Don’t let the Bedbugs bite

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In this article we are going to cover a few points about bedbugs

  • What are Bedbugs
  • Where Bed Bugs Hide
  • When Bedbugs Bite
  • Signs of Infestation
  • Bedbug Treatments
  • Bedbug Extermination

What are Bedbugs?
Bedbug Size Bedbugs are small, oval, brownish insects that live on the blood of animals or humans. Adult bedbugs have flat bodies about the size of an apple seed. After feeding, however, their bodies swell and are a reddish color.

Bedbugs do not fly, but they can move quickly over floors, walls, and ceilings. Female bedbugs may lay hundreds of eggs over a lifetime, each of which is about the size of a speck of dust.

Immature bedbugs, called nymphs, shed their skins five times before reaching maturity and require a meal of blood before each shedding. Under favorable conditions the bugs can develop fully in as little as a month and produce three or more generations per year.

Although they’re a nuisance and cause undue psychological stress, they do not transmit diseases. Typically, no treatment is required for bedbug bites. If itching is severe, steroid creams or oral antihistamines may be used for symptom relief.

Where Bed Bugs Hide
where Bedbugs HideBedbugs may enter your home undetected through luggage, clothing, used beds, couches and other items.
Their flattened bodies make it possible for them to fit into tiny spaces, about the width of a credit card. Bedbugs do not have nests like ants or bees, but tend to live in groups in hiding places. Their initial hiding places are typically in mattresses, box springs, bed frames and headboards where they have easy access to people to bite in the night.

However, over time… they may scatter through the bedroom, moving into an
y crevice or protected location. They may also spread to nearby rooms or apartments.

Because bedbugs live solely on blood, having them in your home is not a sign of dirtiness. You are as likely to find them in immaculate homes and hotel rooms as in filthy ones.

When Bedbugs Bite
Bedbug BitesBedbugs are active mainly at night and usually bite people while they are sleeping. They feed by piercing the skin and withdrawing blood through an elongated beak. The bugs feed from three to 10 minutes to become engorged and then crawl away unnoticed.

Most bedbug bites are painless at first, but later turn into itchy welts. Unlike fleabites that are mainly around the ankles, bedbug bites are on any area of skin exposed while sleeping. Also, the bites do not have a red spot in the center like flea bites do.

People who don’t realize they have a bedbug infestation may attribute the itching and welts to other causes, such as mosquitoes, heat rashes or allergic reactions. To confirm that what you have is bedbug bites, you must find and identify the bugs themselves.

Signs of Infestation
If you wake up with itchy areas you didn’t have when you went to sleep, you may have bedbugs, particularly if you got a used bed or other used furniture around the time the bites started. Other signs that you have bedbugs include:

  • Blood stains on your sheets or pillowcases
  • Dark or rusty spots of bedbug excrement on sheets and mattresses, bed clothes, and walls
  • Bedbug fecal spots, egg shells, or shed skins in areas where bedbugs hide
  • An offensive, musty odor from the bugs’ scent glands

If you suspect an infestation, remove all bedding linens and check it carefully for signs of the bugs or their excrement. Remove the dust cover over the bottom of the box springs and examine the seams in the wood framing. Peel back the fabric where it is stapled to the wood frame.

Also, check the area around the bed, including inside books, telephones or radios, the edge of the carpet, and even in electrical outlets. Check your closet, because bedbugs can attach to clothing. If you are uncertain about signs of bedbugs, call us and we can manage the infestation through a FRAUD PROOF exterminator, who will know what to look for and carry out a treatment plan.

If you recognize and find signs of an infestation, begin steps to get rid of the bugs and prevent their return immediately.

Bedbug Treatments
Getting rid of bedbugs begins with cleaning up the places where bedbugs live. This should include the following:

  • Clean bedding, linens, curtains, and clothing in hot water and dry them on the highest dryer setting. Place stuffed animals, shoes, and other items that can’t be washed in the dryer and run on high for 30 minutes.
  • Use a stiff brush to scrub mattress seams to remove bedbugs and their eggs before vacuuming.
  • Vacuum your bed and surrounding area frequently. After vacuuming, immediately place the vacuum cleaner bag in a plastic bag and place in garbage can outdoors.
  • Encase mattress and box springs with a tightly woven, zippered cover to keep bedbugs from entering or escaping. Bedbugs may live up to a year without feeding, so keep the cover on your mattress for at least a year to make sure all bugs in the mattress are dead.
  • Repair cracks in plaster and glue down peeling wallpaper to get rid of places bedbugs can hide.
  • Get rid of clutter around the bed.
  • Of course we can look after all of this for you.

If your mattress is infested, you may want to get rid of it and get a new one, but take care to rid the rest of your home of bedbugs or they will infest your new mattress.

Bedbug Extermination
While cleaning up infested areas will be helpful in controlling bedbugs, getting rid of them usually requires chemical treatments. Because treating your bed and bedroom with insecticides can be harmful, it is important to use products that can be used safely in bedrooms. Do not treat mattresses and bedding unless the label specifically says you can use them on bedding.

Generally it is safest and most effective to hire a professional company with experienced in dealing with such issues. In Our Care – Home Care Services can help you from start to finish.

In Our Care – Home Care Services, understand that care is not simply based on the physical support your older loved one may need… there are a broad spectrum built-in service components to achieve our overall goal… Enriching the lives of those we love and deliver care to. 

Your loved one may not be direct family, but they’re part of the In Our Care family… therefore they are.

Please contact us today, to discuss any challenges you may be facing and how our services can help you remain independent, protected, safe, and in you home / community.

You got questions, we have answers: (905) 785-2341 or email us at 

Myths & Facts About Aging

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elderly-womanThis article delves into ageist stereotypes dressed-up in the garb of myth that biases perceptions and experiences of being old. The article argues current ”mythmaking” about aging perpetuates that which it intends to dispel: ageism. It considers how traditional myths and folklore explained personal experience, shapes social life, and offers meaning for the unexplainable. The current myths of aging perform these same functions in our culture; however, they are based on half-truths, false knowledge, and stated as ageist stereotypes about that which is known. Recent studies in the cognitive sciences are reviewed to provide insight about the mind’s inherent ability to construct categories, concepts, and stereotypes as it responds to experience. These normal processes need to be better understood, particularly regarding how social stereotypes are constructed. Finally, the article argues that ageist stereotypes when labeled as ”myth” even in the pursuit of the realities of aging, neither educate the public about the opportunities and challenges of aging nor inform social and health practitioners about the aged.

Think you know the facts about growing older? Think again.

Take a brief quiz to determine your knowledge on myth versus fact as it relates to aging:

Myths of Aging Quiz – Answer true or false to each statement.

  1. Polypharmacy (administration of many drugs together) can lead to a change in mental status.
  2. Aging is a universal phenomenon.
  3. Older adults may present with atypical symptoms that complicate diagnosis.
  4. The body’s reaction to changes in medications remains constant with advancing age.
  5. If the rehabilitation nurse observes a sudden change in mental status in an older adult, medication side effects should be investigated as a likely cause.
  6. Primary causes of delirium in older adults include medications, dehydration, and infection.
  7. Dehydration is not common in older adults.
  8. Older adults experiencing a decline in daily function will show no benefit from early rehabilitation.
  9. A decline in functional ability for a person residing in a long-term care facility may indicate the onset of a new illness.
  10. Urinary incontinence is so common in older adults that it is considered a nor- mal part of aging.

Answers: 1. True; 2. True; 3. True; 4. False; 5. True; 6. True; 7. False; 8. False; 9. True; 10. False

In no particular order… what are the common 20 myths that are often associate with Aging

Myth: Dementia is an inevitable part of aging
“Dementia should be seen as a modifiable health condition and, if it occurs, should be followed as a medical condition, not a normal part of aging. In other words, if you or your loved one becomes forgetful, it could be related to medication, nutrition or modifiable medical issues, she said. Don’t assume Alzheimer’s.

Just consider that when doctors examined the brain of a 115-year-old woman who, when she died, was the world’s oldest woman, they found essentially normal brain tissue, with no evidence of Alzheimer’s or other dementia-causing conditions. Testing in the years before she died showed no loss in brain function.

Not only is dementia not inevitable with age, but you actually have some control over whether or not you develop it. “We’re only now starting to understand the linkages between health in your 40s, 50s and 60s and cognitive function later in life. Studies find that many of the same risk factors that contribute to heart disease—high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and obesity… may also contribute to Alzheimer’s and other dementias.

