Healthy Geezer: Bad breath can indicate dry mouth

Written by Fred Cicetti Tuesday, 03 November 2009 13:42

Q I seem to have bad breath a lot. I’ve also noticed that my mouth is a bit dry most of the time. Could these two things be related?



A Definitely. Bad breath is often a symptom of dry mouth, a lack of saliva. The medical term for this condition is “xerostomia.”

Other symptoms of this problem are: saliva that seems thick, sores or split skin at the corners of your mouth, difficulty speaking and swallowing, a change in your sense of taste, increased plaque, tooth decay and gum disease.

Everyone experiences dry mouth occasionally. We get it when we are under stress. But if you have dry mouth all or most of the time, you need medical help.

Most xerostomia is related to the medications taken by older adults rather than to the...

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What to expect as your body ages

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 03 November 2009 13:40

The signs of aging aren’t always as obvious as a few more wrinkles and grey hairs. The body naturally changes as you get older, but what exactly can you expect and how do you make sure you’re aging in a healthy way?

The experts at Mayo Clinic offer a list of things to look for as you age, and tips on how you can stay healthy:

n Heart. As you get older, your heart must work harder to pump the same amount of blood through your body. Your blood vessels may narrow if hardened deposits of fat have formed on your arteries. This can lead to high blood pressure (hypertension).

You can help prevent high blood pressure by maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly and reducing your salt intake.

n MUSCLES, JOINTS, BONES. Your bones...

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Prevention is seniors’ best guard against impact of flu

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 03 November 2009 13:40

HealthSeniorFlu.jpg “If you provide care, or even just frequently visit with a senior, pay attention to their living environment to make sure it is safe and protects your loved one from viruses. And make sure you take care of yourself as well, so you don’t pass on the germs.”

Schools with only a third of the students sitting in chairs, offices sending notices to employees asking anyone with a fever or cough to please stay home, and hand sanitizer stations popping up everywhere; the signs are very visible this year that flu season has arrived.

Seasonal and H1N1 flu viruses are making big headlines. While everyone has the potential to catch either variety, senior citizens tend to suffer more from the complications of...

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Six things you should know about the fight against fat

Written by Anna Woods Tuesday, 13 October 2009 13:53

Man-on-scale.jpg Are you wondering why you can’t keep the fat off? Have you hit a plateau in your fat-loss efforts? Are you still looking for a plan that works for you?

If so, you may be getting bad information. Most everything the media write and “sell” on the topic of fat loss is incorrect. Marketing ads and infomercials are there to sell a product, not inform you of what really works, or what is most effective for you.

Here are real answers to six fat-loss questions.

 

1 Do crunches reduce belly fat? No. You cannot spot-reduce an area of fat. Fat loss is a process of shrinking fat cells, not eliminating them. A process to reduce body fat involves much more than crunches.

Crunches are a strengthening move that, in truth, aren’t very...

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