Life with Chronic Conditions: Ageism

Ageism, or age discrimination, is very real and problematic. It’s been particularly challenging during the Covid pandemic. As COVID-19 spreads throughout the United States and the rest of the world, the resulting disruptions to the economy mean that it is highly likely the incidence of age discrimination will increase. This may include employers laying off older staff members or not considering older candidates when rehiring. This short-term thinking ignores long-term consequences that will affect people of all ages. Nature Aging 

 

At any age you can experience ageism. When I turned 30, I found I had “aged out” of men in their 30s as they wanted 20 somethings. However, I had aged into men 40 and up who thought I was a more "datable" age.  In my 40s, men joked about turning in their 40 for two 20s. And so it goes. However, AARP conducted a survey which found that people at 45 start experiencing discrimination in the workplace.

 

That’s a pretty low number and when combined with having a chronic condition, that can be downright frightening.

 

While there is plenty of research that shows the critical need to hire and retain the older worker, the stereotypes exist, making it very difficult for people as they age to find gainful and meaningful employment. It’s not just about the income and benefits that they can miss out on, it’s the impact on self-worth and sense of purpose that are also impacted.

 

 Older people who don’t feel useful are three times more likely to develop a disability and four times more likely to die prematurely, compared with counterparts who do feel useful. In short, if 30-plus years as a professional are suddenly thoroughly discounted by the business world, the effect on your health and longevity is undeniable.

 

Ageism is part of healthcare.

-       A patient’s complaints are dismissed and potentially not treated because of their age. 

-       They are talked down to and treated like children, with conversations taking place between the care giver and provider without including the patient. “Elderspeak” is very real as people often speak loudly, slowly, and with exaggeration.

-       Providers and staff have stereotypical ideas of elders. Some providers may have a negative bias as they’d prefer not to be reminded that they too will age. Assumptions are often made that an elder is cognitively impaired.

-       When surrounded by a group of frail elderly, assumptions can be easily made that all elderly fall into this category. Even frail elderly can still be quite capable

-       Elderly adults with multiple chronic conditions are often excluded from clinical trials

-       Conditions can be over treated if medical providers offer health recommendations based on age without conducting proper assessments

-       Bias can be against the older adult in favor of the younger patient, such as a child or new mother

-       The elderly, particularly if they have a chronic condition, are targeted by scammers, drug companies and businesses. Commercials, be it TV, print or social media, are aimed to separate the senior from their often limited income with promises of treatments that have a snowballs chance in hell of actually working. 

 

Self-Ageism is also a factor, particularly when symptoms are just chalked up to old age and are not checked out. Preventive measures such as wearing a seat belt, eating healthy, exercising, limiting alcohol etc. are dropped because “I’m too old for that.” Sadly, the “I’m too old for that attitude” can begin for some people in their 40s.

 

These factors can lead to many conditions going undiagnosed and/or properly treated. This is turn leads to emotional, social and physical issues including pain; cognitive impairment; fatigue; isolation, depression, anxiety and stress; unnecessary harm; and unnecessary expenditures.

 

Age has some terrific attributes, which sometimes go un noticed until the skill sets are desperately needed. When my town was devastated by a flood 10 years ago, it was our elders that not only repaired the roads, but they showed the community how to thrive though the situation was challenging. One 85 year old woman kept us informed about her part of town by sending daily e-mails. We couldn’t find another man, who was about 90, as he was driving and directing people through back roads that people didn’t know existed. I never saw my community look so youthful as so many of our elders hit the ground running and knew they were making an important contribution.

 

In the last 10 years, I’m realizing more and more the gifts of aging. I’m actually slowing down and studying how something works. I understand “the forest,” though I don’t always see the specific tree. As a result, I’m a much better problem solver and am able to figure out how to network people and organizations in ways that I couldn’t have done when I was younger. It’s no surprise that elder statements can achieve a lot more at the end of their career than at the beginning of it.

 

DEALING WITH AGEISM: Below are 5 ways to reduce the negative impacts of ageism while at the same time enjoying the perks.

