Malaria Basics
We are working on our Imagine No Malaria commitment, and one of our first steps is to learn a bit about what we are fighting to eliminate. Malaria is actually a group of 4 illnesses, each caused by one of four parasites. About 300 to 500 million people are infected with malaria, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia. Malaria kills about 1 million people every year, most of them children younger than 5 years old.
How does a person become infected? Malaria is spread by a type of mosquito called Anopheles-they are active at night. The story begins when a mosquito bites a person who has malaria. The parasites are present within that person’s red blood cells, and the blood cells are the mosquito’s food. The parasites stay inside the mosquito until it bites another person, and then they enter the new victim’s bloodstream.
What are the symptoms of malaria? The symptoms usually appear about 12-17 days after the mosquito bite. They include cycles of fever followed by sweats, chills and fatigue. During the fevers, there are often headaches, nausea, dehydration, and a rapid heart rate. The cycles occur as the parasites infect and then destroy the red blood cells. As the infection progresses, the victim develops anemia, and enlargement of the liver and spleen (both are important organs located in the abdomen). Especially in young children, malaria can cause failure of the lungs, liver or kidneys as well as shock (all of which can kill).
Is malaria treatable? Yes, medicines are available to treat malaria. Many of these medicines are a bit unpleasant to take, but they are safe and inexpensive.
Does malaria occur in the US? Malaria is diagnosed every year in the U.S., basically because people travel abroad and bring the infection back with them. Travelers can prevent this from happening by taking anti-malaria medications when they travel to malaria infested areas. Malaria once was common in the southeastern U.S., but no longer. It’s a reason to be hopeful-if we did it here, we can eliminate malaria in other nations too.
How can we win against malaria? It’s a multi-step approach that includes prevention, education, treatment, and communication.
Prevention-provide bed nets and drain the wet spots where Anopheles lives. When we break the life cycle of the mosquito, we prevent malaria transmission.
Education-teach people how to fight malaria.
Communication-get the critical information to the people even in remote rural areas.
Treatment-improve access to health care for those who are infected.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
My Plate-the new nutrition guidelines
In June, the USDA issued new guidelines for daily nutrition. The old familiar food pyramid is gone, replaced by a diagram that is easier to use. It’s called “my plate." Making food choices for a healthy lifestyle can be as simple as using the USDA Tips. Balance your calories, choosing healthy foods to eat more often, and cut back on unhealthy foods.
Find out how many calories YOU need for a day as a first step in managing your weight. Go to www.ChooseMyPlate.gov to find your calorie level. Take the time to fully enjoy your food as you eat it. Eating too fast or when your attention is elsewhere may lead to eating too many calories. Pay attention to hunger and fullness cues before, during, and after meals. Use them to recognize when to eat and when you’ve had enough.
Avoid oversized portions. Use a smaller plate, bowl, and glass. Portion out foods before you eat. When eating out, choose a smaller size option, share a dish, or take home part of your meal.
Eat more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and fat-free or 1% milk and dairy products. These foods have the nutrients you need for health—including potassium, calcium, vitamin D, and fiber. Make them the basis for meals and snacks.
Make half your plate fruits and vegetables. Choose red, orange, and dark-green vegetables like tomatoes, sweet potatoes, and broccoli, along with other vegetables for your meals. Add fruit to meals as part of main or side dishes or as dessert.
Switch to fat-free or low-fat (1%) milk. Both have the same amount of calcium and other essential nutrients as whole milk, but fewer calories and less saturated fat.
Make half your grains whole grains. To eat more whole grains, substitute a whole-grain product for a refined product—such as eating whole-wheat bread instead of white bread or brown rice instead of white rice.
Foods to eat less often: Cut back on foods high in solid fats, added sugars, and salt. They include cakes, cookies, ice cream, candies, sweetened drinks, pizza, and fatty meats like ribs, sausages, bacon, and hot dogs. Use these foods as occasional treats, not everyday foods.