For instance, studies on the brains of elderly people with and without dementia find significant blood vessel damage in those with hypertension. Such damage shrinks the amount of healthy brain tissue you have in reserve, reducing the amount available if a disease like Alzheimer’s. That’s important, because we’re starting to understand that the more brain function you have to begin with, the more you can afford to lose before your core functions are affected.

Myth: Creaky, Achy Joints are Unavoidable
Not exercising is what makes achy joints inevitable. When Australian researchers at the Monash University Medical School looked at women ages 40 to 67, they found that those who exercised at least once every two weeks for 20 minutes or more had more cartilage in their knees. It suggests that being physically active made them less likely to develop arthritis.

In Fact – You may actually dodge the dementia bullet… Exercise your body and your brain. Physical activity plays a role in reducing the risk of diseases that cause Alzheimer’s. It also builds up that brain reserve. One study found just six months of regular physical activity increased brain volume in 59 healthy but couch-potato individuals ages 60 to 79. Other research finds people who exercised twice a week over an average of 21 years slashed their risk of Alzheimer’s in half.

Then there’s intellectual exercise. It doesn’t matter what kind, just that you break out of your comfort zone. Even writing letters twice a week instead of sending e-mail can have brain-strengthening benefits. That’s because such novel activities stimulate more regions of the brain, increasing blood flow and helping to not only build brain connections, but improve the health of existing tissue. 

Myth: If you didn’t exercise in your 30s & 40s, it’s too late to start in your 50s, 60s or 70s
It’s’s never too late! In an oft-cited study, 50 men and women with an average age of 87 worked out with weights for 10 weeks and increased their muscle strength 113 percent. Even more important, they also increased their walking speed, a marker of overall physical health in the elderly.

Myth: Your Bones Become Fragile And Your Posture Bends
Remember, only death is certain when it comes to aging. Osteoporosis is definitely more common in older people, but it’s also very preventable. 

A study of females over 100 years of age found that only 56 percent had osteoporosis, and their average age at diagnosis was 87. Not bad, given these women grew up before the benefits of diet and exercise on bone were understood. Thankfully, you know better.

Myth: Old Age Kills Your Libido
Impotence and reduced libido are related to normally preventable medical conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and depression. The solution is keeping yourself in shape. Something as simple as lifting weights a couple times a week can improve your sex life. Sexual desire might decline a bit as you age, but that doesn’t typically occur until age 75A survey of 3,005 people ages 57 to 85 found the chance of being sexually active depended as much if not more on their health and their partner’s health than on their age. Women who rated their health as “very good” or “excellent” were 79 percent more likely to be sexually active than women who rated their health as “poor” or “fair.” And while fewer people ages 75 to 85 had sex than those 57 to 74, more than half (54 percent) of those who were sexually active had intercourse two or three times a month. emember – Sexually transmitted diseases do not discriminate based on age. If you’re not in a monogamous relationship, you or your partner should use a condom.

Myth: Getting older is depressing so expect to be depressed
No way! “Depression is highly treatable. If older people could just admit to it and get help, they could probably live a much more active and healthy life.” That’s because studies find that older people who are depressed are more likely to develop memory and learning problems, while other research links depression to an increased risk of death from numerous age-related diseases, including Parkinson’s disease, stroke and pneumonia.

Myth: Genes Play The Biggest Role In How You’ll Age
Even if you’re born with the healthiest set of genes, how you live your life determines how they behave over your lifespan. Your genes can be changed by what you eat, how much physical activity you get, and even your exposure to chemicals.

Myth: Women fear aging more so than men
Not so! A survey conducted on behalf of the National Women’s Health Resource Center found that women tend to have a positive outlook on aging and to be inspired by others who also have positive attitudes and who stay active as they grow older. Women surveyed were most likely to view aging as “an adventure and opportunity” and less likely to view it as depressing or a struggle.

Myth: You Lose Your Creativity As You Age
Creativity actually offers huge benefits for older people. A study found that older adults who joined a choir were in better health, used less medication, and had fewer falls after a year than a similar group that didn’t join. The singers also said they were less lonely, had a better outlook on life, and participated in more activities overall than the non-singing group, who actually reduced the number of activities they participated in during the year.

Myth: The pain and disability caused by arthritis is inevitable, as you get older
senior in the poolWhile arthritis is more common as you age, thanks to the impact of time on the cushiony cartilage that prevents joints and bone from rubbing against one another, age itself doesn’t cause arthritis. There are steps you can take in your youth to prevent it, such as losing weight, wearing comfortable, supportive shoes (as opposed to three-inch spikes), and taking it easy with joint-debilitating exercise like running and basketball. One study found women who exercised at least once every two weeks for at least 20 minutes were much less likely to develop arthritis of the knee (the most common location for the disease) than women who exercised less.

Myth: Your Brain Stops Developing After Age 3
This developmental myth was overturned in the 1990s, and ever since, researchers no longer look at the older brain as a static thing. Instead, studies show your brain continues to send out new connections and to strengthen existing ones throughout your life — as long as you continue to challenge it. It really is your body’s ultimate muscle.

Myth: Your Brain Shrinks With Age
This myth began with studies in 2002 showing that the hippocampus, the part of the brain that controls memory, was significantly smaller in older people than in younger people. This never sounded right to Dr. Lupien, particularly after she conducted groundbreaking research in the late 1990s showing that chronic stress shrinks the hippocampus. 

Was it age or stress that was responsible for the shrinking brains of older people? Probably stress. When she examined brain scans of 177 people ages 18 to 85, she found that 25 percent of the 18- to 24-year-olds had hippocampus volumes as small as those of adults ages 60 to 75.

Myth: Seniors Are Always Cranky And Unhappy
When researchers from Heidelberg, Germany, interviewed 40 centenarians, they found that despite significant physical and mental problems, 71 percent said they were happy, and more than half said they were as happy as they’d been at younger ages. Plus, when the researchers compared them to a group of middle-age people, they found that both groups were just as happy. Most important: Nearly 70 percent of the centenarians said they laughed often. What does it all mean? It means there is no universal definition of aging. How you’ll age is entirely up to you – and the time to begin writing that definition is today.

Myth: When you get older, you don’t need as much sleep
You may need as much sleep as when you were younger, but you may have more trouble getting a good night’s sleep. “It is not so much that there is a decline in the number of hours needed, but rather that sleep patterns may change with a tendency to more naps and shorter nighttime periods of deep sleep.

Myth: If you live long enough, you’re going to be senile
The odds are against it. “The probability of senility at age 65 is only about five percent. It rises to about 20 percent by age 85.

The term “senility” is no longer used to describe dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of primary progressive dementia. Alzheimer’s is linked to age, Dr. Gorbien says, and older people worried about it should seek an assessment with a geriatrician, neurologist or psychiatrist.
“Early detection of Alzheimer’s disease is so important,” he says. New medications may slow the progression of the disease and help keep people independent.

Myth: Older adults are always alone and lonely
In proportion the number of older people living alone are greater than their younger counterparts, but they are not necessarily lonely. Relationships may grow more intense in old age, Dr. Schaie says. More people live alone as the population ages, Dr. Gorbien says. And Dr. Schaie says gender differences in average life spans leave many more women than men widowed. Widowed men are more likely than women to remarry, Dr. Schaie says, “because of the availability of a larger pool of eligible partners.”

“Most seniors are active,” adds AARP spokesman Tom Otwell. Many have paying jobs, regularly volunteer, garden or help care for grandchildren, for instance.

Myth: Old age means losing all my teeth
If you’re not worried about losing your mind when you’re old, you might fret about losing your teeth. Periodontitis, or late stage gum disease, is the primary cause of tooth loss in adults. This condition commonly begins as gingivitis where gums turn red and begin to swell and bleed, a situation experienced by too many people. Fortunately healthy gums and avoiding false teeth are both reasonable goals.

The elderly of today are much more likely to keep their teeth than previous generations. Even so, dental disease is prevalent. The New England Elders Dental Study found the beginnings of periodontal disease in over 3/4 of the 1150 persons examined. Part of the problem, said these investigators, was that education and dental care for this population are overlooked by both dentists and the patients themselves. The sad part of this situation is that proper dental hygiene and regular cleanings by the dentist are usually enough to stave off infection. Healthy people should replace their toothbrushes every two weeks; those with a systemic or oral illness more often. Everyone should use a new toothbrush when they get sick, when they feel better and again when they completely recover.

