From our 'Did You Know' department...

 The following is courtesy of Home Helpers of Lake Norman & Central NC.  Visit our website at www.homehelpers.cc/lkn58445 , or call us at 704.909.7958 .

  The burn you feel from eating a hot pepper is caused by the pepper's 'active ingredient', capsaicin.  Recent research published by Scientific American (www.scientificamerican.com) indicates that capsaicin may be beneficial in helping to reduce high blood pressure.  While it causes the lips to burn and the eyes to water, researchers have found that capsaicin actually causes blood vessels to relax, thanks to increased production of the signaling molecule nitric oxide.  At least that's what has been noted in the rodents that are used for testing.  More testing is needed, but there seems to be a strong link here.

  So have a pepper!

Glenn Holden - Home Helpers & Direct Link of LKN and Central NC
www.homehelpers.cc/lkn58445

Just what is Alzheimer's Disease - Part 2

 The following is courtesy of Home Helpers of Lake Norman & Central NC.  Visit our website at www.homehelpers.cc/lkn58445 , or call us at 704.909.7958 .
 

  Like the rest of our bodies, our brains change as we age.  We all notice some slowed thinking and occasional problems with remembering certain things.  Everyone jokes about this, and credits the problem to "having a senior moment".  It's all quite normal.   However, serious memory loss, confusion and other major changes in the way our minds work are not a normal part of aging. This could be a sign that brain cells are failing for some reason. 

  There are over 100 billion nerve cells or neurons in a normal brain.  Each nerve cell communicates with others to form networks.  These networks have special jobs.  Some networks are associated with thinking, learning and remembering.  Others are used for sight, hearing and smell.  Others tell our muscles when to move.  In a patient with Alzheimer’s disease, as in other types of dementia, increasing numbers of brain cells deteriorate and die. 

  There are two abnormal structures in brain cells, plaques and tangles:

•  Tangles form inside dying cells.  Tangles are twisted fibers of a protein called "tau".  Though most people develop some plaques and tangles as they age, those with Alzheimer’s tend to develop far more.

•  Plaques build up between nerve cells. They contain deposits of a protein fragment called beta-amyloid.

  These are prime suspects in damaging and killing nerve cells.  Dr. Alzheimer recognized these abnormal cells in the brains of patients, although he referred to them differently. 
 There's no definitive knowledge of what role plaques and tangles play in Alzheimer’s disease. Most experts believe they somehow block communication among nerve cells and disrupt activities that cells need to survive.
 

Glenn Holden - Home Helpers & Direct Link of LKN and Central NC
www.homehelpers.cc/lkn58445

Just what is Alzheimer's Disease

 The following is courtesy of Home Helpers of Lake Norman & Central NC.  Visit our website at www.homehelpers.cc/lkn58445 , or call us at 704.909.7958 .

  We hear about Alzheimer's Disease all the time, but rarely do we hear anyone describe what it is and how it progresses.  With this posting, we will begin a series of short articles that will help you better understand more about the disease, and how it affects those who suffer from it. 

  Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disorder named for German physician Alois Alzheimer, who first described it in 1906. Scientists have learned a great deal about Alzheimer’s disease in the century since Dr. Alzheimer first drew attention to it.  Some facts we know today:

• It is the most common form of dementia, a general term for memory loss and other intellectual abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer’s disease accounts for 50 to 80 percent of dementia cases. 

• It is a progressive and fatal brain disease. As many as 5.3 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer's destroys brain cells, causing memory loss and problems with thinking and behavior severe enough to affect work, lifelong hobbies or social life. Alzheimer’s gets worse over time, and it is fatal. Today it is the seventh-leading cause of death in the United States.

• Has no current cure. But treatments for symptoms, combined with the right services and support, can make life better for the millions of Americans living with Alzheimer’s. There is an accelerating worldwide effort under way to find better ways to treat the disease, delay its onset, or prevent it from developing.

   In our next posting, we'll begin to discuss how Alzheimer's affects the brain, and the resulting impact on the suffer.

Glenn Holden - Home Helpers & Direct Link of LKN and Central NC
www.homehelpers.cc/lkn58445

Summertime Reminder!!

