Leading Cause of Death in men

The following is from Medical News Today and was from June 24, 2020.

Most common causes of death for men

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease is the top killer when analyzing data from males of all age groups and ethnicities in a large 2017 data set for the United States. Nearly one-quarter of death in males is due to heart disease.

But, to understand the full picture, it makes more sense to look at the data broken down by age or ethnicity, as this changes the landscape quite significantly.

While heart disease may be the most common reason for death in all males taken together, accidents occupy the top spot for those under 45 years of age. In males between the ages of 45 and 85, it is cancer. Once men reach 85 years old, heart disease is the most common cause of death.

In males under 45 years, suicide is the second most common reason for death, while in males between the ages of 45 and 64, it is the sixth most common reason.

In males over 65 years, suicide is not one of the 10 most common reasons.

The third most common cause of death in males under 20 years of age is homicide. Between the ages of 20 and 44, homicide is in the fourth position, while it drops out of the list of the top 10 in males over 45 years.

When breaking down the data by ethnicity, heart disease once again takes the top spot for males of all ages, with cancer coming in the second position, except for Asian or Pacific Islanders where they are the other way around.

Rank	White	Black	American Indian or Alaska Native	Asian or Pacific Islander	Hispanic	All races and origins
1	Heart disease 24.7%	Heart disease 23.7%	Heart disease 19.4%	Cancer 24.8%	Heart disease 20.3%	Heart disease 24.2%
2	Cancer 22.4%	Cancer 20.2%	Cancer 16.4%	Heart disease 22.6%	Cancer 19.4%	Cancer 21.9%
3	Accidents 7.2%	Accidents 7.9%	Accidents 13.8%	Stroke 6.6%	Accidents 11.5%	Accidents 7.6%
4	Chronic lower respiratory diseases 5.9%	Homicide 5.0%	Diabetes 5.9%	Accidents 5.6%	Stroke 4.7%	Chronic lower respiratory diseases 5.2%
5	Stroke 4.1%	Stroke 4.9%	Chronic liver disease 5.3%	Diabetes 4.3%	Diabetes 4.7%	Stroke 4.3%
6	Alzheimer’s disease 2.9%	Diabetes 4.3%	Suicide 4.3%	Chronic lower respiratory diseases 3.2%	Chronic liver disease 4.0%	Diabetes 3.2%
7	Diabetes 2.8%	Chronic lower respiratory diseases 3.2%	Chronic lower respiratory diseases 4.2%	Influenza and pneumonia 3.1%	Suicide 2.9%	Alzheimer’s disease 2.6%
8	Suicide 2.7%	Kidney disease 2.6%	Stroke 3.1%	Suicide 2.7%	Chronic lower respiratory diseases 2.5%	Suicide 2.6%
9	Influenza and pneumonia 1.9%	Septicemia 1.7%	Homicide 1.9%	Alzheimer’s disease 2.1%	Homicide 2.4%	Influenza and pneumonia 1.8%
10	Chronic liver disease 1.7%	Hyper-tension 1.6%	Influenza and pneumonia 1.8%	Kidney disease 2.1%	Alzheimer’s disease 2.1%	Chronic liver disease 1.8%

The third most common cause of death is accidents in all males, except for Asian or Pacific Islanders, where it is stroke.

In position four, the reasons for dying become significantly more diverse. For all males taken together, as well as for white males as a subgroup, it is chronic lower respiratory diseases. For Black males, it is homicide, while for American Indian or Alaska Native males, it is diabetes, for Asian or Pacific Islander males, it is accidents, and for Hispanic males, it is stroke.

Suicide features in the eighth position for Asian or Pacific Islander and white males, in the sixth position for American Indian or Alaska Native males, and in the seventh position for Hispanic males. It is not in the 10 most common reasons for death for Black males.

Can farts spread COVID-19?

Don't laugh. I almost did but it's not necessarily a joke. As the Global Times reported: 

”In a lengthy and seemingly humorous yet serious article on its WeChat account, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of Tongzhou district in Beijing clarified that farts, normally, do not constitute another transmission route of COVID-19, unless someone takes a good and rather close sniff of gas from a pantless patient.”

Earlier this year, a Beijing district office for the Center for Disease Control and Prevention announced that pants should be an effective barrier against farts that might carry the novel coronavirus. So to avoid spreading COVID-19, practice responsible social distancing—and avoid farting naked around other people. Which is honestly a good rule of etiquette for life in general.

