With flu season right around the corner, many seniors are once again left wondering whether or not to get a flu shot. Here, we answer the five most commonly asked questions about the flu vaccine, and whether or not it is the right choice for you.   

Why get vaccinated?

While everyone can get the flu, people over the age of 65 are at higher risk of suffering from complications. These complications can vary from sinus and ear infections to pneumonia to inflammation of the brain, heart, or muscle tissue. And, it has been estimated that over 80% of deaths caused by the flu occur in people over the age of 65. Receiving the flu vaccine drastically lowers these risks.    

How effective is the flu shot ?

The flu vaccine reduces the risk of the flu by over 50%. The flu can be caused by multiple strains of viruses, that vary from season to season. Because of this, flu shots focus on protecting against the most common types of viruses. While it is still possible to contract the flu even after receiving the vaccine, the illness is, generally, much milder. And, people who are vaccinated are at a much lower risk of developing complications.

Can the flu shot give you the flu?

No. But, it can cause mild and temporary flu-like symptoms, such as swelling or soreness (specifically, where the shot was given), low fever, or aches.

When to get the flu shot.

Flu season occurs during the fall and winter, peaking in the months from November through March. Many medical professionals recommend receiving the flu shot before the peak season, during the beginning of fall. This is because the flu vaccine takes two weeks to become fully effective. If given during peak season, there is a chance of contracting the flu either before the vaccine is administered or during the two-week period.   

Is there more than one type of vaccine?  

For seniors, there are two vaccines to choose from: the regular-dose vaccine or the high-dose vaccine. The high-dose vaccine is, specifically, for people over 65, and was shown to be 24.2 % more effective than the normal-dose vaccine. But, the high-dose has been shown to have some side effects (though both temporary and mild). Consult with your doctor before choosing which vaccine to use.

For people suffering from egg allergies, the regular flu shot should not be administered. Flu vaccines are egg-based, and eggless vaccines are available.  

Where to find more information

For more information on the flu vaccine, visit CDC.gov.

1) Wear the Right Type of Shoes

One of the leading causes of falls lies right under our noses, on our feet. When it comes to falls, specific shoes are more linked to severe falls than others. These shoes include:

• High heels
• Backless Shoes
• Loose or ill fitting shoes and slippers
• Shoes with smooth rubber or plastic soles
• Shoes with rubber tips or lug soles (like athletic footwear)
• Shoes with excess cushioning

Many seniors are surprised to learn that certain shoes that are usually considered safe are actually linked to more falls. In one study, 70% of seniors who experienced a fall were wearing either athletic shoes or loafers. These types of shoes, though considered sturdy, are more likely to cause falls on certain surfaces.

Smooth rubber or plastic soles are more likely to snag onto carpet, and be slippery on wood, tiles, and wet surfaces. Athletic footwear with rubber tips or lug soles also catch onto carpets, especially with people who tend to drag their feet. And shoes with too much cushioning can cause seniors to lose their balance.

The safest shoes to wear are walking shoes and shoes with light rubber soles. Wearing shoes with either cloth or elastic laces also allows for wearers to adjust the room in the shoe, allowing for a more comfortable and secure fit.

2) Exercise

As people get older, many physical factors cause falls to become more serious. Muscles, especially in the legs, start to weaken. Seniors find it harder to maintain their balance, reflexes slow down, and bones become more fragile. While physical change is unavoidable, an active lifestyle can help build and maintain muscle and bone strength and can improve balance. Not only does regular exercise help prevent falling, it also helps prevent bone fractures and reduces fear of falling.      

3) Review your medication

People who take more than four prescription medications are more likely to experience a fall. Certain medications can increase the risk of falling due to side effects, such as dizziness, unsteadiness, or confusion. Going over your medication with your doctor, especially if you feel they are causing any adverse side effects, can help eliminate some of the risks of falling. Of course, you should never change any of your medications without permission from your doctor.

For more tips, visit here.

What Are The Types Of Heart Disease?

