g., having trouble paying bills or cooking recipes)
• Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work, or at leisure (e.g., having problems with cooking)
• Confusion with time or place (e.g., losing track of dates)
• Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relations (e.g., having more difficulty with balance and judging distance)
• New problems with words in speaking or writing (e.g., having trouble following or joining a conversation)
• Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps (e.g., placing car keys in the washer or dryer)
• Decreased or poor judgment (e.g., being a victim of a scam)
• Withdrawal from work or social activities (e.g., not wanting to do activities as you usually do)
• Changes in mood and personality (e.g., getting easily upset in common situations)

If you’re having these symptoms, getting checked by your doctor can help determine if they’re related to Alzheimer’s disease. While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, an early diagnosis can be helpful. Doctors can offer drug and non-drug interventions to manage symptoms. Doctors often prescribe drugs that may slow the decline in memory and other cognitive skills. And early diagnosis provides you with a better chance of benefiting from treatment.

An early diagnosis makes individuals eligible for a wider variety of clinical trials, which advance research and may provide medical benefits. The AHEAD study, for instance, is the first Alzheimer’s disease research study to recruit people as young as 55 years old who are at risk of developing symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease as they get older.

The study tests whether an investigational treatment can slow or stop the earliest brain changes due to Alzheimer’s disease in people with a higher risk of developing the disease later in life. That’s because brain changes related to Alzheimer’s disease can begin up to 20 years before a person notices any symptoms. (Call 1-800-AHEAD-70, or 1-800-243-2370, to see if you’re eligible to screen for the AHEAD 3-45 Study.)

The post 10 Early Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease appeared first on Black Health Matters.

It’s National Potato Day, Low-Calorie, and we refuse to allow you to miss out. Keep scrolling for the recipe.

Check Out Jalal’s Low-Calorie Garlic Parmesan Fries Recipe

@jalalsamfit

Low Calorie Garlic Parmesan Fries! ONLY 276 calories, they’re incredible! #frenchfries #fries #healthyrecipes #lowcalorie #tiktokfood #weightloss #lowcalorierecipe #easyrecipe

♬ Vibing – CHRISPY

If you try this recipe out, please let us know your thoughts below!

Health Benefits of Potatoes

A lot of the time, people looking to get healthier are told to cut out carbs completely. However, that is the opposite of what someone should do. A balanced meal includes protein, carbohydrates, healthy fats, and vegetables. One carbohydrate you shouldn’t avoid is potatoes. And I don’t mean just sweet potatoes, purple potatoes, etc. You can eat a regular potato and not feel bad about it.

Potatoes have numerous health benefits that we cannot simply overlook. Some of those health benefits include:

• Packed with nutrients
• Contain antioxidants
• Can help improve blood sugar
• May improve digestion
• Naturally gluten-free

So, don’t avoid the spuds the next time you’re in the kitchen.

Health Benefits of Garlic

Garlic is one of the main ingredients in these low-calorie garlic parmesan fries. Therefore, we could not avoid discussing the health benefits it provides. Now, if you’re a regular here, you’re already aware of our love for garlic. But don’t mind us while we inform the new readers.

• Garlic has numerous proven health benefits. Some of those include:
• Reduces blood pressure
• Contains medicinal properties making it effective against certain bacteria, fungi, and viruses
• Improves cholesterol
• Contains antioxidant that helps prevent dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease

The list of health benefits of garlic is a very long one. So if you can, add it to your meals.

What is your favorite potato recipe? Comment below!

The post Celebrate National Potato Day With These Low-Calorie Garlic Parmesan Fries appeared first on Black Health Matters.

The Effectiveness of DHA

The research included 1490 65-year-old dementia-free participants. Researchers examined the association of red blood cell (RBC) docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) with incident Alzheimer’s Disease while testing for interaction with APOE-e4 carriership. The risk for incident AD in the highest RBC DHA quintile (Q5, >6.1%) was 49% lower compared with the lowest quintile (Q1, <3.8%). An increase in RBC DHA from Q1 to Q5 was predicted to provide an estimated 4.7 additional years of life free of Alzheimer’s disease. Furthermore, researchers noted that an increased intake of DHA might lower the risk altogether.

A Cost-Effective Dietary Addition

Aleix Sala-Vila led the study, Ph.D. suggested that adding extra omega-3 DHA to your routine might slow the development of the disease. A cost-effective dietary addition could save billions in health care costs.

“Given that estimated health-care payments in 2021 for all patients with AD or other dementias amount to $355 billion in the US (not including caregiving by family members and other unpaid caregivers), any cost-effective strategy for delaying the onset of AD is of utmost public health interest. Delaying AD by five years leads to 2.7 additional years and 4.8 additional AD-free years for an individual who would have acquired AD and is worth over $500,000.”

Omega-3 is such a powerful supplement, especially for our brain. And as we get older, we want to help keep our bodies healthy.

Do you include omega-3 in your daily routine? Comment below.

The post High Omega-3 DHA Levels In Blood Lowers The Risk Of Alzheimer’s Disease By 49% appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Your sleep quality needs to improve if:

• It takes you more than 30 minutes to fall asleep after you climb into bed.
• You have been diagnosed with insomnia.
• You wake up more than once per night on a regular basis.
• You stay awake for more than 20 minutes after waking up in the middle of the night.
• You spend less than 85 percent of your time in bed asleep.

Now that you know what signals poor sleep quality, follow these five tips to fix the problem:

• Set your bedroom thermostat to somewhere between 60 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit. Sleeping in a room that is either too warm or too cool interferes with your body’s ability to drift off.
• Stop using electronic devices (like a laptop or smartphone) and turn off your TV at least 30 minutes before bedtime. The blue light these gadgets emit can make falling asleep difficult.
• Keep a consistent sleep schedule. Poor bedtime habits, such as going to bed too early (before you’re tired) or too late (when you are overly tired) can make it more difficult to sleep soundly.
• Create a relaxing pre-bedtime routine, such as taking a bubble bath or reading a book. Participating in high-energy activities—think: exercise—lowers the likelihood of an easy transition to sleep.
• Limit alcohol consumption.
• Avoid caffeinated beverages within four to six hours of bedtime.

If after trying these suggestions you still feel your sleep quality needs improvement, talk to your doctor; he or she can recommend lifestyle changes, medication or other therapies that may improve how well you sleep.

The post 5 Ways to Fix Poor Sleep Quality appeared first on Black Health Matters.

In short, the secret to aging well is knowing you’re never too old to learn healthy habits. And the benefits are plentiful. In one study, the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis, which tracked more than 6,000 people ages 44 to 84 for more than seven years, those who made healthy changes like adopting a Mediterranean-style diet, getting regular exercise maintaining a healthy weight and quitting smoking decreased their risk of death in the time period by 80 percent.

These five steps can help keep you healthy and aging well.

The post 5 Steps to Aging Well appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Urinary incontinence—the loss of bladder control—is a common and often embarrassing problem. The severity of urinary incontinence ranges from occasionally leaking urine when you cough or sneeze to having an urge to urinate that’s so sudden and strong you don’t get to a toilet in time.

If urinary incontinence affects your day-to-day activities, don’t hesitate to see your doctor. In most cases, simple lifestyle changes or medical treatment can ease your discomfort or stop urinary incontinence.

Symptoms

Urinary incontinence is the inability to control the release of urine from your bladder. Some people experience occasional, minor leaks—or dribbles—of urine. Others wet their clothes frequently.

Types of urinary incontinence include:

Stress incontinence. This is loss of urine when you exert pressure—stress—on your bladder by coughing, sneezing, laughing, exercising or lifting something heavy. Stress incontinence occurs when the sphincter muscle of the bladder is weakened. In women, physical changes resulting from pregnancy, childbirth and menopause can cause stress incontinence. In men, removal of the prostate gland can lead to stress incontinence.

Urge incontinence. This is a sudden, intense urge to urinate, followed by an involuntary loss of urine. Your bladder muscle contracts and may give you a warning of only a few seconds to a minute to reach a toilet. With urge incontinence, you may need to urinate often, including throughout the night. Urge incontinence may be caused by urinary tract infections, bladder irritants, bowel problems, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, injury or nervous system damage associated with multiple sclerosis. If there’s no known cause, urge incontinence is also called overactive bladder.

Overflow incontinence. If you frequently or constantly dribble urine, you may have overflow incontinence, which is an inability to empty your bladder. Sometimes you may feel as if you never completely empty your bladder. When you try to urinate, you may produce only a weak stream of urine. This type of incontinence may occur in people with a damaged bladder, blocked urethra or nerve damage from diabetes, multiple sclerosis or spinal cord injury. In men, overflow incontinence can also be associated with prostate gland problems.

Mixed incontinence. If you experience symptoms of more than one type of urinary incontinence, such as stress incontinence and urge incontinence, you have mixed incontinence.

Functional incontinence. Many older adults, especially people in nursing homes, experience incontinence simply because a physical or mental impairment keeps them from making it to the toilet in time. For example, a person with severe arthritis may not be able to unbutton his or her pants quickly enough. This is called functional incontinence.

Total incontinence. This term is sometimes used to describe continuous leaking of urine, day and night or the periodic uncontrollable leaking of large volumes of urine.

When to see a doctor

You may feel uncomfortable discussing incontinence with your doctor. But if incontinence is frequent or is affecting your quality of life, seeking medical advice is important for several reasons:

Urinary incontinence may indicate a more serious underlying condition, especially if it’s associated with blood in your urine.
Urinary incontinence may be causing you to restrict your activities and limit your social interactions to avoid embarrassment. Urinary incontinence may increase the risk of falls in older adults as they rush to make it to the toilet.

Causes

Urinary incontinence isn’t a disease, it’s a symptom. It can be caused by everyday habits, underlying medical conditions or physical problems. A thorough evaluation by your doctor can help determine what’s behind your incontinence.

Causes of temporary urinary incontinence

Certain foods, drinks and medications can cause temporary urinary incontinence. A simple change in habits can bring relief.
Alcohol. Alcohol acts as a bladder stimulant and a diuretic, which can cause an urgent need to urinate.

Overhydration. Drinking a lot of fluids, especially in a short period of time, increases the amount of urine your bladder has to deal with.

Caffeine. Caffeine is a diuretic and a bladder stimulant that can cause a sudden need to urinate.

Bladder irritation. Carbonated drinks, tea and coffee—with or without caffeine—artificial sweeteners, corn syrup, and foods and beverages that are high in spice, sugar and acid, such as citrus and tomatoes, can aggravate your bladder.

Medications. Heart medications, blood pressure drugs, sedatives, muscle relaxants and other medications may contribute to bladder control problems.

Easily treatable medical conditions also may be responsible for urinary incontinence.

Urinary tract infection. Infections can irritate your bladder, causing you to have strong urges to urinate. These urges may result in episodes of incontinence, which may be your only warning sign of a urinary tract infection. Other possible signs and symptoms include a burning sensation when you urinate and foul-smelling urine.

Constipation. The rectum is located near the bladder and shares many of the same nerves. Hard, compacted stool in your rectum causes these nerves to be overactive and increase urinary frequency. In addition, compacted stool can sometimes interfere with the emptying of the bladder, which may cause overflow incontinence.

Causes of persistent urinary incontinence

Urinary incontinence can also be a persistent condition caused by underlying physical problems or changes, including:

Pregnancy and childbirth. Pregnant women may experience stress incontinence because of hormonal changes and the increased weight of an enlarging uterus. In addition, the stress of a vaginal delivery can weaken muscles needed for bladder control. The changes that occur during childbirth can also damage bladder nerves and supportive tissue, leading to a dropped (prolapsed) pelvic floor. With prolapse, your bladder, uterus, rectum or small bowel can get pushed down from the usual position and protrude into your vagina. Such protrusions can be associated with incontinence.

Changes with aging. Aging of the bladder muscle leads to a decrease in the bladder’s capacity to store urine and an increase in overactive bladder symptoms. Risk of overactive bladder increases if you have blood vessel disease, so maintaining good overall health—including stopping smoking, treating high blood pressure and keeping your weight within a healthy range—can help curb symptoms of overactive bladder.After menopause women produce less estrogen, a hormone that helps keep the lining of the bladder and urethra healthy. With less estrogen, these tissues may deteriorate, which can aggravate incontinence.

Hysterectomy. In women, the bladder and uterus lie close to one another and are supported by many of the same muscles and ligaments. Any surgery that involves a woman’s reproductive system—for example, removal of the uterus (hysterectomy)—may damage the supporting pelvic floor muscles, which can lead to incontinence.
Painful bladder syndrome (interstitial cystitis). This chronic condition causes painful and frequent urination, and rarely, urinary incontinence.

Prostatitis. Loss of bladder control isn’t a typical sign of prostatitis, which is inflammation of the prostate gland—a walnut-sized organ located just below the male bladder. Even so, urinary incontinence sometimes occurs with this common condition.

Enlarged prostate. In older men, incontinence often stems from enlargement of the prostate gland, a condition also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Prostate cancer. In men, stress incontinence or urge incontinence can be associated with untreated prostate cancer. However, more often, incontinence is a side effect of treatments—surgery or radiation—for prostate cancer.

Bladder cancer or bladder stones. Incontinence, urinary urgency and burning with urination can be signs and symptoms of bladder cancer or bladder stones. Other signs and symptoms include blood in the urine and pelvic pain.

Neurological disorders. Multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, a brain tumor or a spinal injury can interfere with nerve signals involved in bladder control, causing urinary incontinence.

Obstruction. A tumor anywhere along your urinary tract can block the normal flow of urine and cause incontinence, usually overflow incontinence. Urinary stones—hard, stone-like masses that can form in the bladder—may be to blame for urine leakage. Stones can be present in your kidneys, bladder or ureters.

Risk Factors

These factors increase your risk of developing urinary incontinence:

Sex. Women are more likely than men are to have stress incontinence. Pregnancy, childbirth, menopause and normal female anatomy account for this difference. However, men with prostate gland problems are at increased risk of urge and overflow incontinence.

Age. As you get older, the muscles in your bladder and urethra lose some of their strength. Changes with age reduce how much your bladder can hold and increase the chances of involuntary urine release. However, getting older doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll have incontinence. Incontinence isn’t normal at any age—except during infancy.

Being overweight. Being obese or overweight increases the pressure on your bladder and surrounding muscles, which weakens them and allows urine to leak out when you cough or sneeze.

Smoking. A chronic cough associated with smoking can cause episodes of incontinence or aggravate incontinence that has other causes. Constant coughing puts stress on your urinary sphincter, leading to stress incontinence. Smoking may also increase the risk of overactive bladder by causing bladder contractions.

Other diseases. Kidney disease or diabetes may increase your risk for incontinence.

Complications

Complications of chronic urinary incontinence include:

Skin problems. Urinary incontinence can lead to rashes, skin infections and sores (skin ulcers) from constantly wet skin.
Urinary tract infections. Incontinence increases your risk of repeated urinary tract infections.

Changes in your activities. Urinary incontinence may keep you from participating in normal activities. You may stop exercising, quit attending social gatherings or even stop venturing away from familiar areas where you know the locations of toilets.

Changes in your work life. Urinary incontinence may negatively affect your work life. Your urge to urinate may cause you to have to get up often during meetings. The problem may disrupt your concentration at work or keep you awake at night, causing fatigue.

Changes in your personal life. Perhaps most distressing is the impact incontinence can have on your personal life. Your family may not understand your behavior or may grow frustrated at your many trips to the toilet. You may avoid sexual intimacy because of embarrassment caused by urine leakage. It’s not uncommon to experience anxiety and depression along with incontinence.

Tests and Diagnosis

Common tests and processes for urinary incontinence include:

Bladder diary. Your doctor may ask you to keep a bladder diary for several days. You record how much you drink, when you urinate, the amount of urine you produce, whether you had an urge to urinate and the number of incontinence episodes.
Urinalysis. A sample of your urine is sent to a laboratory, where it’s checked for signs of infection, traces of blood or other abnormalities.

Blood test. Your doctor may have a sample of your blood drawn and sent to a laboratory for analysis. Your blood is checked for various chemicals and substances related to causes of incontinence.

Specialized testing

If further information is needed, you may undergo additional testing, including:

Postvoid residual (PVR) measurement. For this procedure, you’re asked to urinate (void) into a container that measures urine output. Then your doctor checks the amount of leftover (residual) urine in your bladder using a catheter or ultrasound test. A catheter is a thin, soft tube that’s inserted into your urethra and bladder to drain any remaining urine. For an ultrasound, a wand-like device is placed over your abdomen. Using sound waves and a computer, the ultrasound creates an image of your bladder. A large amount of leftover urine in your bladder may mean that you have an obstruction in your urinary tract or a problem with your bladder nerves or muscles.

Pelvic ultrasound. Ultrasound also may be used to view other parts of your urinary tract or genitals to check for abnormalities.

Stress test. For this test, you’re asked to cough vigorously or bear down as your doctor examines you and watches for loss of urine.