Compare sodium in foods. Use the Nutrition Facts label to choose lower sodium versions of foods like soup, bread, and frozen meals. Select canned foods labeled “low sodium,” ”reduced sodium,” or “no salt added.”
Drink water instead of sugary drinks. Cut calories by drinking water or unsweetened beverages. Soda, energy drinks, and sports drinks are a major source of added sugar, and calories, in American diets.
Empty calories are foods that contain calories but not nutrients. They include sugar and solid fats like margarine or butter. Here are examples of foods that contain empty calories:
Food with some empty calories
Food with few or no empty calories
Sweetened applesauce (contains added sugars)
Unsweetened applesauce
Regular ground beef (75% lean) (contains solid fats)
Extra lean ground beef (90% or more lean)
Fried chicken (contains solid fats from frying and skin)
Baked chicken breast without skin
Sugar-sweetened cereals (contain added sugars)
Unsweetened cereals
Whole milk (contains solid fats)
Fat-free milk
For more information about My Plate, see the kiosk at church or go to www.MyPlate.gov
In June, the USDA issued new guidelines for daily nutrition. The old familiar food pyramid is gone, replaced by a diagram that is easier to use. It’s called “my plate." Making food choices for a healthy lifestyle can be as simple as using the USDA Tips. Balance your calories, choosing healthy foods to eat more often, and cut back on unhealthy foods.
Find out how many calories YOU need for a day as a first step in managing your weight. Go to www.ChooseMyPlate.gov to find your calorie level. Take the time to fully enjoy your food as you eat it. Eating too fast or when your attention is elsewhere may lead to eating too many calories. Pay attention to hunger and fullness cues before, during, and after meals. Use them to recognize when to eat and when you’ve had enough.
Avoid oversized portions. Use a smaller plate, bowl, and glass. Portion out foods before you eat. When eating out, choose a smaller size option, share a dish, or take home part of your meal.
Eat more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and fat-free or 1% milk and dairy products. These foods have the nutrients you need for health—including potassium, calcium, vitamin D, and fiber. Make them the basis for meals and snacks.
Make half your plate fruits and vegetables. Choose red, orange, and dark-green vegetables like tomatoes, sweet potatoes, and broccoli, along with other vegetables for your meals. Add fruit to meals as part of main or side dishes or as dessert.
Switch to fat-free or low-fat (1%) milk. Both have the same amount of calcium and other essential nutrients as whole milk, but fewer calories and less saturated fat.
Make half your grains whole grains. To eat more whole grains, substitute a whole-grain product for a refined product—such as eating whole-wheat bread instead of white bread or brown rice instead of white rice.
Foods to eat less often: Cut back on foods high in solid fats, added sugars, and salt. They include cakes, cookies, ice cream, candies, sweetened drinks, pizza, and fatty meats like ribs, sausages, bacon, and hot dogs. Use these foods as occasional treats, not everyday foods.
Compare sodium in foods. Use the Nutrition Facts label to choose lower sodium versions of foods like soup, bread, and frozen meals. Select canned foods labeled “low sodium,” ”reduced sodium,” or “no salt added.”
Drink water instead of sugary drinks. Cut calories by drinking water or unsweetened beverages. Soda, energy drinks, and sports drinks are a major source of added sugar, and calories, in American diets.
Empty calories are foods that contain calories but not nutrients. They include sugar and solid fats like margarine or butter. Here are examples of foods that contain empty calories:
Food with some empty calories
Food with few or no empty calories
Sweetened applesauce (contains added sugars)
Unsweetened applesauce
Regular ground beef (75% lean) (contains solid fats)
Extra lean ground beef (90% or more lean)
Fried chicken (contains solid fats from frying and skin)
Baked chicken breast without skin
Sugar-sweetened cereals (contain added sugars)
Unsweetened cereals
Whole milk (contains solid fats)
Fat-free milk
For more information about My Plate, see the kiosk at church or go to www.MyPlate.gov
Monday, December 6, 2010
Safe Sanctuaries
16 But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” Luke 18:16
Child sexual abuse is a tragic reality that occurs in every community, and occasionally even occurs in our churches. Child abuse can happen anywhere. When child abuse occurs in a church, the suffering touches not only the victim and family, but also every member of the congregation. In 1996, the United Methodist Church adopted a resolution aimed at reducing the risk of child abuse in the church. Our church seeks to be a safe sanctuary where children and youth can grow in faith, and where they are protected from physical and emotional abuse. Here are a few basic truths about child abuse:
· The child victim is never responsible for causing the abuse, and the victim should never be blamed.