Heart disease is an umbrella term for multiple forms of heart issues and chronic diseases. Cardiovascular diseases focus primarily on diseases or problems caused by buildup in the blood vessels. The most common types are:

Heart Failure, or congestive heart failure, is when the heart pumps weaken and no longer deliver enough blood and oxygen to the body’s cells. Heart failure is extremely common, with one in five Americans developing it in their lifetime. The disease is incurable, but manageable. According to the American Heart Association, symptoms include:

• Shortness of breath
• Constant wheezing or coughing
• Excess swelling in the feet, ankles, legs, or abdomen
• Tiredness and fatigue
• Nausea and lack of appetite
• Confusion, impaired thinking, or memory loss
• Increased heart rates (palpitations)

Arrhythmia is the change in the normal rhythm of the heartbeats. The heartbeat can either be irregular, erratic, or too slow. Arrhythmia can either be brief and harmless or continuous and life threatening. Continuous arrhythmia can cause the heart to pump less effectively. According to the American Heart Association, symptoms can include:

• Fatigue and dizziness
• Lightheadedness
• Fainting or near-fainting spells
• Rapid heartbeats or pounding
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• In extreme cases, collapsing and sudden cardiac arrest

Heart Valve Problems, or MVP, are caused by issues with the heart valves. Heart valves, along with the heart chamber, move and circulate the blood in the heart. MVP can include stenosis, when the valve does not open enough to allow the blood to flow through; regurgitation, when the valves don’t fully close and allow for blood to leak through; and mitral valve prolapse, when two valve flaps of the mitral valve do not close properly and allow small amounts of blood to leak, which causes heart murmurs. According to the American Heart Association, symptoms include:

• Chest pain
• Lightheadedness
• Fatigue
• Sensation of feeling the heartbeat
• Shortness of breath with activity or when lying flat

How To Help Prevent Heart Disease

Most heart disease prevention steps are simply keys to a healthy lifestyle. Key factors to follow are:

• Eating a healthy, well balanced diet. This means eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, especially greens, whole grains, fish, and lean meats. Foods high in sugar, saturated and trans fat, salt, and cholesterol should be consumed sparingly and in moderation.  
• Staying physically active by exercising at least two or more days per week.
• Avoiding smoking and secondhand smoke
• Knowing family history, particularly, what health problems run in your family.

Along with eating healthy and exercising, prevention tactics for each age group should, according to the American Heart Association, include:  

50s

• Learning the symptoms and signs of a heart attack and stroke.
• Following treatment plans for any current chronic diseases you may have, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, etc.

60s and over

• Beginning to receive the Ankle-Brachial Index Test, which tests for peripheral artery disease, or PAD, a cardiovascular disease where the leg arteries build up plaque.

When suffering from a headache, the easiest treatment always seems to be taking pain relievers. But, when taken too frequently, pain relievers can start doing more bad than good. Here we go over the best medication-free treatments for each type of headache.  

Tension Headaches

The most common type of headache, tension headaches cause mild to moderate pain on either one or both sides of the head, neck, or shoulders. The pain can feel like a dull ache or pressure inside the head, and can last anywhere from 30 minutes to an entire week. Causes of tension headaches can include: neck and muscle tension, missed meals, lack of sleep, depression, anxiety, or stress.

Treatments:

• Meditation
• Neck stretches
• Massages
• Relaxation techniques
• Warm showers
• Heat compresses

Sinus headache

Caused by pain in the sinuses, sinus headaches affect the cheeks, brows, and forehead. The pain can feel like a pressure or fullness, and can be made worse by bending forward or lying down. Other symptoms of a sinus headache include stuffy nose and the feeling of fatigue. These headaches are most commonly caused by allergies, sinus infections, viral upper respiratory infections, and colds.

Treatments:

• Drinking plenty of fluids  
• Using a humidifier or saltwater nasal spray to relieve congestion.

Migraine Headaches

Migraines can cause moderate to severe pulsating-like pain. They can last between four to seventy-two hours, and can affect one or both sides of the head. Other symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. People who suffer from migraines may have specific triggers, such as stress, hormones, too much or too little sleep, and certain foods, drinks, and activities.

