Caring For the Aging Skin

As we grow older, our skin naturally changes. The severity of these changes can be influenced by lifestyle choices, diet and heredity. Elderly skin must be treated and handled differently when compared to youthful or even middle aged skin. It is vital for the elderly and their caregivers to understand the common problems faced by the elderly and how to identify, prevent and treat them.

Below is a list of common skin problems most likely encountered by the elderly today.

1. Dry Skin 

As we age, our skin becomes thinner and is less able to retain moisture. Hence, dry and thin skin is more prone to cracking, itching and pain. This condition will probably cause the skin to tear more easily as well, which can lead to the introduction of bacteria. The elderly has a weaker immune system, and we won’t want to introduce any infection through torn skin to the elderly. Dry skin is also contributed partly from the loss of oil glands.

Solution:

•  Over the counter lotions and moisturizers are readily available at pharmacy outlets, which one can use to rehydrate elderly skin.
•  For severely dry skin or eczema, these conditions may need to be treated with prescription medicated creams. Kindly check with your doctor or your pharmacist today.
•  Humidifiers can also be used to put more moisture in the air, as a dry environment can also hasten the drying of elderly skin. 
• Elderly individuals should limit bathing times and avoid hot baths (use warm water instead of hot water, if possible) and avoid using bubbly products. These individuals should always bathe after being in a pool or spa containing chlorine.
•  They should drink more liquids, avoid alcohol, spicy foods and caffeine.

2. Bed Sores

Also known as pressure ulcers or pressure sores, this skin problem forms when the elderly sit in a chair or lie in bed for extended periods of time without proper movement. Sitting or lying down for a continuous period of time cuts off blood supply to the skin, causing a painful red sore that can eventually turn purple, break open and become infected. Bed sores can progress quickly and be slow to heal, especially given the thinned nature of elderly skin.

Solution:

• Prevention includes frequent position changes, inspecting elderly skin for signs of bed sores, proper nutrition, quitting smoking, daily exercise, applying vitamin E to the skin, avoiding meat, including fiber in the diet, and enhancing circulation through massage.
• Treatments include changing positions often, using specialized cushions, pads, and beds, keeping wounds clean, removing damaged tissue, dressing the sores, hydrotherapy, oral antibiotics, eating a healthy diet, and surgical repair, though this is rare.

 3. Statis Dermatitis

Stasis Dermatitis is a skin condition characterized by redness, swelling, tenderness, and dry scaly skin. It usually occurs after age 50. More common in women, this skin condition is caused by poor circulation in the lower legs. Intense itching and scratching can result in bruising, skin ulcers, and extensive damage to the leg.

Solution:

• Treatments include raising the affected leg, wrapping the leg tightly in an elastic bandage and medication.

Vitamin C Reduces the Risk of Stroke

A study done in France recently suggests that the risk of haemorrhagic stroke is lower among people with normal vitamin C blood levels compared to those with low or deficient levels. Haemorrhagic stroke is less common than ischemic stroke. However, the former is the deadlier one of the two.

The study involved testing vitamin C blood levels in 65 individuals who has suffered an intracerebral haemorrhagic stroke, and 65 people who had never had a stroke. Research showed that 45% had normal vitamin C levels and 45% had very low levels. Those who had not experienced strokes were the ones with high levels of the vitamin.

“More research is needed to explore specifically how vitamin C may help to reduce stroke risk. However, the study suggest that vitamin C deficiency should be considered as a risk factor for haemorrhagic stroke; as well as other factors that include high blood pressure, drinking alcohol and being overweight."

-Dr Stephane Vannier

Recommended doses of vitamin C for adult men are 90mg per day and women 75mg.

Using Peanuts to Treat Nut Allergy

Peanut allergy affects about 1 in 50 children, and is the most common cause of fatal food allergy reactions. Symptoms may vary from mild to severe, from swollen lips or shortness of breath to anaphylactic shock, which can be fatal.