Urodynamic testing. These tests measure pressure in your bladder when it’s at rest and when it’s filling. A doctor or nurse inserts a catheter into your urethra and bladder to fill your bladder with water. Meanwhile, a pressure monitor measures and records the pressure within your bladder. This test helps measure your bladder strength and urinary sphincter health, and it’s an important tool for distinguishing the type of incontinence you have.

Cystogram. In this X-ray of your bladder, a catheter is inserted into your urethra and bladder. Through the catheter, your doctor injects a fluid containing a special dye. As you urinate and expel this fluid, images show up on a series of X-rays. These images help reveal problems with your urinary tract.

Cystoscopy. A thin tube with a tiny lens (cystoscope) is inserted into your urethra. During cystoscopy, your doctor can check for—and potentially remove—abnormalities in your urinary tract.

Treatment

Treatment for urinary incontinence depends on the type of incontinence, the severity of your problem and the underlying cause. Your doctor will recommend the approaches best suited to your condition. A combination of treatments may be needed.

In most cases, your doctor will suggest the least invasive treatments first, so you’ll try behavioral techniques and physical therapy first and move on to other options only if these techniques fail.

Behavioral techniques

Behavioral techniques and lifestyle changes work well for certain types of urinary incontinence. They may be the only treatment you need.

Bladder training. Your doctor may recommend bladder training—alone or in combination with other therapies—to control urge and other types of incontinence. Bladder training involves learning to delay urination after you get the urge to go. You may start by trying to hold off for 10 minutes every time you feel an urge to urinate. The goal is to lengthen the time between trips to the toilet until you’re urinating every two to four hours.Bladder training may also involve double voiding—urinating, then waiting a few minutes and trying again. This exercise can help you learn to empty your bladder more completely to avoid overflow incontinence. In addition, bladder training may involve learning to control urges to urinate. When you feel the urge to urinate, you’re instructed to relax—breathe slowly and deeply—or to distract yourself with an activity.

Scheduled toilet trips. This means timed urination—going to the toilet according to the clock rather than waiting for the need to go. Following this technique, you go to the toilet on a routine, planned basis—usually every two to four hours.
Fluid and diet management. In some cases, you can simply modify your daily habits to regain control of your bladder. You may need to cut back on or avoid alcohol, caffeine or acidic foods. Reducing liquid consumption, losing weight or increasing physical activity are other lifestyle changes that can eliminate the problem.

Physical therapy

Pelvic floor muscle exercises. These exercises strengthen your urinary sphincter and pelvic floor muscles—the muscles that help control urination. Your doctor may recommend that you do these exercises frequently. They are especially effective for stress incontinence, but may also help urge incontinence.To do pelvic floor muscle exercises (Kegel exercises), imagine that you’re trying to stop your urine flow. Squeeze the muscles you would use to stop urinating and hold for a count of three and repeat.

With Kegel exercises, it can be difficult to know whether you’re contracting the right muscles and in the right manner. In general, if you sense a pulling-up feeling when you squeeze, you’re using the right muscles. Men may feel their penises pull in slightly toward their bodies. To double-check that you’re contracting the right muscles, try the exercises in front of a mirror. Your abdominal, buttock or leg muscles shouldn’t tighten if you’re isolating the muscles of the pelvic floor.

If you’re still not sure whether you’re contracting the right muscles, ask your doctor for help. Your doctor may suggest you work with a physical therapist or try biofeedback techniques to help you identify and contract the right muscles. Your doctor may also suggest vaginal cones, which are weights that help women strengthen the pelvic floor.
Electrical stimulation. In this procedure, electrodes are temporarily inserted into your rectum or vagina to stimulate and strengthen pelvic floor muscles. Gentle electrical stimulation can be effective for stress incontinence and urge incontinence, but it takes several months and multiple treatments to work.

Medications

Often, medications are used in conjunction with behavioral techniques. Drugs commonly used to treat incontinence include:
Anticholinergics. These prescription medications calm an overactive bladder, so they may be helpful for urge incontinence. Several drugs fall under this category, including oxybutynin (Ditropan), tolterodine (Detrol), darifenacin (Enablex), fesoterodine (Toviaz), solifenacin (Vesicare) and trospium (Sanctura). Possible side effects of these medications include dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision and flushing.

Topical estrogen. Applying low-dose, topical estrogen in the form of a vaginal cream, ring or patch may help tone and rejuvenate tissues in the urethra and vaginal areas. This may reduce some of the symptoms of incontinence.
Imipramine. Imipramine (Tofranil) is a tricyclic antidepressant that may be used to treat mixed—urge and stress—incontinence.

Duloxetine. The antidepressant medication duloxetine (Cymbalta) is sometimes used to treat stress incontinence.

Medical devices

Several medical devices are available to help treat incontinence. They’re designed specifically for women and include:
Urethral insert. This small tampon-like disposable device inserted into the urethra acts as a plug to prevent leakage. It’s usually used to prevent incontinence during a specific activity, but it may be worn throughout the day. Urethral inserts aren’t meant to be worn 24 hours a day. They are available by prescription and may work best for women who have predictable incontinence during certain activities, such as playing tennis. The device is inserted before the activity and removed before urination.

Pessary Your doctor may prescribe a pessary—a stiff ring that you insert into your vagina and wear all day. The device helps hold up your bladder, which lies near the vagina, to prevent urine leakage. You need to regularly remove the device to clean it. You may benefit from a pessary if you have incontinence due to a dropped (prolapsed) bladder or uterus.

Interventional therapies

Bulking material injections. Bulking agents are materials, such as carbon-coated zirconium beads (Durasphere), calcium hydroxylapatite (Coaptite) or polydimethylsiloxane (Macroplastique), that are injected into tissue surrounding the urethra. This helps keep the urethra closed and reduce urine leakage. The procedure—usually done in a doctor’s office—requires minimal anesthesia and takes about five minutes. The downside is that repeat injections are usually needed.

Botulinum toxin type A. Injections of onabotulinumtoxinA (Botox) into the bladder muscle may benefit people who have an overactive bladder. Researchers have found this to be a promising therapy, but the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not yet approved this drug for incontinence. These injections may cause urinary retention that’s severe enough to require self-catheterization. In addition, repeat injections are needed every six to nine months.

Nerve stimulators. Sacral nerve stimulators can help control your bladder function. The device,which resembles a pacemaker, is implanted under the skin in your buttock. A wire from the device is connected to a sacral nerve—an important nerve in bladder control that runs from your lower spinal cord to your bladder. Through the wire, the device emits painless electrical pulses that stimulate the nerve and help control the bladder. Another device, the tibial nerve stimulator, is approved for treating overactive bladder symptoms. Instead of directly stimulating the sacral nerve, this device uses an electrode placed underneath the skin to deliver electrical pulses to the tibial nerve in the ankle. These pulses then travel along the tibial nerve to the sacral nerve, where they help control overactive bladder symptoms.

Surgery

If other treatments aren’t working, several surgical procedures have been developed to fix problems that cause urinary incontinence.

Some of the commonly used procedures include:

Sling procedures. A sling procedure uses strips of your body’s tissue, synthetic material or mesh to create a pelvic sling or hammock around your bladder neck and urethra. The sling helps keep the urethra closed, especially when you cough or sneeze. There are many types of slings, including tension-free, adjustable and conventional.

Bladder neck suspension. This procedure is designed to provide support to your urethra and bladder neck—an area of thickened muscle where the bladder connects to the urethra. It involves an abdominal incision, so it’s done using general or spinal anesthesia.

Artificial urinary sphincter. This small device is particularly helpful for men who have weakened urinary sphincters from treatment of prostate cancer or an enlarged prostate gland. Shaped like a doughnut, the device is implanted around the neck of your bladder. The fluid-filled ring keeps your urinary sphincter shut tight until you’re ready to urinate. To urinate, you press a valve implanted under your skin that causes the ring to deflate and allows urine from your bladder to flow.

Absorbent pads and catheters

If medical treatments can’t completely eliminate your incontinence—or you need help until a treatment starts to take effect—you can try products that help ease the discomfort and inconvenience of leaking urine.

Pads and protective garments. Various absorbent pads are available to help you manage urine loss. Most products are no more bulky than normal underwear, and you can wear them easily under everyday clothing. Men who have problems with dribbles of urine can use a drip collector—a small pocket of absorbent padding that’s worn over the penis and held in place by closefitting underwear. Men and women can wear adult diapers, pads or panty liners, which can be purchased at drugstores, supermarkets and medical supply stores.

Catheter. If you’re incontinent because your bladder doesn’t empty properly, your doctor may recommend that you learn to insert a soft tube (catheter) into your urethra several times a day to drain your bladder (self-intermittent catheterization). This should give you more control of your leakage, especially if you have overflow incontinence. You’ll be instructed on how to clean these catheters for safe reuse.

Lifestyle and Home Remedies

Protecting your skin

Problems with urine leakage may require you to take extra care to prevent skin irritation. Some things you can do to protect your skin include:

Use a washcloth to clean yourself.

Allow your skin to air dry.

Avoid frequent washing and douching because these can overwhelm your body’s natural defenses against bladder infections.
Consider using a barrier cream, such as petroleum jelly or cocoa butter, to protect your skin from urine.

Making the toilet more convenient

If you have urge incontinence or nighttime incontinence:

Move any rugs or furniture you might trip over or collide with on the way to the toilet.

Use a night light to illuminate your path and reduce your risk of falling.

If you have functional incontinence, possible changes may include:

Keeping a bedpan in your bedroom

Installing an elevated toilet seat

Adding a bathroom in a more convenient location

Widening an existing bathroom doorway

Prevention

Urinary incontinence is not always preventable. However, you may be able to decrease your risk of incontinence with these steps:

Maintain a healthy weight. If you’re overweight, reaching a healthy weight may help.

Don’t smoke. Get help with quitting if you do smoke.

Practice Kegel exercises. Doctors often advise pregnant women to do Kegel exercises during pregnancy as a preventive measure.

Avoid bladder irritants. Avoiding or limiting certain foods and drinks may help prevent or limit urinary incontinence. For example, if you know that drinking more than two cups of coffee makes you have to urinate uncontrollably, cutting back to one cup of coffee or forgoing caffeine-containing drinks may be all that you need to do.

Eat more fiber. Including more fiber in your diet or taking fiber supplements can help prevent constipation, a risk factor for urinary incontinence.

Exercise. Physical activity reduces your risk of developing incontinence.

The post Bladder Basics: Urinary Incontinence appeared first on Black Health Matters.

They placed over 25,000 adults in four groups and tested them for five and half years. The group breakdowns consisted of the following: The first group took both an omega-3 and vitamin D placebo. The second took 1,000 milligrams of omega-3 fatty acids and 2,000 international units of vitamin D.; the third group of participants took an omega-3 placebo and 2,000 international units of vitamin D. In comparison, the fourth group took 1,000 milligrams of omega-3 fatty acids and a vitamin D placebo. Furthermore, researchers noted if a participant experienced an autoimmune complication.

Vitamin D & Omega-3 Fatty Acids Fights Off More Than Autoimmune Disease

Vitamin D is one of the most popular supplements in the U.S. It is excellent for bone strength, heart health, etc. However, Vitamin D deficiency is not talked about enough. Unfortunately, studies show that type 2 diabetes, IBS, and MS are more prevalent in individuals lacking Vitamin D. When looking into the different levels of Vitamin D, D3 is more effective at elevating vitamin D levels in the bloodstream than D2. In addition, D3 helps trigger a critical immune system response to bacterial and viral infections, while D2 has the opposite effect.

Although Vitamin D is a popular supplement, let’s take a deeper look into the benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids. Outside of sharing similar benefits, Omega-3 fatty acids can help with the following issues:

• Depression and anxiety
• Improve eye health
• Can promote brain health during pregnancy and early life
• Reduce the symptoms of ADHD in children
• Reduce symptoms of metabolic syndrome
• Fight against inflammation
• Improve mental health disorders
• Can fight age-related mental decline and Alzheimer’s Disease

The research was inspired by an older study that showed that when individuals receive enough Vitamin D from the sun and their diets, they can ward off diseases such as arthritis and inflammation.

The post A Combination Of Vitamin D + Omega-3 Fatty Acids Can Reduce Risk Of Autoimmune Disease appeared first on Black Health Matters.

A 2019 study of 1,255 people, both black and white, found that cerebrospinal fluid from African Americans tended to contain lower levels of the tau protein, a protein linked to Alzheimer’s. However, these low levels did not seem to protect African Americans from developing the disease. This led scientists to conclude that the disease may develop differently in African Americans and because of that, they may be more vulnerable to the disease.

This study did not address other underlying factors that may impact why African Americans are more at risk, including higher instances of heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes. Researchers have also presented evidence that stress and poverty as well as lower levels of education and greater exposure to discrimination are also possible risk factors.

Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills. It is also the most common cause of dementia among older adults. In most people, symptoms first appear in their mid-60s. But in rare cases, Alzheimer’s can start to occur as early as age 30.

The best way to get ahead of this disease is to take charge of your brain health. One way is to watch what you eat. According to the National Institute of Aging, following the Mediterranean Diet can help lower high blood pressure, a risk factor for Alzheimer’s. Increasing your physical activity can also help prevent the disease.

There are additional resources you can use to protect yourself. UsAgainstAlzheimer’s recently launched BrainGuide, a brain health platform. Once you take their confidential memory questionnaire, they offer tailored education and resources to help you find the best next steps in your brain health journey.

The post African Americans at Greater Risk to Develop Alzheimer’s Disease appeared first on Black Health Matters.

But experts agree. Eating right is essential for brain health.

“Of all the organs in our body, the brain is the one most easily damaged by a poor diet,” said Dr. Lisa Mosconi, director of the Women’s Brain Initiative and an associate professor of neuroscience in neurology and radiology at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. “From its very architecture to its ability to perform, every aspect of the brain calls for proper food.”

Mosconi, who has written books about the science of food and the brain, said many people have misconceptions about what “proper food” might be. One of the biggest fallacies she’s been hearing lately is the idea that a very high-fat diet is somehow helpful to the brain.

“This is not what most research shows,” she said.

Dietary supplements are another area where people get misled, said Dr. Kristine Yaffe, professor of psychiatry, neurology and epidemiology at the University of California-San Francisco. Except when someone is deficient in a specific nutrient, vitamin supplements don’t seem to improve brain health, she said.

Similarly, supplements that contain omega-3 fatty acids and fish oil have gotten a lot of attention. But while they might help certain heart patients when prescribed by a physician, research has not confirmed benefits for brain health. “There have been a number of trials, and they haven’t borne out,” said Yaffe, who was a co-author on a 2017 American Heart Association advisory on brain health.

So, what does work?

“We still have a lot to learn about that,” Yaffe said. But certain foods do seem to help when they’re part of an entire dietary pattern. And that diet looks similar to the ones physicians recommend for heart health.

A Mediterranean-style diet—heavy in fruits, vegetables, fish and nuts—lowers stroke risk in women and may lead to better cognitive ability in old age, studies have found. A 2018 study Mosconi led estimated it provided 1.5 to 3.5 years of protection against the development of biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease. Another science-backed eating plan that limits red meat, sodium and added sugars and sweets, called DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension), may reduce stroke risk.

Mosconi highlighted some nutrients – antioxidants, such as vitamin C, vitamin E and beta-carotene, and anti-inflammatory B vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids – that she said are important for the health of neurons.

But neither Yaffe nor Mosconi is a fan of singling out something as the perfect brain food.

“I don’t believe in ‘superfoods,’ or that any one food or food group is key to brain health,” Mosconi said.

And not that there’s anything wrong with blueberries, Yaffe said, but “you wouldn’t want to be thinking, ‘If I only eat blueberries, that’s going to do it.'”

It’s also important to think of foods that are potentially harmful to brain health, Mosconi said. Saturated fat, especially from animal sources, is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, she said. And some research also shows it increases the risk of cognitive problems.

“When we eat a fatty, sugary meal and experience symptoms like sluggishness, brain fog and drowsiness—these symptoms originate not in the stomach but in the brain,” Mosconi said.

And the effects aren’t necessarily temporary.

Research indicates a poor diet may cause the loss of key structural and functional elements in the brain, she said, along with “a higher vulnerability to brain aging and dementia.”

A 2018 report from the Global Council on Brain Health, an independent group convened by the AARP, noted that foods and diets that are good for heart health are also good for brain health.

Yaffe, a member of that brain health council, said the mechanisms of the brain are complex, but it stands to reason that “if you’re eating a dietary pattern that is heart-healthy, it’s probably also healthy (for) the vessels in the brain.”

She acknowledged that some people have a hard time seeing the connections between brain health and their diet—or with other activities such as smoking, sleep and exercise.

Mosconi, also a member of the AARP brain health council, put it this way: “Day after day, the foods we eat are broken down into nutrients, taken up into the bloodstream, and carried up into the brain. Once there, they replenish depleted storage, activate cellular reactions and, finally, become the very fabric of our brains.