  When spending time outdoors, you need to reapply sunscreen. Even sunscreen with an SPF 50 or higher needs to be reapplied. Be sure to reapply

•   Approximately every 2 hours, even on a cloudy day.
•   After swimming or sweating 

  Skin damage from the sun is permanent.  Let's be careful out there!

Glenn Holden - Home Helpers & Direct Link of LKN and Central NC
www.homehelpers.cc/lkn58445

Summer Safety

 The following is courtesy of Home Helpers of Lake Norman & Central NC.  Visit our website at www.homehelpers.cc/lkn58445 , or call us at 704.909.7958 .

  At this time of year, being stricken by heat exhaustion is not uncommon.  We should all be able to recognize the onset and know what to do should they occur.  First, let's review some of the symptoms:

1. Sudden high body temperature (but less than 104 degrees)
2. Hot and flushed skin that may be clammy to the touch
3. Cramping muscles, or stomach cramps
4. Headache
5. Nausea/vomiting
6. Dizziness
7. Rapid pulse
8. Profuse sweating

 Heat exhaustion is not usually life threatening, but it's important that it is recognized and treated quickly.  Should you experience, or notice symptoms in another person, the following suggestions are recommended:

1. Move out of the sun.
2. Have the person replace fluids by drinking water, Gatorade, or decaffeinated tea.
3. Cool the person with fans or light water spray.  Place a cold damp towel on the back of the person's neck.
4. Keep the person still and out of the sun for at least 12 hours.
5. Call your health care provider.

 Any person recovering from heat exhaustion needs to rest.  Once a person has suffered from heat exhaustion, they are more vulnerable to another bout.  Take time to rest and let your body recover.

Glenn Holden - Home Helpers & Direct Link of LKN and Central NC
www.homehelpers.cc/lkn58445

Getting Involved with Aging Family and Friends...

 The following is courtesy of Home Helpers of Lake Norman & Central NC.  Visit our website at www.homehelpers.cc/lkn58445 , or call us at 704.909.7958 .


    As people age, there are some considerations that family members should consider to determine if a loved one may need some assistance with daily activities.  Most people facing challenges with day to day activities won't ask for help, as they place a very high value on their independence and privacy.  Also, most people do not want to feel like a burden to their family or friends.
  The following list was created to help you quickly assess a loved one's condition, and to identify areas of concern.  If you find that someone you know has a challenge with even one of the following items, it may be time to take a more active role in their life.  Chances are, your loved one may be struggling unnecessarily, and by taking a proactive approach, you can avoid having a small challenge become something major.

1. Medical condition - Has the person been diagnosed with an illness or condition that could affect their functional ability and daily living?
2. Driving - Are you concerned about their driving ability for any reason?  For instance, how is their hearing, sight, or reflexes?
3. Food/Nutrition - Are your loved ones eating healthy meals?  Is their weight stable?  Often, as meal preparation becomes more difficult, the quality of the diet deteriorates.
4. Hygiene - How does your loved one look and smell, including their breath?  What about their overall appearance? Are they able to manage the laundry?
5. Behavior - Does your loved one seem irritable or anxious?  Does being away from home make them uncomfortable?
6. Daily Tasks - Do basic tasks seem to be more and more difficult?  IE: shopping, meal preparation, cleaning.
7. Medication - Can you loved ones manage their prescriptions?  Are you worried that they aren't getting their medicines at the proper times and in the correct amounts?
8. Finances - Do your loved ones struggle managing bills and finances?
9. Mail - Does the mail seem to just stack up?  Are bills becoming delinquent?  Do solicitors seem to be calling frequently?
10. Safety - Do your loved ones forget to turn off the stove, coffee pot, etc?  Do they remember to close and lock doors and windows?

  Regardless of a person's age, it's often unclear to family and friends when it's time to take a more active role in the life of a loved one.  If any of the above 10 items seem to give you pause for thought, perhaps it's time for you to become more involved.  If you have a concern with only 1 area, chances are, that person is struggling.  Trust your instincts and take action.  There are often simple things that can be done to provide assistance and Make Life Easier for the ones you care for.   

Glenn Holden - Home Helpers & Direct Link of LKN and Central NC
www.homehelpers.cc/lkn58445