So as long as someone farting is wearing pants, there is no danger of transmitting the COVID-19, they say. I'm pretty sure this is not a joke. More at Mental Floss and Global Times.

My thanks to Ronnie at Time goes Bye for this

When you fall

We have had many workshops on fall prevention strategies this fall. as we get older it is not a matter of if you will fall, but a matter of when you will fall. The National Institute on ageing has some good tips to help you if you fall.

If you do fall, stay as calm as possible and follow these steps:

Take several deep breaths to try to relax. Remain still on the floor or ground for a few moments. This will help you get over the shock of falling.

“Decide if you are hurt before getting up. Getting up too quickly or in the wrong way could make an injury worse.” When my wife fell, people tried to help her get up right away when what she needed to do was to adjust to the pain and mentally check her body to see if she was all in one piece. Insist on time to do this when people try to help."

“If you think you can get up safely without help, roll over onto your side. Rest again while your body and blood pressure adjust. Slowly get up on your hands and knees, and crawl to a sturdy chair.

“Put your hands on the chair seat and slide one foot forward so that it is flat on the floor. Keep the other leg bent so the knee is on the floor. From this kneeling position, slowly rise and turn your body to sit in the chair.

“If you are hurt or cannot get up on your own, ask someone for help or call 911. If you are alone, try to get into a comfortable position and wait for help to arrive.

“Carrying a mobile or portable phone with you as you move about your house could make it easier to call someone if you need assistance. An emergency response system, which lets you push a button on a special necklace or bracelet to call for help, is another option.”

Nutritional Needs of Older Adults

Older adults have unique nutritional needs and may need to make changes to their diets as the years go by. Muscle mass can decrease as a natural part of ageing, and people do not burn calories at the same rate as they do during their younger years.

Targeting nutrient-dense foods is essential for older adults, and avoidance of high-calorie foods that lack vital nutrients is crucial.

Beneficial foods include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, seafood, poultry, eggs, legumes, and low-fat dairy. Portion control may also be necessary — for older adults especially — as people may eat more food than they need.

It can be challenging to cook for a smaller family, so experts sometimes suggest cooking ahead and freezing portions to eat later when cooking is less appealing.

The particulars of this latest study seem to mirror the nutritional needs of older adults. However, the authors suggest that the addition of more protein may be the key to avoiding some of the unhealthful pitfalls that can take place when an older adult loses weight.  The study released in February 2019 shows that a  high-protein, low-calorie diet helps older adults with obesity lose more weight, maintain more muscle mass, improve bone quality and lose bad fat.

Geriatricians have long struggled with how to recommend safe weight loss for seniors, because dropping pounds can lead to muscle and bone loss.

This study aimed to quantify the risk of doing nothing by comparing results from a weight loss group vs. a weight stability group. The researchers decided not to include exercise, because many older adults are unlikely to perform the volume and intensity of exercise needed to preserve muscle and bone. Here's what the researchers found:

·       Participants lost about 18 pounds, most of it fat (87 percent), and preserved muscle mass. The control group lost about half a pound.

·       Even when participants lost weight, they maintained bone mass. In fact, the trabecular bone score, a measure of bone quality that predicts fracture risk, seemed to improve.

·       Fat was lost in the stomach, hips, thighs and rear, which is important for preventing or controlling cardiometabolic diseases such as diabetes and stroke.

·       Participants' score on the Healthy Aging Index, which measures biomarkers that predict mortality and longevity, improved by 0.75 points.

·       In this study, the researchers had the weight-loss group follow a high-protein, nutritionally complete, a reduced-calorie meal plan that included the use of four meal replacements, two meals of lean protein and vegetables prepared by the participants, and one healthy snack. The researcher said that any high-protein, nutritious low-calorie meal plan would likely work.

·       The weight-stability group attended health education classes and were encouraged to maintain their baseline diet and normal activity.

Doctors hesitate to recommend weight loss for fear that losing muscle and bone could cause mobility issues or increase the risk of injury," said the principal investigator of this study. "This study suggests that a diet high in protein and low in calories can give seniors the health benefits of weight loss while keeping the muscle and bone they need for better quality of life as they age."

When Death comes...

A friend of mine is 81 and we were talking about health issues and I hope to be in as good a shape as he is when I am his age. Death is a fact of life that we do not talk about very much, except at a Celebration of Life event. I came across a poem which spoke to me and it was by a poet named Mary Oliver. 

I found out that she was a celebrated poet and she died January 17, 2019, at the age of 83. Before you read the poem here is some information on her. She was a winner of the Pulitzer Prize, wrote rapturous odes to nature and animal life that brought her critical acclaim and popular affection.

She won the Pulitzer in 1984 for American Primitive and the National Book Award in 1992 for New and Selected Poems. In 1998, she received the Lannan Literary Award for lifetime achievement. Her fans ranged from fellow poets Stanley Kunitz and Rita Dove to Hillary Clinton and Laura Bush. She wrote often of mortality, but with a spirit of gratitude and completion. In Circles, she pronounced herself “content” not to live forever, having been “filled” by what she saw and believed. In When Death Comes, she hoped that at the end of life she could look back and see herself as a “bride married to amazement".

I suspect everyone's experience or thinking of their own mortality is different; informed by who they are and where they are in their lives. But this poem, written by Mary Oliver, who died from lymphoma, is an interesting take on death.

When Death Comes
When death comes
like the hungry bear in autumn;
when death comes and takes all the bright coins from his purse
to buy me, and snaps the purse shut;
when death comes
like the measle-pox;

when death comes
like an iceberg between the shoulder blades,
I want to step through the door full of curiosity, wondering:
what is it going to be like, that cottage of darkness?

And therefore I look upon everything
as a brotherhood and a sisterhood,
and I look upon time as no more than an idea,
and I consider eternity as another possibility,

and I think of each life as a flower, as common
as a field daisy, and as singular,

and each name a comfortable music in the mouth,
tending, as all music does, toward silence,

and each body a lion of courage, and something
precious to the earth.

When it’s over, I want to say: all my life
I was a bride married to amazement.
I was the bridegroom, taking the world into my arms.

When it’s over, I don’t want to wonder
if I have made of my life something particular, and real.
I don’t want to find myself sighing and frightened,
or full of argument.

I don’t want to end up simply having visited this world

Marijuana and Parkinson Disease

Marijuana is legal in Canada and some of you may be giving or getting some for the holidays. The following is from a story by Marie Ellis, published in Medical News Today in 2016.

Interestingly  Marijuana helps people who are suffering from Parkinsons Disease. In a review published in the journal Parkinson's Disease led by Prof. Zvi Loewy, from the Touro College of Pharmacy in New York, NY, his findings suggest symptoms of the condition could be improved with marijuana.  

Parkinson's disease is the second most common neurological illness in the United States, causing tremors, slowness of movement, postural instability, and impaired balance and coordination.  in the U.S., Parkinson's disease (PD) affects about 1 million people. It is progressive, which means it gets worse over time, and it occurs when a person's brain stops producing dopamine.

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that plays a key role in our movements as well as in cognitive and psychological functions.

There is currently no cure for the disease; treatments carry with them several limitations and do not slow the progression of PD. Professor Loewy and his team conducted a thorough literature review on studies of marijuana. The most compelling finding was that chemical components of marijuana yield benefits in the wake of different PD symptoms.

For example, Prof. Loewy notes that marijuana has been found to relieve pain in other diseases, adding that it should be studied for pain relief in people with PD. Pain affects nearly 50 percent of people with the condition, the researchers note.

But why is marijuana specifically promising for PD? According to the team, the cannabinoid compounds in marijuana bind to dopamine receptors to reduce the effects of reduced dopamine in the brain.


Essentially, the compounds replace the normal compounds that are adversely affected by Parkinson's. The big finding from their review centers around the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of marijuana, which may prevent neuron damage.

Inflammation can damage neurons that produce dopamine - the lack of which contributes to movement problems in Parkinson's. So preventing neuron damage could slow PD progression.

There is a need for safer drugs to treat PD, adding that cannabis may provide a viable alternative or addition to the current treatment of Parkinson's disease.

There are risks to take into account, recent research has uncovered some downsides to marijuana use, including memory loss, increased osteoporosis risk, and impaired blood vessel function.

Furthermore, a study published in 2016 suggested marijuana use may reduce dopamine in the brain.


Given all of this, they concluded that further studies are needed to provide more data on efficacy, safety, pharmacokinetics, and interactions of cannabinoids.

Quit Smoking Part Four Hypnosis

The last post on smoking for a while get out and enjoy the great days ahead.

Hypnosis has proven to be a highly successful approach for those wishing to stop smoking.  In fact, depending on whether or not it's used in conjunction with another approach, hypnosis has a sixty-six to eighty percent success rate.  

Why is hypnosis so successful?

Well, the primary reason is that smoking is not only a physical addiction, it's also a psychological addiction.  When you're able to control your physical cravings at the same time that you're releasing your psychological dependencies, you've got a powerful, often successful combination.  Many of the common quit smoking aids, such as patches, gums, and inhalers are far more effective when combined with hypnosis.

If you plan on working with an accredited professional hypnotherapist, however, you should be aware that permanent change is unlikely to occur after a single session.  In addition, the cost of hypnosis can be expensive (sometimes as much as two hundred dollars per session). Fortunately, you can find a number of audio programs designed specifically to help you use self-hypnosis to quit smoking.  These programs are generally much cheaper (often between fifty and one hundred dollars) than traditional hypnosis therapy.  And they can be equally as powerful.

Many people wonder if they'll experience withdrawal symptoms or gain weight when they use hypnosis to stop smoking.  Fortunately, this is generally not the case.  In fact, most people find that they experience only positive effects such as less stress, reduced anxiety, and an overall peacefulness.

Quit Smoking Part three Nicotine Gum

Nicotine gum is another tool that can be used to help you quit smoking.  It's comparable to regular gum and can be bought in the same flavours. The gum, of course, contains a dose of nicotine. When you feel a craving, start chewing the gum and nicotine is released and kills the desire for a cigarette. This is one of the cheapest tools to help you quit smoking.

When starting any withdrawal program always check with your physician before starting. You can get Nicotine gum over the counter but while a gum containing nicotine could be harmless to a healthy person, it may not be proper for those with diabetes, dental disease, heart problems, or high blood pressure. This tool is not recommended for women who are pregnant or trying to get pregnant or for breastfeeding mothers.

Nicotine gum should be chewed slowly. When you feel a peppery feeling you should stop chewing. Do not swallow or spit out the gum, tuck it into your cheek. You will continue to feel a tingle when you no longer notice get rid of the gum and start a new piece and repeat the process for at least half an hour to be sure that all the nicotine has been discharged into the body.

You may find yourself, in the first month using about ten and twelve pieces of gum daily. The experts recommend that you not use more than 24 pieces of gum a day. Do not smoke when using nicotine gum as it could lead to nicotine overdose and poisoning. Do not use the gum for longer than six months as the experts say this could cause you harm. 

Nicotine gum  comes in two sizes. One has two milligrams of nicotine while the other has four milligrams. The larger dose is likely addictive, so don't use it unless you are told to by your doctor. 

With all withdrawal programs, there are side effects you need to be aware of if you are using this tool to help stop smoking. When chewing this gum you may feel dizzy or weak. Some experience headaches or stomach aches. You may also experience damage to your teeth or dental work.

Quit Smoking Part 2 Nicotine Inhalers

A nicotine inhaler is a tube carrying nicotine and menthol. When you breathe through the inhaler nicotine is consumed through the wall of your mouth and upper esophagus. This dose of nicotine is about 10% of the nicotine you get when you inhale the smoke from your cigarette.

This option is used for smokers who smoke a pack or more a day. The best results happen when you use the inhaler for twenty minutes or more a day. For the best chance at success, six to sixteen cartridges should be consumed throughout the day to replace the cigarettes smoked.

Nicotine inhalers, as well as nicotine sprays, work quicker than nicotine gums. Because they resemble a cigarette, they can be used in most situations when a smoker feels a need to have something in their hands.

Like any withdrawal program, there may be side effects such as a burning sensation in the nasal tissues or throat, a stomach ache, or nausea. These tools are more expensive than using nicotine gum. Though useful, inhalers continue to promote the rituals and routines of smoking. Continuing the rituals and routines of smoking may lead a smoker back to the habit.

You may need a  prescription to get a Nicotine Inhaler. There are 42 cartridges in a package and each provides up to 300 to 400 puffs. The dose is reduced over a period of time until your cravings are reduced or they no longer exist. The research suggests that you do not continue to use inhalers beyond six months.

If you have bronchospastic disease, coronary heart disease, cardiac arrhythmias, insulin-dependent diabetes, or accelerated hypertension then be cautious about using this tool and check with your doctor.

Quit Smoking part 1

It is the end of summer and everyone is ready for a new start and or a new challenge for the fall. If you are a smoker then maybe it is time to think about quitting. If you're one of the millions looking for effective techniques to end your smoking then I hope what you read here will help you. 

Nicotine dependence harms millions of souls around the earth, and each year thousands watch for different ways to end their smoking. My wife, son and daughter are smokers and have tried many times over the years to quit. So I over time, I have created a list of some of the different methods they have used to quit smoking. 

These methods work for a while, but over time the addiction can come back. There are many people who have quit for decades and then returned to the habit. 

The methods I will talk about for the next few days are ones that you can use to tear loose from the grip that cigarettes have over your health, but only strong will and supportive family and friends will keep you off cigarettes for the long term.

First cigarettes are loaded with additional ingredients including carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, ammonia, cyanide, arsenic and DDT and are very dangerous to your health.

Nicotine Patches

A nicotine patch is especially intended to help overcome your desire for nicotine. It works because you receive a constant measure of nicotine during the day, by delivering a controlled portion of nicotine into your body through the skin. 

This helps maintain your nicotine level. This amount is less than if you were still smoking, but it is enough to reduce withdrawal your cravings.

The first round of the program lasts up to six weeks. This is a challenging period because the dosage of nicotine will be highest. After the initial six weeks, the amount of nicotine in the patch will be lower. Over the next month, the amount of nicotine in the patch is lowered for two weeks and then a still lower dosage for the last two weeks. At this point, you should be smoke-free.

Most nicotine patches must be ordered by a doctor. The normal cigarette contains only one milligram of nicotine, your prescription will be based on the number of cigarettes you smoke in a day. As in all replacement treatment programs, it's important to let your physician know of any medical limitations you have. 

There may be brands that can be bought over the counter, however, it is not recommended that you start any program without talking to your doctor, because there can be side effects when using a nicotine patch to quit smoking. Side effects can include rashes skin irritations such as itching or burning around the patch itself. 

Sometimes wearing a patch can cause nausea or dizziness to the wearer. In addition, when a person is wearing a patch they should not smoke, because this may cause you to be at risk for the potential of a nicotine overdose.

A nicotine patch can be worn any place on your body that is clean and hairless. Some people wear them on their arms, or back. 

Alzheimer's: Can a challenging job and exercise keep the condition at bay?

As we age, many of us fear the onset of dementia or Alzheimer's, there is some interesting research that shows that you can train your body and your mind to help, if not prevent, the onset of dementia. The following is taken from a story written by Yella Hewings-Martin, Ph.D., published in July 2017. The full story is here.

Needless to say, understanding how lifestyle and targeted interventions affect the brain is complex. However, keeping the brain and body active throughout life certainly seems to have positive effects on brain health.

A study presented by Bianca Bier, Ph.D., from the University of Montreal in Canada, looked at the effects of two different types of brain training.

Single attention training allowed participants to focus on one of two tasks and practice it repeatedly. But in the divided attention training group, participants performed two different tasks at the same time, controlling which one they paid the most attention to.

In a study of 30 healthy adults, these two different training schemes had very different effects on the brain. For instance, divided attention training activated those regions of the brain responsible for multitasking, but this plateaued halfway through the study.

Meanwhile, single attention training resulted in rapid activation of regions responsible for the particular task the participants were performing up to the halfway study point, but it declined afterward.

Dr. Bier explained that this is important as it means that all brain training exercises are not equal and that it will be important to choose the right type for individual patients.

This assessment was echoed by Narlon Silva, a Ph.D. student at Western University in Ontario, Canada, who looked at physical exercise and cognitive function.

His study included seniors who had all self-reported some cognitive decline. He compared regular mixed physical exercise - which consisted of aerobic and strength training - with an additional group that performed a new form of mind-motor training.

In this type of training, an instructor demonstrates a stepping pattern on a mat that is marked with four columns of equal squares. As the instructor moves along the mat, he places his feet on different squares, creating a stepping pattern that can range from simple to complex.

Participants were then asked to copy the stepping pattern demonstrated to them in an exercise lasting 15 minutes. These exercises were repeated three times per week for 24 weeks.

Both groups improved their cognitive function after 24 weeks, but there was no difference between the groups. However, during a subsequent follow-up at 52 weeks, the mind-motor training group had improved significantly more than the exercise-only group.

This led Silva to speculate that the training tested in the study had a delayed effect, and that, as Dr. Bier had found, all training is not equal.

The data presented at AAIC certainly point to exercise, cognitive training, and cognitive complexity in daily life as all having a positive influence in preventing a decline in old age. But do scientists know anything about the underlying causes?

The findings were only significant for white study participants, who showed that one particular variant of this gene was associated with higher exercise levels during the study period. However, regardless of which variant of the gene a particular participant carried, all had reverted back to pre-intervention exercise levels at the 12-month follow-up.

Prof. Rosso speculated that higher dopamine levels may play a role in sticking to exercise regimes in lifestyle interventions, but more work is needed.

Scientists are continuing their search for the best methods to keep our brains young and protect them from the deadly neurodegeneration that occurs in Alzheimer's disease.

Prostate cancer: PSA screening does lower death risk, says review

A few days ago I posted about PSA screening for Prostrate Cancer which recommended against using this particular screen. The information came from the Canadian Task Force on Preventative Health. They do not recommend the PSA be used for screening for Prostate cancer. However, today I read a study that takes another position, so I thought I would share so you could make a more informed decision when you talk to your doctor about this test.

The PSA test is a blood test that is commonly used to detect possible prostate cancer. Elevated PSA levels may indicate the presence of prostate cancer, but can also be caused by other common non-cancer related conditions such as an enlarged prostate (also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH) or inflammation of the prostate gland (also known as prostatitis) due to an infection or other cause.

The study authors note that the guidelines for PSA screening were largely based on the results of two studies: the European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC) and the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial (PLCO).

While results from the ERSPC suggested that PSA screening is linked to a reduction in prostate cancer-specific mortality, results from the PLCO showed that the screening offers no such benefit.

On reviewing these two studies with a mathematical model, however, the researchers found that they both demonstrated evidence of a significant reduction in prostate cancer death as a result of PSA screening.

For each study, the researchers compared the risk of prostate cancer death between men who did and did not undergo PSA screening.

Using their mathematical model, the team was able to account for differences in how each study was implemented, as well as any variations in practice settings.

When accounting for these differences, the researchers found that both studies showed that PSA screening is associated with a significant reduction in the risk of death from prostate cancer.

Based on these findings, the team suggests that current guidelines advising against screening for prostate cancer should undergo review.

However, each of is unique and I would recommend that you talk to your doctor about this test.

 2. Why does the CTFPHC recommend against PSA screening for prostate cancer?

The CTFPHC recommends against PSA screening because they found that the potential harms of screening outweigh the benefits.

The smartphone and your health

Contrary to the condition's name, heart failure doesn't mean the heart has stopped pumping - it's just not working at full strength. It can often be managed with medications and lifestyle changes, but its progression needs to be monitored closely. Now scientists have developed a new test strip that could potentially allow patients to do this at home for the first time. Their study appears in the journal ACS Nano.

In the U.S., nearly 6 million people live with heart failure, and about 1 million hospitalizations occur each year are related to the condition, according to the American Heart Association. Closely tracking the condition after diagnosis is important for adjusting treatment and preventing emergency room visits. Antigens called ST2 and BNP are good indicators of heart failure and how it's progressing. But currently, analyzing the levels of these biomarkers requires both trained personnel and sophisticated lab equipment. Feng Xu, Min Lin and colleagues wanted to devise a simple test to enable doctors and patients to carry out the same analysis at the office or at home.

The researchers developed a paper-based test that requires only a small blood sample of 10 microliters. A blue dot glows on the strip if ST2 is present in the sample, and a green dot glows if it contains BNP. The colors' intensities increase with concentration, which indicates a person's heart failure is likely becoming worse. A smartphone app can analyze the readout and send the results to the patient's doctor, who can adjust the patient's treatment accordingly. Testing 38 serum samples from people with heart failure showed that the paper test closely matched conventional techniques.

The authors acknowledge funding from the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the International Science & Technology Cooperation Program of China, the National Instrumentation Program (China), the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities and the Open Funding Project of Key Laboratory of Space Nutrition and Food Engineering Laboratory.

Article: Household Fluorescent Lateral Flow Strip Platform for Sensitive and Quantitative Prognosis of Heart Failure Using Dual-Color Upconversion Nanoparticles, Feng Xu, Min Lin et al., ACS Nano, doi: 10.1021/acsnano.7b02466, published online 8 May 2017.

Divorce

Boomers are not staying married and divorce is common amongst my age group. Not only is divorce bad for you financially, it also takes an emotional toll. Perhaps more than most of us think about. Ending a marriage can take more than an emotional toll. 

In a 2015 study, researchers found that divorced women were more likely to have a heart attack than married women; after two divorces, their risk nearly doubled. Men who had one divorce were just as likely to have a heart attack as married men, but their risk increased after two or more divorces.  One of the largest forms of stress is loss of a loved one or divorce or a major life event,. Over time, the release of stress hormones … can create injury to the wall of the blood vessel,” potentially causing a heart attack.

Joyful

Did you know that if you choose to be joyful enough it is almost physically impossible to get angry, fret, stew, or worry? 

And if you choose to be joyful often enough, it's virtually impossible to feel broke, or sick, or lonely, or confused? 

Some things really are possible! 

You make choices every moment of your day, what choice will you make?

What makes an age friendly community?

Today I will look at a report prepared for the Healthy Aging and Wellness Working Group of the Federal/ Provincial/ Territorial (F/P/T)   Committee of Officials (seniors) in 2006 that focuses on age friendly communities. This report examined in detail a great many areas, but I am only going to look at a few issues over the next few days. The report looked at the following issues:

·         Outdoor Spaces and Buildings

·         Transportation

·         Housing

·         Respect and Social Inclusion

·         Social Participation

·         Communication and Information

·         Civic Participation and Employment Opportunities

·         Community Support and Health Services

The physical environment, which consists of Outdoor spaces and Buildings, is an important determinant of physical and mental health for everyone. Creating supportive environments, including age-friendly outdoor spaces and building design, can enhance physical well-being and quality of life, accommodate individuality and independence, foster social interaction and enable people to conduct their daily activities.

Focus group results pointed to what seniors and caregivers identify as important aspects of outdoor spaces and buildings. Older adults and service providers in rural and remote communities expressed that “walkable” sidewalks, pathways and trails are very important for older persons, not only because they support safety and physical activity, but also because they enable older adults to get around and take care of their personal and social needs. Participants also identified the importance of having amenities within close proximity of each other. They identified a number of barriers, including a lack of sidewalks (or continuous sidewalks) in some communities, as well as the dangers of walking and using a scooter on busy streets and highways. Even in communities where sidewalks are common, some participants were concerned with the general state of disrepair and lack of maintenance for both sidewalks and trails.

In addition to the importance of walking for such practical purposes as running errands, walking as a form of physical activity has become increasingly common for older persons. Ensuring that paths, trails and walking routes are supported with sufficient washrooms and rest areas (especially benches) makes these areas more usable by seniors.

Seasonal conditions vary throughout the year and clearly have an impact on the “walkability” of communities. Quick and responsive snow-cleaning is appreciated by seniors, although snow clearing can sometimes lead to other problems. For example, snowploughs tend to heap snow along the roadsides which, as several participants noted, can make it difficult for older persons to open car doors blocked by snowbanks.

Buildings with few steps, push-button doors and wheelchair ramps are important for accessibility by all seniors. Aging buildings, however, are often cited as having accessibility problems.  More than one participant noted, for example, that older church buildings sometimes have washrooms in the basement, creating a problem for seniors with mobility challenges. In fact, inaccessible washrooms or toilet stalls, stairs and heavy doors were mentioned repeatedly as challenging for older persons.

Overall, the focus group participants expressed that they feel safe and secure in their communities and reported that there is very little crime in their communities. Seniors’ safety and security concerns tend to relate more to worrying about potential accidents, including the fear of falling, which is seen as a limitation to independence and mobility. Similarly, sidewalks or streets that are slippery or have potholes are seen as hazards that make walking unsafe for older adults.

Summary of Key Findings
Results of focus group discussions point to the following highlights with respect to what seniors and caregivers see as important issues and opportunities when it comes to planning for age-friendly outdoor spaces and buildings:

Age-friendly features include:

·       Walkable sidewalks, pathways and trails

·       The condition of pavements has an obvious impact on the ability to walk in the local area. Pavements that are narrow, uneven, cracked, have high curbs, are congested or have obstructions present potential hazards and affect the ability of older people to walk around. 

·       ·Having green spaces is one the most commonly mentioned age-friendly features. 

·       Good accessibility to and within public buildings (e.g., few stairs, wheelchair ramps that are not too steep, accessible washrooms)

·       Along footpaths, accessible washrooms (e.g., wide push-button doors, rails) and rest areas, including benches that are an appropriate height

·       Adjustments and adaptations that help seniors feel safe and secure in the community

·       The ability to cross the road safely is an often mentioned concern, and it is reported that several cities have taken steps to improve the conditions for people crossing the road.

·       Provision of services within walking distance of where many seniors live

·       The availability of seating areas is generally viewed as a necessary urban feature for older people: it is difficult for many older people to walk around their local area without somewhere to rest

Barriers include  

·       Poor accessibility to and within public buildings

·       Generally, the features that are considered necessary for buildings to be age-friendly are: 

o  elevators 

o  escalators 

o  ramps 

o  wide doorways and passages 

o  suitable stairs (not too high or steep) with railings 

o  non-slip flooring

o  rest areas with comfortable seating 

o  adequate signage 

o  public toilets with handicap acce

·       However, in many cities there are barriers that prevent older people from using green spaces

·       Lack of and/or poor quality of sidewalks, curbs and crosswalks

·       Seasonal factors that reduce walkability and “scooterability” (e.g., snow, ice)

·       Shortage of accessible washrooms and rest areas along walking routes

Suggestions from participants for improving age-friendliness:

·       Provide intergenerational outdoor activities to foster socialization between younger and older members of the community, and to provide assistance to those with mobility problems.

·       Set up indoor walking clubs for periods of poor weather conditions.

·       Post signage indicating the location of public restrooms.

·       Provide good lighting throughout neighbourhoods and on trail

Age-friendly outdoor spaces and buildings checklist*
Environment

·       The city is clean, with enforced regulations limiting noise levels and unpleasant or harmful odours in public places.

Green spaces and walkways

·       There are well-maintained and safe green spaces, with adequate shelter, toilet facilities and seating that can be easily accessed.

·       Pedestrian-friendly walkways are free from obstructions, have a smooth surface, have public toilets, and can be easily accessed.

Outdoor seating

·       Outdoor seating is available, particularly in parks, transport stops and public spaces, and spaced at regular intervals; the seating is well-maintained and patrolled to ensure safe access by all.

Pavements

·       Pavements are well-maintained, smooth, level, non-slip and wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs with low curbs that taper off to the road.

·       Pavements are clear of any obstructions (e.g. street vendors, parked cars, trees, dog droppings, snow) and pedestrians have priority of use.

Roads

·       Roads have adequate non-slip, regularly spaced pedestrian crossings ensuring that it is safe for pedestrians to cross the road.

·       Roads have well-designed and appropriately placed physical structures, such as traffic islands, overpasses or underpasses, to assist pedestrians to cross busy roads.

·       Pedestrian crossing lights allow sufficient time for older people to cross the road and have visual and audio signals.

Traffic

·       There is strict enforcement of traffic rules and regulations, with drivers giving way to pedestrians.

Cycle paths

·       There are separate cycle paths for cyclists. Safety

·       Public safety in all open spaces and buildings is a priority and is promoted by, for example, measures to reduce the risk from natural disasters, good street lighting, police patrols, enforcement of by-laws, and support for community and personal safety initiatives.

Services

·       Services are clustered, located in close proximity to where older people live and can be easily accessed (e.g. are located on the ground floor of buildings).

·       There are special customer service arrangements for older people, such as separate queues or service counters for older people.

Buildings

·       Buildings are accessible and have the following features:

o  elevators

o  ramps

o  adequate signage

o  railings on stairs

o  stairs that are not too high or steep

o  non-slip flooring

o  rest areas with comfortable chairs

o  Sufficient numbers of public toilets.

Public toilets

·       Public toilets are clean, well-maintained, easily accessible for people with varying abilities, well-signed and placed in convenient locations.

*Source: Report on Age Friendly Communities  (pdf file)