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Environment may contribute to Parkinson's

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Written by Fred Cicetti Wednesday, 11 June 2008 05:19

Q Is it true that farmers are more likely to get Parkinson disease?

A Although genetics is important in Parkinson disease, many researchers believe environmental exposures also increase a person’s risk of developing the disease. Studies show that farmers and other agricultural workers have an increased risk of getting PD.

PD was first described in 1817 by James Parkinson, a British physician. It affects one in 100 people over age 60. It can also affect younger people. The average age of onset is 60. Research suggests PD affects at least 500,000 people in this country.

PD is a complex disorder of the central nervous system. It is the second most common neurodegenerative disease in the United States, after...

Healthy Geezer- ED No cause for embarrassment

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Written by Fred Cicetti Wednesday, 14 May 2008 08:00

Q I’m embarrassed to admit this, but I’m getting low scores in the husband department, if you get my drift. Is this happening just because I’m getting older?

A First, you have no reason to be embarrassed. And I definitely get your drift; I’m going to guess that you don’t mean you’re forgetting to put the toilet seat down.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is very common. Depending upon how you define ED, there are 15 million to 30 million men who have it. ED ranges from complete impotence to unsatisfactory performance.

But it doesn’t have to be a part of getting older. As you age, you may need more stimulation and more time, but older men should still be able to get an erection and enjoy sex.

The incidence of ED...

Healthy Geezer- When food loses its flavor, is it you?

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Written by Fred Cicetti Wednesday, 09 April 2008 10:07

Q: When I was younger, I couldn’t get enough Chinese food. Now it just doesn’t have that zing anymore. I’m guessing it’s me, not the food, right?

A: As we age, our sense of taste may change, but this loss of zing in Chinese food might be caused by medicines you’re taking. Drugs can change your sense of taste, and some can also make you feel less hungry. So, the aging process and the medicines we’re taking can affect our enjoyment of food and, therefore, our nutrition, because we may not eat all we need.

Eating habits in seniors are affected by other problems, too.

Some complain about their dentures.

Others don’t have easy access to transportation to go food shopping. Those who cooked for a family find it unrewarding...

Whole grains key for reducing coronary diseases, losing weight and much more

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Written by Anna Woods, Certified Personal Trainer Wednesday, 12 March 2008 08:49

Dietitians recommend three servings of whole grains per day. Whole grains reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, high cholesterol, constipation and diverticulosis, neural tube birth defects during fetal development, as well as other chronic diseases.

Whole grains are important sources of many nutrients including dietary fibers like thiamin, riboflavin, niacin and folate, and minerals such as iron, magnesium and selenium. These nutrients also provide a feeling of fullness for fewer calories.

To be considered a whole grain product, the whole grains listed below must be printed as one of the first few ingredients on the label: 100 percent whole-wheat flour, brown rice, whole oats, bulgur, whole-grain cornmeal, whole-grain barley (not...

Healthy Geezer- Bladder control a difficult issue for minority of seniors

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Written by Fred Cicetti Wednesday, 12 March 2008 08:47

Q This is embarrassing to discuss with anyone, so I thought I’d write to you about it. I’m having bladder-control problems. What can I do?

A About 10 percent of men and women over the age of 65 have trouble with bladder control, also know officially as urinary incontinence. Women suffer from this more than men.

During urination, muscles in the bladder contract, forcing urine into the urethra, a tube that carries urine out of the body. At the same time, muscles surrounding the urethra relax and let the urine pass.

If the bladder muscles contract or the muscles surrounding the urethra relax without warning, the result is incontinence.

Short-term incontinence is caused by infections, constipation and some medicines. If the problem...