A new study from the Journal of American Medical Association reports an increase risk of breast cancer with increasing use of alcohol. We’ve actually known this since the 1990′s. It’s good to see it’s finally getting some press. It doesn’t matter what type of alcohol…beer, wine, liquor. The more you drink the greater the risk up to 6 servings per day. Age is also a risk factor for all cancers. You can’t control aging…yet, so please limit the alcohol!
Dr. Ray
A recent study accepted for publication in The Endocrine Society’s Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM) found that higher levels of testosterone were associated with reduced loss of lean muscle mass in older men, especially in those who were losing weight. In these men, higher testosterone levels were also associated with less loss of lower body strength.
“Our study finds that men, aged 65 years and older, with higher testosterone levels lost less muscle mass, especially in their arms and legs, than men this age who had lower testosterone levels,” said Erin LeBlanc, MD, of Kaiser Permanente Northwest in Portland, OR and lead author of the study. “Men who had higher testosterone levels before they lost weight also lost less leg function and could stand up more easily from a chair than men who had lower testosterone levels before they lost weight.”
In this study, researchers used data from 1,183 men aged 65 years or older and tested the hypothesis that higher baseline measures of sex steroids are associated with lesser declines in lean mass and maintenance of physical performance over an average follow-up of 4.5 years. Body composition was measured using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans and physical performance was measured through a series of exercises that assessed grip strength, lower extremity power, walking speed and the ability to rise from a chair without the use of arms.
“The amount of testosterone men have in their bodies may contribute to how much muscle and strength they lose as they get older,” said LeBlanc. “Our study adds evidence to the growing body of literature that suggest higher levels of endogenous testosterone may be favorably associated with some key components of healthy aging in men.”
Testosterone can be administered to men with low testosterone by a gel or injection.
Dr. Ray
Tip #1 Drive with Care
Always —
✓ Plan your trips ahead of time. Decide what time to leave and which roads to take.
Try to avoid heavy traffic, poor weather, and high-speed areas.
✓ Wear your seat belt – and wear it correctly. (It should go over your shoulder and
across your lap.)
✓ Drive at the speed limit. It’s unsafe to drive too fast or too slow.
✓ Be alert – pay attention to traffic at all times.
✓ Keep enough distance between you and the car in front of you.
✓ Be extra careful at intersections. Use your turn signals and remember to look
around you for people and other cars.
✓ Check your blind spot when changing lanes or backing up.
✓ Be extra careful at train tracks. Remember to look both ways for trains.
✓ When you take a new medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist about side effects.
Many medicines may affect your driving even when you feel fine. If your medicine
makes you dizzy or drowsy, talk to your doctor to find out ways to take your
medicine so it doesn’t affect your driving.
Never —
✓ Never drink and drive.
✓ Never drive when you feel angry or tired. If you start to
feel tired, stop your car somewhere safe. Take a break
until you feel more alert.
✓ Never eat, drink, or use a cell phone while driving.
If —
✓ If you don’t see well in the dark, try not to drive at night or during storms.
✓ If you have trouble making left turns at an intersection, make three right turns
instead of one left turn.
✓ If you can, avoid driving in bad weather, such as during rain, sleet, or snow.
Tip #2 Take care of your car.
✓ Make sure you have plenty of gas in your car.
✓ Have your car tuned up regularly.
✓ Keep your windshields and mirrors clean.
✓ Keep a cloth in your car for cleaning windows.
✓ Replace your windshield wiper blades when they become worn out.
✓ Consider using Rain-X or a similar product to keep your windows clear.
✓ If you are shopping for a new car, look for a car with power steering and automatic transmission.
Tip #3 Know where you can find a ride.
How do you get around when your car is in the shop? If you don’t know the answer to this question, it’s time for you to put together a “transportation plan.”
A transportation plan is a list of all the ways that you can get around. Use this list when
your car is in the shop or when you don’t feel safe driving. Your plan might include:
✓ Rides from friends and family
✓ Taxi
✓ Bus or train
✓ Senior shuttle
Tip#4 Take a driver’s safety class
To learn how to drive more safely, try taking a class. In a driver safety class, the instructor
teaches you skills that you can use when you are driving. To find a class near you, call one
of the following programs:
AAFP 55 Alive Driver Safety Program 1-888-227-7669
National Safety Council Defensive Driving Course 1-800-621-7619
Driving School Association of the Americas, Inc. 1-800-270-3722
AAA Safe Driving for Mature Operators Program
Call your local AAA club to find a class near you
These classes usually last several hours. They don’t cost much – some are even free. As an added bonus, you might receive a discount on your auto insurance after taking one of these classes. Talk to your insurance company to see if they offer a discount.
Article adapted from American Academy of Family Practice, aafp.org.
Happy, Safe Driving,
Dr. Ray
Contrary to belief, older people in South Africa and Brazil become happier as they age. New research suggests that, with the right policies in place, a developing country can significantly improve the wellbeing of its older citizens.
The average levels of wellbeing experienced by older people in South Africa and Brazil improved between 2002 and 2008, due to a combination of economic growth and enlightened social policies, according to a study from the New Dynamics of Ageing Programme, a unique collaboration between five UK Research Councils.
Let’s pay attention to our policy makers. Our country is in a very important time. We need to make sure to take care of our children and aging population, but at the same time balance our budget in a way that our middle aged can keep a job. I think it’s doable if the elected will stop playing politics.
Dr. Ray
This blog is for YOU! Pleasant View is so fortunate to have a Board Certified Geriatrician in our office. Dr. Nagavijaya Oruganti, Dr. O to her patients, will be tending the posts to this blog…helping us all to age in a healthier way. I look forward to following along with you as I’m at the tail end of this generation!
Dr. Ray