“Consider that the next time you reach for a brownie. Its ingredients will actually become part of your brain.”

From American Heart Association News

The post The Best Foods for Brain Health appeared first on Black Health Matters.

We are epidemiologists at Boston University. Our work is focused on the Black Women’s Health Study, a landmark investigation that has followed 59,000 African American women since 1995.

Previous data from our study showed racism experiences are associated with increased risks of premature birth, obesity, type 2 diabetes, uterine fibroids, adult-onset asthma and insomnia.

More recently, we wanted to see how racism might impact cognition in African American women. And we found women reporting the most racism scored lower on tests of cognitive function than those who reported few such experiences.

Here are the details: In 1997, and again in 2009, we asked participants about their experience with interpersonal and institutional racism.

For interpersonal racism, we asked questions like: How often do people act as if they were afraid of you?

For institutional racism, we asked: Have you been unfairly treated by police, or when looking for housing or a job?

Cognitive decline generally occurs at older ages. When the study began, half the participants were 38 or younger. Twenty years later, in 2015, the time was ripe to study cognitive aging.

More than 17,000 African American women, age 55 or older, participated. We asked them six questions to measure subjective cognitive function. Three questions asked if they had difficulties with memory, like remembering a short list of items. The other three asked about cognition difficulties, like following a group conversation.

Sixty percent of the women reported no difficulties with any of the six situations. Twelve percent reported difficulties with three or more. Those women scoring lowest also reported the highest level of everyday and institutional racism. The association between racism and poor cognitive function, our analysis suggests, might be partly attributable to increased depression or insomnia in the women who experienced the most racism.

A caveat: Our study, though large and statistically powerful, has a major limitation. As one might imagine, subjective cognitive function is a subjective measure. Although studies show subjective assessment is associated with objective measures of cognition—and is predictive of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease onset—purely objective measures would still be preferable.

What have other studies found on racism and cognition?

We found (only) three in the scientific literature. In the Minority Aging Research Study, with 407 African American participants, high levels of perceived racism were associated with worse global cognition. In the Health and Retirement Study, with 1,628 African Americans, discrimination scores were higher and cognitive scores lower in African Americans than white participants at baseline. Over six years of follow-up, more discrimination was associated with faster episodic memory decline.

The third study—the National Survey of Midlife Development, which included 796 African Americans—had contrasting results. Little difference existed between the reported discrimination in African Americans and whites. And discrimination was not associated with cognition in the combined sample.

We will continue to study how racism intersects with cognition in our study participants. As we go forward, we will develop better assessments of cognitive function, which is affected by many factors: good jobs, housing, medical care, quality education, fair policing, access to healthy food and safe neighborhoods.

The demonstrations following the murder of George Floyd indicate that better conditions for African Americans may finally start to happen. But even if that occurs, self-care is imperative to help stem the effects of racism and other stressors. To that end, we will orient our analyses to how individual actions—like exercise, spirituality or religious practices—might counteract the destructive effects of racism.

From The Conversation

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Those are all great, healthy things, but there’s another less-often-cited activity that can also help keep you healthy: engaging in your artistic side.

Humans are built to both be creative and to appreciate creativity. That is why we’re all drawn to art in some form or another—from paintings to music to dance. A huge body of research shows that art can promote both physical and mental health, including wellness and healing:

• Art can help keep your brain sharp as you age. Playing music and dancing can help boost cognitive health. Taking in a museum or opera performance every few months has been found to lower risk of dementia.
• Dancing helps keep your body healthy. It improves your posture and flexibility. It can also help reduce risk of falls.
• Having a healthy intake of art has even been found to reduce chances of premature death overall. Being engaged with culture often leads to less sedentary behaviors, depression and cognitive decline.

Fortunately, you don’t have to be a skilled painter or musician to get the health benefits of art. If you want to express yourself creatively, the main thing is finding what engages you.

A good place to start is thinking about what you liked to do as a kid, says Heather Stuckey, an assistant professor at Penn State who has researched the links between art and health. Did you like making things out of Play-Doh? Banging on a xylophone? Or maybe you drew crayon masterpieces that were posted on your parents’ fridge.

Adults can still play with those tools from childhood, or translate them for their grown-up lives. Play-Doh fans can try a pottery class and budding musicians can take some lessons. Coloring books for adults, featuring more complex patterns than the ones you used when you were a kid, are a great way to both unwind and express yourself.

And if you want to color outside the lines, go for it!

“When we talk about art and health, it’s not about following the rules, it’s about creative expression,” Stuckey says.

Art doesn’t have to just be about making or doing something. Appreciating art is also good for your health. Even if painting isn’t a thing you like to do, it might still be relaxing to watch Bob Ross break out the titanium white to make happy little clouds. If you’re feeling stuck, take time to look at, listen to or watch some art. You may find that you quickly feel more calm or rejuvenated.

“Even if I can’t pick up a guitar and play it, I can still connect with it through listening,” Stuckey says. “It can still inspire me.”

Music is a well-established tool for helping people find comfort or strength. Music therapy is used to help people feel better when they’re in pain. It can improve breathing, lower blood pressure and heart rate, and relax muscles. And all of these soothing benefits can decrease your risk of developing hypertension. And if you want to up those health benefits, add a little bit of dancing in with your music.

Art has been shown to have an impact on the brain. Music and therapy dance are used to both treat depression and anxiety. Children who have experienced trauma can find support for grief, depression and PTSD through art. And art therapy can help people with severe mental illnesses find a sense of well-being.

While art therapy can help a lot of people in different ways, benefits don’t have to be confined to a therapists’ office, Stuckey says. Art happens in schools, hospitals, living rooms and more places.

Art can also connect people. Singing alone is great, but it’s even better to sing in a group. And singing to babies can improve the bond between parents and children.

Feeling inspired? Go online and sign up for a class or a group. Find a knitting club or a local open mic night and meet some of your local performers and music-loving neighbors. Art just might change both your health and your life.

From The Nation’s Health

The post Explore Your Artistic Side appeared first on Black Health Matters.

But researchers have discovered something simple can help reduce the impact of COVID-19 on our emotional well-being: Solving puzzles appears to distract us and help us feel more positive amid this ever-evolving pandemic.

Why? Puzzles, which trace their origins back to the 1700s when they were created as an educational tool for children, gained mainstream popularity among adults during the Great Depression. Cheap and easy to assemble, they can fill what seems like endless days and nights. They require patience until the final piece is placed, helping engage our brain and triggering a response that can help with mental health.

“When you think about puzzles from the neuroscience perspective and what is going on in the brain, puzzles pack a big punch,” Nicole Calakos, a professor of neurology and neurobiology at Duke University, said in an interview.

One study at Drexel University in Philadelphia suggested difficult tasks and games prompt the brain to produce a reward signal. This happens when we get close to completing the game or reaching that a-ha moment.

“If it was successful and it was a good outcome, dopamine gets sent out,” Calakos said. “That’s a little bit like a pat on the back ‘good job.’ We all love that.”

Puzzles, including crosswords, Sudoku or some video games, require a level of focus and attention that could lead to mindfulness. They also help us feel a sense of control among something routine.

“Right now, we are all struggling with being out of our routines and all of the other new worries and uncertainties,” Calakos said. “So we have a lot of stress rattling around, and I think, at a very high level, puzzles are engaging us and giving us an escape from this.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, stress is having an unpredictable effect on folks during this pandemic. Some of us have experienced disruptions in our sleep (hello unsettling nightmares!) or eating patterns, worsened chronic health conditions or increased mental health problems.

Age and illness also play a role in how COVID-19 exacerbates stress and anxiety. The CDC found children, teens, older adults, those who suffer chronic diseases and people with substance abuse issues are more likely to feel the impacts of the pandemic on mental health.

Front-line workers, health-care providers, first responders and other people who work in response to COVID-19 also report a higher risk of feeling more stressed.

Since puzzles also tout health benefits that include heading off memory loss, dementia and Alzheimer’s, it only makes sense we engage in an immersive task that pulls us away from the stresses of our new normal.

The post Solving Puzzles Boosts Mental Health appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Even though she knew she was “burning the candle at both ends,” Brown gladly took on another duty—speaking at the women’s day service at Covenant Fellowship Church.

Shortly after greeting the crowd, Brown began to repeat herself. She stepped back from the podium momentarily, then continued.

“The next thing I knew she was on the floor,” said Dorothy Overton, the women’s services minister who had invited Brown to be the guest speaker.

Brown had stumbled over the audio speaker next to the pulpit and collapsed face forward. The church pastor and others jumped up to help. “Immediately, we began to pray,” Overton said. “She was moving her lips. Nothing was coming out. Right away, we knew she was in trouble.”

Brown was rushed by ambulance to Chesapeake Regional Medical Center, then moved to another area hospital, DePaul Medical Center, later that day in September 2017.

Dr. John R. Baker performed an endovascular procedure to repair a ruptured blood vessel in her brain. She had suffered a subarachnoid hemorrhage, a type of stroke that can be life-threatening because of bleeding into the space surrounding the brain. The doctor was able to stop the bleeding around 2 a.m., approximately 14 hours after her collapse.

Brown, then 52, was diagnosed with a second brain aneurysm that day, though it had not ruptured and would be addressed later.

After 11 days in intensive care, Brown recovered in a rehabilitation center for 12 days. Her vision and cognitive abilities were impaired at first. They gradually improved. She returned to work after six months, with some restrictions. “I wanted to work,” she said. “I love advocacy and protecting children.”

When a brain aneurysm ruptures, the chance of death is about 40 percent and the chance of some brain damage is about 66 percent, even with treatment. Fortunately, Brown had no serious lasting physical effects, except for some heaviness and a bit of numbness in her left leg, which she considers more of a nuisance than anything.

Doctors monitored the other aneurysm for a year. Brown worried it might rupture at any moment. The uncertainty was “horrific,” she said. “I lived my life wondering when it would happen.”

By December 2018, another of her doctors, Dr. Joseph L. Koen, felt the time was right to clamp the second aneurysm. While the previous procedure had been minimally invasive (doctors sent a catheter through the groin to ultimately reach the brain), this time the surgery required opening her skull. It was successful, and soon Brown was on the mend.

Looking back, she doesn’t recall any warning signs before her medical emergency, though some people with cerebral aneurysms before a rupture may experience headaches, vision problems or other symptoms.

Brown, for the most part, took care of her overall health. She went to yearly doctors’ appointments, watched her sodium intake and exercised regularly. She particularly enjoyed walking the pedestrian paths of the Jordan Bridge.

But she believes stress and lack of sleep affected her blood pressure, which she now takes medication for. Taking care of her father, who was an amputee with dementia, and her mother, who had heart failure, took a toll. “Everything fell on me,” she said.

Brown’s parents have since died. She recently retired after 18 years in child protective services.

In sharing her story, she urges caregivers to seek life balance and to allow others to help so they can rest and tend to their own needs. “Self-care is critical, it is important, it is life-changing,” she said.

Brown emphasizes the need to be physically active and to “know your numbers,” such as blood pressure, blood glucose and cholesterol levels.

Among Brown’s new adventures is her application to volunteer to comfort substance-exposed newborn babies at a local hospital. She also has attended a class on healthy cooking and eating. She still enjoys walking the Jordan Bridge.

“To say I am blessed is an understatement,” she said. “We have to take care of this body.”

From American Heart Association News

The post The Day the Blood Vessel Burst in Her Brain appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Yes, it feels strange, this interruption to our lives and regular routines, but everyone who can stay home should; it saves lives and helps halt the spread of the virus. 

We’re not, however, blind to a byproduct of all this enforced separation: loneliness. A survey of 5,000 people about coronavirus fears found nearly 70 percent of people are worried about isolation and feeling alone. These fears are valid. Even the most introverted among us needs contact with others.

It’s too soon to gauge how short-term social distancing will affect us, though suicide hotlines report seeing a spike in calls, but here’s what we do know: Long-term social isolation can increase the risk of myriad health problems, including depression, heart disease, sleep problems, dementia and death.

Humans are wired for connection. Our brains produce endorphins when we interact with people we love. In fact, some research found connecting with and family friends—even if only virtually—can improve overall well-being and mental health significantly.

So how do we stay connected while maintaining social distance? 

• Schedule virtual meetups on video platforms such as FaceTime or Zoom.
• Have online cocktail parties, participate in group exercise classes.
• Watch a movie with Netflix Party.
• Call people. Your iPhone is, after all, still a phone.
• Text, including group chats. 
• Go old school and send written notes.

The more you can stay connected during these uncertain times, even if it’s just a quick check-in, the more you can feel that life is still ongoing and the better you can adjust to this new normal.

The post How to Stay Connected While Social Distancing appeared first on Black Health Matters.

When you visit your aging parents, start by considering these questions:

1. Are your parents able to take care of themselves? Pay attention to your parents’ appearance. Failure to keep up with daily routines—such as bathing and brushing teeth—could indicate dementia, depression or physical impairments. Also pay attention to your parents’ home. Are the lights working? Is the heat on? Is the yard overgrown? Any changes in the way your parents do things around the house could provide clues to their health. For example, scorched pots could mean your parents are forgetting about food cooking on the stove. Issues such as failing to pay bills, having problems shopping and neglecting housework also might be signs of depression, dementia or other concerns.

2. Are your parents experiencing memory loss? Everyone forgets things from time to time. Modest memory problems are a fairly common part of aging, and sometimes medication side effects or underlying conditions contribute to memory loss.

There’s a difference, though, between normal changes in memory and the type of memory loss that makes it hard to do everyday things such as driving and shopping. Signs of this type of memory loss might include:

• Asking the same questions over and over again
• Getting lost in familiar places
• Not being able to follow instructions
• Becoming confused about time, people and places

3. Are your parents safe in their home? Take a look around your parents’ home, keeping an eye out for any red flags. Do your parents have difficulty navigating a narrow stairway? Has either parent fallen recently? Are they able to read directions on medication containers? When asked, can your parents explain how they set up or take their medications?

4. Are your parents safe on the road? Driving can be challenging for older adults. If your parents become confused while driving or you’re concerned about their ability to drive safely—especially if they have experienced a moving violation or an accident—it might be time to stop driving.

5. Have your parents lost weight? Losing weight without trying could be a sign that something’s wrong. Weight loss could be related to many factors, including:

• Difficulty cooking. Your parents might be having difficulty finding the energy to cook, grasping the necessary tools, or reading labels or directions on food products.
• Loss of taste or smell. Your parents might not be interested in eating if food doesn’t taste or smell as good as it used to.
• Social issues. Aging parents might have difficulty shopping or have financial concerns that limit buying groceries.
• Underlying conditions. Sometimes weight loss indicates a serious underlying condition, such as malnutrition, dementia, depression or cancer.

6. Are your parents in good spirits? Note your parents’ moods and ask how they’re feeling. A drastically different mood or outlook could be a sign of depression or other health concerns.

7. Are your parents still social? Talk to your parents about their activities. Are they connecting with friends? Have they maintained interest in hobbies and other daily activities? Are they involved in organizations, clubs or faith-based communities? If a parent gives up on being with others, it could be a sign of a problem.

8. Are your parents able to get around? Pay attention to how your parents walk. Are they reluctant or unable to walk usual distances? Have they fallen recently? Would a cane or walker help? Issues such as muscle weakness and joint pain can make it difficult to move around as well. If your parents are unsteady on their feet, they might be at risk of falling—a major cause of disability among older adults.

Taking Action

There are many steps you can take to ensure your aging parents’ health and well-being, even if you don’t live nearby. Try to:

• Share your concerns. Talk to your parents. Your concern might motivate them to see a doctor or make other changes. Consider including other people who care about your parents in the conversation, such as close friends.
• Encourage regular medical checkups. If you’re worried about a parent’s weight loss, depressed mood, memory loss, or other signs and symptoms, encourage your parent to schedule a doctor’s visit. You might offer to schedule the visit or to accompany your parent to a health care provider—or to find someone else to attend the visit. Ask about follow-up visits as well.
• Address safety issues. Point out any potential safety issues to your parents—then make a plan to address the problems. For example, a higher toilet seat or handrails in the bathroom might help prevent falls. If your parents are no longer able to drive safely, suggest other transportation options—such as taking the bus, using a car or van service, or hiring a driver.
• Consider home care services. You could hire someone to clean the house and run errands. But discuss this with your loved one first. A home health care aide could help with daily activities, such as bathing, and Meals on Wheels or other community services might prepare food. If remaining at home is too challenging, you might suggest moving to an assisted living facility.
• Contact the health care provider for guidance. If your aging parents dismiss your concerns, consider contacting the health care provider directly. Your insights can help the health care provider understand what to look for during upcoming visits. Keep in mind that the health care provider might need to verify that he or she has permission to speak with you about your parents’ care, which might include a signed form or waiver from your parents.
• Seek help from local agencies. Your local agency on aging—which you can find using the Eldercare Locator, a public service of the Administration on Aging—can connect you with services in your parents’ area. For example, the county in which your parents live might have social workers who can evaluate your parents’ needs and connect them with services, such as home care workers.

