Life After 50 Expo

Why sleep deprivation affects each of us differently !

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Losing sleep in favor of some good holiday fun a few times each year is nothing to worry about, but chronic sleep deprivation can have adverse health effects. Some of us are affected more than others, however, and new research helps us understand why.
woman falling asleep at deskFor some of us, it may be harder to perform certain cognitive tasks after a sleepless night.

With 50 to 70 million adults in the United States having a “sleep or wakefulness disorder,” the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) consider sleep deprivation a “public health concern.”

Sleep loss is especially alarming given its status as a significant risk factor for traffic accidents and medical mishaps, as well as posing a danger to one’s health.

Insufficient sleep could increase the risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and cancer, among others conditions.

Cognitively, sleep deprivation has a wide range of adverse effects. In fact, the CDC report that 23.2 percent of U.S. adults aged 20 and above have trouble concentrating, and another 18.2 percent say that they have trouble remembering things as a result of losing sleep.

However, new research shows that the cognitive effects of sleep loss vary from person to person, and that these differences may be down to our genetic makeup.

Scientists led by Paul Whitney, who is a professor of psychology at Washington State University (WSU) in Pullman, found a genetic variation that explains why some people perform certain cognitive tasks a lot better than others after they have been sleep deprived.

to read full article click link below:

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320467.php?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=weekly-us

What to know about allergy shots !

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Allergy shots are how allergen immunotherapy is commonly administered. This method is a proven way of treating reactions to allergens.

Allergy shots are a long-term treatment that aims to decrease the symptoms of allergies over time. They have been shown to reduce allergy sensitivity and provide lasting relief once treatment has finished.

When an allergy shot is given, a small amount of the specific allergen in question is injected into a person’s arm, in a similar way to a vaccine.

Fast facts on allergy shots:

  • Allergy shots are a proven allergy treatment and have been used for more than 100 years.
  • Most insurance plans will cover the cost of allergy shots.
  • They have been shown to decrease the symptoms of many allergies.

How do they work?

Allergy shot injection being given to young woman.Allergy shots are administered as a course, with the dosage increasing over time.

Over time, the dosage of the allergen will be given in increasing amounts to build up the person’s immunity or tolerance.

The treatment will be split into 2 phases.

Build-up phase

Injections will usually be given once a week for the first 7 months, although in some cases they can be more frequent. Individuals often notice a decrease in the symptoms of their allergy, during the build-up phase.

Maintenance phase

After the initial 7 months, an injection every 2 weeks is usually sufficient. Eventually, injections can be given every 4 weeks, and the whole course of treatment will usually last for between 3 and 5 years.

The maintenance phase can often be ongoing for as long as 12 months before a person starts to notice an improvement.

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https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320402.php?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=weekly-us

Stroke: This herbal extract could improve brain function !

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An ancient herbal extract known as ginkgo biloba might benefit cognitive functioning after stroke, a new study suggests, when used in combination with aspirin.
Ginkgo biloba

 

Ginkgo biloba extract may benefit people who have experienced ischemic stroke.

Scientists have discovered that a daily dose of ginkgo biloba extract and aspirin can improve memory and “command and control” functions in people who experienced ischemic stroke.

The treatment was significantly more effective than aspirin alone.

Study co-author Qi Fang — from the Department of Neurology at The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University in Suzhou, China — and colleagues have reported their results in the journal Stroke & Vascular Neurology.

More than 795,000 people in the United States have a stroke each year, which is the equivalent to one stroke every 40 seconds.

Around 87 percent of strokes are ischemic, wherein the artery that supplies blood to the brain becomes blocked — most commonly due to a blood clot.

to read full article click link below:

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320420.php?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=weekly-us

Causes and remedies for cold feet !

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Experiencing cold feet is normal from time to time. Changes in temperature, as well as health and lifestyle choices, are some of the most common causes of cold feet, and adjusting these factors will usually help relieve symptoms.

In this article, we look at these and several medical causes of cold feet. We also list home remedies people can try to keep the feet warm and comfortable.

Causes of cold feet

There can be a variety of reasons for cold feet, from winter temperatures to circulation and nerve disorders. Causes of cold feet include:

Cold temperatures

imprint of cold feet in shoe soles in the snow

 

Cold feet is common in cold temperatures. However, experiencing cold feet in normal or warm temperatures may be a sign of an underlying health problem.

Cold feet are one of the body’s normal reactions to colder temperatures. When the body enters a colder area, blood vessels in the extremities, such as the hands and feet, will constrict. This reduces the blood flow to these areas, which also reduces the amount of heat the body loses.

The extremities are the parts of the body furthest from the vital organs, so reducing blood flow to the extremities also helps keep warmth and blood flow in the more important body parts.

Over time this reduced blood flow can cause decreased oxygen in the tissues, which may cause them to take on a bluish color. When temporary, these symptoms are not usually serious, and the body will return to normal as it warms up again.

Some people have Raynaud’s phenomenon, where exposure to cold temperatures or high stresscauses them to experience limited blood circulation, resulting in cold or numb fingers and toes.

High stress or anxiety

Being in a state of high stress or anxiety may also cause cold feet. One of the body’s natural responses to stress or nervousness is to pump adrenaline into the bloodstream.

As it circulates, adrenaline causes the blood vessels at the periphery to constrict, which decreases the flow of blood to the outermost areas of the body. This response reserves energy and prepares for any bodily harm that may happen, as a result of the high-stress situation.

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https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320327.php?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=weekly-us

How to reduce Christmas stress !

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“It’s the most wonderful time of the year,” but also a time when stress levels soar. We have put together some top tips to stop stress in its tracks and make the season of goodwill more enjoyable.
stressed woman wearing christmas hat

 

The holidays can be a time of high stress levels, but managing stress can help you to have a happy and healthy Christmas.

While Christmas is known as “the season to be jolly,” it can be a significant source of stress, pressure, and conflict for many of us. Some people can feel overwhelmed by the excess, expectations, and exchange and become depressed during the holidays.

A lack of time and money, credit card debt, and the pressure of gift giving can often contribute to stress during the holiday season.

Most of us are aware of the adverse effects that stress can have on our body. It can impact our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and it can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and obesity if left unchecked.

In fact, research has shown that there is an increase in the occurrence of heart attacks and heart-related deaths during the festive season, which may be due to stress, heavy alcohol consumption, a fatty diet, or all three. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that holiday stress is dealt with — pronto.

With all the cooking, decorating, visiting, and gift giving, the holidays can seem more like trying to meet a high-pressure deadline than a vacation. So, try these Christmas stress-busting strategies to ease the strain and help stress melt away.

to continue reading click link below:

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320295.php?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=weekly-us