Can You Recognize Age Dementia Symptoms?

Every time you forget something, do you worry about dementia?

When you start creeping up there in age, it’s easy to be a little nervous about memory loss.  Losing your memory is like dying before you die.

Your memory doesn’t work quite as well as you age, but a little forgetfulness is no reason to worry about age dementia symptoms.

Many things other than aging alone can cause memory problems.

• depression
• dementia (severe problems with memory and thinking, such as Alzheimer’s disease)
• side effects of drugs
• strokes
• head injury
• alcoholism

Alzheimer’s disease starts by changing your recent memory. If you have Alzheimer’s disease you might remember even small details of your past but not be able to remember recent events or conversations. Over time, the disease affects all parts of your memory.

Age dementia symptoms are certainly worrisome.  They are more than normal aging.

First you want to rule out any of the issues above that might be contributing to your memory loss.  Don’t assume the worst until you have addressed other possibilities.

Signs that are concerning: Read more

Could Your Persistent Cough Have Anything to do With Your Antihistamine?

Do you have a persistent cough that doesn’t want to go away?

Is it driving you nuts?

Lena had sinus issues.

She said her family doctor had made the comment years ago, that her nose was …  “not a white man’s nose”.

Though a funny story, she was at a loss for exactly what that meant, and wondered if the doctor had racial issues.

All Lena knew was that her nose was always stuffed up.

She accepted the daily use of antihistamines as her lot in life.

They seemed harmless enough.  Lena really didn’t notice any side effects, but then she had been using them for so many years she had lost count.

When I began to question Lena about her re-occurring persistent cough, I was actually hopeful that it could be caused by sinus issues.

Lena insisted that the cough was coming from her lungs.

Persistently coughing up clear mucus is indicative of fluid in your lungs. I was hopeful that Lena was wrong.  Fluid in your lungs is a serious issue.

You can often verify fluid in the lungs by listening with a stethoscope, though that fluid will not show up on x-ray early on in the disease process.

In Lena’s case, when I listened to her back over the lowest three ribs on each side for the tell tale popping sounds of fluid, I heard nothing at all.  I heard no air flow in or out.

If Lena had fluid in her lungs it was not audible.

I encouraged Lena to inquire with her doctor about getting an inhaler. Whether or not she had fluid in her lungs, Lena needed to ventilate better.

Lena’s doctor wouldn’t give her an order for an inhaler because she wasn’t wheezing.

After purchasing an over the counter inhaler and giving it a try, Lena was surprised how much more deeply she could breathe.

When I took a listen to her lungs she had little squeaks all over the place, but not necessarily fluid.  This solved the problem of the lack of a prescription inhaler.  Her doctor gave her one right away when she showed up at his office wheezing and squeaky.

However, the persistent cough continued.

I had mentioned to Lena that her daily antihistamine dosing might be problematic many times before.  Shear sleep deprivation and fatigue ate away at her resistance until she was ready to take absolutely any advice and give it a try.

“How can I stop this cough?”

When I brought up the subject of antihistamines with Lena, she protested yet again.  She couldn’t fathom the possibility that her harmless daily antihistamine could possibly be the culprit.

I had to pull out documentation of the side effects to stifle her argument, but that certainly GOT her attention.

She was shocked and in a state of disbelief so I gave her some time to digest the information.

Do you know the side effects of antihistamines? Read more

A Good Stress Reducer Game Can Cause So Much Healing, Do You Remember How To Play?

Holidays are a great excuse to spend quality time with the people you love!

Yesterday’s Independence Day celebration was no exception.

Everywhere I went I saw families laughing, eating and playing together.  There is nothing like a good stress reducer game to take your mind off your worries.

Does your inner child remember how to play?

My family started the day in Volcano Village at the parade and festivities as usual.  The parade was soggy, but we are a never say die community, so there has never been a Fourth of July parade that was canceled because of rain!

There was a very small crowd in attendance.

The folks who usually head up the hill to catch the traditional Volcano parade must have stayed down the mountain where it was warm and far less rainy.

We highlanders are a hearty bunch!  The rain just made the party far more intimate.

There were familiar friendly faces everywhere enjoying the local entertainment and food, and browsing the beautiful craft booths.  My what a talented little village Volcano is!

My daughters sang with their friends from the Summer Musical cast of Peter Pan.  That was really fun!  Most of the community will be there Friday for opening night as well!

Community theater gets much love and support from the Volcano community!  They seem to grow talent up there!

The talented cast members were followed up by super talented kids who wowed the crowd, a very interesting middle eastern dance display, and then the UPS guy rocked the place with his band.  Heck, I didn’t know the UPS guy was even in a band!

My teenagers were longing to hook up with friends to continue the party down the hill at the fireworks celebration, but everyone had family plans.

I was happy to accommodate so we headed to Queen Liliuokalani Park, where several of their friends’ families were headed.

As a single mom, living far from any family ties, I’m used to my kids craving family.  It used to make me sad that I couldn’t fill that void for them.  Over the years, Read more

How Soon Will COPD Stages Damage Your Quality of Life?

If you know what COPD stands for, you probably heard it from your doctor, or someone you know who has COPD.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or COPD, is code word for can’t exhale.

If you can’t get the stale air out, you can’t reload with fresh air.

Lung disease is progressive.  It sneaks up on ya.

COPD stages happen a little at a time.

Pam called me when she came home from her doctors office with a “mild copd” diagnosis.

“How can I have copd?” she asked.

“I don’t smoke.”

“They said it might be all the years I lived with a wood stove as my heat source.”

I told Pam that I could hear her upset, and just wanted to encourage her to make the most of her lung health.

“After all, mild copd means that you have time to optimize your lung function and minimize damage.”

“How in the world do I do that?” she asked. Read more

What Can Emotional Exercise Benefits Do For You?

When you feel down, do you think,

“I should get up and take a walk?”

Probably not, but you should!

Get moving and your mood will improve!

Do you believe that you can choose to be happier? Read more

Do You Know Which Heart Disease Symptom Could Kill You?

Heart disease is the number one killer in the US.

When you worry about heart disease you are probably thinking of a heart attack.

It’s great to be aware of the symptoms of a heart attack.

Getting help before it’s too late is key to your survival.

There is another symptom of heart disease that can sneak up on you, deteriorating your quality of life without you being aware that something is wrong.

This very same heart disease symptom can also kill you instantly!

Do You Want To Know Which Heart Disease Symptom Could Kill You Instantly? Read more

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