Myth: The older I get, the sicker I’ll get
It’s true that as we age, our physiology changes. These changes can lead to poor health if not addressed. But old age doesn’t have to mean feeling sick and tired. An important part of staying well into the older years is keeping your immune system operating at its peak. Aging is generally associated with lagging immunity and consequently more infections especially of the respiratory system. However, John Hopkins’ Professor Chandra discovered that when independent, apparently healthy, elderly people were fed nutritional supplements for a year, their immunity improved. Immunological responses were so marked that those who were supplemented (versus the placebo group) were plagued with less infections and took antibiotics for less days. Besides taking care of your immunity with supplementation, diet, exercise and other measures, you can prevent many age-related diseases with specific health precautions. For example, there is evidence that smoking and low plasma levels of vitamins C and E, and beta-carotene contribute to cataracts.

Calcium and magnesium supplementation helps some individuals with hypertension. Most are helped by high potassium foods (fruits and vegetables), salt restriction and weight maintenance. Keeping blood pressure under control can also decrease the risk of a stroke.

Adult-onset diabetes is usually treated best with dietary measures such as reducing simple sugars, consuming a lot of fiber and taking chromium supplements. It’s estimated that half of all types of cancer are linked to diet. This explains why less fat, lots of fruits, vegetables and fiber, vitamins A, B6, C and E and zinc and selenium all appear to play a role in cancer prevention.

Myth: Urinary incontinence is considered a normal part of aging
Although urinary incontinence (UI) occurs more frequently among older adults (10%–42% of hospitalized elders), it is not considered a normal part of aging and is highly treatable. A new onset of UI can signal problems such as urinary tract infection, electrolyte imbalances, mobility limitations, or medication side effects. Before beginning any rehabilitative interventions for incontinence, all possible causes should be investigated to rule out reversible factors. Bladder retraining for those with urge or stress incontinence is still highly effective for older adults. Behavioural management is the first line of treatment for incontinence.

Myth: Growing older means accepting the loss of independence and a Home for the Aged
There is absolutely no evidence to support that as we age we accept loss of independence or going into a nursing home as part of the aging process. In fact today’s older adults enjoy a more vibrant and vigorous lifestyle. Remaining active, engaged and enjoying a more robust social life. An ever-increasing number of older adults are adopting home care in order to preserve the very things that the myth depicts. However, older adults do share common fears… in fact the 5 greatest noted fears among older adults are:

  • Loss of independence
  • Loss of loved ones
  • Loss of friends
  • Going into a Nursing Home
  • Death

In Our Care supports the aging process so effectively that you never have to ever see the inside of Nursing Home, unless you’re visiting friends and family. We are fully equipped to handle all your care needs – Effectively, Efficiently & Affordably.

Please contact us today, to discuss any challenges you may be facing and how our services can help you remain independent, protected, safe, and in you home / community.

You got questions, we have answers: (905) 785-2341 or email us at homecare@inourcareservices.com

The Flu or a Cold?

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Original Title: Sneeze_79bj.jpgIs It a Cold or Flu? How to Tell the Difference

This article is not intended to diagnose or determine if you have a cold or flu, simply as a quick reference to distinguish the two. I have collected and compiled as much simplified information as possible to help you identify your symptoms. However, there is no substitute to seeing you family doctor to validate your symptoms.

Colds and Influenza have so much in common that it can sometimes be hard to tell them apart. Both caused by viruses causing your airways to become infected. They share common symptoms that can leave you feeling miserable. You swear it’s a cold, your friend thinks it’s the flu, and the dozens of meds at the pharmacy that promise to make you feel human again claim to target both. So does the difference matter?

Absolutely, says Susan Rehm, MD, medical director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases. The influenza virus causes the flu, and since just a few variants of the virus exist, it’s become relatively easy to prevent, with a flu shot, or treat once you’ve got it.

Cold’s can be trickier. The rhinovirus is often responsible, but more than 200 other viruses can trigger the common cold—which means anti-viral prescriptions aren’t typically an option. Instead, over-the-counter symptom-relievers and home remedies are your best bet—but you still need to tread carefully. To get the last word on how to treat—and how not to treat—the common cold and flu, we consulted experts from the field. Here are their tips.

It’s the flu if…

“It hits you like a bolt of lightning,” says Steven Lamm, MD, internist and faculty member at NYU School of Medicine and a frequent guest doctor on The View. “You’ll likely run a fever of above 101F, and you’ll be flat out,” says Dr. Lamm. Chills, fatigue, muscle aches, and tightness of the chest are also characteristic of the flu. You might have a cough, or a runny nose, but you’re less likely to suffer from upper respiratory symptoms than you are with the cold.

What to do…

Get to the doctor—and fast. “The prescription-only anti-viral medications Tamiflu and Relenza must be taken within 48 hours of the onset of the symptoms,” says Karen Hill, MD, the founder of Internal Medicine and Pediatric Associates in Houston. The treatment will reduce the intensity of symptoms, hasten recovery, and significantly decrease the chances of you developing complications such as pneumonia or bronchitis.

What not to do…

Taking several over the counter (OTC) drugs to treat your symptoms can be dangerous, causing you to inadvertently double-dose on any one ingredient, warns Dr. Rehm. “Combination meds sometimes contain acetaminophen without advertising it on the front of the box. If you also take, say, Tylenol, you’re in danger of toxification.”

Antibiotics are another no-no, says Dr. Lamm, because they target bacteria—not viruses. There’s a caveat, though: “When complications develop, like if someone coughs up green phlegm spotted with blood, this signals a bacterial infection, and here antibiotics could be appropriate,” says Dr. Lamm.

It’s a cold if…

“The symptoms are predominantly above the neck,” explains E. Neil Schachter, MD, author of The Good Doctor’s Guide to Colds and Flu. Runny nose, cough, watery eyes, sore throat, congestion, and sneezing signal a cold, and these unpleasant symptoms often build up over a day or two. “You may feel achy or have a fever, but these will be much less severe than with the flu,” says Dr. Schachter.

What to do…

To shave a few days off a cold, take daily 250-500mg of vitamin C at the onset of the illness, says Dr. Schachter. “But there’s no definitive evidence that this works, and too huge amounts will irritate your stomach,” he warns—but it’s worth a shot. Zinc lozenges, such as Cold-Eeze, taken regularly over 48 hours may potentially also help. If your symptoms get bad, hit the pharmacy or your local health food store. Antihistamines can dry up your sinuses, or, for a more natural remedy, Hill suggests a saline nasal spray. “Nasal passages are where the virus replicates and enters into your system,” explains Dr. Hill. “By rinsing them out you’re effectively flushing out some of the virus.”

What not to do…

If you have a mild fever—below 100°F—don’t necessarily reach for the fever reducer, advises Dr. Lamm. “Unless you’re in a high-risk category, fever can be your body’s way of fighting off the infection.” Instead, you may just be better off getting rest and drinking plenty of fluids to make sure you don’t get dehydrated from sweating. You should also avoid decongestants, says Dr. Hill. These thicken mucus and reduce the swelling of the nasal passages, making it easier breathe—but they can also lead to a rebound effect: “They work well the first time,” says Dr. Hill, “but with every subsequent use you’ll have to administer more, and you’ll have to medicate more frequently for relief.”

There are enough differences, though, that may help you figure out which one you have. That can make a difference in what you do to treat your symptoms and keep it from going around.

Symptoms

It’s true that you can get a cold anytime — spring, summer or fall, but most likely in winter.  Flu season typically runs from November through March, although you can get the flu in October or as late as May.

You can catch the flu at other times. But symptoms outside of flu season are more likely to be from a cold or an allergy.

Flu symptoms usually come on faster than cold symptoms. Colds may take two or three days to develop. Normally, you start feeling the flu over just two to three hours.

Flu tends to be much worse than a cold.  And the flu, especially in children and among older people, is more likely to lead to serious health problems such as pneumonia and a hospital stay.

Influenza vs. Common Cold

This chart features some tips to help you differentiate between the symptoms of influenza and the common cold. Rarely, bur sometimes symptoms may not be enough for your doctor to diagnose if you have a cold or the flu, he may order a test to determine what you have.