 

1. Develop habits and practices that promote health and well-being: The Blue Zones Power 9 & the Harvard Study of Adult Development: Blue Zones has been studying what the oldest living societies on earth have in common, while the Harvard Study  is one of the world’s longest studies of adult life. Both of these studies have drawn similar conclusions:

• Invest in family, friends and community: Our relationships and how happy we are in them has a powerful influence on our health. Close relationships, more than money or fame, are what keep people happy throughout their lives. Those ties protect people from life’s discontents, help to delay mental and physical decline, and are better predictors of long and happy lives than social class, IQ, or even genes. Loneliness kills. The key to healthy aging is relationships, relationships, relationships. In addition to your friendships and family, support your community by volunteering and definitely have friends of all ages.

• Purpose: Having a sense of purpose and meaning in your life is important at any age, but is most critical as we get older. Check out some previous posts on this topic:

-       Do you feel that you matter?

-       Ikigai (finding purpose)

-       We All Have Purpose Even When We Think We Don’t 

• Move naturally: The world’s longest-lived people don’t pump iron, run marathons or join gyms. Instead, they live in environments that constantly nudge them into moving without thinking about it. They grow gardens and don’t have mechanical conveniences for house and yard work.

• Down Shift: Stress leads to chronic inflammation, associated with every major age-related disease. Take a Break daily: Need ideas? Check out over 400 ways at the Take a Break Pinterest Board

• You are what you eat & drink:

-       Follow the 80% rule, stop eating when your stomach is 80% full

-       Eat your smallest meal in the late afternoon or early evening

-       Plant slant. Beans are the cornerstone of most centenarian diets. Limit meat

-       Wine @ 5 Drink moderately. Do not abuse alcohol

-       Maintain a healthy weight

-       Don’t smoke

 

Check out the TED talks

How to Live to be 100+ (Dan Buettner of Blue Zones) 

 

What Makes a good life? Lessons from the longest study on happiness (Robert Waldinger Harvard Study)

 

2. Be a life-long learner-Never stop learning. Take courses be it relating to work, hobbies or any areas of interest. Being willing to learn new ideas and skills keeps your brain nimble, a better employee, and a better problem solver. The Internet offers lots of opportunities to learn new things so it’s important to stay current on how this technology is changing.

 

3. Learn to be resilient 

 

4. Know your rights/Speak up: It’s against the law for employers to discriminate on the basis of age. Familiarize yourself with the Age Discrimination in Employment Act so you can recognize and respond to discrimination in your workplace. Don’t be pushed around in the workplace, doctor’s office or with family or friends. Speak up.

 

5. Be as independent as you can be: Learned helplessness is a real thing. Don’t assume you can’t do something because of your age. Can’t find a job? Check out AARP’s Work for Yourself @50+ 

Take a Break: Try a Loving Kindness Meditation

Several weeks ago I posted about the role of kindness and compassion in helping us to heal and stay healthy. Among the recommendations is practicing a loving kindness meditation. Below are several to try.

 

 

 

Not interested in today’s activities, try the Take a Break Pinterest Board.

Life with Chronic Conditions: Grief/Loss Resources

A few weeks ago, I was talking with my brother-in-law and to make a long story short, he wanted more information on grief and loss. I sent him the following e-mail and thought it might be helpful to others.

 

I should note that I haven’t heard back from R and don’t expect to since what I’ve written doesn’t exactly fit the pop culture narrative of "five stages of grief" and so forth.

 

It’s a bit more direct than how I normally write on this blog, but I was writing to my brother-in-law after all. That said, I’m the first to say that while most people do just fine, as we are wired for resiliency, that is not always the case.

 

Anyone experiencing grief that is not resolving after six months, or sooner depending how severe the reaction, needs professional help. Left untreated it can lead to various health complications and even PTSD (post traumatic stress syndrome).

 

Distinct from depression, prolonged grief is marked by a pervasive yearning for the deceased. It is most common among people who have lost a child or a romantic partner and is more likely to occur after sudden or violent deaths, such as deaths by homicide, suicide or accident. Evidence suggests that about one in 10 bereaved people develops prolonged grief disorder, according to a meta-analysis by PhD candidate Marie Lundorff, at Aarhus University in Denmark, and colleagues (Journal of Affective Disorders, Vol. 212, No. 1, 2017).

 

Immediate crises should be handled by going to an emergency room and/or calling a crisis hotline. SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration), the National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.1-800-662-HELP (4357). Medical providers should be able to provide a referral as well. 

 

Take all suicide threats seriously. 