Sometimes parents won’t admit they can’t do something on their own, and others don’t realize they need help.

That’s where you come in. Make sure your parents understand the problem and your proposed solution.

Remind your parents that you care about them and that you want to help promote their health and well-being, both today and in the years to come.

The post 8 Warning Signs of Health Problems in Your Aging Parents appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Mary Catherine Lundquist, program director of Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care’s Care2Caregivers, a peer counseling helpline  for caregivers of people with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, offers this advice:

Q: How should families approach traditional holiday gatherings?

A: Adult children who have one parent with dementia and the other as the caregiver should consider what is in the best interest of each parent when planning events. For example, while children might long to visit their parents with their families on one special day for the sake of tradition, that might be the last thing the caregiver desires. Mom might have been up all night caring for Dad and the house might be disorderly because she is too busy to clean.

Structure and routine are important for a person with dementia. If there is any change—like attending a gathering at another home—he or she could be out of sorts for the next few days, adding stress to the caregiver. Sometimes, it’s best for the loved one to stay at home and receive visits of 30 minutes or less from a small number of guests stretched out over a period of days. Keep the number of guests to a minimum; sometimes even having two extra people in the room can be too much stimulation.

Q: How can caregivers prepare traveling family members for the changes in their loved one?

A: Talk with your out-of-town family beforehand and let them know that their loved one may be different than last year so they are not shocked by changes. Be specific. Say, for example, ‘He’s not talking a lot’ or ‘She may ask the same questions over and over again’ or ‘He may not know who you are.’ Discuss some behaviors they might witness, such as aimlessly walking around the house, needing assistance in using the bathroom, or having difficulties when eating.

Q: How should families celebrate with loved ones in a care facility?

A: Although we may want our family member to be home for these special days, sometimes it can be very upsetting for them to transition from the care facility to home and then back again. Bring the gathering to your loved one. Many facilities have family meeting rooms where you can plan your own celebration.

Q: How should family members initially approach a loved one with dementia?

A: Enter the room slowly and offer your hand respectfully. Wait for the loved one to take it and respect them if they do not. Introduce yourself by name and relationship. Never ask, “Do you know who I am?” If you want to hug them, lean in slowly and read their cues. If they get tense or back up, they are not comfortable. Realize that people who never wanted to be touched may suddenly be interested in holding your hand all the time—and vice versa.

Q: What are the best ways family members can spend quality time with a loved one during a visit?

A: Bring a bag of tricks: snacks, coloring books, crafts, photographs, or memorabilia. There are so many ways we can connect with each other even when a person can no longer talk or remember a shared history. Music—especially singing songs together—is a wonderful way to share an experience. Although people lose the ability to converse, their ability to sing may be preserved in a beautiful way.

Tactile projects, such as coloring or making cookies, are other ways to enjoy time together. Engage loved ones in ways that match their abilities: Perhaps they can hold a bowl or roll dough. It’s even meaningful if they simply sit at the table while others perform the tasks. You also can look at holiday cards together and use the visuals to make small talk.

People with dementia may lose their ability to have a conversation. Guests and caregivers can converse, but should make the loved one feel included even if they don’t respond. Don’t shy away from reminiscing, as that can be a comfort to the caregiver. However, refrain from asking the loved one ‘Do you remember?‘ or expecting them to give you details from the past. It’s also good to remind the loved one of your name and your relationship to them from time to time.

Q: What can you give to someone with memory issues and their caregivers?

A: Try practical and useful gifts, such as identification bracelets, easy-to-remove clothing, or favorite music. Caregivers usually appreciate anything that makes their life easier, such as gift cards for take-out food or a promise to help with a project around the home that they haven’t been able to tackle. You can offer to stay with the person so the caregiver can attend a family gathering or take time for him or herself. Extend the gift of yourself throughout the year. If you’re an adult child of someone with dementia, offer to stay with a parent each weekend for a few hours to provide relief to a caregiving parent or sibling.

From Futurity

The post How People With Dementia Can Enjoy the Holidays appeared first on Black Health Matters.

The University of Michigan-led study suggests blood pressure may help explain why black adults—who are more likely to develop high blood pressure—also are two times more likely to have elevated dementia risk later in life. It also suggests that aggressively treating high blood pressure could reduce the risk of cognitive impairment in a wider population of older adults, particularly in black adults and men.

“We currently don’t have very effective treatments for dementia, so preventing it is critical,” said Dr. Deborah A. Levine, the study’s lead author and an associate professor of internal medicine and neurology at the University of Michigan Medical School.

High blood pressure—particularly in midlife—and cognitive declines such as dementia have been linked at least since the 1960s, when a study found air traffic controllers and pilots with hypertension processed information more slowly. Less has been known, however, about how dementia risk based on blood pressure differs when it comes to race and gender.

In the new study, researchers followed a group of 22,164 middle-aged and older black and white adults over an eight-year period. Trained professionals measured participants blood pressure at home at the beginning of the study. Then, participants took cognitive tests over the phone every 12 to 24 months.

Black adults with high systolic blood pressure (the top number in the measurement) showed faster declines in global cognition, which includes memory, new learning and comprehension, compared to white adults with the condition. Men with high blood pressure, compared to women, also had faster declines in new learning, according to the study.

Since blood pressure tends to rise with age, Levine said a higher systolic blood pressure of about 150 or less has been seen as acceptable in older adults.

But blood pressure guidelines created by the AHA, the American College of Cardiology and endorsed by eight other health organizations suggest the risk of heart attacks, heart failure, strokes and death can be reduced in adults older than 65 if they’re treated for blood pressure the same way younger people are—to a systolic blood pressure of less than 130.

More information is needed, Levine said, on whether aggressively treating blood pressure will indeed prevent dementia and reduce the racial disparities in dementia risk.

In the U.S., more than 40 percent of non-Hispanic African American men and women have high blood pressure. It’s a condition that often develops earlier in life for African Americans, and it’s more severe. Higher rates of obesity and diabetes among African Americans may be to blame.

The brain is one of the main organs to feel the effects of hypertension. High blood pressure alters blood vessels and makes it more likely for arteries to harden and narrow. If not enough blood flows into the brain, damage can occur in areas that are critical for cognitive function, leading to conditions like dementia.

Cognitive impairment and dementia, known as CID, affects around 8.6 million Americans. The number of those affected could triple by 2050 as baby boomers age, with associated costs topping $1.1 trillion.

The new study provides more rationale for aggressive screening and treatment of hypertension, said Dr. Adolfo Correa, a professor of medicine and pediatrics at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. He also is study director and principal investigator for the Jackson Heart Study, the largest research project to date looking at the causes of cardiovascular diseases in African Americans.

“It should stimulate more research,” said Correa, who was not part of the new study. “It’s going to be important to replicate the findings, and to try to understand the possible reasons for the racial and ethnic disparities in cognitive impairment related to high blood pressure.”

From American Heart Association News

The post Blood Pressure May Explain Elevated Dementia Risk in Black Adults appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Many things influence cognitive health.

Your genes, lifestyle, and environment can all impact your thinking skills and ability to perform everyday tasks.

Aging is bound to bring changes.

Any adult can fall victim to these sorts of scams.

If you experience a sudden change in thinking, memory, or mood, it may be caused by a new medication. Some drugs may not cause cognitive changes when taken on their own but can do so when combined with other medications. Even common supplements or over-the-counter remedies can cause these types of interactions.

Sometimes, if you have more than one doctor, one might not know what the others prescribed. “Older adults really benefit from having a list of all their over-the-counter, herbal, and prescribed medications with them whenever they see a health care professional,” says Bernard.

Certain medications can also have dangerous, or even deadly, effects when combined with alcohol. And alcohol alone poses risks for the older brain. It can take less alcohol to alter judgment, coordination, balance, or sleep patterns in an older adult.

Dangerous drinking habits have been rising among older adults in the U.S.

A recent NIH-funded study found that 1 in 10 Americans aged 65 or older binge drinks regularly. That means drinking four or more drinks on the same occasion for women and five or more for men.

Older adults may change their drinking habits to cope with the death of a partner or other loved one, or because they’re lonely. But drinking can also be part of social activities for older adults, explains Dr. Edith Sullivan, an alcohol researcher at Stanford University.

“Older adults might feel that ‘well, I’m old now, it’s OK for me to drink,” Sullivan says. But older brains and bodies are especially vulnerable to the effects of alcohol, she adds.

A recent study by Sullivan and her team used brain imaging to see how alcohol affects the brain. They found that older adults who misused alcohol had greater loss of brain tissue compared with their peers who didn’t drink. This was true even if they started misusing alcohol later in life.

The good news, she explains, is that some problems with thinking or memory caused by medications or alcohol misuse can be reversed. “That’s different from classical dementia, which is a one-way street of decline,” says Sullivan.

Managing your health conditions is also important. Controlling your blood pressure, for example, reduces the risk of having a small stroke (bleeding from blood vessels in the brain). Small strokes can cause temporary or permanent cognitive problems.

Feeling a sense of purpose in one’s life also seems to help protect older adults from cognitive decline. A study from Boyle and her colleagues found that people who felt more purpose in life had fewer symptoms from brain changes linked to Alzheimer’s disease.

“The aging brain can accumulate Alzheimer’s changes, but if you’re stimulating your brain and strengthening it like a muscle, you may be better able to tolerate those changes,” she says.

Bernard stresses that getting older can also bring cognitive advantages you might not know about.

“Older adults have greater verbal ability than younger adults. They’re better problem solvers. And accumulated experiences are very helpful,” she says.

“Think about the positive things that come with aging,” Bernard says. “It’s a great time to become engaged in meaningful activities, maintain connections to friends and family, develop new connections, and be physically active. And in turn, all of these things can enhance one’s quality of life and one’s aging.”

The post A Well-Aged Mind: Maintaining Cognitive Health appeared first on Black Health Matters.

The research, which found that eating walnuts may improve performance on cognitive function tests, including those for memory, concentration and information processing speed, could prove important as the aging population has been targeted with concerns of escalating diagnoses of dementia. According to the World Health Organization, the estimated number of new cases of dementia each year worldwide is approaching 8 million, and the number of people living with the disease worldwide has topped 35 million. Experts predict this number will double by 2030 and more than triple by 2050.

Though this study was not a cause and effect investigation, it is the first large representative analysis of walnut intake and cognitive function. Researchers matched available cognitive data to findings from multiple National Health and Nutrition Examination (NHANES) surveys. The NHANES surveys draw from a large sampling of the U.S. population. Participants included adults older than 20 and the study found those—regardless of age, gender or ethnicity—with higher walnut consumption performed significantly better on a series of six cognitive tests.

“It is exciting to see the strength of the evidence from this analysis across the U.S. population supporting the previous results of animal studies that have shown the neuroprotective benefit from eating walnuts; and it’s a realistic amount—less than a handful per day (13 grams),” said study lead Lenore Arab, Ph.D.

Experts say there are a number of active ingredients in walnuts that may be contributing factors in protecting cognitive function. Walnuts have a high antioxidant content, and they are the only nut with a significant source of alpha-linolenic acid, a plant-based omega-3 fatty acid with heart and brain benefits.

“The study adds to a growing body of research surrounding walnuts’ positive effect on reducing cognitive impairment and overall brain health, which includes the possible beneficial effects of slowing or preventing the progression of Alzheimer’s disease in mouse models,” Arab said. “It isn’t every day that research results in such simple advice: Eating a handful of walnuts daily as a snack, or as part of a meal, can help improve your cognitive health.”

The post Eating a Handful of Walnuts a Day May Improve Your Memory appeared first on Black Health Matters.

One serving of leafy greens a day may help stave off dementia, recent research suggests.

Researchers analyzed the eating habits and cognitive ability of more than 950 older adults who participated in a Memory and Aging Project for an average of five years. Those who consumed one or two servings of greens such as collards, kale, mustard greens or spinach each day experienced slower mental decline than those who ate none at all, the study found. Researchers determined that study participants who regularly consumed one or two servings of leafy greens demonstrated the mental capacity of someone more than a decade younger, compared with those who never ate leafy greens.

This is likely due to the benefits associated with key nutrients from dark leafy greens, especially vitamin K, according to study lead author Martha Clare Morris of Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center at Rush University in Chicago. Though she noted that the study focused solely on food sources of vitamin K, not supplements. The mental health benefit found in food sources might be associated with a constellation of nutrients found alongside vitamin K, rather than vitamin K alone, Morris said.

“It is very difficult to tease apart the specific association of vitamin K from other nutrients,” she said. Leafy greens also contain beneficial lutein, folate and beta-carotene.

Though the exact reason leafy greens may deter dementia isn’t known, adding spinach and collards to your grocery list can’t hurt. Not particularly fond of kale or mustard greens? The same nutrients can also be found in a range of other fruits and vegetables, including arugula, asparagus, cabbage, cauliflower, leeks, okra, pickles and prunes.

The post Leafy Greens Might Protect Aging Brains appeared first on Black Health Matters.

 It was a great day. Memories swirl and make me smile. Mom, very often using a cane or walker, danced for more than an hour without her cane. She was wearing a flowered skirt that swayed and sashayed with the music. Her smile was bright enough to light up a cave, and she had all her loved ones, including her brother, James Alexandria Jr., with her. Uncle Bubba suffers from some dementia, but that didn’t stop him from smiling and clapping as his big sis enjoyed her day.

 The most indelible memory is that of Mom dancing with her godsons to the tune of Frank Sinatra’s “My Way.” As the MC, I was told to announce the godsons and their dance, first Ralph Eubanks, a University of Mississippi professor who met Mom at Ole Miss when he was an undergrad, then Michael Nolan (also known as Mickey No), a neighbor who converted to Catholicism and got her as a Godmom. Ralph is black, Michael white, and none of that matters to Mom. She is, she would say, into “people” and their hearts. And so she loved them both.

Now, my mom is a trip—I come by it honestly. So she also added that after she had her first dance with her godsons, “other gentlemen were welcome to cut in.” And cut in they did, and she leaned in and smiled. And I nodded, thinking if I live to be 90, I wanted gentlemen to cut in, too.

My memory is now clouded by my mother’s current state. Less than a year after we celebrated her 90th, she had a stroke that left her speechless, and with her right side mostly incapacitated. She spent about 50 days in a rehabilitation center. They released her because they say she had “plateaued.” We didn’t agree with their diagnosis, but we are one loud and aggressive family that can’t make headway of the health-care system, despite our knowledge, education and expertise. There is a lawyer in our midst, two policy analysts, one with a Ph.D, one with an MBA. Other close family members bring extreme expertise to the table. Our advocacy has made a difference, we think, because Mom’s health insurance company says they won’t send people back to the rehabilitation home where she was getting treatment until the place is thoroughly investigated.

Mom was a victim both of predatory capitalism and of our nation’s broken health-care system. The place was chronically understaffed (one night a certified nursing assistant, or CNA, told me that there should have been six CNAs to staff the overnight shift, but instead there were only two!), and the workers were underpaid, some earning as little as $15 an hour. Turnover was high. Many of the nurses did their best and were loving and patient with Mom, despite the challenges they faced. A few were short-tempered and brusque. 

But the primary doctor was a special kind of indifferent. Her weekly visits lasted a perfunctory five or 10 minutes. When she went on vacation, it was clear it was possible to provide compassionate care, even within the constraints of this for-profit rehabilitation center. Her replacement was more caring and compassionate and made an effort to engage with Mom, even though she was speechless.

I think of the swirling, flowered skirt and the joy of our party when I watch Mom now. The same woman who took a microphone out of my hand because she didn’t like my freestyle ad-lib, is now fighting to speak her mind, and sometimes she does. A nurse told her she needed to drink more water. So I put a full glass of water on her tray. She pushes it away, scowling. 

I say, “Mom, you know the nurse said you have to drink more water.” I push the cup back at her. 

From somewhere, from her gut, she growls and slurs a complete sentence. “I’ll drink just what I want.” Joy! And then she takes a sip.

Her flowered skirt is swaying, her words are forming, her life is continuing, she is the fighter I was trained to be. Now it is up to us—my sisters and me—to have her back. It’s up to the guys, my brother, my nephews, some amazingly helpful gentlemen, to help. To help her do speech, occupational and physical therapy. To engage her in activities (she likes to fold towels). To keep her spirits up. To be as vocal for her as she once was for us.

But watching her struggle to speak, to eat, to live, cuts me into tiny little pieces. My mother is silenced. Silent. Or not really. She grunts. She cries. She tries. She struggles to express herself.  She repeats phrases, and we can feel her frustration. She says, “What I’m trying to say is,” then there is a garbled set of syllables. What is a daughter to do? What is a sister, thousands of miles away, to do?

Health care.