Symptom Cold Flu
Fever Rare Fever between 100 and 102 in most cases; typically lasts 3-4 day
Chills Not common About half of people with flu get them.
Muscle or body aches Not common. If they do occur, usually mild Common and often severe
Headaches Not common Most cases; may be sudden
Feelings of fatigue, weakness May occur, generally mild Moderate to severe fatigue and weakness; may last up to 2-3 weeks
Cough Common, generally mild to moderate, usually produces phlegm Dry cough (no phlegm) that may be severe; may last several weeks
Sneezing and stuffy nose Common. Stuffy nose may last about a week. Sometimes
Sore throat Common Sometimes
Chest discomfort Sometimes; generally mild Common; may be severe
Vomiting and diarrhea Unusual Not usual; most often in children

You’re Sick! Should You Work Out?

If you’re exercising consistently—and I hope you are—you’ll run into this problem from time to time. According to the American Council on Exercise, the average adult has two to three respiratory infections every year. (Consider this, another reason to get your flu shot.)

The rule to use is called the “neck check.” You can exercise while sick if your symptoms are all above the neck, like a runny nose or a sore throat. Of course, you should always listen to your body and take the intensity of your workout down a bit if your regular pace feels too strenuous.

If you’re suffering from congestion or low energy, exercise often helps you feel better. A brisk walk can unclog your sinuses better than an afternoon on the couch. And gentle exercise will rev up your circulation, to counteract that sluggish, rundown feeling. But this is definitely a personal decision. You’re the best judge of how you feel and what your body can handle when you’re sick.

However, if you have any symptoms below the neck, such as body aches, chills, stomach problems or diarrhea, then it is advise you to take it easy until you’re feeling better. And if you’re running a fever, no matter where your symptoms are, put off exercising until your temperature returns to normal.

Maintaining healthy habits may keep you from getting sick in the first place. So wash your hands frequently, eat a balanced diet, drink plenty of water and get adequate sleep. If you can find some room on your calendar, be sure to schedule a little “me time” to relax.

One more thing: If you exercise in a public setting, like a gym, please consider your fellow exercisers and think about how contagious you might be. If you can’t get through a single set on a weight machine without coughing or sneezing, you have my permission to stay home with a box of tissues and some hot tea!

To take, or not to take a Flu-Shot?

There are as many debates as there are advantages and disadvantages about taking or declining the flu-shot.

The flu vaccine isn’t for everyone. The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention explains that infants younger than six months of age are not approved to receive the vaccine. Anyone with an allergy to eggs also cannot receive the vaccine because it is developed and grown on eggs and could cause a serious reaction if injected into an allergic individual. Patients who are sick with any sort of illness that is accompanied with a fever cannot receive the vaccine until they have fully recovered.

Side effects common with the flu shot include localized soreness at the injection site, low-grade fever and body aches, explains the CDC. The flu shot is made of an inactive or dead viruses, therefore contracting the flu from the flu shot is not possible. Although more serious side affects have been documented – Other rare side affects.

The Centre for Disease Control (CDC) and other experts strongly affirm that the benefits far outweigh the affects. Clearly, this is decision to be made in conjunction with your family doctor who intimately knows your medical conditions, history, tolerances and risk factors.

Please contact us today, to discuss any challenges you may be facing and how our services can help you remain independent, protected, safe, and in you home / community.

You got questions, we have answers: (905) 785-2341 or email us at 

Chiropractic Care for Seniors

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Chiropractic Care for Seniors

Many seniors are unaware of the outstanding benefits that are possible through regular chiropractic care.

Not so long ago chiropractic treatment was considered a be a form of alternative medicine that emphasized diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, especially the spine, under the belief that these disorders affect general health via the nervous system.

However, today we know better. One cannot deny the new scientific evidence and personal claims by millions of patients, that the benefits of chiropractic treatments are far from being a form alternative medicine but rather a treatment on itself… with benefits that we can see and feel.

I had the pleasure of attending a meeting where Dr. Clarise Chan made a presentation on the benefit of chiropractic treatment. I was so moved by her passion and knowledge, that I had to ask if she would write an article for In Our Care – Home Care Services. She agreed, and here it is.

Dying to live

When you look at your life at this very moment, are you living the life you thought you would be living? Are you able to do what you want to do? Or, like the majority of people in our society, are you tired, sick and just “getting by”?

Dr. Clarise Chan

Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Seniors by: Dr. Clarise Chan

According to Statistics Canada, the average life expectancy in Ontario for females is eighty-four and for males is seventy-nine.  These numbers have been steadily increasing over time however, 89% of the senior population is said to have at least one chronic condition, such as Arthritis, with the average North American senior being on eleven different medications.  Although people are living longer, the reality is that most people are living out their last days non-functional, on medications and without hope.  

This was the path that my father was headed down at the age of sixty.  After practicing for thirty years as a dentist, he developed such severe neck pain that he could not lift his chin off of his chest.  He also experienced difficulty breathing, with constant tingling down his right arm, high blood pressure and a chronic cough.  He decided to try many therapies, including medications, and nothing helped.  One sleepless night turned into two and eventually, several months of trying to survive and make it to the next day without pain or coughing.   As I saw the life drain from my father before my very eyes, I began to lose hope, thinking that things could only get worse.  However, one day he met a Chiropractor who changed the course of his entire life.  After my father started getting his spine adjusted, he could lift his head higher and breathe easier.  At that point in my life, I witnessed firsthand how Chiropractic brought immediate hope to peoples’ lives.  It was this powerful experience that not only gave my father his life back but also led me on the path to becoming a Chiropractor.

What is Chiropractic?  Chiropractic restores your body’s innate ability to heal.  It allows your brain to connect with your body so that you can function, heal and repair optimally.   To get a better understanding of this, lets take a look at the most important organ system in your body: the nervous system.  Your nervous system is made up of your brain and spinal cord.  It controls every cell, tissue and organ in your body.  From the beating of your heart to a cut on your hand being able to heal, information must be flowing from your brain, down your brain stem, spinal cord, and out thirty three pairs of nerves to all of your cells, tissues and organs.  When we look at your spine, the primary function of your spine is to protect your spinal cord.  In terms of its normal alignment, from the front it should be perfectly straight like the letter “I” and from the side it should have three smooth flowing curves like the letter “S”.  When your spine is aligned properly and moving properly, all of your nerve channels are functioning one hundred percent.  However, when your spine shifts out of its normal position, this puts dangerous pressure on your spinal cord and blocks the power from the brain to that particular area of the body.  These misalignments and shifts are called subluxations.  Subluxations not only break down the integrity and position of your spine but they interfere with your organ system functioning and your nervous system’s ability to heal the body. 

How do you know if your spine is subluxated?  A lot of people do not know that they have subluxations until they start to experience pain or other warning signals in the body.  Does that mean you should wait until you have symptoms?  Absolutely not! These warning signals occur when problems have been in the body for a prolonged period of time.  Regardless of how you feel, it is important to have your spine checked to see if you have subluxations and how much damage there is to your spine.  If subluxations are detected and caught in time before too much damage is done, nerve supply can be restored.  No matter how young or old you are, even old problems can improve due to your body’s powerful ability to heal itself. 

Are you living to die? Or are you dying to live? It’s your choice. Get your spine checked. Your life is worth it.

**Mention this article and receive a FREE spinal check-up to ensure proper spinal alignment.   Contact Dr. Clarise Chan at nrfamilychiropractic@bell.net to take advantage of this offer valued at $200!

Resources: Statistics Canada (2009)

This article is written by: Dr. Clarise Chan, B. Sc. (Hons), DC
NorthRidge-FamilyChiropract

North Ridge Family Chiropractic
4-2165 Grosvenor Street
Oakville, ON, L6H 7K9
(905) 845-5777
www.nrfc.ca

We hope you enjoyed reading Dr. Chan story and her personal motivation to enter a field of care. Her selflessly devotion to making a difference in people’s lives. I encourage you to reach out to Dr. Chan and take advantage of the free spinal check-up being offered.

Alternatively, you may reach out to us and we would be happy to facilitate it on your behalf.

If you are a Senior living at home and need personal care, please contact us today, to discuss any challenges you may be facing and how our services can help you remain independent, protected, safe, and in you home / community.

You got questions, we have answers: (905) 785-2341 or email us at 

 

Sweeteners – Natural and Artificial

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This is a sensitive topic – Sweeteners (Natural and Artificial)
Natural Sugars2

Lets start with the primary question.