 

R:

 

Grief/loss are issues we all deal with at various stages throughout our life. Because of the work I’ve done and do, I’ve probably immersed myself in it more than most. Hell even my work with the historical society has a strong component since I head up the Solzhenitsyn project.

 

I researched the topic quite a bit and probably the single best book I’ve read is George Bonanno’s “The Other Side of Sadness: What the New Science of Bereavement Tells Us About Life After Loss.” Basically, most of what is being written and promoted is pure bunk. The bullshit that is coming out about Covid flies in the face of both history and the volumes of research that clearly shows people are resilient and most will do just fine. In fact, just like AIDS and other pandemics, there are great gifts that follow.

 

When I’m working with grieving people I make a point of telling them that they are wired for resilience and to trust their brain. It knows what it’s doing and it’s trying to bring you back to center. There is no percentage, and no supporting science,  in the constant idea of “grief work,” “stages of grief,” “you’ll never get over it,” and lots of other catch phrases and memes.

 

My own take on this is that when the baby boomer generation ditched church in the 60s, they still had the big questions and so the “counselor” was born. A lot of this “grief work” idea is nothing short of a jobs program to keep certain people employed.

 

Happy to talk to you more about it, but you can read the articles I’ve written on my blog about this topic. There is a post for those whose caregiving role has ended.

 

Margo

 

The older I get the Less I know: Understanding Grief

 

Is Counseling Necessary to Cope with a Crisis?

 

When Caregiving Ends What’s Next? Redefining Your Purpose

 

Life with Chronic Disease: You are not a victim: This was inspired by Lucy Hone’s TED talk who as a positive psychologist was brought to her knees when her daughter and best friend were killed in a car accident. Truly one of the best talks I’ve heard that largely tells the “counselors” stop making me a victim.

 

Life with Chronic Conditions in the Time of Covid: Adaptation & Flexibility are Key: Contains links to videos of Boananno

 

When You Can’t Be With Them: Messages that make a difference 

 

Life in the time of Covid-19: We are wired for Resiliency

 

Life with Chronic Conditions: No Matter the Loss You Can Love Again 

 

Resiliency in Action: Watch Oswalt Interview

Journal Watch May 2021

COVID

CDC Says Vaccinated People Don’t Need to Wear Masks in Most Indoor Settings: The new guidanceTrusted Source says fully vaccinated people, which are people who are 2 weeks out from their second dose of the two-shot vaccine or people 2 weeks out from the one-shot vaccine, don’t need to wear masks indoors in places like offices, schools, restaurants, gyms, and bars. The guidance also states that fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear masks outside, even in crowds. Unvaccinated people still need to adhere to the masking and safety protocolsTrusted Source recommended in public areas, the CDC states.

Pfizer vaccination approved for 12 +: The FDA and the CDC recommend the use of Pfizer’s Covid vaccine in 12-15 year olds. Many states have already begun administering the shot.

 

Multivitamins, omega-3, probiotics, vitamin D may lessen risk of positive COVID-19 test. Taking multivitamins, omega-3, probiotics or vitamin D supplements may lessen the risk of testing positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19 infection -- at least among women -- indicates a large population study, published online in the journal BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health.

Brazilian Variant May Be More Transmissible: The coronavirus variant first detected in Brazil appears to be much more transmissible than other versions of the virus, a new study says. The study, first published in Science, also said the variant called P.1 might be able to evade immunity that people gained after previously being infected with coronavirus.

Swollen Lymph Nodes After COVID Vaccine May Mean Previous Infection: People who experience particular side effects after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, such as swollen lymph nodes, may have previously been infected with the coronavirus, according to a new study published on the medRxiv preprint server. The study hasn't yet been peer-reviewed. Common side effects such as fever, fatigue, muscle pain and joint pain were also more common among those who had previous infections.

Pfizer Pill to Treat COVID Symptoms Could Be Ready by Year's End: Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla says an oral drug the company is developing to treat COVID-19 symptoms could be available to the public by the end of the year. "If all goes well, and we implement the same speed that we are, and if regulators do the same, and they are, I hope that (it will be available) by the end of the year," Bourla said on CNBC's Squawk Box. 