Treatments:  

• Resting in a dark, quiet room
• Using a hot or cold compress on the head or neck
• Gentle massages
• Small amounts of caffeine
• Avoiding or managing any personal triggers  

Cluster headaches

Cluster headaches happen in patterns, usually around the same time everyday, several times a day, or on and off over the course of a few weeks. They can last from minutes to hours, and have a sudden sharp, needle-like pain that usually affects one side of the face near the eye or temple area. They can cause the eye on the affected side to swell, tear, or redden, and can cause agitation or restlessness.

Treatments:

• Oxygen therapy

Medication overuse headaches

Medication overuse headaches are caused by excessive use of pain relief medications. These headaches occur after, at least, three months of overuse and can cause a dull, throbbing, or achy feeling that can last all day. Other symptoms can include nausea, difficulty concentrating, and irritability. For serious cases and dependencies, consult with a doctor.

Treatments:

• Complete cut off of pain relief medications OR
• Gradually using less and less pain relief medication

Most people assume that a heart attack and cardiac arrest are two names for the same thing. It’s a common misconception, but a heart attack and cardiac arrest are two entirely different conditions. Knowing the difference is important, and knowing how to properly react to both of them is essential.  

So, What’s The Difference?

A heart attack is when the heart is suddenly deprived of oxygen, usually due to a blockage of plaque in the coronary arteries. Cardiac arrest is when the heart’s electrical system suddenly malfunctions. In other words, the heart unexpectedly stops working properly.   

Heart Attack Symptoms & Signs

Heart attacks are generally caused by heart disease such as coronary heart disease or arrhythmia. They can either happen gradually or suddenly. Before experiencing a heart attack, a person may show warning signs. According to the American Heart Association, these signs can include:

• Chest pressure, squeezing, fullness, pain, or general discomfort, lasting for a few minutes. The pain can come and go, fading in and out
• Discomfort in parts of the upper body, including in the arms, back, neck, jaw or stomach
• Shortness of breath
• Cold sweat
• Nausea
• Lightheadedness

Women can experience warning signs of a heart attack with or without chest pains. Because many women do not know this, they often assume signs of a heart attack are caused by another non-threatening issue. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women in the U.S, so it is important to know the warning signs women can experience. These include:

• Shortness of breath
• Pressure or pain in the lower chest or upper abdomen
• Dizziness
• Lightheadedness or fainting
• Upper back pressure  
• Extreme fatigue

Symptoms of a heart attack include:

• Chest pain
• Discomfort from activity
• Extreme fatigue
• Difficult or labored breathing
• Palpitations, or the feeling of the heart beating rapidly

If you or someone near you starts to experience these symptoms, call 9-1-1 immediately and seek medical attention.

Cardiac Arrest Symptoms

Cardiac arrest can occur without prior warning. According to the American Heart Association, signs of cardiac arrest are:

• Sudden loss of responsiveness
• No response to tapping on shoulders
• Does nothing when you ask if he/she is OK

People can experience cardiac arrest with or without a heart disease. They happen suddenly, and can be lethal if not treated as soon as possible.   

If this happens to someone near you, it is extremely important that you:

• Call for help (9-1-1, an emergency response number, etc.)
• Check if the person is breathing
• Perform hands-only CPR if the person is not breathing or is only gasping. (Check out how to give hands-only CPR here)
• Keep performing hands-only CPR until the person begins to breath or until the paramedics or someone with advanced training takes over

To learn more about heart attacks and cardiac arrest, visit Heart.org . Here for heart attacks and here for cardiac arrest.

Heat emergencies (or illnesses) occur due to overexposure to extreme heat. This can be caused by overly hot temperatures or environments, or from difficult physical activity, especially on hot days. Heat emergencies come in three main stages: Heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. Being aware of the symptoms and first aid of each stage is essential, and may help you easily identify and treat the onset of a heat emergency, saving either your, or someone else’s, life.