Is it possible to eat sweets when you have diabetes?
The answer is “yes.” But when you’re trying to satisfy your sweet tooth, it can be hard to know what to reach for at the grocery store (sugar-free this or low-calorie that). So, use this primer to help you choose wisely.

The Sweet Facts

When you’re comparing sweeteners, keep these things in mind:

  • Sugars are naturally occurring carbohydrates. These include brown sugar, cane sugar, confectioners’ sugar, fructose, honey, and molasses. They have calories and raise your blood glucose levels (the level of sugar in your blood).
  • Reduced-calorie sweeteners are sugar alcohols. You might know these by names like isomalt, maltitol, mannitol, sorbitol, and xylitol. You’ll often find them in sugar-free candy and gum. They have about half the calories of sugars and can raise your blood sugar levels, although not as much as other carbohydrates.
  • Artificial sweeteners are considered “free foods.” They were designed in a lab, have no calories, and do not raise your blood sugar levels.

Types of Artificial Sweeteners

Artificial low-calorie sweeteners include:

  • Saccharin (Sweet’N Low, Sugar Twin). You can use it in both hot and cold foods. Avoid this sweetener if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
  • Aspartame (NutraSweet, Equal). You can use it in both cold and warm foods. It may lose some sweetness at high temperatures. People who have a condition called phenylketonuria should avoid this sweetener.
  • Acesulfame potassium or ace-K (Sweet One, Swiss Sweet, Sunett). You can use it in both cold and hot foods, including in baking and cooking.
  • Sucralose (Splenda). You can use it in hot and cold foods, including in baking and cooking. Processed foods often contain it.
  • Advantame can be used in baked goods, soft drinks and other non-alcoholic beverages, chewing gum, candies, frostings, frozen desserts, gelatins and puddings, jams and jellies, processed fruits and fruit juices, toppings and syrups.

Read Between the Lines

Use this “cheat sheet” to identify which products are sweetened the way you want them.

  • No sugar or sugar-free. The product does not contain sugar at all, though it may contain sugar alcohols or artificial sweeteners.
  • No added sugar. During processing, no extra sugar was added. However, the original source might have contained sugar, such as fructose in fruit juice. Additional sweeteners such as sugar alcohols or artificial sweeteners also might have been added.
  • Dietetic. The product may have reduced calories, but this word can mean a lot of things.

When in Doubt, Read the Nutrition Label

To know for sure what kind of sweetener a food product contains, check the Nutrition Facts label. In the Carbohydrate section, you can see how many carbohydrates the product has, and how much of these carbohydrates are in the form of sugar or sugar alcohol.

For even more nutrition information, read the Ingredients list. It should show any added sweeteners, whether they are sugars, sugar alcohols, or artificial.

By understanding more about artificial sweeteners and diabetes, you will be able to make better food choices as you balance sweetness with good blood sugar control.

What are artificial sweeteners? Comparison

Artificial sweeteners can be used instead of sugar to sweeten foods and drinks. You can add them to drinks like coffee or iced tea, and they are found in many foods sold in grocery stores. These sweeteners, also called sugar substitutes, are made from chemicals and natural substances.

Sugar substitutes have very few calories compared to sugar. Some have no calories. Many people use sugar substitutes as a way to limit how much sugar they eat, whether it’s to lose weight, control blood sugar, or avoid getting cavities in their teeth.

If your goal is to lose weight, keep in mind that even though a food is sugar-free, it can still have carbohydrates, fats, and calories. It’s a good idea to read the nutrition label to check for calories and carbohydrate. Sugar alcohols are also used to sweeten diet foods and drinks. These plant-based products include mannitol, sorbitol, and xylitol. If you eat too much of them, sugar alcohols can cause diarrhea, bloating, and weight gain.

Are sugar substitutes safe?

Yes. The FDA regulates the use of artificial sweeteners. At one time, saccharin was thought to increase the risk of bladder cancer in test animals. Studies reviewed by the FDA have found no clear evidence of a link between saccharin and cancer in humans.

People who have phenylketonuria (PKU) should avoid foods and drinks that have aspartame, which contains phenylalanine.

Do artificial sweeteners raise blood sugar?

No. Artificial sweeteners provide no energy, so they won’t affect your blood sugar. If you have diabetes, these substitutes are safe to use. But that’s not true of sugar alcohols. They don’t cause sudden spikes in blood sugar, but the carbohydrate in them can affect your blood sugar.

If you have diabetes, read food labels carefully to find out the amount of carbohydrate in each serving of food containing sugar alcohol. It’s also a good idea to test your blood sugar after you eat foods with sugar alcohols or artificial sweeteners to find out how they affect your blood sugar.

How do sugar substitutes compare?

Sweetener name Can be used for cooking and baking
Aspartame (NutraSweet, Equal) No, because it breaks down during cooking
Saccharin (Sweet’N Low) Yes
Sucralose (Splenda) Yes
Acesulfame K (Sunett) Yes
Stevia (Truvia, PureVia, SweetLeaf) Yes

Diet foods and drinks are promoted to help you lose weight but compelling evidence shows that artificial sweeteners like aspartame cause weight gain rather than weight loss. That’s right, aspartame―which was once hailed as a wonder chemical because it tastes like sugar without the calories―actually makes you fatter, and adversely affects your blood glucose levels and insulin sensitivity.

So far so good – right? – Well, there are controversies & for the sake of information, read on. Studies Repeatedly Find Aspartame Causes Weight Gain

Artificial sweetenersThe fact that aspartame is NOT a dieter’s best friend has been known by scientists for some time. The problem is this news has not received the necessary traction in the media. For example, a study from 19861, which included nearly 80,000 women, found that those who used artificial sweeteners were significantly more likely than non-users to gain weight over time, regardless of initial weight. According to the authors, the results “were not explicable by differences in food consumption patterns,” and concluded that:“ The data do not support the hypothesis that long-term artificial sweetener use either helps weight loss or prevents weight gain.”

Another more recent study with the telling title of Gain Weight by “Going Diet?” Artificial Sweeteners and the Neurobiology of Sugar Cravings, published in 2010, found that epidemiologic data suggest artificially sweetened foods and beverages do not reduce weight.

Quite the contrary: “Several large scale prospective cohort studies found positive correlation between artificial sweetener use and weight gain. The San Antonio Heart Study examined 3,682 adults over a seven- to eight-year period in the 1980s.  When matched for initial body mass index (BMI), gender, ethnicity, and diet, drinkers of artificially sweetened beverages consistently had higher BMIs at the follow-up, with dose dependence on the amount of consumption… Saccharin use was also associated with eight-year weight gain in 31,940 women from the Nurses’ Health Study conducted in the 1970s. 

Similar observations have been reported in children. A two-year prospective study involving 166 school children found that increased diet soda consumption was associated with higher BMI Z-scores at follow-up, indicating weight gain. The Growing Up Today Study, involving 11,654 children aged 9 to 14, also reported positive association between diet soda and weight gain for boys. For each daily serving of diet beverage, BMI increased by 0.16 kg/m2… A cross-sectional study looking at 3,111 children and youth found diet soda drinkers had significantly elevated BMI.” 

Study Finds Aspartame Worsens Insulin Sensitivity

A recent study published in PLoS One found that chronic lifetime exposure to aspartame, commencing in utero, produces changes in blood glucose parameters and adversely impacts spatial learning and memory in mice. The study, which was published, was a blow against claims that aspartame is an ideal sugar substitute for diabetics.

The researchers used a dosage of aspartame that approximates the ADI for aspartame in the US (approx. 50 mg/kg body weight), and not only was aspartame found to decrease insulin sensitivity compared to controls, it also wrought havoc on brain function.As mentioned on countless occasions, optimizing your insulin sensitivity is key for optimal health, as insulin resistance is a hallmark of virtually every chronic disease you can think of, but especially type 2 diabetes.

Now, contrary to popular belief, aspartame is being revealed as a substance that actually decreases or worsens insulin sensitivity, which is the complete opposite of what you want—especially if you’re already pre-diabetic or diabetic!