Smell training, not steroids, best treatment for COVID-19 smell loss: Smell loss is a prominent symptom of Covid-19, and the pandemic is leaving many people with long-term smell loss.  But a new study  shows that corticosteroids - a class of drug that lowers inflammation in the body - are not recommended to treat smell loss due to Covid-19. Instead, the team recommend 'smell training' - a process that involves sniffing at least four different odours twice a day for several months. International Forum of Allergy & Rhinology 

 

Study confirms high doses of vitamin D have no effect on COVID-19: A Brazilian study has found that high doses of vitamin D administered to hospital patients with moderate or severe COVID-19 did not affect the course of the disease. JAMATrusted Source.

 

COVID-19 vaccine response weakened by common IBD drug: People who use a commonly prescribed drug, Remicade, a drug that treats various automimmune conditions, such a inflammatory bowel disease) may have limited protection after their first COVID-19 vaccine, dose. However, in a subgroup of people who had previously had SARS-CoV-2, and in a few people who had already had a second vaccine dose, the antibody response increased significantly. journal Gut.

 

Fewer Long-Term Effects in Nonhospitalized COVID Patients: People who get COVID-19 but don't have to go to the hospital have a low risk of developing severe complications later, a new study says. But those non-hospitalized patients end up making more visits to general practitioners and hospital outpatient clinics than people who didn't have COVID-19 at all, according to the study published in  The Lancet.

 

Reports Further Characterize COVID Vaccine Skin Reactions: Patients who receive the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are experiencing a variety of skin rashes, a dermatologist told colleagues, and some lesions don't appear until several days after an injection. The good news is that these side effects tend to be minor and vanish within a few days, Esther Freeman, MD, PhD, said in a presentation at the American Academy of Dermatology Virtual Meeting Experience.

 

How Has COVID-19 Affected People With Migraine? Many people with migraine have reported an increase in headache frequency and/or severity over the past year owing to the challenges they have faced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. A recent online survey explored the real-world impact of COVID-19 on patients with migraine and showed that about 60% of respondents had an increase in migraine frequency, 16% reported a decrease in migraine frequency, and a little over 10% reported converting from episodic migraine to chronic migraine.

 

mRNA Vaccines Likely Effective Against India Variant: Both of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna are likely effective against the coronavirus variant that is rapidly spreading throughout India and several other countries, according to laboratory experiments. bioRxiv

 

 

PAIN

How philosophy can change the understanding of pain: Researchers have investigated how philosophical approaches can be used to think in new ways about pain and its management. The researchers advocate not merely reducing chronic pain management to searching and treating underlying physical changes but instead adopting an approach that focuses on the person as a whole. Synthese"

 

Back pain shows association with increased mortality risk in women; New research identifies elevated mortality risk for women with back pain when compared to women without back pain. Back pain was not associated with mortality among men indicating long-term consequences of back pain may differ by sex. The overall findings suggest that mild back pain (pain that does not keep a person from exercising or doing daily activities) is unlikely to impact the length of one's life, but risk of mortality was increased among adults with more severe back pain. Published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, this new study raises the question of whether better management of back-related pain and disability, over time, may extend life.

 

Total knee replacement may be more painful for vitamin-D deficient postmenopausal women: Vitamin D is a critical part of a healthy diet. Among other benefits, it has been shown to protect against bone disease and maintain soft tissue health. A new study suggests that it may also play a role in the degree of postoperative pain postmenopausal women experience after undergoing total knee replacement. Menopause 

 

Can financialstress lead to physical pain in later years? Financial stress can have an immediate impact on well-being, but can it lead to physical pain nearly 30 years later? The answer is yes, according to new research. Stress and Health 

 

Patient Support Programs for Painful Conditions May Reduce Opioid Use: Programs that provide ongoing support to patients with painful conditions and complex medication regimens may also help them avoid using potentially risky opioid pain medications, or reduce the amount they use, a new study finds. Rheumatology and Therapy.

 

 

COMPLEMENTARY & ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE

The relationship between CBD, the placebo effect, and pain: A new study shows that while CBD can help people deal with pain, this is due, at least in part, to a placebo effect. Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology

 

Doctors should screen over-50s for cannabis use, say researchers: Older people who use cannabis to relieve or treat health problems are failing to discuss their substance use with doctors, according to research published in peer-reviewed The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse.