I have written about health policy, but it has not come to visit me until now. Now, all these crazy health-care metrics make no sense. You should recover from a stroke in three weeks, the HMO says, or you should go to a nursing home or back to your own home. In our case, Mom came back to the house we grew up in two months after her stroke. It required making all kinds of changes in the house. Reconfiguring the bathroom, buying a hospital bed, putting bars on the wall, getting a stair lift. Once upon a time, I talked, wrote and taught health policy. Now, it is sitting in my mama’s face, and we have to manage it, all of it—the insurance, the home health care, the scheduling of therapy and the perception some doctors and therapists convey that a 91-year-old woman can’t get better.

And I’m lying if I say “we.” The five Malveaux siblings are dealing with Mom’s situation, but differently, based on proximity. I live in D.C., and the others are on the West Coast. They, along with a cousin, have been providing much of the day-to-day care. I’m hands on when I’m there, but I’m not there often enough. I feel crippled with guilt and internalize everything. Why should I be out and about when others are missing work to attend to Mom? Why should I take time to write, when I could join the cadre holding Mom up? Does beating myself up make a difference? 

My baby sis, Antoinette, who is “the general” in this—she has the power of attorney and all that—lets me off the hook. 

She says, “It’s a mosaic, and we all do what we can, do our best at what we can.” Her words are balm to me. Still, I want to do more. And my need to be more present weighs on me from the time I get up in the morning until the time I go to sleep. 

Have I really ever been fully present with Mom as an adult? I cringe at some of our battles, especially around politics and her unlikely coterie of weird white friends, bonded by their faith and her capacity for silence. I would not be me if I didn’t challenge them. Now I’m rethinking. Could I have given her the gift of silence? But if the truth is to be told, I’d not have done anything differently. 

I’m not ready to be an orphan. I have things I need to talk to my mom about. I am her rebel child. I need absolution, the knowledge that she got me. We were creeping toward that, with tentative conversations in the months before her stroke. I need to close the loop.  If not in a conversation, at least in my mind. I need the flash of her eyes, the tap of her hand, the reluctant smile, the day when I prompted her to say, “I love you” and she did. And I cried.

If you are blessed to have your parents into their nineties, you’ll deal with the same challenges I’m dealing with. Or, you’ll have been struck with the inevitable blow when you are younger. I feel so blessed and profoundly favored that I’ve had my mom for all of my 65 years. She can’t talk now. I want to speak for her. I have always had her permission to roar, although she’d prefer for me to roar with decorum. I am roaring for affordable and dignified health care. I am roaring as an advocate for the public assistance recipients my mom embraced when she was a social worker. I am roaring for the home health workers who aren’t paid enough. I am roaring for social and economic justice because I was raised by a woman who always roared, almost always fought, always made a difference.

This is my new normal. No way to call and check in with Mom, so I have to imagine her voice and reassurance or gentle scolding. (“Really, Julianne, was that necessary,” she said when I described some victim of my rapier tongue.) No long conversations with my sibs about life because they are fully engaged with Mom. 

Here is my new normal. It is the vision of the flowered skirt, swaying to slow music, a lovely lady dancing and smiling. It is the vision of embracing joy, love and life. It is the image of my indefatigable mother, silent now, but the loudest voice in my head. 

When I was a kid, she brought some of her Welfare clients home, gave them my clothes, reminded me that I was privileged. I learned of the National Welfare Rights Organization because she had my sibs and me help Mrs. Helen Little stuff envelopes and print flyers. I wrote a research paper about private household workers because she worked with the CNAs who now assist her. She is my lode star; she is my rock star. My mother is speechless. I must lift my voice!

—Julianne Malveaux

The post My Mother Is Speechless: I Must Lift My Voice appeared first on Black Health Matters.

1. Drink water. In a campaign, First Lady Michelle Obama and Ashanti used one of the singer’s video (every time someone tweets about it, the video “hydrates” with improved vocals and visuals) to encourage Americans to drink more water for good reason—it’s amazing for you! From keeping your skin clear to helping your kidneys do their work to making it easier to concentrate, water is the fuel your body needs to survive. So aim to drink at least your weight in ounces each day (i.e., a 135-pound woman should drink 135 ounces each day).
2. Go for a walk. Even if you don’t have time for a full-on workout, walking is a low-impact way to get moving. You’ll feel good, and a 150-pound woman can burn about 130 calories by taking a 30-minute stroll.
3. Take deep breaths. Whether you have time for a full-on mediation session or just a few cleansing inhales and exhales, deep breathing is an excellent way to combat stress. When you stop and breathe deeply (so that your abdomen extends with each inhale), you can decrease your blood pressure, slow your heartbeat and force your muscles—you know, the knotted ones in your back—to relax.
4. Go to sleep. Most adults need seven to nine hours of sleep each day. If you’re getting less than that, you could be jacking up your memory; increasing your risk of heart disease, diabetes and some cancers; increasing your chances of being overweight; or even shortening your lifespan! Is watching all your DVRed shows more important than going to sleep when you’re exhausted?
5. Open a window. Believe it or not, but the air in your home could be just as polluted as the stuff outside. Why? Everything from your furniture to air fresheners to paint to cleaning products releases chemicals into the air, which you breathe day and night. Opening a window for at least five minutes a day can significantly decrease the concentration of the pollutants lurking in your home.
6. Eat whole foods. Processed food may taste good, but it’s not exactly the healthiest thing you can eat. Eating fruits, vegetables and grains is associated with maintaining a healthy weight and lowering your heart disease and diabetes risk. Try to fill half of your plate with fruits and veggies at each meal.
7. Read something. No, email, “Scandal” recaps and work stuff don’t count. Escaping into a good book is a great way to escape the stress of daily life. Plus, studies show it can improve your memory, help ward off dementia in old age, improve your analytical thinking skills and focus, and make you a better writer. What’s not to like?
8. Put down your phone (and iPad and Kindle). Yup, it’s hard. But disconnecting from tech in the evenings—after likely using it all day at work—is linked to reduced stress and improved sleep. One study even found being glued to your tech makes users jerks, so putting it down could actually make you a better person.
9. Stretch. Besides just feeling amazing, stretching is good for you, too. It relieves muscle tension, keeps you flexible, helps you recover faster from strenuous workouts and helps you avoid injury, too. Do it in the morning before you get out of bed, or do it while you watch television so that it becomes a daily habit.
10. Give thanks. Whether it means daily prayer or keeping a list of the things you’re grateful for, studies show gratitude is wonderful for your health. It has been associated with a stronger immune system, better sleep, a more positive outlook and better relationships.

The post 10 Things You Should Do More Often appeared first on Black Health Matters.

While there is no obvious explanation for the small jump in these death rates published last week by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American Heart Association President Steven Houser, Ph.D., said the reinforce the urgency of preventing heart disease and stroke—the two leading causes of death in the world.

“We know the risk factors of cardiovascular disease. We have to continue to help people understand them so they can take control of their own health,” said Houser, senior associate dean of research, chairperson of the department of physiology and director of the Cardiovascular Research Center at Temple University in Philadelphia.

The CDC found that death rates from eight of the top 10 causes of death in the u.S. went up in 2015, and the average life expectancy fell to 78.8 years, which is a decrease of one-tenth of a year or slightly more than a month from 2014.

Leading Causes of Death

1. Heart disease
2. Cancer
3. Chronic lower respiratory diseases
4. Accidents
5. Stroke
6. Alzheimer’s disease
7. Diabetes
8. Flu, pneumonia
9. Kidney disease
10. Suicide

“It is unusual,” said Jiaquan Xu, M.D., co-author of the report and an epidemiologist at the National Center for Health Statistics at the CDC. He cautioned against reading too much into the statistics since they only represent one year of activity. “This isn’t a trend,” he said.

Heart disease was responsible for 168.5 deaths per 100,000 Americans in 2015, up from 167 a year earlier. The overall death rate from all causes hadn’t jumped since 1999, but in 2015, it rose 1.2 percent.

Heart disease remained the No. 1 killer of Americans in 2015, with stroke staying at the No. 5 spot. Stroke death rates increased from 36.5 deaths per 100,000 Americans in 2014 to 37.6 in 2015. Heart disease death rates have declined since at least 1969, but have plateaued in recent years.

Houser noted that preliminary research suggests there won’t be another increase in 2016. Yet, he said the medical community needs to do more to help people embrace life changes such as exercising and eating a healthy diet.

“I’m worried about the young people that have obesity and early onset metabolic syndromes,” he said. “What is going to happen to them when they are 40 years old? That’s my biggest concern.”

Especially troubling are current rates of childhood diabetes and obesity that could affect the future death rates due to the well-documented ties to cardiovascular diseases, health experts say.

The AHA has been engaging a number of approaches to combat these trends. Among these are efforts to reduce Americans’ intake of sugary beverages to prevent obesity and the increased risk it causes of heart disease and stroke.

“Prevention is an essential element of our fight to improve the health of all Americans,” AHA CEO Nancy Brown said. “We are committed to saving lives by improving the cardiovascular health of all Americans. We have made tremendous progress over our first nine decades and we will continue to do so.”

Houser said improving Americans’ cardiovascular health is crucial because of the impact it could have on deaths from other diseases that are also on the upswing.

The report also showed that the death rate from Alzheimer’s disease rose 15.7 percent—the highest increase for any disease, from 25.4 in 2014 to 29.4 in 2015. Houser said cardiovascular diseases can lead to vascular dementia, and that further research may show that this is associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

There was some good news from the report. The death rate from cancer dropped from 161.2 to 158.5 deaths per 100,000 people. The rate of death from the flu and pneumonia was essentially flat.

From American Heart Association News

The post Life Expectancy Drops While Heart Disease, Stroke Death Rates Rise appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Most women do not need treatment of menopausal symptoms. Some women find that their symptoms go away by themselves, and some women just don’t find the symptoms very uncomfortable. But if you are bothered by symptoms, there are many ways to deal with them, including lifestyle changes and medication. Read here about how to deal with specific symptoms and what medication options are available.

You may find it hard to decide about treatment options like menopausal hormone therapy (formerly called hormone replacement therapy) because of the possible side effects. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits so you can choose what’s best for you. No one treatment is right for all women.

When you talk about treatment options with your doctor, discuss issues like:

• Your symptoms and how much they bother you
• Your personal risks based on your age, your overall health and your risk for diseases such as heart disease or cancer
• Whether you have used a treatment like menopausal hormone therapy before
• Whether you have already gone through menopause and, if so, how long ago

Below are some symptoms women may have around the time of menopause and tips for dealing with them.

Hot flashes 

• Try to notice what triggers your hot flashes and avoid those things. Possible triggers to consider include spicy foods, alcohol, caffeine, stress or being in a hot place.
• Dress in layers and remove some when you feel a flash starting.
• Use a fan in your home or workplace.
• If you still have menstrual periods, ask your doctor if you might take low-dose oral contraceptives. These may help symptoms and prevent pregnancy.
• MHT is the most effective treatment for hot flashes and night sweats. Ask your doctor if the benefits of MHT outweigh the risks for you.
• If MHT is not an option for you, talk to your doctor about prescription medicines usually used for other conditions. These include antidepressants, epilepsy medicine and blood pressure medicine.
• Try taking slow, deep breaths when a flash starts.
• If you’re overweight, one recent study found that losing weight might help with hot flashes.

Vaginal dryness

• A water-based, over-the-counter vaginal lubricant like K-Y Jelly or Astroglide can help make sex more comfortable.
• An over-the-counter vaginal moisturizer like Replens can help keep needed moisture in your vagina if used every few days.

Sleeping difficulties

• One of the best ways to get a good night’s sleep is to be physically active. You might want to avoid exercise close to bedtime, though, since it might make you more awake.
• Avoid large meals, smoking and working right before bedtime. Avoid caffeine after noon, and avoid alcohol close to bedtime.
• Try drinking something warm before bedtime, such as caffeine-free tea or warm milk.
• Keep your bedroom dark, quiet and cool, and use it only for sleep and sex.
• Avoid napping during the day, and try to go to bed and get up at the same times every day.
• If you wake during the night and can’t get back to sleep, get up and do something relaxing until you’re sleepy.
• Talk to your doctor about your sleep problems.

Mood swings

• Getting enough sleep and staying physically active will help you feel your best.
• Avoid taking on too many duties. Look for positive ways to ease your stress.
• Talk to your doctor. He or she can look for signs of depression, which is a serious illness that needs treatment. You also could consider seeing a therapist to talk about your problems.
• Try a support group for women who are going through the same things.

Memory problems

• Some women complain of memory problems or trouble focusing in midlife. But studies suggest that natural menopause has little effect on these functions. Women should not use MHT to protect against memory loss or brain diseases, including dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
• Getting enough sleep and keeping physically active might help improve symptoms. Mental exercises may help too, so ask your doctor about them.
• If forgetfulness or other mental problems are affecting your daily life, see your doctor.

Urinary Incontinence

• Do Kegel exercises to strengthen your pelvic muscles. See a health-care professional about the right way to do these.
• Lose weight. Extra weight puts more pressure on your bladder and nearby muscles. This can cause bladder control problems.
• Regain bladder control by going to the bathroom at set times, before you get the urge to urinate. Slowly increase the time between set bathroom trips as you gain control.

A number of medications can help with symptoms during the years around menopause.

Low-dose oral contraceptives (birth control pills) are an option if you are in perimenopause (the years leading up to your final period). Low-dose contraceptives may stop or reduce hot flashes, vaginal dryness and moodiness. They can also help with very heavy, frequent or unpredictable periods. Your doctor may advise you not to take the pill, though, if you smoke or have a history of blood clots or certain types of cancer.

Prescription medications that are usually used for other conditions may help with hot flashes and moodiness. These include medications for epilepsy, depression and high blood pressure.

Menopausal hormone therapy can be very good at helping with moderate to severe symptoms of menopause. It has certain possible risks, though. Learn more about MHT and whether it may be right for you.

Prescription medicines for vaginal discomfort may be an option if OTC treatments don’t work. These include estrogen creams, tablets or rings that you put in your vagina. If you have severe vaginal dryness, the most effective treatment may be an MHT pill or patch.

The post How to Tame Menopause Symptoms appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Many middle-aged adults are concerned about developing memory loss later in life. Although there is no guaranteed way to prevent memory loss, researchers are finding out more and more about how the brain works and how to keep it healthy.
Here are five important steps you can take:
Eat right. Choose vegetables, fish, eggs, legumes (lentils, beans), nuts, olive oil and fruits. Limit red meat, alcohol and sugar. Avoid processed and packaged food as much as possible. A healthful diet will also reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, which is linked to Alzheimer’s disease.
Research shows that keeping a food diary is a great way to be aware of what you eat. You can do this with pencil and paper, on your phone with the MyFitnessPal app or on a website such as MyFoodDiary.
Exercise. We can’t stress enough the importance of all types of exercise. If you haven’t exercised for a while, start by walking. Aim for 30 minutes of exercise five days a week. Talk with your doctor before you pursue a formal exercise program.
Some people find apps that track activity level helpful for motivation. A quick search for a pedometer app on your phone will offer a wide array of tools to try. The U.S. Department of Agriculture SuperTracker site includes a free food and physical activity tracker, as well as a weight manager. Your body and your brain will thank you for using these free tools.
Stay socially engaged. People are good for your brain—and those with a social network are less likely to develop dementia, according to a recent finding from the leader of the Michigan Alzheimer’s Disease Center’s Biostatistics and Data Core, Hiroko Dodge, who published a paper demonstrating these ideas.
So, get out and about. Talk with others. Join groups. Maintain your involvement in clubs, organizations or your religious community. If you prefer staying home, make sure you have a pet or at least one or two friends or family members with whom you can socialize and have fun. Positive interaction with others stimulates the brain and helps it stay sharp. Social engagement also protects against anxiety, stress and depression, which can negatively affect brain function.
Get enough sleep. People tend to forget about the importance of sleep. While you sleep, your brain is cleansed and refreshed. Research shows that getting seven to nine hours of sleep a night is not a luxury; it’s crucial for a healthy life.
Challenge your brain. The old saying “use it or lose it” applies to your memory and other cognitive functions. Working, volunteering, reading, doing puzzles, playing instruments and learning new skills are great ways to keep your brain healthy and active.
Recently, a host of computer programs, games and apps that promise to help preserve memory and other cognitive abilities have cropped up.
Paper activities such as Sudoku, crossword puzzles and Scrabble work fine. Here are a few digital tools to explore:

• Two Dots has a clean, simple design and offers satisfying challenges that will draw you in and keep you coming back.
• Bubble Ball is an excellent game for critical thinking and spatial problem-solving. The format is simple and the directions are clear, but the answers are not always easy. The goal is to get the ball to the flag using different props, reminiscent of a Rube Goldberg obstacle course.
• Cut the Rope has a playful appearance, but don’t be fooled; this game is a challenge. Whether you are 8 or 80 years old, it’s an entertaining game with clever obstacles.
• If you prefer the computer over your smartphone, check out GamesfortheBrain.com. There are many games to play, but one favorite is called Masterpieces.