Doctors are now working on using nuts to treat children with peanut allergy, and so building tolerance that can a safe a life in case of accidental ingestion.

Small doses of peanut powder taken over several months seemed to induce tolerance in children with the potentially deadly allergy (The Lancet Medical Journal).

In the research done, treatment allowed children with all severities of peanut allergy to eat large quantities of peanuts, well above the levels found in contaminated snacks and meals. After 6 months of treatment, 84-91% of children in the trial could safely tolerate daily doses of 800mg peanut powder – the equivalent of about 5 peanuts.

Although ‘exceptionally promising’, this method remains experimental, mentioned Matthew Greenhawt from the University of Michigan Food Allergy Centre.

Extract from The Sun

All in the mood for New Year!

Happy Chinese New Year 2014 readers!

There's just something about Chinese New Year (CNY ) and RED.......
RED has always been the colour and participation of all CNY festivities. Why RED?
The Chinese believes that red is the emblem of joy and symbolises good values like sincerity, truth and virtue. It is also believed that this colour welcomes luck, success, prosperity and good health.

In this festive season, why not start incorporating some RED-coloured superfoods into our daily diet?

1. Grapes

This fruit is oval or round in shape, sweet and full of texture. Latest research have shown grapes to be associated with longevity. The key phytonutrient, Resveratrol can be found present mostly in grape skins, but also in grape seeds and grape flesh. Resveratrol has been shown to increase expression of all three genes associated with longevity.

2. Beet Root

This vegetable has got a distinct red/pink colour to it. It is rich in vitamins A, B, C, beta-carotene, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron and fiber. It is very beneficial for pregnant women as it is rich in folic acid, which is essential for normal tissue growth. . Folic acid is crucial for the development of the baby’s spinal cord during the first 3 months of pregnancy, and can help prevent spinal cord defects such as spina bifida. This vegetable has very high contents of nitrates as well, which is able to help reduce high blood pressure and its associated risks of strokes and heart attacks.

3. Tomatoes

Tomatoes have been well-known to be rich in Lycopenes;  a strong antioxidant which also contributes to the RED colour of tomatoes. A research done among post-menopausal women has now shown the important role of lycopenes (as an antioxidant) in tomatoes in helping with bone health as well! Research (Journal of National Cancer Institute) have also shown that tomatoes and tomatoes-linked products are associated with a decreased risk of prostate cancer. 

Laughter Yoga

Laughter yoga is a unique exercise routine which is fast sweeping the world. It is based on the belief that voluntary laughter provides the same physiological and psychological benefits as spontaneous laughter. Laughter yoga is practised in groups, with eye contact and playfulness between participants. 

This unique form of yoga uses a combination of laughter exercises and yoga breathing to train the diaphragm and abdominal muscles to breathe deeply. This increases the supply of oxygen to body cells and can play a significant role in preventing cancer. Besides, laughter yoga's ability to strengthen the immune system is also believed to help keep cancer at bay.

In Malaysia, laughter yoga was started by a group who called themselves JB Laughters in September 2008. The group is led by Lee-Jean Fung, a practising pharmacist for over 30 years trained by Dr Madan Kataria as a Certified Laughter Yoga Teacher in August 2008. Free lessons were conducted in various places around Muar and Johor Bahru. To date, there are more than 120 Certified Laughter Yoga Leaders around Malaysia.

To fully reap the health benefits of laughter, it has to be loud. deep and coming from the diaphragm. Joining a laughter yoga group provides a safe environment where one can laugh loudly and heartily without any social implications.

(www.laughteryoga.com.my)

Senyum Sokmo readers! Happy Monday!

Extracted from Urbanhealth

Shouting At Teenagers As Bad As Hitting Them

A published American Study finds that verbally punishing 13-14 year old teenagers increases bad behaviour, similar to what would happen if the teenagers are physically punished. The research led by the team at University of Pittsburgh, Pensylvannia said harsh discipline, such as shouting, cursing or insulting, would also aggravate bad behaviour. 