 

Meditative practice and spiritual wellbeing may preserve cognitive function in aging: A growing body of evidence finds that targeting lifestyle and vascular risk factors have a beneficial effect on overall cognitive performance. A new review examines research that finds spiritual fitness, a new concept in medicine that centers on psychological and spiritual wellbeing, and Kirtan Kriya, a simple 12-minute meditative practice, may reduce multiple risk factors for AD. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease

 

Feeling younger buffers older adults from stress, protects against health decline: People who feel younger have a greater sense of well-being, better cognitive functioning, less inflammation, lower risk of hospitalization and even live longer than their older-feeling peers. A study suggests one potential reason for the link between subjective age and health: Feeling younger could help buffer middle-aged and older adults against the damaging effects of stress. Psychology and Aging

 

FDA ACTION

• Approved Farxiga (dapagliflozin) oral tablets to reduce the risk of kidney function decline, kidney failure, cardiovascular death and hospitalization for heart failure in adults with chronic kidney disease who are at risk of disease progression.  

• Approved a higher dose naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray product to treat opioid overdose

• Authorized marketing of a new device- Neurolutions IpsiHand Upper Extremity Rehabilitation System (IpsiHand System)-indicated for use in patients 18 and older undergoing stroke rehabilitation to facilitate muscle re-education and for maintaining or increasing range of motion.

• Granted accelerated approval to Jemperli (dostarlimab) for treating patients with recurrent or advanced endometrial cancer that has progressed on or following prior treatment with a platinum-containing chemotherapy and whose cancers have a specific genetic feature known as dMMR

 

 

PREVENTION: Exercise

A simpleexercise goal protects against unhealthy weight gain : New research shows that physical activity equivalent to 100 PAI (Personal Activity Intelligence) a week can counteract excessive weight gain. "Previously, we found that 100 PAI a week can give us a longer and healthier life without cardiovascular disease. Our new study shows that PAI can also help people maintain a healthy body weight. The Lancet 

 

 

PREVENTION: Vitamins

Why People at Risk of Heart Disease May Want to Avoid Fish Oil: According to a new analysis by the European Society of Cardiology, omega-3 fatty acid supplements are associated with an increased likelihood of developing atrial fibrillation (AFib) in people with high triglyceride levels. The new analysis looked at five randomized controlled trials and investigated the effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on cardiovascular outcomes.

 

Probiotics associated with fewer respiratory symptoms in overweight and older people: Daily probiotic use was associated with fewer upper respiratory symptoms in overweight and older people, according to a study that suggests a potential role for probiotics in preventing respiratory infections. The study was selected for presentation at Digestive Disease Week® (DDW) 2021.

 

PREVENTION: Diet/Nutrition

Eating sardines regularly helps preventtype 2 diabetes: the regular consumption of sardines helps to prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes. Nutrients found in high quantities in sardines - such as taurine, omega 3, calcium and vitamin D - help to protect against this disease which, according to CIBERDEM's Di@betes study, affects around 14% of the Spanish population over the age of 18. 

 

5:2 diet helps reduce skin symptoms in Psoriasis patients : New research investigating for the first time the effects of modified intermittent fasting (MIF) on the skin of people with psoriasis has yielded promising results. Preliminary study findings presented today at the EADV Spring Symposium, show a significant reduction in scaling and thickness in patients with mild psoriasis after following a MIF 5:2 diet (eating normally for 5 days and restricting calorie intake on 2 non-consecutive days).

 

High sugar-sweetened drinks tally linked to doubling in bowel cancer risk before age 50 Drinking two or more daily sugar-sweetened beverages in adulthood is linked to a doubling in the risk of bowel cancer before the age of 50--at least in women, finds research. Gut.

 

Does eating a Mediterranean diet protect against memory loss and dementia? Eating a Mediterranean diet that is rich in fish, vegetables and olive oil may protect your brain from protein build up and shrinkage that can lead to Alzheimer's disease, according to a new study. Neurology

 

New study shows tree nuts may play a role in both weight loss and weight maintenance: In a randomized, controlled study* published online in the journal, Nutrients, researchers found that including mixed tree nuts in a weight management program resulted in significant weight loss and improved satiety.

