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The Fitness Blog Week in Review for December 23-29

It’s the last week of December and the last full week of 2006. We did our best to cover a multitude of subjects throughout 2006 and as we head into our second year, we are well aware of the fact that January is a key month for many people getting started on their fitness programs and diving wholeheartedly into their New Year’s Resolutions. We’ll do our best to be there for you and to answer all the questions that we can. So what did we talk about this week? Saturday, December 23 The Top Ten Best Fitness Gifts You Can … Continue reading →

Falls Are a Leading Cause of Death in the Elderly

For men and women over the age of 65, the leading cause of injury-related death is falls. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, the death rate attributable to falls in the elderly rose by more than 55% from 1993 through 2003. The problem is, not only have the death rates due to falls grown, they have surpassed the injury rates related to falls. Part of the problem is related to the longevity of modern life. More and more often, we are living to an age when our bodies are frailty can mean a fall is … Continue reading →

Different Types of Dizziness

Feeling lightheaded? Woozy? A little dizzy? You’re not alone. Dizziness is one of the most common complaints general practitioners hear! Many different things can cause dizziness, which is why medical professionals distinguish between different types of dizziness. Vertigo: a spinning sensation. Disequilibrium: the feeling of being off-balance. Dizziness: can include light-headedness, vertigo, and disequilibrium. The spinning sensation of vertigo usually indicates an inner ear problem. The problem can be caused by any number of things, including head injury, virus, or problems with inner ear fluid. When things aren’t quite right in the inner ear, your brain gets incorrect messages about … Continue reading →

Relieving Depression in Seniors

If an older person in your care is diagnosed with depression, you may find it difficult to treat. Many seniors are resistant to the idea of being labeled as “mentally ill” and may refuse to participate in treatment. Antidepressant medications tend to work well in senior citizens, but they’re only part of the treatment. As my own doctor has told me, medication gets you to a stable place where therapy can actually help (and help keep you stable). One drawback of using antidepressants is the side effects. Dizziness can lead to falls — a leading cause of death for seniors. … Continue reading →

The Fracture Triangle

You’ve probably heard of the Bermuda Triangle… but have you heard of the Fracture Triangle? Your likelihood of breaking a bone after a fall is determined by three things: The fall itself The force and direction of the fall (how hard you fall, and what you fall on) The fragility of the bones that take the impact Falls are serious at any age, and breaking a bone after a fall becomes more likely as you age. Often there is a link between breaking a bone and osteoporosis — a disease involving the loss of bone tissue or bone density. If … Continue reading →

Your Body & Aging

When we talk about fitness, we talk about keeping the body and the mind in great health. When we’re teenagers, we seem like such natural health nuts because being healthy seems to come naturally. So why is it, that aging means we have to work harder or perform harder to get in our best shape? Why don’t we bounce back as easily as we once did? Why is it the five pounds that fell off of us when we didn’t eat for a couple of days, clings stubbornly the rest of the time? We’re Aging – That’s Why There are … Continue reading →