· The child victim is never capable of consenting to abusive behavior, either legally or morally.
· Child sexual abuse is always wrong.
About 3 million incidents of child abuse are reported each year. Abusers are more often male than female, and the abuser is known to the victim in about 82% of incidents. How should the church act to minimize the risk of child abuse? How can we make our church a safe sanctuary? Here are some suggestions:
1. The church should implement an ongoing plan to educate staff, leaders and members on the realities and prevention of child abuse.
2. The church should adopt screening procedures for staff and volunteers who work with children and youth.
3. Safety procedures should require two or more non-related adults to be present in classrooms. Windows should be installed in doors, and hallways should be monitored.
4. Children, youth, and staff should be aware of local agencies to contact if child abuse occurs.
5. The church should assist children and youth in developing awareness and self-protection skills.
Our church has written materials and a DVD on safe sanctuaries available. This past year, windows were installed in some of our interior doors. Our efforts to prevent abuse and to be a safe sanctuary are ongoing. Are you interested in helping us ensure the safety of our young people? Please contact Susan Cafferty or Sarah Kerr.
Child sexual abuse is a tragic reality that occurs in every community, and occasionally even occurs in our churches. Child abuse can happen anywhere. When child abuse occurs in a church, the suffering touches not only the victim and family, but also every member of the congregation. In 1996, the United Methodist Church adopted a resolution aimed at reducing the risk of child abuse in the church. Our church seeks to be a safe sanctuary where children and youth can grow in faith, and where they are protected from physical and emotional abuse. Here are a few basic truths about child abuse:
· The child victim is never responsible for causing the abuse, and the victim should never be blamed.
· The child victim is never capable of consenting to abusive behavior, either legally or morally.
· Child sexual abuse is always wrong.
About 3 million incidents of child abuse are reported each year. Abusers are more often male than female, and the abuser is known to the victim in about 82% of incidents. How should the church act to minimize the risk of child abuse? How can we make our church a safe sanctuary? Here are some suggestions:
1. The church should implement an ongoing plan to educate staff, leaders and members on the realities and prevention of child abuse.
2. The church should adopt screening procedures for staff and volunteers who work with children and youth.
3. Safety procedures should require two or more non-related adults to be present in classrooms. Windows should be installed in doors, and hallways should be monitored.
4. Children, youth, and staff should be aware of local agencies to contact if child abuse occurs.
5. The church should assist children and youth in developing awareness and self-protection skills.
Our church has written materials and a DVD on safe sanctuaries available. This past year, windows were installed in some of our interior doors. Our efforts to prevent abuse and to be a safe sanctuary are ongoing. Are you interested in helping us ensure the safety of our young people? Please contact Susan Cafferty or Sarah Kerr.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Messages
When I write our weekly Joys and Concerns, I try to include a scripture to meditate upon, along with a note. Here is a selection of recent offerings:
September 12: 14When they came back to the disciples, they saw a large crowd around them, and some scribes arguing with them. 15Immediately, when the entire crowd saw Him, they were amazed and began running up to greet Him. 16And He asked them, "What are you discussing with them?" 17And one of the crowd answered Him, "Teacher, I brought You my son, possessed with a spirit which makes him mute; 18and whenever it seizes him, it slams him to the ground and he foams at the mouth, and grinds his teeth and stiffens out. I told Your disciples to cast it out, and they could not do it." 19And He answered them and said, "O unbelieving generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him to Me!" 20They brought the boy to Him. When he saw Him, immediately the spirit threw him into a convulsion, and falling to the ground, he began rolling around and foaming at the mouth. 21And He asked his father, "How long has this been happening to him?" And he said, "From childhood. 22"It has often thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!" 23And Jesus said to him, " 'If You can?' All things are possible to him who believes." 24Immediately the boy's father cried out and said, "I do believe; help my unbelief." Matt 9:14-24
This scripture reminds us of (at least) two key principles. First, we learn that nothing is impossible for God. With faith, we have everything we need to serve him. Second, we learn that faith is not something we can attain without help. Faith is a gift, and without that gift, we are never self-sufficient. Faith is not like money that we put into a bank. In order to make our faith grow, we must use it and constantly renew it in our daily living.