"Teenagers who were disciplined in a harsh verbal manner suffered from increased levels of depressive symptoms, and were more likely to engage in vandalism, or behave in antisocial or aggressive ways" 

In addition to this, the authors of this study found that the effects of harsh verbal discipline is bi-directional; when children were punished because of problems behaviours, the punishment itself caused a repeat of the problem. 

Subjects of the study group: Teenagers from the 'middle class' demographics. Families of subjects were of an 'okay' relationship between parents and kids. Parents whom cared about their kids and did not want them to engage in problem behaviours. 

The Nutritional Benefits of Jicama

Happy New Year 2014 readers!

         

Jicama might sound a little foreign, not until you have seen what this is (see pictures above).

Better known as 'sengkwang' or 'bengkoang' in Malaysia, in other parts of the world, this tuber is also known as yam bean, Mexican water chestnut or Mexican turnip.

This is a perennial (a plant that lives longer than 2 years) vine plant that grows vigorously under semitropical and tropical climates. Unlike other starch roots like potatoes or sweet potatoes where the peel (skin) may be eaten, Jicama features a thick, brown inedible skin which reveals a white, starchy flesh that has a crisp texture and fruit-like succulent, sweet-starchy taste.

The many nutritional values of Jicama makes it a perfect tuber to be included in your everyday meal. 

1. Rich source of Prebiotics
An excellent source of oligofructose inulin, a prebiotic that can promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut. Prebiotics are the 'food' that the probiotics (beneficial bacteria) thrive on. Other rich food sources of prebiotics include onions, Jerusalem artichokes, bananas, asparagus and garlic. Probiotics on the other hand, have been show clinically to help with antibiotic-associated diarrhoea, Crohn's dieases, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and urogenital health in women.

2. Rich in Vitamin C
One cup of raw Jicama slices provides more than 24mg of Vitamin C. Vitamin C is a powerful water-soluble anti-oxidant that helps body scavenge harmful body radicals, offering protection against viral cough and colds, inflammation and cancer. Eating vitamin C-rich foods can increase collagen production, which can help improve skin texture, speed wound healing, and give a healthy glowing skin. 

*SAFETY CONCERNS*
Jicama contains a water-soluble organic toxin known as rotenone, highly concentrated especially in the leaf tops, stems and seed pods, and at much lower levels in the roots. Several studies found that this is linked to the development of Parkinson's disease. However, peeled roots are safe for human consumption, including in children. 

Pine Extract to Treat Infections

Pine Conifer Needles

  

Merry Christmas readers! In this joyous festive season, we will look into a natural wonder of mother earth today. 

The extracts of PINE CONIFER NEEDLES has been shown to contain many medicinal properties. In the 1930s, Russian forest biochemists were observing pine trees for their ability to thrive and remain evergreen through severe weather conditions. They found certain 'live elements' in pine conifer needles which was the key to the pine tree's good health and longevity, and when these 'live elements' were given to humans, they recovered from their illnesses.

This nutritional supplement contains a whole load of goodness, known as Bioeffective A (Brand: Nuvapine A). Bioeffective A comprises of chlorophyll derivatives, beta-carotene and other carotenoids, vitamin E, phytosterols, polyprenols, squalene, and many more other minerals. Below is a summary of all the nutritional benefits of Bioeffective A.

1. Antioxidant - This nutritional supplement helps to prevent premature aging in cells, helping with cholesterol and triglyceride lowering, protects cell from malfunction and disease, better heart and nerve health, improved immune functions.   

2. Anti-microbial - Bioeffective A has all antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal activity. This extracts help to protect one from infectious respiratory infections, helps with the recovery of respiratory infections as well. Besides, it provides protection from gastric ulceration (H. Pylori infections).

3. Gastrointestinal - This extract has shown to help improve stomach and gut health, providing better digestive health with improved immune health..