According to the authors:“At 17 weeks of age, male aspartame-fed mice exhibited weight gain, elevated fasting glucose levels and decreased insulin sensitivity compared to controls. Females were less affected, but had significantly raised fasting glucose levels.During spatial learning trials in the MWM (acquisition training), the escape latencies of male aspartame-fed mice were consistently higher than controls, indicative of learning impairment… Interestingly, the extent of visceral fat deposition correlated positively with non-spatial search strategies such as floating and thigmotaxis, and negatively with time spent in the target quadrant and swimming across the location of the escape platform. 

These data suggest that lifetime exposure to aspartame, commencing in utero, may affect spatial cognition and glucose homeostasis in C57BL/6J mice, particularly in males.”

Male mice fed aspartame experienced significantly higher weight gain compared to the control group, whereas female weight gain was unaffected by the aspartame diet compared to controls. However, deposits of visceral fat—those dangerous fat deposits around internal organs, which are associated with an increased risk of heart disease in humans—increased in aspartame-fed mice of both sexes. Aspartame-fed mice of both sexes also had elevated fasting blood glucose levels compared to non-consumers of aspartame, although the male mice experienced higher elevations than the females.According to the authors: 

Surprise: Aspartame raises insulin levels as much as sugar

Another study published in 2007 in the journal Diabetes Care found similar results. Here, the researchers investigated the effect of different macronutrient compositions on plasma glucose and insulin levels during an acute bout of exercise in men with type 2 diabetes. They compared the subjects in five different conditions:

  • high–glycemic index sucrose meal (455 kcal)
  • low–glycemic index fructose meal (455 kcal)
  • aspartame meal (358 kcal)
  • high-fat/low-carbohydrate meal (455 kcal)
  • fasting

They hypothesized that using fructose or aspartame would have a lower impact on insulin release and glucose response than a sucrose-sweetened meal. However, experts on sugar and fructose like Dr. Richard Johnson and Dr. Robert Lustig will immediately recognize this as a fatally flawed hypothesis. And indeed, that is what they discovered as well. 

According to the authors:“Contrary to all expectation, the aspartame breakfast induced a similar rise in glucose and insulin levels at baseline than the sucrose meal, even if the aspartame meal had the same taste, and was 22 percent lower in calories and 10 percent lower in carbohydrates, with an inferior glycemic index.… Considering the lack of evidence on the aspartame utilization in patients with type 2 diabetes, we consider that these clinical observations, in an exercise setting, raise important concerns regarding the safety of aspartame as suggested by international guidelines.” 

European Food Safety Authority to Re-Evaluate Aspartame

In related news, the European Commission (EC) has asked the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to speed up the full re-evaluation of aspartame (approved in Europe under the designation E951). Previously planned to be re-evaluated by 2020, the EC is now asking for the review of aspartame to be initiated this year. 

According to a notice by EFSA:“In the course of its scientific deliberations, the Panel found that there were too little data available on 5-benzyl-3, 6-dioxo-2-piperazine acetic acid (DKP) and other potential degradation products that can be formed from aspartame in food and beverages when stored under certain conditions. EFSA is therefore launching an additional call for data on DKP and other degradation products of aspartame.” 

Aspartame’s three components are phenylalanine (50 percent), aspartic acid (40 percent), and methanol (10 percent). When aspartame is exposed to heat or prolonged storage, it breaks down into metabolites. One of these breakdown products is Diketopiperazine (DKP), a toxic metabolite that is not usually found in our diet. The effects of these different metabolites are unknown. It will be interesting to see what, if anything, the EFSA re-evaluation will find out about these metabolites, but regardless, it stands to reason that anything not normally found in actual food is probably not suitable to eat if you’re interested in maintaining optimal health… After all, the human body is designed to run on nutrients, not foreign chemicals. 

Retraining Your Taste Buds is Necessary if You Want Good Health

The idea that you can have your sweets without paying the price of excess weight and related health problems is a persistent one, but it’s not one we’re likely to solve anytime soon. Still, beverage manufacturers like PepsiCo and Coca-Cola are hard at work searching for the magic ingredient that will quench your thirst for sugary sweetness without the extra calories. 

As reported by SeattlePi.com, increasing awareness of the harmful effects of both high fructose corn syrup and artificial sweeteners has soda makers searching high and low for new naturally occurring sweeteners. Some extracts currently under consideration include stevia, monk fruit, and miracle fruit. 

Whether or not any of them will actually be able to let you have your soda without suffering negative consequences remains to be seen. But one thing is for certain, and that is that artificial sweeteners have completely failed in this regard. The evidence showing that artificial sweeteners actually worsen the conditions it’s supposed to ameliorate—primarily obesity and diabetes—is quite overwhelming, and since its approval aspartame has been linked to all sorts of health problems.

The following chronic illnesses can be triggered or worsened by ingesting of aspartame:

  • Brain tumors
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Epilepsy
  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
  • Parkinson’s Disease
  • Alzheimer’s
  • Lymphoma
  • Diabetes

Aspartame and MSG Implicated in Worsening Fibromyalgia and Irritable Bowel Symptoms

Another recent study published in the journal Clinical and Experimental Rheumatologyreveals a potential link between aspartame and conditions such as fibromyalgia and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Both monosodium glutamate (MSG) and aspartate—one of the main ingredients in aspartame—are considered “excitotoxic,” meaning they can excite brain neurons to the point of death.According to the authors:“Fifty-seven fibromyalgia patients who also had irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) were placed on a 4-week diet that excluded dietary additive excitotoxins including MSG and aspartame. Thirty-seven people completed the diet and 84 percent of those reported that >30% of their symptoms resolved, thus making them eligible to proceed to challenges.

Subjects who improved on the diet were then randomised to a 2-week double-blind placebo-controlled crossover challenge with MSG or placebo for 3 consecutive days each week.… The MSG challenge, as compared to placebo, resulted in a significant return of symptoms; a worsening of fibromyalgia severity… decreased quality of life in regards to IBS symptoms… and a non-significant trend toward worsening fibromyalgia pain based on visual analogue scale.  

These findings suggest that dietary glutamate may be contributing to fibromyalgia symptoms in some patients. Future research on the role of dietary excitotoxins in fibromyalgia is warranted.” 

Are Your Health Problems Related to Artificial Sweeteners?

Many people belatedly realize they’ve been suffering reactions to one artificial sweetener or another. If you suspect an artificial sweetener might be to blame for a symptom you’re having, a good way to help you weed out the culprit is to do an elimination challenge. It’s easy to do, but you must read the ingredient labels for everything you put in your mouth to make sure you’re avoiding ALL artificial sweeteners. To determine if you’re having a reaction to artificial sweeteners, take the following steps:

  • Eliminate all artificial sweeteners from your diet for two weeks.
  • After two weeks of being artificial sweetener-free, reintroduce your artificial sweetener of choice in a significant quantity (about three servings daily). Avoid other artificial sweeteners during this period.
  • Do this for one to three days and notice how you feel, especially as compared to when you were consuming no artificial sweeteners.
  • If you don’t notice a difference in how you feel after re-introducing your primary artificial sweetener for a few days, it’s a safe bet you’re able to tolerate it acutely, meaning your body doesn’t have an immediate, adverse response. However, this doesn’t mean your health won’t be damaged in the long run.
  • If you’ve been consuming more than one type of artificial sweetener, you can repeat steps 2 through 4 with the next one on your list.

Lets make it abundantly clear that even though you may not show immediate signs of any noticeable reaction after consuming artificial sweeteners, please don’t make the mistake of telling yourself “they must be OK for me”. Experts strongly urge you to avoid them at all costs. They are toxic to all humans and will not help you in any way, shape, or form.

Are there ANY Safe and Healthy Alternatives to Sugar? 

The best strategy is to lower your use of sugar and eat right for your nutritional type and use the right fuel for your genetics and biochemistry making sure you have enough high quality fats. Once your body has the proper fuel, your sweet cravings will radically diminish and you will be satisfied without them.  If you still have cravings it is a strong suggestion you need to further refine your attempt to identify the right fuel for your body. If you need a sweetener you could use stevia or Lo Han, both of which are safe natural sweeteners.

Remember, if you struggle with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes or extra weight, then you have insulin sensitivity issues and would benefit from avoiding ALL sweeteners. As for sodas and other high sugary content or artificially sweetened… wean yourself off of them and go with water instead. 

Could artificial sweetener CAUSE diabetes?