September 5: 14What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? 15If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, 16and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and be filled," and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? 17Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. 18But someone may well say, "You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works." 19You believe that God is one You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. 20But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? 26For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. James 2:14-20, 26.
This is one of the scriptures that speaks most directly to me. In care ministries, I think James directs us to continue our efforts to help the needy, but he also helps us see the link between all of our activities and the continued development of our faith.
Diana Frey has been paying visits to Doris Wilkowske as a care minister for a number of years. Their relationship grew into a loving friendship that nurtured both persons. Diana’s love showed beautifully as she was present during Doris’ last few moments of life. We join Diana in sadness and in celebration as Doris has now departed this life for a life in heaven. I thank God for Diana and for all of our volunteers who give their love so freely. These works, difficult as they are at times, are the expression of our faith. These works, difficult as they are at times, are also what nourishes our faith.
August 22: 1"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4You know the way to the place where I am going."
25"All this I have spoken while still with you. 26But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:1-4, 25-27)
This is a comforting scripture as I sit here and think of our friend Topsy Krohn, who died on Monday, August 16. The last few lines of Bruce Springsteen’s hit song Bobby Jean come to mind as I think of my final visit with Topsy on Monday morning.
And I’m just calling one last time,
not to change your mind
But just to say I miss you baby, good luck goodbye, Bobby Jean.
Let’s take this week to remember all of our dear friends who have left us to go to a better place.
September 12: 14When they came back to the disciples, they saw a large crowd around them, and some scribes arguing with them. 15Immediately, when the entire crowd saw Him, they were amazed and began running up to greet Him. 16And He asked them, "What are you discussing with them?" 17And one of the crowd answered Him, "Teacher, I brought You my son, possessed with a spirit which makes him mute; 18and whenever it seizes him, it slams him to the ground and he foams at the mouth, and grinds his teeth and stiffens out. I told Your disciples to cast it out, and they could not do it." 19And He answered them and said, "O unbelieving generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him to Me!" 20They brought the boy to Him. When he saw Him, immediately the spirit threw him into a convulsion, and falling to the ground, he began rolling around and foaming at the mouth. 21And He asked his father, "How long has this been happening to him?" And he said, "From childhood. 22"It has often thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!" 23And Jesus said to him, " 'If You can?' All things are possible to him who believes." 24Immediately the boy's father cried out and said, "I do believe; help my unbelief." Matt 9:14-24
This scripture reminds us of (at least) two key principles. First, we learn that nothing is impossible for God. With faith, we have everything we need to serve him. Second, we learn that faith is not something we can attain without help. Faith is a gift, and without that gift, we are never self-sufficient. Faith is not like money that we put into a bank. In order to make our faith grow, we must use it and constantly renew it in our daily living.
September 5: 14What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? 15If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, 16and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and be filled," and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? 17Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. 18But someone may well say, "You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works." 19You believe that God is one You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. 20But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? 26For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. James 2:14-20, 26.
This is one of the scriptures that speaks most directly to me. In care ministries, I think James directs us to continue our efforts to help the needy, but he also helps us see the link between all of our activities and the continued development of our faith.