 

One cup of leafy green vegetables a day lowers risk of heart disease: The study investigated whether people who regularly ate higher quantities of nitrate-rich vegetables, such as leafy greens and beetroot, had lower blood pressure, and it also examined whether these same people were less likely to be diagnosed with heart disease many years later. The study found that people who consumed the most nitrate-rich vegetables had about a 2.5 mmHg lower systolic blood pressure and between 12 to 26 percent lower risk of heart disease. The study found that the optimum amount of nitrate-rich vegetables was one cup a day and eating more than that didn't seem to give any additional benefits. European Journal of Epidemiology 

 

Obesity, high-salt diet pose different cardiovascular risks in females, males: Obesity and a high-salt diet are both bad for our hearts but they are bigger, seemingly synergistic risks for females, scientists report. American Physiological Society Annual Meeting

 

Inflammatory diet linked to testosterone deficiency in men: Consuming a diet high in pro-inflammatory foods, including foods that contain refined carbohydrates and sugar as well as polyunsaturated fats - may be associated with increased odds of developing testosterone deficiency among men, suggests a study in The Journal of Urology

 

Can Moderate Drinking Really Help Your Heart? What Experts Think: A new study that is being presented at the American College of Cardiology’s 70th Annual Scientific Session indicates that moderate alcohol consumption has been linked to a lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease. However, experts say they do not recommend alcohol consumption as a way to reduce heart disease risk. Alcohol is associated with other health problems, including cancer, high blood pressure, and substance use disorder. Lifestyle changes, such as improved diet, sleep, and exercise, are better and safer ways to reduce your risk.

 

Vegetarians Have Healthier Biomarkers Than Meat Eaters: People who follow a vegetarian diet have a healthier biomarker profile than meat eaters, found a new observational study of more than 177,000 British adults being presented at this week’s European Congress on Obesity (ECO). According to the researchers, this applied to people of any age and weight, and was unaffected by tobacco and alcohol consumption. Experts say people don’t have to become vegetarian to be healthy. Instead, eating meat in moderation can lead to better health.

 

Eating more fruit and vegetables linked to less stress, study finds: Eating a diet rich in fruit and vegetables is associated with less stress, according to new research. The findings revealed people who ate at least 470 grams of fruit and vegetables daily had 10 per cent lower stress levels than those who consumed less than 230 grams. Clinical Nutrition

 

PREVENTION

Short-term exposure to air pollution may impede cognition; Aspirin could help: Exposure to air pollution, even over the course of just a few weeks, can impede mental performance, according to a new study. However, these adverse effects were lessened in people taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin. The study is among the first to explore short-term air pollution exposures and the use of NSAIDs to mitigate their effects. Examples of events that would increase someone's exposure to air pollution over the short term could include forest fires, smog, second-hand cigarette smoke, charcoal grills, and gridlock traffic. Nature Aging

 

Drivers with shift work sleep disorder 3x more likely to be in crash: People who work nontraditional work hours, such as 11 p.m.-7 a.m., or the "graveyard" shift, are more likely than people with traditional daytime work schedules to develop a chronic medical condition -- shift work sleep disorder -- that disrupts their sleep. According to researchers at the University of Missouri, people who develop this condition are also three times more likely to be involved in a vehicle accident. Safety Science 

 

Disrupted sleep is linked to increased risk of death, particularly in women: The study of 8001 men and women, published in the European Heart Journal, found that women who experienced unconscious wakefulness most often and for longer periods of time had nearly double the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease during an average of between 6 and 11 years' follow-up, when compared to the risk in general female population. The association was less clear in men, and their risk of cardiovascular death increased by just over a quarter compared to the general male population.

 

Second hand smoke linked to higher odds of heart failure: Breathing in secondhand cigarette smoke may leave you more vulnerable to heart failure, a condition where the heart isn't pumping as well as it should and has a hard time meeting the body's needs, according to a study being presented at the American College of Cardiology's 70th Annual Scientific Session.

 

Study of 70,000 individuals links dementia to smoking and cardiovascular disease: In the largest study of the associations between smoking and cardiovascular disease on cognitive function, researchers found both impair the ability to learn and memorize; and that the effects of smoking are more pronounced among females, while males are more impaired by cardiovascular disease. Scientific Reports. 