Splenda modifies the way the body handles sugar’, increasing insulin production by 20%

  • Study found sugar substitute sucralose had an effect on blood sugar levels
  • Also discovered that insulin production increased by 20% when consumed
  • Scientists aren’t sure what implications are, but said that regularly elevated insulin levels could eventually cause insulin resistance and even diabetes

Splenda is made of sucralose, which has been found to affect blood glucose and insulin levels. Scientists found that consuming the sugar alternative made of sucralose caused a person’s sugar levels to peak at a higher level and in turn increase the amount of insulin a person produced. Researchers also said that while they did not fully understand the implications of the findings, they might suggest that Splenda could raise the risk of diabetes. This is because regularly elevated insulin levels can lead to insulin resistance, which is a known path to type 2 diabetes.

“Our results indicate that this artificial sweetener is not inert – it does have an effect,” said Yanina Pepino, research assistant professor of medicine at the Washington School of Medicine in St. Louis, who led the study. “And we need to do more studies to determine whether this observation means long-term use could be harmful.”Sucralose is made from sugar, but once processed its chemical make up is very different. Gram for gram it is 600 times sweeter than table sugar. 

The scientists analysed the effects of Splenda in 17 severely obese people who did not have diabetes and did not use artificial sweeteners regularly. Participants had an average body mass index of just over 42. A person is considered obese when their BMI reaches 30. 

Scientists gave subjects either water or dissolved sucralose to drink before they consumed glucose (sugar). They wanted to understand whether the combination of sucralose and glucose would affect insulin and blood sugar levels. Every participant was tested twice. Those who drank water followed by glucose in one visit drank sucralose followed by glucose in the next. In this way, each person served as his or her own control group.“We wanted to study [overweight people] because these sweeteners frequently are recommended to them as a way to make their diets healthier by limiting calorie intake,” Pepino said.They found that when study participants drank sucralose, their blood sugar peaked at a higher level than when they drank only water before consuming glucose. Insulin levels also rose about 20 percent higher.

So despite no extra sugar being consumed, the artificial sweetener was related to an enhanced blood insulin and glucose response. Professor Yanina explained that they do not fully understand the implications that these rises could have.She said: “The elevated insulin response could be a good thing because it shows the person is able to make enough insulin to deal with spiking glucose levels. But it also might be bad because when people routinely secrete more insulin, they can become resistant to its effects, a path that leads to type 2 diabetes.” 

It has been thought that artificial sweeteners, such as sucralose, don’t have an effect on metabolism.

They are used in such small quantities that they don’t increase calorie intake. Rather, the sweeteners react with receptors on the tongue to give people the sensation of tasting something sweet without the calories associated with natural sweeteners, such as table sugar.

But recent findings in animal studies suggest that some sweeteners may be doing more than just making foods and drinks taste sweeter. One finding indicates that the gastrointestinal tract and the pancreas can detect sweet foods and drinks with receptors that are virtually identical to those in the mouth.That causes an increased release of hormones, such as insulin. Some animal studies also have found that when receptors in the gut, are activated by artificial sweeteners, the absorption of glucose also increases. But in real life, people rarely consume a sweetener by itself. They use it in their coffee or on breakfast cereal or when they want to sweeten some other food they are eating or drinking. 

Just how sucralose influences glucose and insulin levels in people who are obese is still somewhat of a mystery. “Although we found that sucralose affects the glucose and insulin response to glucose ingestion, we don’t know the mechanism responsible,” said Pepino. “We have shown that sucralose is having an effect. In obese people without diabetes we have shown sucralose is more than just something sweet that you put into your mouth with no other consequences. Further studies are needed to learn more about the mechanism through which sucralose may influence glucose and insulin levels, as well as whether those changes are harmful.” The study was published in the journal Diabetes Care. 

In a statement, Splenda said: “Numerous clinical studies in people with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes and non-diabetic people have shown that Splenda Brand Sweetener (sucralose) does not affect blood glucose levels, insulin, or HbA1c.’FDA and other important safety and regulatory agencies from around the world have concluded that sucralose does not adversely affect glucose control, including in people with diabetes. 

It has become increasingly harder for the general population to make sound decisions when there is so much contradiction around what is optimal for human consumption. 

As far as sweetening agents go Natural versus Artificial, there are as many questions as there are answers. Studies and debates are as controversial as the products themselves depending on who’s conducting them, funding the studies, how the data is perceived / interpreted and reported. 

One thing is for certain, a healthy life style, proper diet and exercise will certainly allow you to partake in everything you enjoy… in moderation. Just know the basic facts on your intakes and how it could be adversely affecting you. 

My objective is simply provide you with information, to ensure you make the right choices in life, age well and promote positive well-being – Mentally, Physically and Emotionally. 

Please read the many other articles posted on our website and should you be in a position where you can benefit from our services 

 

Living Longer, Healthier & Happier

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Women Wearing Colorful Bathing CapsPrepare Yourself – To live longer, healthier and happier

“If I’d known I was going to live this long, I’d have taken better care of myself.” So said Eubie Blake, the great ragtime composer and pianist who was still performing at the age of 99, the year before his death. Let’s face it: old age is what lies ahead. If you’re 40 or 50 or even 60, you might not give much thought to the health challenges of aging. But just as planning for future financial needs is important, so is planning for optimum health in our later years.

 

What should you prepare for, and how?

Medical experts express about the major health issues that may lie ahead. While some diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and certain cancers, continue to confound researchers, a great number can be prevented, forestalled, or minimized with a healthy lifestyle and regular health screenings. Sharon Brangman, MD, AGSF, spokeswoman for the American Geriatrics Society, says, “The more you do in middle age to prepare yourself for successful aging, the better.”

Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome

About three-fourths of adults aged 60 and older are overweight or obese. Obesity is related to type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, breast and colon cancer, gall bladder disease, and high blood pressure.

More than 40% of adults 60 and older have a combination of risk factors known as metabolic syndrome, which puts people at increased risk for developing diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers. It is characterized by:

  • Waist measurement greater than 40 inches in men, 35 inches in women (apple-shaped body)
  • Triglyceride level of 150 mg/dL or higher
  • HDL “good” cholesterol level less than 40mg/dL in men, 50 mg/dL in women
  • Blood pressure of 130/85 or higher
  • Fasting glucose level of 110 mg/dL or higher

“Women in, and post-menopausal stages tend to accumulate fat around the waist and hips, and men get the gut,” says Brangman. “The best way to fight it is with increasing exercise, reducing alcohol intake — because a lot of alcohol calories go right to the gut — and reducing calorie intake. Also, increase your healthy fat intake — omega-3 fatty acids and unsaturated fats. And eliminate trans fats completely because there’s no safe amount of those.” She also advises avoiding foods sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup. The common sweetener is found in everything from sodas to breakfast cereal to low-fat yogurt. “In middle age, we should eat foods as close to naturally prepared as possible.”

Arthritis

Arthritis affects nearly half the elderly population and is a leading cause of disability. “Old injuries from playing weekend warrior or high school football, and years of wearing high-heeled shoes catch up with us,” says Brangman. “And arthritis in the knees is the price we pay for walking upright on two legs.” The keys to prevention: avoid overuse, do steady, regular exercise rather than in weekend spurts, and stop if you feel pain. “The adage, ‘no pain, no gain,’ is not true.” And managing your weight is just as essential for joint health as cardiovascular health. The Framingham osteoarthritis study showed that a weight loss of just 11 pounds could reduce the risk of developing osteoarthritis in the knees by 50%.

Osteoporosis and Falls

Osteoporosis and low bone mass affects almost 44 million adults age 50 and older, most predominantly affecting women. According to the National Osteoporosis Association, osteoporosis is not part of normal aging. Healthy behaviours and treatment, when appropriate, can prevent or minimize the condition.

In a given year, more than one-third of adults, age 65 and older experience a fall. Twenty percent to 30% of those who fall suffer injuries that decrease mobility and independence; falls are the leading cause of death from injury in this age group.

“Stop smoking, watch your alcohol intake, get plenty of calcium, and limit foods with high acidic content,” says Brangman. “Avoid sodas. They encourage loss of calcium. Our bodies always maintain calcium, and when there’s not enough coming in from our diet, it comes out from our bones. One reason women are especially at risk for osteoporosis is that if they’ve had children; it takes a whole lot of calcium to develop a baby, and that calcium is taken from the mother’s bones if she’s not getting enough in her diet.” Adults in middle age need 1,000 to 1,200 milligrams of calcium daily.