Diana Frey has been paying visits to Doris Wilkowske as a care minister for a number of years. Their relationship grew into a loving friendship that nurtured both persons. Diana’s love showed beautifully as she was present during Doris’ last few moments of life. We join Diana in sadness and in celebration as Doris has now departed this life for a life in heaven. I thank God for Diana and for all of our volunteers who give their love so freely. These works, difficult as they are at times, are the expression of our faith. These works, difficult as they are at times, are also what nourishes our faith.
August 22: 1"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4You know the way to the place where I am going."
25"All this I have spoken while still with you. 26But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:1-4, 25-27)
This is a comforting scripture as I sit here and think of our friend Topsy Krohn, who died on Monday, August 16. The last few lines of Bruce Springsteen’s hit song Bobby Jean come to mind as I think of my final visit with Topsy on Monday morning.
And I’m just calling one last time,
not to change your mind
But just to say I miss you baby, good luck goodbye, Bobby Jean.
Let’s take this week to remember all of our dear friends who have left us to go to a better place.
Messages 2
When I write our weekly Joys and Concerns, I try to include a scripture to meditate upon, along with a note. Here is a selection of recent offerings:
September 26: I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: 2preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. 3For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, 4and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. 5But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. 2Tim 4:1-5
This is Paul’s exhortation to Timothy, written as Paul is imprisoned and soon to be executed. Timothy is working with the often frustrating church of Ephesus. I have a copy of verse 5 posted in my office, and it strengthens and inspires me in my work. But we all have times when we find it hard to fulfill our ministry, and right now I feel as if I’m having a struggle to “get it right.” The aid program still requires work to define it and make it work well. I still feel some confusion about what I should be doing when I finish my Certified Lay Minister training. The Community meal is in the midst of a replanning cycle to address funding, volunteers, mission, etc. To be honest, I wish we could find a new volunteer to assume the leadership of that program. Care ministries has had a very tough August and September, with 6 funerals during the past 7 weeks. All of this results in a certain tension and uncertainty, which for me is expressed in crankiness. Please offer your suggestions for managing the problem areas. Please pray that we can all continue to fulfill our ministry.
September 19: 10 Consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you; each one of you is to return to his family property and each to his own clan. 11 The fiftieth year shall be a jubilee for you; do not sow and do not reap what grows of itself or harvest the untended vines. 12 For it is a jubilee and is to be holy for you; eat only what is taken directly from the fields. 13 " 'In this Year of Jubilee everyone is to return to his own property. Lev 25:10-13
In Old Testament times, the Year of Jubilee was celebrated every 50 years. It was a time of forgiving debts, compassion for the poor, and removing oppression. It was also a time to mend old feuds and allow new growth of personal relationships. This past week, I had conflict with some of our church leaders, and I have to say I fumbled the ball. I should have used the Rule of Christ but it didn’t work out that way. I learned something from that. Based upon my own experience, I would suggest that we all declare a Jubilee: let’s forgive those who trespass against us and ask forgiveness for our own trespasses. We will continue to work on managing conflicts within our church-it’s a learning process and we shouldn’t expect instant results. But maybe our first step should be to renew relationships, forgive and start again.
September 26: I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: 2preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. 3For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, 4and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. 5But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. 2Tim 4:1-5
This is Paul’s exhortation to Timothy, written as Paul is imprisoned and soon to be executed. Timothy is working with the often frustrating church of Ephesus. I have a copy of verse 5 posted in my office, and it strengthens and inspires me in my work. But we all have times when we find it hard to fulfill our ministry, and right now I feel as if I’m having a struggle to “get it right.” The aid program still requires work to define it and make it work well. I still feel some confusion about what I should be doing when I finish my Certified Lay Minister training. The Community meal is in the midst of a replanning cycle to address funding, volunteers, mission, etc. To be honest, I wish we could find a new volunteer to assume the leadership of that program. Care ministries has had a very tough August and September, with 6 funerals during the past 7 weeks. All of this results in a certain tension and uncertainty, which for me is expressed in crankiness. Please offer your suggestions for managing the problem areas. Please pray that we can all continue to fulfill our ministry.