 

People at high genetic risk for colorectal cancer benefit more from lifestyle changes: People with a high polygenic risk score for colorectal cancer could benefit more at preventing the disease by leading healthy lifestyles than those at lower genetic risk. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

 

Teens, adults who use E-cigarettes have increased odds of asthma, asthma attacks: While vaping is thought to be a safer alternative to smoking, teens and adults who use e-cigarettes have increased odds of developing asthma and having asthma attacks, according to research presented at the ATS 2021 International Conference. 

 

E-cigarettesassociated with wheezing, shortness of breath: The use of e-cigarettes is associated with wheezing and shortness of breath in young adults and adolescents, even in those who don't smoke cigarettes or marijuana, according to research presented at the ATS 2021 International Conference.

 

 

TREATMENT

Low doses of radiation may improve quality of life for those with severe Alzheimer's: Individuals living with severe Alzheimer's disease showed remarkable improvements in behaviour and cognition within days of receiving an innovative new treatment that delivered low doses of radiation. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease

 

Shared medical appointments help patients with prediabetes: Over a 24 month period, patients who took part in shared medical appointments lost more weight than those who received usual care. By the conclusion of the study period, patients who attended shared medical appointments showed better outcomes in managing the aforementioned chronic conditions than those patients who received usual care. American Academy of Family Physicians

 

1 in 5 People with High Blood Pressure Are Taking Meds That Can Make It Worse: Nearly 1 in 5 adults with high blood pressure take medications — like steroids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antipsychotics, or birth control — that could be worsening their blood pressure levels.  According to the new findings, which were presented at the American College of Cardiology’s 70th Annual Scientific Session, doctors need to pay more attention to what medications people take and how they may affect their blood pressure. Even simple lifestyle changes, like diet and exercise, can help drastically improve people’s blood pressure levels.

 

Study Finds Blood Pressure Meds May Help People Who Don’t Have Hypertension: New research finds that people with normal blood pressure and no history of heart disease may benefit from taking blood pressure medications. The meta-analysisTrusted Source, which published May 1 in The Lancet, found that each 5 mm Hg reduction in systolic blood pressure reduced the risk of heart attack or stroke by about 10 percent, even in people with no history of heart disease. According to the researchers, the findings suggest pharmacological blood pressure-lowering drugs can help prevent heart disease and stroke in certain people who are at risk of a cardiac event.

 

Gout Treatment Success Doubled by Combining Two Drugs: A second drug taken orally more than doubled the effectiveness of Pegloticase, an intravenous gout treatment used to dissolve crystalized uric acid in the joints when oral medications fail.  Arthritis & Rheumatology

 

Simple Surgery Reduces Stroke Risk in People with Heart Arrhythmia: Simply removing a small appendage on the heart can reduce the risk of stroke for people with heart arrhythmia, according to a new study The left atrial appendage is an unused, finger-like tissue that can trap blood in the heart chamber and increase the risk of clots. Removing it can cut the risk of stroke by more than a third in people whose hearts either beat too fast, too slowly, or irregularly, the researchers reported. NEJM

 

Pairing bariatric procedure with diabetes drug increases weight loss: Combining minimally invasive endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) with the diabetes drug semaglutide can provide additional significant weight loss for patients who are not candidates for invasive weight-loss surgery, according to research that was selected for presentation at Digestive Disease Week® (DDW) 2021.

 

OTHER

Study links hydraulic fracking with increased risk of heart attack hospitalization, death: New research compares the health impacts of fracking on either side of the New York and Pennsylvania border and found that people who live in areas with a high concentration of fracking wells are at higher risk for heart attacks. The associations between fracking and heart attack hospitalization and death were most consistent among men aged 45-54, a group most likely to be in the unconventional gas industry workforce and probably the most exposed to fracking-related air pollutants and stressors. Heart attack deaths also increase in this age group by 5.4 percent or more in counties with high concentrations of well sites. Hospitalization and mortality rates also jumped significantly in women over the age of 65. Environmental Research

 

Defective epithelial barriers linked to two billion chronic diseases: Humans are exposed to a variety of toxins and chemicals every day. According to the epithelial barrier hypothesis, exposure to many of these substances damages the epithelium, the thin layer of cells that covers the surface of our skin, lungs and intestine. Defective epithelial barriers have been linked to a rise in almost two billion allergic, autoimmune, neurodegenerative and psychiatric diseases. Nature Reviews Immunology,