Importantly, the best app or website for your brain is the one that works for you. Find the one that challenges you without increasing your stress, keeps you engaged and gives you enjoyment. With the right apps and websites, technology can be your brain and heart exercise partner.
From Michigan Health

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Minority patients face a double whammy: Not only are they more likely to miss out on effective medical treatments than white patients, but, according to a new study, they’re also more likely to receive an abundance of ineffective services.
The study, published in the June issue of Health Affairs, examined 11 medical services identified as “low value” by the ABIM Foundation’s Choosing Wisely initiative. That program pinpoints unnecessary, overused medical tests and treatments in an effort to reduce waste and avoid needless risk in the health care system.
Researchers analyzed Medicare administrative data from 2006 to 2011 for beneficiaries in the traditional Medicare program who were 65 or older among black, white and Hispanic groups.
Among the low-value services that researchers studied, black and Hispanic beneficiaries were significantly more likely to receive many of them than were whites. For example, 17.4 percent of black patients and 12.8 percent of Hispanics with advanced dementia received feeding tubes during the study period, compared with just 4.6 percent of white patients. Similarly, while 14.9 percent of white patients received cardiac testing before cataract surgery, the figures for blacks and Hispanics were higher, 17.3 and 20.5 percent, respectively.
Black and Hispanic patients were more likely to receive other ineffective services as well, including antipsychotics for those with dementia, imaging for an enlarged prostate and bone-density testing. In a couple of instances, white patients were more likely to receive unnecessary services, including imaging for low-back pain, cervical cancer screening and vitamin D screening.
A significant body of research has shown that U.S. minorities tend to receive fewer medical services that are considered effective, such as flu shots or aspirin following a heart attack, said William Schpero, a Ph.D. student at Yale School of Public Health who was the study’s lead author. That disparity is typically attributed to problems with access to the health-care system, he said.
However, visiting the doctor frequently was no guarantee of better care, the study suggested. Researchers found that greater use of the health-care system was often associated with significantly higher rates of low-value care for many services.
“Our findings show that improving access is a necessary but not sufficient part of the policy solution,” said Schpero. “Improving quality is important as well.”
From Kaiser Health News

The post Minorities Get an Excess of Ineffective Care appeared first on Black Health Matters.

More than 20 million Americans have chronic kidney disease

The Mediterranean diet—higher consumption of fruits, veggies, fish, legumes and heart-healthy fats—is already associated with providing protection against high blood pressure. Now a new study finds adhering to this diet may also significantly reduce the risk of developing chronic kidney disease. This is especially good news for black folks, since more than 1 in 3 kidney failure patients in this country is African American.

Chronic kidney disease is a growing epidemic. There has been progress in protecting against kidney disease and its progression through aggressive treatment of hypertension and diabetes, two major risk factors for kidney disease, but many people still experience declining kidney function as they age.

“Many studies have found a favorable association between the Mediterranean diet and a variety of health outcomes, including those related to cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes and cancer, among others,” says study author Minesh Khatri, M.D., of Columbia University Medical Center. “There is increasing evidence that poor diet is associated with kidney disease, but it is unknown whether the benefits of a Mediterranean diet could extend to kidney health as well.”

For the study, researchers analyzed 900 participants for almost seven years. They discovered:

Every one-point increase in a Mediterranean diet score was associated with a 17 percent decreased likelihood of developing chronic kidney disease.

Dietary patterns that closely resembled the Mediterranean diet were linked with a 50 percent reduced risk of developing chronic kidney disease and a 42 percent reduced risk of experiencing kidney function decline.

Though the study linked a Mediterranean diet to a reduced risk of kidney disease, experts note that it is only one component of an overall healthy lifestyle.

The post Your Kidneys Love the Mediterranean Diet appeared first on Black Health Matters.

“There has been a wealth of evidence from past studies that physical activity has beneficial effects on neurocognitive functions, such as memory and regulatory control,” said Mark Peterson, assistant professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at Michigan Medicine. “Essentially, those studies show that the physical activity alters the brain’s aging trajectories to preserve cognitive health.”

Peterson and colleagues were recently awarded a two-year grant from the University of Michigan’s Exercise & Sport Science Initiative to further examine the role physical activity plays on the brain. The grant is one of four recently awarded by the U-M initiative to study physical activity.

A shortage of comprehensive analyses propelled the new effort. “Those previous studies did not examine the effects in a large cohort,” Peterson said. “We’re hoping this study fills that knowledge gap and can validate and extend the previous claims.”

Peterson and his U-M colleagues in psychiatry, Chandra Sripada, M.D., and computer science, Jenna Wiens, will obtain and study the cohort and data from the United Kingdom Biobank.

“The U.K. Biobank is the world’s largest prospective epidemiological study,” Peterson said. “It gathers extensive questionnaires and physical and cognitive measures from 500,000 participants.”

“We’ll be incorporating deep-learning techniques to predict brain age from raw neuroimaging, and will examine the independent effects of objectively measured physical activity on brain age and cognitive function in the cohort,” he added.

Peterson, also a member of the U-M Global Research, Education and Collaboration in Health and Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, spoke more about the study.

What made you decide to research this topic?
Peterson: There is a wealth of evidence that in middle-age and older individuals, physical activity has beneficial effects on neurocognitive functions (working memory, declarative memory, attention, etc.).
It has been conjectured that physical activity produces these effects by altering typical aging trajectories of critical brain circuits that underlie major cognitive functions. However, at this time, there have been no rigorous, large-scale studies to examine the effects of objectively measured physical activity on aging trajectories of the human brain.

What will be your focus?
Peterson: We expect to better understand the role of physical activity participation and dosage on deviations in brain health and cognitive function. It is now known that distinct brain circuits associated with specific neurocognitive functions exhibit distinct trajectories of change during aging.
Thus, we will generate maps of neurotypical change in order to assess how physical activity influences an individual’s position along the expected aging trajectories. To generate these maps of neurotypical change, we will apply deep-learning methodologies.

How will your work differ from prior research efforts?
Peterson: Previous studies have used machine learning to predict brain age in various disease processes (e.g., Alzheimer’s). However, this work will be the first ever to use deep-learning algorithms to better understand deviations in brain age by physical activity and functional profiles in otherwise healthy middle-aged adults.

• Moreover, we will go substantially beyond previous studies in multiple ways:
• The inclusion of participants from the world’s largest epidemiologic study
• Physical activity will be measured objectively (and not just by self-report)
• Utilization of multimodal imaging (not just imaging of brain volume)
• Examination of circuit-specific aging trajectories
• Employment of advanced deep-learning methods for constructing brain age trajectories
• Analyzing complex relationships between physical activity, brain aging and cognitive functioning to gain evidence about potential causal pathways

What are you hoping to accomplish?
Peterson: Our proposed study is poised to decisively answer two critical unanswered questions: What is the effect of physical activity on circuit-specific brain aging, and does this effect mediate the effect of physical activity on improved cognitive functioning?

We anticipate that this work will lead to subsequent cross-disciplinary collaboration within U-M to secure federal funds for prospectively studying the effects of exercise for physical and cognitive health preservation or improvements in adults with and without deficits.

Who might benefit most from this research?
Peterson: This work is poised to inform public health and clinical audiences regarding the benefits of exercise and physical activity on brain health. Therefore, we expect that our findings will support and bolster the movement for integrating recommendations for exercise in clinical care.
From Michigan Medicine

The post How Does Exercise Affect the Aging Brain? appeared first on Black Health Matters.

• We used frozen wild blueberries for this recipe, which gave the frozen yogurt the lovely purple color you see in the picture, but this recipe will work with just about any frozen fruit.
• To get the perfect scoop, freeze the mixture for 30 to 45 minutes. You can eat it right after you blend it, but the consistency will be somewhat soft and runny. But more is not good in this case; don’t not freeze for longer than 45 minutes, or you’ll find a solid block of frozen blueberries.
• We used plain, low-fat yogurt for this recipe, but feel free to use whatever you prefer. For a stronger yogurt taste, add 1 cup of yogurt instead of 2/3 cup.
• Make sure the blueberries are frozen when you first blend, or the consistency may be off.

The post Meatless Monday: Blueberry Frozen Yogurt appeared first on Black Health Matters.

From Kaiser Health News

The post Think Before Eating; Ward Off Alzheimer’s appeared first on Black Health Matters.

• Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. There are drugs that may improve the quality of life for people who have it, but there is no cure for the disease.
• Vascular dementia is caused by “silent strokes,” also called infarcts, that can often go unnoticed. Damage to the brain, as a result of multiple strokes over time, gradually leads to a loss of brain function.

Moreover, population-based autopsy studies have shown that many patients who die with dementia often have a combination of both Alzheimer’s pathology and brain injury due to vascular disease or silent strokes, often called “mixed dementia.” Experts now believe that the processes that give rise to vascular disease in the brain and Alzheimer’s disease may converge, dramatically increasing the likelihood and severity of dementia more than either condition alone.
Strokes can cause a host of cognitive disabilities, including effects on memory, speech and language, and everyday problem solving. But even without suffering an obvious stroke, individuals at risk for stroke may experience cognitive impairment as their blood vessels deteriorate. Silent strokes and vascular damage to the “wires” that connect brain regions cause diffuse white matter disease. These brain changes increase one’s risk of later developing age-related cognitive decline and dementia.
The heart and brain are the two hardest working organs in your body. They are so closely linked that the conditions that put one at risk of poor health can affect the other. Here are the important ways they are connected:

• The heart supplies blood to all the parts of your body, including the brain.
• When blood enters the brain, a complicated network of blood vessels distributes oxygen and nutrients to billions of brain cells. Brain health is linked, in part, to the health of blood vessels that supply the brain.
• High blood pressure causes these delicate blood vessels to become scarred, narrowed and diseased. This can affect the bloodstream’s ability to provide nerve cells with the oxygen and nutrients they need to function and survive.
• Over time, damage to the brain’s blood vessels may lead to cognitive impairment and vascular dementia. This damage may begin in middle age, years before people start to have memory and other problems related to dementia.
• High blood pressure can also lead to “diffuse white matter disease” and silent strokes, which are linked to later development of cognitive decline and vascular dementia.
• High blood pressure is the most preventable cause of stroke. As many as 30 percent of stroke survivors develop post-stroke dementia. Scientists believe that the same risk factors that lead to stroke can also lead to cognitive impairment and vascular dementia.
• Stroke occurs when blood circulation to the brain fails either because blood flow is blocked or because a blood vessel ruptures and bleeds into surrounding brain tissue. Brain cells can die as a result and the consequences can be mild to severe depending on the size and location of the stroke.
• Transient ischemic attack, sometimes called a mini-stroke, starts just like a stroke but then resolves leaving no noticeable symptoms or deficits. The occurrence of a TIA is a warning that the person is at risk for a more serious and debilitating stroke.
• Silent strokes show up as multiple areas of ischemic tissue damage (which occurs when an artery to the brain is blocked) on MRI scans or in brains examined after death. In contrast to strokes that cause immediate and obvious consequences, silent strokes go unnoticed because they are so small, or because they occur in areas that are not directly responsible for movement, speech, vision or other critical functions.
• Diffuse white matter disease is a change in brain structure that can be seen on MRI scans in the majority of older people, affecting as many as 80 percent of those older than age 80. Research has demonstrated an association between these white matter lesions and blood pressure levels, with higher blood pressure over time being linked to more extensive areas of white matter damage. Some studies also suggest a link between severe white matter lesions and diminished performance on tests of cognitive function.
• Heart disease is a disorder of the blood vessels of the heart that can lead to a heart attack. A heart attack happens when an artery becomes blocked, preventing oxygen and nutrients from getting to the heart.

“People need to think about how they can decrease their chances of developing dementia in later life. With what we now know, controlling hypertension is at the top of the list,” said Walter Koroshetz, M.D., director of the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
The best way you can follow Dr. Koroshetz’s recommendation is to manage your risks. A healthy heart and a healthy brain are crucial to health in old age. There are many simple and effective lifestyle changes you can make that will reduce your chance of all types of stroke, heart disease and likely dementia later in life:

• Eat healthy and keep active. Following a healthy eating plan and keeping physically active on a regular basis will significantly lower your risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and other chronic and debilitating health problems.
• Quit smoking. Smoking harms nearly every organ in the body, including the heart. Any amount of smoking, even light or occasional smoking, damages the heart and blood vessels.
• Lower high cholesterol. Reducing your cholesterol will lower your risk for developing a wide variety of serious health issues, including stroke and heart disease.
• Control high blood pressure. Know your blood pressure! If left unchecked, high blood pressure can damage the cells of your arteries’ inner lining and cause a hardening called arteriosclerosis, blocking blood flow to your heart, brain, and kidneys, as well as to your muscles.
• Manage your diabetes. Having diabetes or pre-diabetes puts you at increased risk for stroke and heart disease. You can lower your risk by keeping your blood glucose, blood pressure and blood cholesterol close to the recommended target numbers provided by your doctor.
• Avoid the use of illicit drugs and heavy consumption of alcohol. Generally, an increase in alcohol consumption leads to an increase in blood pressure. The use of illicit drugs, such as cocaine and methamphetamines, can cause stroke.
• Stick to the plan. This is the hard part, but keeping your heart and brain as healthy as you can will lead to better overall health as you age.
• Take your medications. Your doctor may recommend taking aspirin or other drugs daily to prevent stroke and heart attack, especially if you have hypertension.
• Start early! Preventing stroke and heart disease is more effective if started in midlife. Studies also find that controlling blood pressure may also reduce risk of dementia.

The post Mind Your High Blood Pressure Risks appeared first on Black Health Matters.

People who are severely obese in their 30s have an increased risk of dementia later in life, according to a recent study.

Researchers believe nearly 66 million people around the globe will have dementia by 2030, with the numbers expected to balloon to more than 115 million by 2050. A growing body of evidence suggests obesity may be linked to dementia.

For this study, published online in Postgraduate Medical Journal, researchers analyzed data from hospital records in England from 1999 to 2011. During the 12-year study period, 451,232 of those admitted to hospital were diagnosed with obesity.

For study participants aged 30 to 39, the risk of developing dementia was 3.5 times higher in obese patients than it was in those of the same age who were not obese. For those in their 40s, the equivalent heightened risk fell to 70 percent more; those in their 50s were 50 percent more likely to experience dementia. That risk was 40 percent for participants in their 60s and plummeted to just 22 percent for people in their 80s.

The study was observational, so no definitive conclusions can be drawn about cause and effect, but the findings confirm smaller studies showing an increased risk of dementia in young people who are obese.

Researchers suggest a possible explanation for the particularly high risk found in early to mid-life may lie in the fact that heavier weight is associated with diabetes and heart disease risk factors, both of which are linked to a heightened risk of dementia.

“While obesity at a younger age is associated with an increased risk of future dementia,” the researchers said, “obesity in people who have lived to about 60 to 80 years of age seems to be associated with a reduced risk.”

Though this study is from England, obesity is at epidemic proportions worldwide. African Americans have the highest obesity rates in this country, with African-American women tilting the scales at the heaviest rates.

The post Obesity Linked to Risk of Dementia appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Some of the complications, such as heart disease and diabetes, are ones everybody has to deal with as they get older. Some are connected to a weakened immune system, even a person’s virus is under control. Some health problems are the result of bad lifestyle choices, like smoking and drinking alcohol. And still others are caused by the side effects of medication use.

“Newer HIV medications have very little toxicity compared to older ones, but those lucky enough to survive for decades may be subject to chronic medication side effects,” J. Wesley Thompson, a physician’s assistant at Rosedale Infectious Diseases in Rosedale, North Carolina, told Everyday Health.

Below, we describe the nine most common health issues for people living with HIV and provide tips to help minimize them:

Cancer. People with HIV are at a higher risk of developing certain cancers, including liver, lung, anus, cervix and blood (non-Hodgkin and Hodgkin lymphoma), according to the National Cancer Institute. That’s why routine cancer screenings are imperative. Men with HIV, especially those who have sex with men, should be screened regularly for anal cancer. Women with HIV should have regular cervical cancer screenings. People who smoke should stop; it’s the best way to avoid lung cancer.

Diabetes. Some HIV medications boost the risk of a diabetes diagnosis. Before starting a patient on any of those meds, a doctor should test his blood sugar levels. The risk of diabetes increases with age, so it’s a good idea to lower that risk by exercising, maintaining a healthy weight and eating a healthy diet that includes fruits, lean protein and dairy, vegetables and whole grains.

Dementia. HIV can increase the risk of dementia. For this reason, medication holidays aren’t recommended. The best prevention? Take all medicine as directed.

Fatigue. Exhaustion is common with HIV, with fatigue a result of the virus itself or a side effect of treatment. To boost energy, follow a healthy lifestyle. Eat healthy meals, exercise and get adequate sleep.

Fungal infections. A weakened immune system increases the likelihood of opportunistic fungal infections, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. To prevent infections: Don’t dig in the garden without long pants, long sleeves and gloves. Avoid exposure to bird or bat droppings. And if a fungal infection develops, talk to the doctor about starting anti-fungal medication right away.