September 19: 10 Consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you; each one of you is to return to his family property and each to his own clan. 11 The fiftieth year shall be a jubilee for you; do not sow and do not reap what grows of itself or harvest the untended vines. 12 For it is a jubilee and is to be holy for you; eat only what is taken directly from the fields. 13 " 'In this Year of Jubilee everyone is to return to his own property. Lev 25:10-13
In Old Testament times, the Year of Jubilee was celebrated every 50 years. It was a time of forgiving debts, compassion for the poor, and removing oppression. It was also a time to mend old feuds and allow new growth of personal relationships. This past week, I had conflict with some of our church leaders, and I have to say I fumbled the ball. I should have used the Rule of Christ but it didn’t work out that way. I learned something from that. Based upon my own experience, I would suggest that we all declare a Jubilee: let’s forgive those who trespass against us and ask forgiveness for our own trespasses. We will continue to work on managing conflicts within our church-it’s a learning process and we shouldn’t expect instant results. But maybe our first step should be to renew relationships, forgive and start again.
Can I do Anything to Help My Memory?
After my dad died of cancer in April, 2008, my mom was left alone in a big empty house. She lived out in the country and the place was just too much to manage, so my sisters and I talked her into selling the place and moving about 90 miles to a town house in the city where one of us was living. We thought maybe mom would get involved in the neighborhood activities, and perhaps feel secure enough to make new friends, since it was a private community restricted to people older than 55. Unfortunately, mom decided instead to just sit in her house with the blinds drawn and not do much of anything. Over the next year, we noticed some disturbing changes. Mom forgot to pay the bills, and the insurance company cancelled her policy. She stopped cooking, and made meals out of crackers and snacks. She lost touch with what was going on in her community and in the world, and eventually she started getting lost when she drove to the grocery store. It was time to sell the car and move her to an assisted living facility.
Does my mother have early Alzheimer’s disease? She has been evaluated by an internal medicine specialist, a neurologist, and a psychologist, and no one is sure. But she clearly shows some changes from how she used to be. What is causing these changes? How can mom try to slow down the progression of the problems, or even stop them all together?
Memory loss is part of aging-it happens to all of us. Our brains actually work the best when we are in our 20s, and most of us start noticing some memory glitches by about age 45-50. In people with Alzheimer’s disease, the memory loss grows progressively worse, along with some changes in personality, until it can make us unable to do even the simplest tasks, or to care for ourselves. The causes of Alzheimer’s disease are not completely known. Some of the risk is inherited, but your lifestyle can also increase or decrease your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. What are the risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease that you can control?
Smoking after age 65 increases your risk of Alzheimer’s disease by 79%.
Obesity in mid life makes Alzheimer’s disease 3 times more likely.
Diabetes increases your risk by about 2 times.
Chronic stress may increase your risk, but doctors are not certain of this yet.
You can decrease your risk of Alzheimer’s disease (and stroke too) by controlling your weight, exercising such as brisk walking, and eating a healthy diet that includes omega 3 fatty acids (cold water fish, nuts, whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables). When exercising, make sure you wear a helmet if you are bicycling or playing sports. Head injuries can greatly increase your risk of memory loss. Establish a regular sleep cycle with consistent times for going to bed and getting up.
Exercising your brain may be even more important than exercising your body. Set aside a time each day to learn something new-read a book, study a foreign language, work puzzles, take up a new hobby. It also helps to practice memorization. Start with something easy, and then work up to learning the capitals of our 50 states, or the names of former presidents. Make a written list of your daily experiences, including the who, what, when, where, and why details. Working your brain keeps your brain working.
Social interaction also helps keep your brain working. I would strongly recommend that you not take my mother’s route of inactivity and social isolation-it lets your memory go and it raises your risk of depression, another illness that can rob you of your ability to concentrate and remember.
At her assisted living home, my mom now gets help with taking her medicines, and she has a regular schedule with good meals and social activities. I hope she will avoid further problems. I only wish we had intervened earlier.