Vitamin D, “the sunshine vitamin,” is also important. Using sunscreens to protect against harmful UV rays is wise, but sunscreens also blocks the same ultraviolet rays the body needs to make vitamin D.

Furthermore, with age our bodies become less efficient at making vitamin D from sunlight. There is a move to get the FDA to increase the minimum requirement for vitamin D to at least 800, or maybe even 1,000 units. Most multiple vitamins contain 400 units. Make sure you’re getting enough from low-fat dairy products, or take a supplement.”

Weight-bearing exercise also helps to keep bones healthy. “If you’re not exercising, starting at any age is beneficial. It’s never too late, but the sooner the better.

Cancer

Risk for developing most types of cancer increases with age.

As women age, the rate of cervical cancer decreases, and endometrial cancer increases. Sometimes women slack off gynecological exams after their childbearing years, but I still think it’s important for women to get regular exams.”

The risk of prostate cancer increases with age, and black men have a higher rate than white men. Screening should start in your 40s, and at the very least should involve a digital rectal examination.

Lung cancer accounts for more deaths than breast cancer, prostate cancer, and colon cancer combined. “Stop smoking.”

Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)

Younger baby boomers take heed: cardiovascular disease (CVD) affects more than one-third of men and women in the 45- to 54-year age group, and the incidence increases with age. Cardiovascular diseases, which are diseases of the heart or blood vessels, are the leading cause of death in the U.S. and Canada. They include arteriosclerosis, coronary heart disease, arrhythmia, heart failure, hypertension, orthostatic hypotension, stroke, and congenital heart disease.

A healthy lifestyle can reduce the risk of heart disease by as much as 80%, according to data from the Nurses’ Health Study, an extensive research effort that followed more than 120,000 women aged 30 to 55 starting in 1976. Looking at data over 14 years, the researchers showed that women who were not overweight, did not smoke, consumed about one alcoholic drink per day, exercised vigorously for 30 minutes or more per day, and ate a low-fat, high-fibre diet had the lowest risk for heart disease.

If you have high blood pressure, get it under control. It reduces the rate of stroke and heart attacks. People say the medicines have bad side effects, but there are enough medications to choose from that you and your physician should be able to find one that’s right for you.

Prepared foods are loaded with salt. Limit salt intake to control high blood pressure. The minute food comes out of a can or frozen food package or from a fast-food environment you lose control of the ingredients. This is another reason to eat foods as close to naturally prepared as possible.

Vision and Hearing Loss

Age-related eye diseases — macular degeneration, cataract, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma — affect 119 million people aged 40 and older, according to the 2000 census. And that number is expected to double within the next three decades.

“Eating foods with high antioxidant content may be helpful in reducing vision loss due to macular degeneration,” says Brangman. “And taking vitamin supplements for eye health may help. A lot of my geriatric patients are taking them now, which may not be as helpful as taking them when you’re younger.”

It also appears that smokers are at higher risk for macular degeneration, so that’s another reason to stop smoking. Regular eye exams should include screening for glaucoma, which is called “the sneak thief of sight” for the fact that the first symptom is vision loss. The disease can be arrested, but vision lost to glaucoma cannot be restored.

The incidence of hearing loss increases with age. Twenty-nine percent of those with hearing loss are 45-65; 43% of those with hearing loss are 65 or older.

Hearing loss takes a toll on the quality of life and can lead to depression and withdrawal from social activities. Although hearing aids can help, only one out of four people use them.

High-frequency hearing loss is common in old age and made worse by a lifestyle that includes exposure to loud sounds. The 40- and 50-year-olds who went to the rock concerts that were so loud they were pulsating in their chests are starting to pay. Another factor is working or having worked in a noisy environment, such as airports or factories.”

Her advice to people at any age: Don’t use earbuds! Any source of sound that fits in the ear canal, such as using Walkmans or iPods, really puts your hearing at risk. If you’re going to use an iPod, don’t put it directly in your ear, and lower the volume.”

She says hearing aids are not an ideal solution for hearing loss. “My patients complain that they magnify the wrong sounds. They keep their $3,000 or $4,000 hearing aids in the nightstand.”

Teeth

The good news is that you’ll probably keep your own teeth, and implants and bleaching can make your teeth look years younger than the rest of your body. Only about 25% of people over age 60 wear dentures today.That’s because of a lifetime of good dental health and diet. Unfortunately, the people who haven’t had a lifetime of good health care and healthy practices are at risk for losing their teeth.The US and Canadian Dental Associations advises brushing twice a day with fluoridated toothpaste, flossing daily to remove plaque, and visiting your dentist regularly.

Mental Health: Memory and Emotional Well-being

Forget what you think you know about memory loss and old age. It is not inevitable. So why do so many people say, “My memory isn’t what it used to be,” or “I’m having a senior moment?” Stress, anxiety, and mental overload are most likely responsible. “Stop multitasking,” says Brangman, who is professor and division chief and geriatric medicine director at the Central New York Alzheimer’s Disease Centre, SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, N.Y. “Our brains are made for us to do one thing at a time. Multitasking overloads the brain so people aren’t remembering things and get concerned they’re having memory problems.”

Doing the things that keep your heart healthy will also keep your brain healthy. The same blood vessels that go to the heart branch off and go to the brain. Exercise, control your blood pressure, quit smoking, and if you have diabetes, keep it under control.

Staying mentally active is as important as staying physically active. Join a book club, stay up on current events, engage in stimulating conversations, and do crossword puzzles. “The new rage is Sudoku puzzles. They’re absorbing and require a tremendous amount of concentration, and there’s a lot of satisfaction in getting it right.”

One of the perplexing problems of aging is Alzheimer’s disease. About 3% of men and women aged 65 to 74 have Alzheimer’s disease, and nearly half of those aged 85 and older may have the disease. We’re not aware of anything people can do to prevent Alzheimer’s or dementia, but we’re learning new things about the brain every day.

Among all age groups, depression is often an under-diagnosed and untreated condition. Many people mistakenly believe that depression is a natural condition of old age. Of the nearly 35 million Americans aged 65 and older, an estimated 2 million have a depressive illness and 5 million more may have depressive symptoms that fall short of meeting full diagnostic criteria.

When you get older, you’re dealing with life-change issues. Kids leaving home, health problems, loss of parents & friends, and advanced ageing related issues (financial, caregiver arrangements, physical challenges, etc). We notice that all the basketball players are younger than us, and the music and ads are for a younger demographic. He advises anticipating and preparing for the changes to come.

One of the biggest life changes is retirement. Many people have their sense of worth tied up with work. In retirement, depression and suicide rates rise.

Prepare for retirement by thinking about what some call “the second act”. What would you have wanted to do if you hadn’t done your career? Jimmy Carter is a perfect example. After his presidency, he went on to become a humanitarian, working on behalf of international human rights and Habitat for Humanity.”

Recognize that some physical abilities will decline, but giving up sports altogether isn’t the answer. People who are active in sports such as basketball or football should think ahead to activities such as golf or water polo that put less stress on the joints.

Also recognize in your 40s and 50s that parents and grandparents won’t be around forever. In anticipation of their getting old and dying, making contact and tying up loose ends can be useful.

Nurturing your spiritual side may be in order as you get older and face mortality. For many people who have drifted away from religion or spiritual practice, it’s sometimes comforting to reassess that. Do I need to connect with my religion or spend time becoming the spiritual person I want to become? Pay attention to it if it’s important to you.

Finally, just the way you figure out your finances, figure out what you need to make you happy, and if you have a medical problem or mental health problem, how will you deal with it. Make some strategic decisions about how you want to live your life.

Do Your Part

according to the Centre for Disease Control (CDC)Much of the illness, disability, and deaths associated with chronic disease are avoidable through known prevention measures, including a healthy lifestyle, early detection of diseases, immunizations, injury prevention, and programs to teach techniques to self-manage conditions such as pain and chronic diseases . While the future will undoubtedly bring medical advances in treatments and cures… but if you can keep all your parts original, they are the best.

Of course, this is not a road that you must commute alone. You can benefit through a service partnerships with In Our Care – Home Care Services to maximize your independence, mobility, safety and engagement in social and community events.

Please contact us today, to discuss any challenges you may be facing and how our services can help you remain independent, protected, safe, and in you home / community.

You got questions, we have answers: (905) 785-2341 or email us at