Medical myths of ageing 1

 Medical News Today is an interesting newsletter they come out with all sorts of fascinating material In the latest installment of our Medical Myths series, they tackle myths associated with aging. Because aging is inevitable and, for some people, frightening, it is no surprise that myths abound.

The article was written by Tim Newman on September 7, 2020 and  Fact checked by Anna Guildford, Ph.D.

In our Medical Myths series, we approach medical misinformation head on. Using expert insight and peer-reviewed research to wrestle fact from fiction, MNT brings clarity to the myth riddled world of health journalism.

1.Physical deterioration is inevitable

This is not entirely untrue. As we age, our body does experience wear and tear from decades of use. However, physical deterioration does not have to be complete, and people can often slow it down.

As the WHO explain, “Increased physical activity and improving diet can effectively tackle many of the problems frequently associated with old age.” These problems include reduced strength, increased body fat, high blood pressure, and reduced bone density.

Some research suggests that merely expecting physical deterioration increases the likelihood that someone will physically deteriorate.

In one study, scientists surveyed 148 older adults about their aging, lifestyles, and general health expectations.

They concluded that expectations regarding aging “play an important role in the adoption of physically active lifestyles in older adults and may influence health outcomes, such as physical function.”

So, although some deterioration is likely, managing expectations will help individuals make better life choices to maintain physical health and fitness later in life.

An older study investigated how perceptions of aging influenced an individual’s likelihood of seeking medical attention. The authors of the study, which included data from 429 older adults, concluded:

•        “[H]aving low expectations regarding aging was independently associated with not believing it important to seek health care.”

Another study looked at individual attitudes to aging during late middle-age and how they might influence their overall lifespan. The authors concluded that “older individuals with more positive self-perceptions of aging, measured up to 23 years earlier, lived 7.5 years longer than those with less positive self-perceptions of aging.”

In short, keeping active, eating right, and maintaining a positive outlook can often slow the physical deterioration associated with older age.

 

Will you live to be 130?

The short answer is no, but the following from Medical News Today's Sunday Supplement adds some detail.: 

What is the maximum human lifespan?

The number of people living past the age of 100 years is steadily increasing. Worldwide, there are around half a million people over 100 years of age, with a few supercentenarians living beyond 110 years. According to official records, the oldest person to have ever lived, Jeanne Calment, of France, died in 1997 — 164 days after her 122nd birthday.

What remains uncertain and widely debated is the maximum age it is possible to reach. Is there a biological limit to the number of years a person can live, or will medical advances push that limit beyond what is now thought possible?

This week, Medical News Today reported on a new study that investigates these questions. Researchers at the University of Washington analyzed data from over 1,000 supercentenarians in the International Database on Longevity, a resource that only includes people whose age can be confirmed with a high degree of certainty.

They found that it is nearly certain that someone will live longer than Jeanne Calment this century, but that it is highly unlikely that anyone will live to 135 years.

“Healthspan,” the number of years that a person enjoys good health, was not analyzed, but we have a wealth of evidence-based information and resources on healthy ageing that may help maximize your own.

What older Canadians have said about the use of cannabis:

Active Ageing Canada

Since the legalization of cannabis in 2018, 30% of our online survey respondents of older Canadians had used cannabis. Amongst our survey sample of 638 people, 40% of those not currently using cannabis were interested and considering using cannabis. Most of those currently using, and those considering using cannabis, were for medical reasons, primarily because of chronic pain, inflammation, sleep issues, muscle pain, and anxiety. Over half of our older adult survey responders said:

• they would like to learn more about cannabis and its risks and benefits

• wanted credible information from a trusted source

• wanted information on medical/therapeutic benefits and use

• a health professional was their main source of trusted information, but recognize that many don’t have training in cannabis use and there is stil la stigma attached to asking their doctors about it. 

The information we gained from our survey is similar to emerging data indicating both increased use of and interest in cannabis among older adults.

Why older adults use cannabis

Both medicinal and recreational cannabis are now legal in Canada. Most older adult user shave therapeutic reasons for using cannabis. They say their main reasons for trying cannabis are to see if it helps with ageing and the side effects of chronic disease. They see it as an alternative therapy.

Older adults use medicinal cannabis:

•        for pain

•        for anxiety and depression

•        for sleep problems

•        as an alternative to a prescription drug

•        to achieve a better quality of life.

Cannabis use by adults 65years and older is increasing faster than any other age group. In Canada in 2019, 6.6% of older adults reported using cannabis. That is up from 1% in 2012.

Most older adults who use cannabis are new users. A few are life-long users or people who used cannabis in early life and have begun again. One reason for the increased use is changing attitudes towards cannabis. There is also an increasing curiosity about its health benefits. There are no stereotypes for a cannabis user. They can be of any age and any background.

Medical cannabis

Cannabis with THC produces feelings of euphoria or relaxation. Recreational cannabis means a person is using cannabis for enjoyment rather than for medical reasons. While medical and recreational cannabis can come from the same plant sources, the products will focus on different chemical properties depending on the desired results. Label for cannabis product with predominantly THC content.

Medical cannabis is prescribed by a doctor to treat specific health conditions and symptoms. The prescription is filled by a licensed producer. The prescription could be for natural cannabis products in the form of THC or CBD. It could also be for a synthetic cannabis drug, only available by prescription.

In addition to natural cannabis products, pharmaceutical preparations are available. These are either created from the cannabis plant or recreated in a laboratory. They have a defined potency and dosing information.

Prescription cannabinoids that mimic THC have been approved by Health Canada for use in Canada. These are Marinol, Cesamet (or nabilone), and Sativex (or nabiximol). They are for the treatment of multiple sclerosis spasticity and pain due to cancer.

As cannabis is now legal in Canada, you might ask if a medical prescription is still needed.

Reasons why a person might want to get medical cannabis with a prescription include:

•        Access to prescription synthetic cannabis.

•        Workplace insurance plans are starting to cover

•        medical cannabis, and a prescription receipt is needed to make a claim.

•        If you are on government social assistance or are considered low-income, you may qualify for a discount.

A bit of humour

My memory's not as sharp as it used to be. Also, my memory's not as sharp as it used to be.

If you broke the law of gravity, would you get a suspended sentence?

Why be difficult? Put some effort in and be impossible.

 It's scary when you start making the same noises as your coffee maker.

The brain is a wonderful organ. It starts working the moment you get up in the morning and does not stop until you get to work.

An RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) officer stopped to help a stranded rider standing beside a stalled motorcycle in the mountains. It was extremely cold, and the rider was heavily dressed in a helmet, balaclava and snowmobile suit. In a muffled voice, the rider told the Mountie that the carburetor was frozen.

A motorcyclist himself, the Mountie remembered an old trick for just such an occasion "Try peeing on it," the Mountie said, "That should unfreeze it." "Can't," replied the rider. So the helpful Mountie took out his own equipment and liberally hosed down the carburetor, and the bike soon fired up. A few days later, the local department received a thank you note from a father, grateful for the roadside assistance his young daughter had received from the RCMP.

The paomnnehil pweor of the hmuan mnid.

Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a total mses

and you can sitll raed it wouthit porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe.

amzanig huh?