Does my mother have early Alzheimer’s disease? She has been evaluated by an internal medicine specialist, a neurologist, and a psychologist, and no one is sure. But she clearly shows some changes from how she used to be. What is causing these changes? How can mom try to slow down the progression of the problems, or even stop them all together?
Memory loss is part of aging-it happens to all of us. Our brains actually work the best when we are in our 20s, and most of us start noticing some memory glitches by about age 45-50. In people with Alzheimer’s disease, the memory loss grows progressively worse, along with some changes in personality, until it can make us unable to do even the simplest tasks, or to care for ourselves. The causes of Alzheimer’s disease are not completely known. Some of the risk is inherited, but your lifestyle can also increase or decrease your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. What are the risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease that you can control?
Smoking after age 65 increases your risk of Alzheimer’s disease by 79%.
Obesity in mid life makes Alzheimer’s disease 3 times more likely.
Diabetes increases your risk by about 2 times.
Chronic stress may increase your risk, but doctors are not certain of this yet.
You can decrease your risk of Alzheimer’s disease (and stroke too) by controlling your weight, exercising such as brisk walking, and eating a healthy diet that includes omega 3 fatty acids (cold water fish, nuts, whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables). When exercising, make sure you wear a helmet if you are bicycling or playing sports. Head injuries can greatly increase your risk of memory loss. Establish a regular sleep cycle with consistent times for going to bed and getting up.
Exercising your brain may be even more important than exercising your body. Set aside a time each day to learn something new-read a book, study a foreign language, work puzzles, take up a new hobby. It also helps to practice memorization. Start with something easy, and then work up to learning the capitals of our 50 states, or the names of former presidents. Make a written list of your daily experiences, including the who, what, when, where, and why details. Working your brain keeps your brain working.
Social interaction also helps keep your brain working. I would strongly recommend that you not take my mother’s route of inactivity and social isolation-it lets your memory go and it raises your risk of depression, another illness that can rob you of your ability to concentrate and remember.
At her assisted living home, my mom now gets help with taking her medicines, and she has a regular schedule with good meals and social activities. I hope she will avoid further problems. I only wish we had intervened earlier.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Testing for Alzheimer's disease
NEW TEST CAN PREDICT ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE WITH 100% ACCURACY!
I bet that headline caught your eye just the way it did mine. On August 9, the news of a new test for Alzheimer’s disease flashed across public radio, ABC, The New York Times, and multiple other outlets. Many of us were asking ourselves “Can I find out if I have Alzheimer’s? How would knowing the answer to this question change my life?” Obviously, it would be a tough decision about taking such a test or not taking it, especially if some of the facts are distorted by the media.
First of all, what is Alzheimer’s disease? It is a common condition that causes memory loss in older people. It usually does not appear until after age 60, and it usually begins with problems remembering recent events. Alzheimer’s disease can run in families. For those with Alzheimer’s disease, the problems with memory and behavior gradually worsen over time, until the sufferer becomes unable to do even simple tasks such as bathing and dressing. The cause of Alzheimer’s disease is unknown. The first important point to remember though is that not all memory loss is Alzheimer’s disease. We all forget some things, and many of us notice that we forget more often as we get older. Forgetting a few things does not mean you have a serious problem. Here are some pointers that help us identify a more serious illness:
1. Short term memory loss: If we sometimes meet someone and can’t remember their name, that’s normal. If we ask their name 5-6 times, and still can’t remember, it may be a sign of serious memory loss. Many of us may forget part of an experience (we had a reunion at the lake this summer, but we can’t name everyone who was there). A person with serious memory loss often forgets even that the reunion party occurred
2. Problems doing everyday tasks: People with serious memory loss often forget how to make a meal, how to make change from a dollar, or how to place a phone call.
3. Problems with language: Those with serious memory loss often forget simple, everyday words. Instead of saying “I lost my toothbrush”, they might say “I can’t find that thing for my mouth.”
4. Problems with date/place: Occasionally forgetting the day or the date is a normal event. Many of us get confused when driving with a map. Persons with serious memory loss may get lost in their own neighborhood. They may not know how they got to a place, or how to get home.
5. Misplacing things: With serious memory loss, someone may put things in unusual places (a container of ice cream in the closet, a wristwatch in the freezer).
The new Alzheimer’s test looks for abnormal proteins in the spinal fluid. These proteins, called amyloid and tau, are present in the brain cells of people with Alzheimer’s disease. Recently, some researchers began looking for amyloid and tau in spinal fluid samples of people who had mild to moderate symptoms of memory loss. They found that almost all of the people who had the amyloid and tau proteins present in their spinal fluid developed Alzheimer’s disease within 5 years. What this doesn’t tell you is if those people with memory loss who test negatively for the proteins will not get Alzheimer’s disease. It also says nothing about what the test results could mean for people without memory loss. So, is this test really ready for general use? Despite all of the media hype, I would say definitely not. A spinal tap can be painful, and the meaning of the test results really isn’t clear yet. There are still too many unanswered questions.
OK, since I have disappointed everyone by trashing the new test, what can I offer for advice on how to at least partially avoid Alzheimer’s disease? We will take that up next time.
I bet that headline caught your eye just the way it did mine. On August 9, the news of a new test for Alzheimer’s disease flashed across public radio, ABC, The New York Times, and multiple other outlets. Many of us were asking ourselves “Can I find out if I have Alzheimer’s? How would knowing the answer to this question change my life?” Obviously, it would be a tough decision about taking such a test or not taking it, especially if some of the facts are distorted by the media.
First of all, what is Alzheimer’s disease? It is a common condition that causes memory loss in older people. It usually does not appear until after age 60, and it usually begins with problems remembering recent events. Alzheimer’s disease can run in families. For those with Alzheimer’s disease, the problems with memory and behavior gradually worsen over time, until the sufferer becomes unable to do even simple tasks such as bathing and dressing. The cause of Alzheimer’s disease is unknown. The first important point to remember though is that not all memory loss is Alzheimer’s disease. We all forget some things, and many of us notice that we forget more often as we get older. Forgetting a few things does not mean you have a serious problem. Here are some pointers that help us identify a more serious illness:
1. Short term memory loss: If we sometimes meet someone and can’t remember their name, that’s normal. If we ask their name 5-6 times, and still can’t remember, it may be a sign of serious memory loss. Many of us may forget part of an experience (we had a reunion at the lake this summer, but we can’t name everyone who was there). A person with serious memory loss often forgets even that the reunion party occurred
2. Problems doing everyday tasks: People with serious memory loss often forget how to make a meal, how to make change from a dollar, or how to place a phone call.
3. Problems with language: Those with serious memory loss often forget simple, everyday words. Instead of saying “I lost my toothbrush”, they might say “I can’t find that thing for my mouth.”
4. Problems with date/place: Occasionally forgetting the day or the date is a normal event. Many of us get confused when driving with a map. Persons with serious memory loss may get lost in their own neighborhood. They may not know how they got to a place, or how to get home.
5. Misplacing things: With serious memory loss, someone may put things in unusual places (a container of ice cream in the closet, a wristwatch in the freezer).
The new Alzheimer’s test looks for abnormal proteins in the spinal fluid. These proteins, called amyloid and tau, are present in the brain cells of people with Alzheimer’s disease. Recently, some researchers began looking for amyloid and tau in spinal fluid samples of people who had mild to moderate symptoms of memory loss. They found that almost all of the people who had the amyloid and tau proteins present in their spinal fluid developed Alzheimer’s disease within 5 years. What this doesn’t tell you is if those people with memory loss who test negatively for the proteins will not get Alzheimer’s disease. It also says nothing about what the test results could mean for people without memory loss. So, is this test really ready for general use? Despite all of the media hype, I would say definitely not. A spinal tap can be painful, and the meaning of the test results really isn’t clear yet. There are still too many unanswered questions.
OK, since I have disappointed everyone by trashing the new test, what can I offer for advice on how to at least partially avoid Alzheimer’s disease? We will take that up next time.
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