Symptoms of heat cramps

• Muscle cramps and pains that most often occur in the legs or abdomen
• Very heavy sweating
• Fatigue
• Thirst

(Source: nlm.nih.gov)

When experiencing heat cramps, it is important to rest and cool down, especially if you or the person suffering from the symptoms were engaging in physical activity. Try to move to a cooler place, drink clear juice or an electrolyte-containing sports drink (like Gatorade), and do gentle stretches and massages on the affected area. Do not continue with any activity for several hours, even after the cramps go away. Contact your doctor if the cramps continue for over an hour.    

Symptoms of heat exhaustion

• Headache
• Dizziness and light-headedness
• Weakness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Cool, moist skin
• Dark urine

(Source: nlm.nih.gov)

Heat stroke usually occurs after heat cramps. When you or someone around you begins to experience these symptoms, the first thing to do is to move them out of the heat, either into shade or air conditioning. Remove any tight or heavy clothing, and lay down with the legs and feet elevated slightly. It is important to stay hydrated with a cool drink without caffeine or alcohol, ideally, water, and to stay cool by keeping a fan on or by spraying or damping cool water onto the affected person. Monitor the affected person or be sure to be monitored if you are affected. If you are alone and your symptoms are not getting better, call 9-1-1. If you or the affected person experiences fainting, confusion, seizures, or a fever of 104°F or over, call 9-1-1 immediately.

Symptoms of heat stroke

• Fever (temperature above 104°F)
• Irrational behavior
• Extreme confusion
• Dry, hot, and red skin
• Rapid, shallow breathing
• Rapid, weak pulse
• Seizures
• Unconsciousness

(Source: nlm.nih.gov)

 
If you or someone near you begins to experience signs and symptoms of heat stroke, call 9-1-1 immediately. Move the affected person to a cool area, and try to keep them cool. This can include putting them in a cool tub or shower, lightly spraying them with cold water from a hose, sponging or spraying cool water onto them, or placing ice packs or cold wet towels on their neck, armpits, and groin. If they are able to drink, give them cold water. If the person loses consciousness and stops breathing, coughing or moving, perform CPR.

Each year, nearly one-third of all seniors experience a fall. Although falling may seem like just another part of life, the potential health risks that a fall can cause rises drastically with age. In fact, one out of five falls can result in serious injury, such as broken bones, hip fractures, head injuries, or worse. Of those type of falls, nearly 70 percent happen within the home. Thankfully, there are many preventive methods that can be used. Here, we list three of the best ways to help fall-proof your home and lifestyle.  

1) Don’t put off repairs.

It’s easy to put a necessary repair off until tomorrow, but there is a reason why the saying goes ‘tomorrow never comes’. Hazards such as loose floorboards or cracked tiles become extreme tripping and health risks. The longer they’re left un-fixed, the worse the danger becomes. While having the issues repaired now may seem like a nuisance, it’s not going to feel half as bad as the actual physical pain the hazards will inevitably cause later.

2) Accommodate to your needs.

Specific parts of the home, such as the bathroom, stairway, and kitchen, are places where people are more prone to falling. It is essential to make sure that these spaces are not only safe, but accommodate your specific needs. Stairways can have double handrails (one on each side) to assist with walking or stair lifts, if necessary. In bathrooms, bars installed above the bathtub or shower will help with support, and non-slip bathtub/shower mats or chairs will help reduce the risk of falling when bathing. In the kitchen, using step stools or reaching tools help with safely accessing high places.

3) Avoid wearing bifocals or multifocal glasses when not needed.

Multiple studies have shown that seniors wearing bifocal or multifocal glasses while walking, climbing stairs, and engaging in outdoor activities were more likely to fall than those who wore single focal glasses or no glasses at all. This is because bifocal and multifocal glasses’ lower lenses are created for magnifying. This causes the glasses to blur out far-distance objects near a person’s feet, such as steps or other obstructions on the floor. As a result, many seniors tend to trip more often while wearing bifocals. Many eye doctors recommend switching to a single vision pair of glasses to reduce the risk of falling when walking, going up stairs, or during outdoor activities.