HEARD IT AND READ IT
Prepared by Bassam Mechammil
November 2008
For comments; please email Mechammil@aol.com
HEALTH:
An approach for help
with your memory:
Try these suggestions to help improve your confidence in your ability to remember:
- Make an effort to use your memory. Welcome challenging situations, rather than turning away from them.
- Stay open to new experiences to strengthen your faith in your mental flexibility and ability to learn new information.
- Establish realistic memory goals. Overburdening your memory can lead to lapses that can sap your confidence.
- Learn adaptive strategies such as mnemonic techniques, writing notes to yourself, eliminating distractions, establishing routines, and getting organized.
- Remain actively involved. Stimulating people and activities can help keep your mind and memory strong. Avoid isolating yourself.
Try these suggestions to stay socially active:
- Reconnect. Contact friends and family members you may have lost touch with to re-establish old ties.
- Join a group. Become involved with others through activities such as volunteering or attendance/religious services, or exercise classes.
- Meet your neighbors. Conversations with shopkeepers, residents, and others in your neighborhood could lead to new friendships.
- Take up a new hobby: In addition to being stimulating, hobbies often lead to new friendships with fellow enthusiasts.
- Assess your living situation. Consider relocating to be closer to family or friends with whom you enjoy spending time with.
OLDER ADULTS MAY NEED
LESS SLEEP THAN YOUNGER ADULTS:
Shorter sleep periods that many older adults associate with insomnia may in fact be a natural part of aging, new research suggests. A small study comparing the sleep behavior of 35 adults ages 18-32 with the sleep behavior of 18 men and woman ages 60-72 revealed that the older adults slept an average of 1.5 hours less per day than that of the younger group. Results suggest that the sleep requirements may decline with age and that treating older people for insomnia solely because they are sleeping less than they did in the past may be unnecessary.
5 WARNING SIGNS OF
STROKE:
The American Stroke Association recommends calling 911 or contacting your health care provider immediately if you experience any of the following stroke symptoms:
- Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg. Especially on one side of the body.
- sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
- sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
- sudden, severe headaches with no known cause
COMMON HEART ATTACK
SYMPTOMS:
The most common heart attack symptom for men and women is some type of pain, pressure or discomfort in the chest. But it may not be severe, especially for women who are more likely than men to have symptoms unrelated to chest pain. Symptoms for men and women include….
- chest pressure or pain
- pain extending beyond the chest to the shoulder, arm, back, or jaw
- abdominal pain
- shortness of breath
- sweating
- sense of doom
- light-headedness or dizziness
- nausea and vomiting
- unexplained fatigue
TOP FLAT BELLY FOODS: Transform your tummy!
- almonds
- avocado
- dark and semi-sweet chocolate
- flaxseed oil
- macadamia nuts
- natural peanut butter
- pistachios
- sunflower oil
HOW CAN RED WINE HURT?
Wine is known to have some health benefits but some wines
carry levels of metal so high that just one glass a day may raise the risk of
serious health problems like Parkinson’s disease or cancer. British scientists
measured the metal content of red and white wine from 15 countries:
