The Flu & You
The flu shot is a vaccine that helps to prevent the flu, an illness caused by infection with the influenza virus. Viruses are very small germs that cause illnesses. Flu is a contagious disease, with symptoms such as fever, cough, headaches, body aches, sore throat and...Acupressure: Points of Relieving Stress
Everybody suffers from stress from time to time, given the tremendous challenges, options and responsibilities in our busy lives. Stress depresses respiration and causes shallow breathing which can lead to irritability, frustration and fatigue. Many people turn to...Your Mind & Body: Controlling Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a type of fat which occurs naturally in the body. It has both good and bad effects on the body. The body uses cholesterol to make hormones and to build and maintain nerve cells. However, when the body has too much cholesterol deposits of fat called...The Hidden Epidemic – Dementia
How and why we’re not prepared for an increase in cases Dementia is a degenerative neurological disease, which is incurable and fatal, rendering a person unable to care for himself/herself. It can deplete family members emotionally and financially, yet there is...Back Pain Due to Injury
Using acupressure and ice When I have back pain, its usually due to strain and injury due to lifting. This often results in pain hours later, due to the inflammation. In addition to using acupressure points, locally as well as above and below the painful area, I apply...Your Mind & Body: Sleepless Seniors
Insomnia is defined as having trouble falling or staying asleep. Insomnia affects 1 in 3 adults every year in the United States. Fifty percent of people over 65 years have various sleeping disorders. It can be transient, acute or chronic. Acute insomnia is brought on...Assistive Technology on Loan
Have you ever wanted to try a new technology without having to buy it? If so, you may be interested in the AT Depot/Equipment Loan Program — it is one of five programs offered by Assistive Technology Resource Centers (ARTC) of Hawai‘i. The center is a 501c (3)...Do You Take Your Vision for Granted?
By age 65, one-third of all Americans have a vision-impairing eye disease. However, poor sight doesn’t have to be a part of aging. By detecting and treating eye disease early through annual eye exams, seniors can preserve their sight. In the U.S. there are four common...Your Mind & Body – Protect Your Athletes from Dementia
Watching your kids or grandchildren play hard in a team sport can be a lot of fun. It’s great to be involved and to be a source of encouragement. It’s equally important to keep them safe while playing high-contact sports and to know when they should take a break. A...Your Mind & Body
Signs of Stroke Each year in the United States, there are more than 700,000 strokes. Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the country. A stroke is a medical emergency. It occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is reduced or interrupted. Nearly...Acupressure Weight Loss Program
For Appetite Balancing, Eating Disorders, Food Cravings and Relieving Constipation The Acupressure Weight Loss and body image program provides an easy daily routine to balance your metabolism, appetite, and body’s energy system. Dieting alone is not enough. By...When Good Drugs Go Bad
Help your drugs help you! Your medications only work as well as they are handled. Where do you keep your medicines? Are they in different places — some in the medicine cabinet, some in the kitchen, and some in your car, purse or elsewhere? It’s important to keep track...Your Mind & Body Diabetes: Are You Too Sweet?
Diabetes is a chronic disease characterized by high levels of blood sugar. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 25.8 million children and adults in the United States, or 8.3% of the population, have diabetes. Of this number, 7 million are...Your Mind & Body: Diabetes
Diabetes: Are You Too Sweet? by Dr. Ritabelle Fernandes, MD from the December-January 2012 issue of Generations Magazine, Hawai‘i’s Resource for Life
Diabetes: Are You Too Sweet?
Diabetes is a chronic disease characterized by high levels of blood sugar. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 25.8 million children and adults in the United States, or 8.3% of the population, have diabetes. Of this number, 7 million are...AARP: Saving Money on Prescriptions – Ask for Generic Drugs
Usually when a doctor prescribes a medication during an appointment, we take the prescription slip and head for the door. But a savings-savvy patient will pause and ask, Is there a generic version? This simple question may save you hundreds, even thousands, of dollars...Your Mind & Body: Prostrate Problems
The prostate is a walnut-sized gland that forms part of the male reproductive system. The prostate is located just below the bladder, where urine is stored. The prostate also surrounds the urethra, the canal through which urine passes out of the body. It is common for...Osteoarthritis
Arthritis is inflammation of one or more joints. Osteoarthritis is the commonest form of arthritis. It is also known as degenerative joint disease. According to the Arthritis Foundation, this chronic disease affects more than 27 million Americans. More than half the...Never Too Old for Sex-Ed
Worrying about aging wasn’t a concern for anyone with AIDS in 1981, when the CDC reported the first five cases. In those days before any treatments were available, many who contracted the disease died within a few months. Now, in 2011, older adults increasingly risk...Blending the East And West for Optimal Health
Eastern medicine, or sometimes called Traditional Chinese Medicine, is an ancient system of medicine that has been in existence for more than 3,000 years. Its primary philosophy is to keep the body, mind, spirit and emotions in balance and in sync with our...Know the 10 Warning Signs
Some change in memory is normal as we grow older, but the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease are more than simple lapses in memory. People with Alzheimer’s have difficulties communicating, learning, thinking, and reasoning—problems severe enough to impact on an...Can You Hold It?
What is urinary incontinence? Urinary incontinence is loss of bladder control that is often seen in the elderly. It affects more than 25 million Americans. Urinary incontinence is not a part of the normal aging process. This can be a very embarrassing problem for...Cataract Surgery – A Clear Choice
Cataract is the leading cause of blindness worldwide. Fortunately, in the United States, vision loss from cataract is almost always reversible. That’s good news for more than 20 million Americans with cataracts. Cataract is a gradual opacification of the crystalline...