Heart disease. Men with HIV are at greater risk of atherosclerosis, the buildup of soft plaque in the arteries that feed the heart. In addition, some HIV medications also increase cholesterol levels. To prevent this exercise, eat a healthy diet, have cholesterol levels checked regularly and quit smoking.

Kidney disease. About one-third of all HIV patients have abnormal kidney function. Get regular lab tests of blood and urine to check for any kidney damage. Talk to health-care professionals about avoiding medications that may damage kidneys.

Shingles. Shingles, the virus that causes chickenpox, is more likely to affect people with HIV. Experts suggest getting the shingles vaccine.

Tuberculosis. Tuberculosis, or TB, a serious bacterial infection that affects the lungs, TB is the leading cause of death among people living with HIV worldwide, according to AIDS.gov. The CDC recommends people with HIV tested for TB.

With regular checkups, sticking to treatment plans, and following a healthy lifestyle, people with HIV can avoid many of the complications of the virus.

The post Manage HIV Complications appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Why? Because exercise is good medicine.

“Even if it’s just getting up and being active,” she said, “studies have shown that decreases stroke and heart attack risk by 30 percent.”

In addition to heart health, we now know that getting a move on benefits us in a whole host of ways, including:

• Managing overweight and obesity: “Not only is this addressed by nutrition and caloric intake, but people who exercise are better able to keep their weight under control,” Dr. Clarke said.
• Protecting an aging brain: Recent research shows that when muscles contract, they release a chemical that decreases chronic inflammation in our bodies. “Inflammation is associated with every major disease we have, including cognitive decline. But there are cognitive improvements with people who exercise,” she said. “[With a prescription for exercise], you’re more alert, you think more clearly. With chronic diseases associated with cognitive decline, like dementia and Parkinson’s, there’s a decrease in the risk of developing those among people who exercise. Even if you have those diseases, there are benefits to staying active.”
• Handling chronic disease: “If you do already have a chronic disease like diabetes or high blood pressure, adding exercise to your lifestyle helps you better manage that condition,” she said. “You may be able to decrease the medications you’re on or even come off that medication.”

Dr. Clarke suggests people start with walking. “It’s the easiest exercise to do, and the cardio rewards are there. You don’t need any particular equipment, just a good pair of shoes and socks, and you can be on your way,” she said. If you already have a favorite hobby—golf, tennis or biking, for instance—you can start with those, because you’re more likely to participate in an activity if you enjoy it.

“Sitting is the new smoking,” Dr. Clarke said. “People who exercise have less risk of heart attack, stroke and other chronic diseases.”

The National Medical Association launched its Prescription for Exercise initiative earlier this year to educate its physician members about the importance of prescribing exercise—alongside pharmaceutical and nutritional protocols—in treatment plans for their patients.

The post Melissa Clarke, M.D.: Sitting Is the New Smoking appeared first on Black Health Matters.

The post Exercise Can Improve Brain Function After Stroke appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Now a new study suggests coffee drinking can lower the risk of cirrhosis, the liver condition that can arise from drinking excessive amounts of booze. Researchers from Southampton University in the United Kingdom analyzed data from nine other studies involving 430,000 people and found (in eight of those studies) that ”increasing coffee consumption by two cups a day was associated with a significant reduction in the risk of cirrhosis.” The new study found drinking two cups of coffee each day lowered the risk of developing liver cirrhosis by 44 percent, with the risk reduction increasing to 65 percent with four cups per day.

“Cirrhosis is potentially fatal and there is no cure as such,” said lead study author Oliver Kennedy, M.D., of Southampton University. “Therefore, it is significant that the risk of developing cirrhosis may be reduced by consumption of coffee, a cheap, ubiquitous and well-tolerated beverage.”

Of course, this doesn’t mean you can now go hog wild with the gin and juice, thinking you can compensate by mainlining coffee the next day. Though this new research shows coffee contains compounds that have antioxidant effects and anti-inflammatory properties, drinking a few cups of coffee a day can’t undo damage resulting from years of being overweight or obese, living a sedentary lifestyle, drinking excessive amounts of booze or eating unhealthy foods.

An earlier study found coffee drinking can help maintain a healthy liver.

The post Can Coffee Reverse Damage Caused by Booze? appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Men, keep doctor’s visits to a minimum—something we know you’ll champion—by looking in your kitchen. As men age, their chances of being diagnosed with health problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and prostate cancer increase. None of those conditions are a foregone conclusion, though black men are at an increased risk for developing many of them. The encouraging news, however, is that lifestyle habits—particularly what you eat—can make a huge difference in staying healthy.

To increase your risk of staying health through diet, focus on foods—like the seven best foods for  men as they age listed below—that have been shown to boost health and reduce the likelihood of a bad meeting with your doctor:

1. Avocados, loaded with heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, may help keep cholesterol levels low—something men need as they age. Plus, they’ve been linked to weight loss and lower levels of inflammation. A medium California avocado has about 230 calories, about 10 grams of fiber and about 20 grams of fat. How to get more in your diet: Besides the obvious guacamole, avocado is easily added to salads, burgers, omelets, sandwiches and tacos.
2. Beans help keep heart disease and diabetes at bay. A scientific review of 26 clinical trials published in the Canadian Medical Journal found eating 3/4 of a cup of beans daily could lower LDL (bad) cholesterol levels by 5 percent, which reduces your risk of heart disease and stroke. Another study, from the Archives of Internal Medicine, found that people with type 2 diabetes who ate 1 cup of beans daily over a three-month period experienced lower blood sugar levels and blood pressure. One cup of kidney beans, cooked, has approximately 225 calories, 15 grams of protein, 13 grams of fiber and a gram of fat. How to get more in your diet: Beans work well in salads or as filling for tacos and burritos.
3. Berries may be little, but they have big health benefits. Blueberries and strawberries reduce the risk of heart disease in women, some studies have found that blueberries, black raspberries and strawberries all contain cancer-fighting properties, and some berries may lessen the risk of dementia. How to get more in your diet: Snack on berries or toss them in salads, yogurt or cereal.
4. Eggs are wonderful sources of protein, which is good because as men age, their muscle mass decreases, and protein helps boost dwindling muscles. The breakfast staple also has lutein, which may lower the risk of the macular degeneration, an eye condition that causes blindness. How to get more in your diet: Scramble them, fry them, boil them, poach them—and eat them for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
5. Kefir, fermented milk with probiotics, promotes healthy bacteria in our intestines, may help patients with diabetes keep blood sugar levels even and may help ward off gastrointestinal problems that occur later in life. How to get more in your diet: Kefir is sort of like yogurt you drink. Have a glass of it plain, use it in smoothies or add it to cereal.
6. Mushrooms give dishes—even no-meat ones—a meatier taste with not a lot of calories (only 20 per cup). They’re also an excellent source of potassium, which helps counteract sodium and lowers blood pressure. They boost your immune system, too, so you might want to stock up on them to prevent colds and flu this fall. How to get more in your diet: Throw them on a salad, chop them up for vegetarian lasagna, grill them or make a veggie mushroom burger.
7. Tart cherries work as an anti-inflammatory, which reduces inflammation from strenuous workouts. A study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports that looked at tart cherries and athletes found those who drank the juice exhibited enhanced muscle function recovery and less pain after exercise. The red fruit may also help minimize the pain of osteoarthritis and gout and has been linked to better sleep. How to get more in your diet: Snack on cherries, especially from April to August, when they’re in season. During the rest of the year, drink tart cherry juice.

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Within a month or two of being infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, 40 percent to 90 percent of people feel like they’re coming down with the flu. This is known as acute retroviral syndrome (ARS). But the early stages of HIV infection often don’t have any symptoms.

And since one in five people with HIV doesn’t know he or she has it, the only way to know for sure if you’re infected is to get tested.

Still, here are 10 signs you could be HIV-positive.

An early sign of ARS is a mild fever accompanied by other flu-like symptoms: sore throat, swollen lymph glands, fatigue.
Itchy rashes on your arms or the trunk of your body that can’t be explained by an allergic reaction to your new detergent could be another early sign of HIV.

A dry cough—one that gets worse despite treatment with allergy medicine, antibiotics or inhalers—is typical in HIV patients.
Roughly 30 percent to 60 percent of people newly infected with HIV experience short-term nausea, vomiting or diarrhea (especially diarrhea that doesn’t respond to usual therapy).

Night sweats—similar to hot flashes that come with menopause—happen to about 50 percent of people with the early stages of HIV infection. They can happen even if the room is relatively cool and typically soak your pajamas and the sheets.

Herpes—both oral and genital—can be a sign of ARS. If you already have herpes, HIV infection can make outbreaks more severe because of your weakened immune system.

HIV infection has been associated with early menopause—at age 47 compared to age 51 for uninfected women. Late-stage infection can also lead to menstrual irregularities.

Have you noticed changes—splitting, curving, thickening, discoloration—in your nails? This is another sign of HIV infection, often caused by a fungal infection, and typically occurs late in the infection.

Confusion, memory problems or difficulty concentrating could be a sign of HIV-related dementia. Motor skills, such as lack of coordination or writing, could also begin to suffer.

Weight loss, no matter how much you eat, is a sign of more advanced illness and is most likely due, in part, to severe diarrhea. Once very common in late-stage HIV-positive people, doctors are seeing less of infection-related weight loss thanks to antiretroviral therapy.

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Americans are pet people. We own 69.9 million dogs and 74.1 million cats, and the American Pet Products Association reports that 42 percent of dogs share a bed with their owners. Yet, our furry friends are in the midst of a health crisis. In the past seven years, the percentage of pets in this country that are obese or overweight has increased 37 percent for dogs and 90 percent for cats. As in people, this epidemic increases the risk of other serious conditions, including arthritis, diabetes, kidney disease and thyroid problems. Flea infestation, heartworms and dental disease are also on the rise. The American Veterinary Medical Association says there’s one reason for so many sick pets: Owners don’t take them for regular vet visits. An annual checkup can catch a lot of problems before they become emergencies, pet advocates say, and would lessen the need for making a trip to the doggy ER.

Pregnant women who eat peanuts or tree nuts are less likely to have a child with a nut allergy, says a recent study published inJAMA Pediatrics. This is promising news as the prevalence of peanut and tree allergies in children more than tripled from 1997 to 2010. Roughly one in 13 children has a food allergy, and about 40 percent of those have had a severe reaction. Yet this new study adds to the confusion surrounding nuts while pregnant. In 2000, the American Academy of Pediatrics advised pregnant women to avoid peanuts and tree nuts, and then reversed this advice in 2008. And some studies have found that avoiding nuts while pregnant could increase a child’s risk of a nut allergy. Here’s the takeaway: Nuts are good sources of protein and folic acid. The new study’s lead author suggests that women who aren’t allergic should feel free to include them in their diets while pregnant to reap these health benefits.

Racism makes black men age faster. A new study, published in theAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine, found that black men who experienced and internalized racism had shorter telomere length (found in our DNA), which is associated with an increased risk of diabetes, dementia, heart disease, stroke and premature death. “[With our study] we contribute to a growing body of research showing that social toxins disproportionately impacting African-American men are harmful to health,” explains David H. Chae, assistant professor of epidemiology at the University of Maryland School of Public Health and the study’s lead investigator. “Our findings suggest that racism literally makes people old.” But the study, the first to link racism-related factors and aging, found that those who hold pro-black attitudes have normal-length telomeres and may be buffered against the negative effect of racial discrimination.

Finally, some good news out of Chicago: The murder rate decreased by 18 percent in 2013. Homicides were down from 50 per every 100,000 residents to 43. While this is a step in the right direction, the Windy City still sits atop the list among U.S. cities, with a total of 415 homicides last year.

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A new study, published in Diabetes Care, found that dementia risks among older adults with type 2 diabetes were much higher in African Americans and Native Americans. The study, the first to explore the connection between type 2 diabetes, ethnicity and long-term dementia risk, looked at a group of more than 22,000 patients aged 60 or older. Though no one had dementia at the start of the research, the disease, which causes cognitive decline, was diagnosed in 17 percent of the patients during the 10-year study. Almost 20 percent of the African-American and Native-American study subjects were diagnosed with dementia during the study.
“We found that in a population of elderly individuals with type 2 diabetes, there were marked differences in rates of dementia over a 10-year period by racial and ethnic groups,” says senior author Rachel Whitmer, Ph.D., research scientist at the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research. “The differences were not explained by diabetes-related complications, glycemic control or duration of diabetes.”
Type 2 diabetes sufferers aged 60 and older have twice the risk of developing dementia. Certain racial and ethnic groups in the U.S., including African Americans, Latinos, some Asian American groups and Native Americans, are disproportionately affected by type 2 diabetes.
“Since ethnic minorities are the fastest-growing segment of the elderly population, it is critical to determine if they are at higher risk of dementia, especially among those with type 2 diabetes,” says Elizabeth Rose Mayeda, Ph.D., lead author and postdoctoral fellow at University of California, San Francisco. “It’s eye-opening to see the magnitude of ethnic and racial differences in dementia risk in a study where everyone already has type 2 diabetes.”
More study is needed to identify factors that will reduce dementia risk among ethnic groups with type 2 diabetes, the researchers say.

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Celebrity couple Beyoncé and Jay-Z have adopted a plant-based diet—for a while, anyway. “Psychologists have said it takes 21 days to make or break a habit. On the 22nd day, you’ve found the way,” Jay Z wrote on his Life + Times blog. “On December 3, one day before my 44th birthday, I will embark on a 22 Days challenge to go completely vegan, or as I prefer to call it, plant-based!” The rapper says he’s not sure what will happen after day 22 (their challenge will end Christmas Day), but he promised updates and tips. While the Carters’ temporary meat-free excursion may not be 100 percent health news, it has sparked debate about the pros and cons of a plant-based lifestyle.
President Barack Obama marked World AIDS Day by announcing a new $100 million research initiative at the National Institutes of Health in pursuit of a cure for HIV. The president said the United States should be at the forefront of discoveries to eliminate HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, or put it into remission without requiring lifelong therapy.
Scientists are recruiting people ages 50 to 90 to take part in the final stage of an Alzheimer’s drug trial. The trial, expected to end by December 2016, will look at whether monthly injections of the drug solanezumab will slow the decline of people suffering from mild Alzheimer’s. If all goes well, a “cure” for Alzheimer’s could be seen in five years.
And yet another reason to leave energy drinks on the shelf: A new study shows healthy adults who consume the beverage have altered heart function an hour later. Further study is ongoing to determine the effects on the heart of long-term consumption of energy drinks. An earlier report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration found that from 2007 to 2011, energy drink-related emergency department visits doubled.
U.S. pregnancy rates continue to decline, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The rate reached a 12-year low in 2009, when there were about 102 pregnancies for every 1,000 women aged 15 to 44,a 12 percent drop since 1990, when the rate was 116 pregnancies per 1,000 women. The downward trend is being driven by improved access to birth control and women putting off childbearing until later in life, say experts.

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There have been numerous reports over the past few years about the four former NFL stars—Tony Dorsett, Joe DeLamielleure, Leonard Marshall and Mark Duper—diagnosed with early signs of a brain condition called chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE.
These reports have shifted into discussions on how to prevent other players from developing CTE, including possible changes to game rules, special testing and delaying youth involvement.
And now discussion has ramped up again in the wake of the ESPN five-part documentary “O.J.: Made in America,” about O.J. Simpson’s meteoric rise and tragic fall. Bennet Omalu, the world-renowned forensic pathologist who first identified the disease in football players, told People magazine earlier this year that he would “bet” his medical license the former NFL player suffers from CTE, but the theory remains just that: a theory.
But, what exactly is CTE?
CTE is a condition where repeated blows to the head or neck—in contact sports such as boxing, football and hockey—eventually lead to long-term brain damage. The head trauma can be as simple as hitting the ground during a tackle or a full-speed helmet-to-helmet collision.
In CTE, the brain breaks down and develops a build-up of an abnormal protein called tau, which contributes to the symptoms.

What CTE Looks Like

The symptoms include cognitive deficits such as memory loss, impaired judgment and confusion; behavioral changes such as impulse control or aggression; and psychiatric symptoms such as depression, paranoia and suicide. Eventually, the degeneration of the brain in CTE causes dementia.
Dorsett appeared on ESPN three years ago and confirmed that he has memory deficits, emotional outbursts, depression and thoughts of suicide.
Typically, CTE can only be diagnosed postmortem during an autopsy, however, Dorsett and other athletes are showing early symptoms of the condition.

Just a Concussion, or Brain Damage?