4. Detoxification - Bioeffective A has been shown to prevent toxin overload in the body by its detoxifying actions in the blood and liver. It helps with hepatitis, and has also been shown to reduce the severity of chemotherapy side effects.

Almonds Are Good For You!

Did you know the almond tree is a cousin of the peach, cherry and apricot tree?

Did you know that the almond tree bears fruits with very fragrant beautiful flowers, but we enjoy mostly the seed of the fruit, which we go nuts about; ALMONDS.

It will surprise you how this tiny little tear-shaped seed can bring so much health benefits for you.

1. Improving Heart Health

Research has shown that snacking on a handful of almonds everyday will bring you a long way towards protecting and strengthening your heart. The nutrients contained in this powerful seed have been found to help decrease blood sugar spikes after a high carbohydrate meal, hence a reduction in incidences of heart disease over time.


2. Almonds Take All Your Stress Away

Almonds are rich in stress-busting nutrients (particularly vitamin B and vitamin E). These vitamins help you relieve tension in your nerves. All you will need is to munch on a quarter cup of almonds, which is definitely enough to chase all the anxieties away! Next time your boss screams at you, chew on some almonds, take a few deep breaths, and you'll do just fine.


3. Rich in Calcium

We know dairy products are the way to get calcium into our body. But do you also know that besides the former, ALMONDS are one of the richest sources of calcium around too!. Just about 14 grams of almonds give you about 37 grams of calcium (Harvard University Health Services)


4. Beauty Care

Almonds are as good for you when applied topically on your skin. They're a great moisturising agent that can heal scars. Almonds have also been found to be able to relieve muscle aches. Have a read on the labels of your beauty products today. Don't be surprise to see almonds there.


5. Weight Maintenance

Everybody wants to lose weight. Fat is always an issue. Now, here's the way to go. Chewing on almonds have been scientifically proven to increased the feeling of fullness in oneself (Journal of Clinical Nutrition). However, there is a trick here. Chew 25-40 times before swallowing each mouthful of almonds. The feeling of satiety will stop you from reaching that bag of chips, and its definitely an effective way to tackle overeating which can quickly lead to obesity. 

Now that you know, go on and start munching on your almonds today!

Dietary Change is a MUST in Gout Patients

Gout is a terrible, painful condition that is now affecting almost 1% of the world's population.

It is a medical condition that can be prevented, if not well-controlled if proper education and awareness is present among this group.

Gout & Uric Acid

Gout is closely linked with the levels of uric acid in our body. Uric acid is a by-product of the metabolism of foods rich  in purines, and is also made by the body. Excess uric acid is transferred by the kidneys to urine and removed by the body. People with gout either produce too much uric acid or their kidneys are unable to dispose of it sufficiently. As a result, uric acid accumulates and forms tiny needle-shaped crystals in the joints, causing excruciating pain and inflammation.

A gout attack can occur overnight, followed by severe pain and joint inflammation that can last between 5-10 days. The big toe where it joins the ball of the foot, the instep, ankle, knee, kneecap, wrist, tip of the elbow, and fingers can all be affected. 

        

Medications

Medical advice should be sought early; non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can be a group of very effective pain killers to relieve gout pain. DO NOT TAKE ASPIRIN to relieve pain from an episode of gout attack. Colchicine is usually used together with NSAIDs for a short period.

The mainstay treatment of gout is to ensure that drugs used to control uric acid levels (such as Allopurinol/Probencid) must be taken EVERY DAY, even when there is NO ACUTE PAIN!

Dietary Changes

Gout patients MUST avoid all foods containing high levels of purines. 

IF DIET IS NOT CHANGED, THERE IS NO CURE TO GOUT.

1. Avoid/Restrict foods high in purines such as sardines, anchovies, shell fish, fish roe, peas, lentils, beans, Marmite and Vegemite.

2. Avoid large amounts of red meat.

3. Drink alcohol in moderation.

4. Drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluids, as dehydration can trigger an attack!