We now know that a concussion—including “seeing stars” or “getting your bell rung”—is, in fact, minor brain injury.
Concussions have been a part of the game, but there’s an increased awareness lately. Simply put, any blow to the head or any impact that shakes the brain around with a resulting symptom—headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, memory loss or feeling foggy—is a concussion.
Making this definition more accurate has become important in identifying who is actually at risk for long-term damage. But, while CTE is known to come from repeated concussions, it can also occur in players who take blows with seemingly no symptoms.
In 2010, Boston University researchers found CTE in the brain of a dead college football player who had hung himself, and had never reported having a concussion.
Advocates say that this makes a case that even small blows without a full concussion could still have long-term damaging effects.
Putting Two and Two Together
This issue is not new. Back in 2005, researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill sent surveys to more than 3,000 members of the NFL Retired Player’s Association and found a connection between repeated football concussions and dementia later in life. In fact, they found a 37 percent higher risk of Alzheimer’s dementia among those who responded. Some needed help from family members to complete the survey.
That same year, University of Pittsburgh researchers published findings of an autopsy on a former NFL player 12 years out of retirement. He reportedly had a mood disorder, problems with cognition and symptoms similar to someone with Parkinson’s disease.
Two years later, in response to these new findings, The Sports Legacy Institute was created in Boston with the goal of promoting awareness of brain injury in sports and studying the brains of deceased athletes. That same year, they received their first donation to the brain bank from the family of Chris Benoit—a champion professional wrestler who ended his life in a shocking double-murder suicide.
Some speculated that steroids were responsible, but SLI, along with Boston University researchers, performed forensic testing that showed signs of CTE.
CTE and Suicide
Since then, several other professional athletes who have committed suicide were found to have damage consistent with CTE.
In the same year, NFL defensive back Andre Waters committed suicide at age 44, and the pathologist who performed his autopsy told the New York Times that Waters’ brain had degenerated into a brain of an 85-year-old man and that his brain had characteristics of Alzheimer’s patients.
Boston University researchers also found CTE in the brain of former Pro Bowl Safety Dave Duerson who, at 50, committed suicide with a gunshot to the chest. He left a note asking that his brain be donated to the Brain Bank.
Star NFL linebacker Junior Seau was 43 took his own life in May 2012. A National Institutes of Health study found his brain also had signs of CTE.
The month before, former Atlanta Falcons safety Ray Easterling committed suicide at 62 and his autopsy showed signs of CTE.
More Research and Testing
The SLI, in particular, continues to receive brain donations, perform testing and advocate about CTE. In January 2013, they published findings in the journal Brain showing that 68 of the brains from 85 subjects with a history of mild repetitive brain trauma had evidence of CTE.
Since CTE can only be definitively diagnosed postmortem, there is a need for earlier testing and research among living athletes—both active and retired.

The post What Is ‘CTE’ All About? appeared first on Black Health Matters.

What happened in the world of health this week?
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Thursday announced plans to remove artificial trans fats from the United States food supply. trans fats, which provide texture to food and prolong shelf life, come with health risks, including raising bad cholesterol and increasing the risk of heart disease. Many companies began lowering trans fats a decade ago, and San Francisco and New York banned their use in restaurants, but the FDA says 12 percent of all packaged foods still contain the ingredient.
Last week, New York City successfully voted to raise the tobacco age limit to 21. Now Washington, D.C., is looking to institute a similar law. “Raising the minimum age to purchase tobacco products from 18 to 21 will decrease access to cigarettes, and, more importantly, may decrease the rate of smoking in young adults,” said D.C. Councilman Kenyan McDuffie in a released statement. “By restricting tobacco sales to young people, we can prevent many of our youth from acquiring a terrible, deadly addiction.” The measure is getting looks from other legislatures, too, including the state of New Jersey.
Black Men Run is launched by Jason L. Russell to encourage black men, who have disproportionately high rates of heart disease and obesity, to be active and stay fit. So far, chapters have sprung up in Atlanta; Charleston, South Carolina; Charlotte, North Carolina; Cincinnati; Greenville, South Carolina; Houston; Jacksonville, Florida; Louisville, Kentuck; Macon, Georgia; Memphis, Tennessee; Miami; Nashville, Tennessee; New York City, St. Louis, Washington, D.C.; and Winston Salem, North Carolina.
Too few folks are being screened for colon cancer. A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study found that a third of adults age 50 and older don’t have the screening. Testing saves lives. When colon cancer is found early, 90 percent of those diagnosed with the disease survive five years or longer.
Being bilingual can delay dementia. A study found bilingual people, no matter their education level, develop dementia years later than other people who speak only one language.
Young women with diabetes are four times more likely to develop heart disease than women who are not diabetic.
Americans are making healthier food choices, according to a study from market research firm NPD Group. The healthier choices include more fruits and yogurt and less soda and fruit juice. Big upside: These eating changes may account for signs the obesityepidemic in this country has been leveling off in recent years.

The post Health Replay: Trans Fat Ban … and More appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Here’s my advice based on my experience as a daughter, caregiver and health journalist, but I am not a medical expert:
Cherish your time together. Spend as much time with your loved one as possible. Try to call daily if you’re out of town. Besides strengthening your bond and lifting both of your spirits, you’ll be better able to monitor any changes. Focus on joy.
Have the talk(s). It’s best to know your family’s preferences on everything from caregiving to emergency or end-of-life care long before you need to act on them. Designate a point person to serve as the health-care advocate, and complete the necessary paperwork to ensure that medical personnel will share information with you.
Do your homework. Learn as much as you can about dementia, its symptoms and its relation to other health conditions.
Know your options. Investigate resources and support services in your area.
Roll with it. Enjoy the conversations, and make the most of the journey. Allow them to be the adults that they are, without patronizing them. Avoid finishing their sentences or cutting off repetitiveness.
Don’t take things personally. Anticipate various outcomes, and expect the unexpected. Some things might be beyond your parent’s control; not necessarily on purpose.
Focus on safety. Think about cooking, falling and driving for starters. Talk to a professional for strategies, if necessary, especially if there’s a problem separating your parent from the car keys.
Pace yourself. I have friends who feel guilty if they enjoy themselves while a relative is ill, but it’s important to recharge your batteries—unless you, too, want to be ill or worse. (It happens to caregivers all the time.) Keep in mind that you can give more, not less, if you take some time for yourself. You deserve a break, and you need it—especially if you’re a primary caregiver.
Build your angel network. Lean on family and friends. Consider joining a support group. Two childhood friends, Pam and Elizabeth, who have been there and done that when it comes to caregiving and dementia, were my rocks. They were my ride-or-die chicks who were ready for whatever—prayer, meals, visits, laughter, adult beverages, reality checks, diversions. My mother loved them as much as I did.
At my lowest point, Pam whisked me away for a free dance class at the community center in our old neighborhood. It worked wonders. I focused only on my feet and the beat for an hour or so. I felt rejuvenated, and I did the same for another friend when I returned home.

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Can’t start your morning without that jolt of java? The good news is that daily cup might deliver unexpected health benefits. Studies show coffee may lower your risk for type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer (colon, mouth and throat), as well as protect against heart disease and depression. Though researchers aren’t sure why coffee has these benefits—plus a host of others—they speculate that coffee may have antioxidant properties. Call it the coffee cure.
The coffee-diabetes link isn’t new, but research presented at the 7th World Congress on Prevention of Diabetes and its Complications, held in Spain, offers further proof that coffee can curb your risk of the disease. “Drinking three to four cups of coffee daily helps lower the risk of type 2 diabetes because of the combination of chemicals contained in coffee beans that are involved in metabolism,” Jaakko Tuomilehto, M.D., and co-director of the Congress, said in a release.
Here are a few more reasons for you to grab a cup of coffee on your way out of the door in the morning:

• Researchers at the University of South Florida found that caffeinated coffee increases the levels of a hormone that helps produce new neurons, which may boost your memory and reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer’s.
• According to a study published in Circulation: Heart Failure, moderate coffee consumption—two 8-ounce cups a day—was associated with a lower risk of heart failure.
• Drinking an espresso or cappuccino after a meal can help your body process that meal more slowly. Why? Caffeine decreases the rate at which the stomach deposits your food into the small intestine and it also increases your metabolism. It won’t make you drop pounds, but a small post-dinner cup of coffee could help promote a healthy weight.
• Of course, staying out of the sun and using sunscreen regularly are your best bets against skin cancer, but caffeinated coffee can reduce your risk of basal cell carcinoma, the most common type of skin cancer. A study out of Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston found that women who drank more than three cups of coffee a day had a 20 percent lower risk for basal cell carcinoma, and men had a 9 percent reduced risk. The research didn’t show a coffee defense against squamous cell carcinoma or melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, and decaf didn’t show any protection against skin cancer at all.
• Drinking coffee can ward off depression. A Harvard University study found that women who regularly drink caffeinated coffee are 20 percent less likely to become depressed than non-coffee drinkers. Researchers already knew a jolt of caffeine has mood-boosting effects; it turns on neurotransmitters that boost feelings of well-being right after you take a drink. But this study, which followed a group of women for 10 years, shows it also protects mental health over the long term.
• Caffeine may boost fertility in men. Studies have shown that caffeine has a positive effect on sperm’s ability to move toward an egg. In fact, a study conducted at the University of Sao Paulo found that sperm motility was higher in coffee drinkers than in non coffee-drinkers.

Keep in mind that moderation is key to maximizing the benefits of coffee. Don’t chug it all day. Diabetics, pregnant women and people who have trouble sleeping should limit their coffee intake to one or two cups a day.

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You may know you’re supposed to get at least half of your daily allowance of grains from whole grains, but did you know popcorn counts as a whole grain? It does (it’s 100 percent whole grain, in fact). Three cups of the fluffy snack count as one serving.
Often considered junk food, popcorn is also a terrific way to increase your dietary fiber intake, which helps you maintain a healthy weight and prevents constipation. And a 2012 study from the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania found that popcorn’s hull is rich in polyphenols, antioxidants that prevent cell damage. Other research supports the University of Scranton study, and also suggests that ferulic acid, one antioxidant found in popcorn, appears to provide some protection against diabetes, cancer, heart disease and neuro-degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
Though researchers aren’t suggesting you eat popcorn alone to get these healthy benefits—fruits and vegetables also contain polyphenols—they do say the snack has an undeserved bad reputation because of what’s put on it. We say skip the movie theater butter and salt and you should be just fine.

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It seems you can’t walk a block these days without bumping into a juice bar, and you need extra fingers to count all the friends who have bought a home juicer. Some health gurus tout juicing as a miracle cure for everything from heart disease to cancer. But is juicing really healthy or just the latest health craze?
Why You Should Juice
Fruits and vegetables contain a wealth of vitamins and minerals, and juicing fans say your body can more easily absorb these nutrients in juice form. And since one glass of juice utilizes a larger quantity of fruits and veggies than the whole foods you would eat in one sitting, you’ll get more health-boosting nutrients—and your recommended daily servings.
The Downside of Juicing
When you squeeze fruits and vegetables down to their liquid form, you lose the fiber, a vital part of a heart-healthy diet. You may also consume more calories and sugar in juice. You should also note that raw foods used for juicing can, in some instances, contain dangerous pathogens that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, hepatitis or kidney failure. Pasteurization—the process packaged juices go through—kills these organisms; juicing on its own does not.
Limit the Bad, Maintain the Good of Juicing
There are things you can do to minimize the downsides to juicing. To lessen the sugar intake, drink more veggie juice—beet, kale, carrot and celery (all of which are lower in sugar)—than fruit juice. Nutritionists advise you to limit fruit juice to one glass a day. To combat the bad bugs, wash fruit and vegetables thoroughly and drink your raw juice concoction as soon as you squeeze it. (Pregnant women, however, should be cautious about drinking unpasteurized juice.)
The Question Remains: To Juice or Not?
Researchers at the Mayo Clinic have concluded that there’s little scientific evidence to support the belief that juicing makes vitamins in fruit and vegetables easier for the body to absorb. They advocate the whole fruit and vegetables as the healthier way to get your daily intake.
But in a Department of Agriculture study, researchers found 90 percent of the antioxidant activity in fruit was in the juice, rather than the fiber. Other studies have found people who drank juices were less likely to develop Alzheimer’s, cancer or heart disease.
So we’re all still debating the issue. Here’s where we can agree: The average American eats less than a fifth of the recommended three servings of fruits and five veggies a day. A juice (or two) a day can only help.

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It happens to most of us: Our sense of smell decreases as we grow older. But a new study has found that black folks have a much greater decline in their sense of smell than their white counterparts. Though it sounds like a minor thing, it can lead to serious consequences. Olfactory loss often leads to poor nutrition. Worse: It also may be an early warning sign of Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s.
The study, from the Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences, found that as they aged, African Americans and Hispanics suffered similar deficits to their sense of smell. For Hispanics, social and cultural factors (disparities in education and income and health-related cognitive problems) accounted for the sensory loss. But for African Americans premature presbyosmia (the formal name for age-related declines in the ability to smell) couldn’t be explained solely by social, environmental or medical factors.
“We have long known that men begin to lose their sense of smell some years sooner than women, but this is the first study to point to racial or ethnic differences,” said study author Jayant Pinto, M.D., associate professor of surgery at the University of Chicago. “What surprised us was the magnitude of the difference. The racial disparity was almost twice as large as the well-documented difference between men and women.”
According to the National Institute on Aging, many people live long lives with only minor age-related declines in the ability to smell, but about 24 percent of Americans 55 and older have a measurable problem with their sense of smell. That number increases to about 30 percent for those ages 70 to 80, and to more than 60 percent after age 80.
In the study researchers found:
Half (49 percent) of those tested identified five out of five odors (peppermint, fish, orange, rose, leather); 78 percent got four or more right, 92 percent got at least three and 97 percent got two or more correct.
Performance declined as age increased; 64 percent of those age 57 identified all five, but that fell to 25 percent of those age 85.
Non-white subjects scored 47 percent lower.
According to Pinto, black and Hispanic women start experiencing loss of smell in their mid-60s. For minority men, the decline can begin as early as their late 50s. White women don’t experience similar loss until their early 70s, and white men start about five years earlier.
Reasons for the disparity are not clear, but the study’s authors suspect genetic variation, medications, chronic nasal disease or exposure to toxic chemicals could be culprits. “Sanitation workers, for example, are often affected,” Pinto noted. “They are routinely exposed to noxious odors that can trigger inflammation.”
Not being able to smell can impact health in a negative way. People with a reduced ability to smell often are unable to stay on top of personal hygiene. They may not enjoy eating as much. And their lives could be at risk. “They make poor food choices [and] get less nutrition,” Pinto said. “They can’t tell when foods have spoiled or detect odors that signal danger, like a gas leak or smoke.”

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“I can do bad by myself” is a refrain commonly heard in the African-American community, but science says a happy union may be most beneficial to one’s well-being. When British epidemiologist William Farr set out to categorize the “married,” “celibate” and “widowed” in 1858 and found that married couples lived longest and flourished the most, little did he know that his findings would stand more than 100 years later.
Farr’s groundbreaking study back in the day proved that couples in happy longstanding relationships, usually marriages, lived longer, healthier lives. “Marriage is a healthy estate,” Farr concluded from his study. “The single individual is more likely to be wrecked on his voyage than the lives joined together in matrimony.”
If you look back at Farr’s study, it is firmly rooted in the reality of the 1800s; there’s no reference to divorced, cohabitating or same-sex couples, but his overall theory still stands. Scientists have continued to document the “marriage advantage,” the fact that in general married folk live longer and have healthier lives than single people.
An example of this is the fact that married people are less likely to get pneumonia, have surgery, develop cancer, or have heart attacks than their single brethren. Also, a group of Swedish researchers has found that being married lowers a partner’s risk of dementia.
But before you take the plunge with Mr. Might-Be-Right, it’s important to note that several new studies have stressed the importance of having a quality relationship instead of just any old relationship.
A bad marriage or long-term relationship can be harder on your health than being in no relationship at all. According to marriage historian Stephanie Coontz, of the Council on Contemporary Families, it is the relationship more than the title that is key. A stressful relationship can be as bad as a smoking habit. Other studies show those in troubled marriages with surgical scars take longer to heal than those who are single or in happy relationships.
So for you singletons on your quest to happily ever after, keep in mind that the quality of the relationship, not just the end result, is important in your overall happiness and, more importantly, your health.

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Bookworms, rejoice! A new study finds that reading, writing and performing brain-stimulating activities could preserve memory.
“Our study suggests that exercising your brain by taking part in activities such as these across a person’s lifetime—from childhood through old age—is important for brain health in old age,” said study author Robert S. Wilson, Ph.D., of Rush University Medical Center in Chicago.
The study tested memory and thinking in 294 people every year for about six years before their deaths (at an average age of 89). Participants also answered a survey about whether they read books, wrote and performed in other mentally stimulating activities at all ages of their lives.
After death, their brains were examined for signs of dementia. Those who participated regularly in brain-stimulating activities early and late in life had a slower rate of decline in memory compared to those who did not participate in such activities across their lifetime.
The study found that the rate of cognitive decline was reduced by 32 percent in people with frequent mental activity in late life, compared to people with average mental activity. And folks with infrequent mental activity suffered a rate of decline 48 percent faster than those with only average activity.
“We shouldn’t underestimate the effects of everyday activities, such as reading and writing, on our children, ourselves and our parents or grandparents,” Wilson said of the study’s results.
A separate study found that people who read for an hour each day can help stave off dementia and other cognitive decline.
In other words: Pick up a book.

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