|
Healthwise is a regular column written especially for
laterlife.com members and visitors by Jane
Feinmann (acting health and features editor). Jane is an
award winning medical journalist and author.
Welcome to healthwise 94.
For previous articles in the healthwise series
visit
'more healthwise'
Health tips of the month
Skin secrets
Don’t fret about the garden when the weather forecast is all
about frost warnings. It’s your skin you should be worried
about.
Cold air holds less moisture than warm air. And central heating
makes dry air even drier. Add to this the fact that as you get
older, your body is less cold-proof and the result?Your
skin is more likely to become rough, flaky, and itchy. Here are
some simple tips to soothe skin as the temperature drops.
1. Make your morning shower short and warm rather than long and
hot. It is less likely to strip skin of natural oils.
2. Use mild face and body washes--the milkier looking, the
better.
3. Go for rich moisturisers; pat skin dry after cleansing then
apply an oil-based cream of a lighter lotion to lock moisture
into skin. To improve absorption, leave the jar of cream in hot
water while you shower.
4. Add more moisturiser before you go to bed. And if your hands
and feet feel dry, wear cotton gloves and socks at night to
encourage the cream to penetrate the skin.
Caffeine or a nap?
If you are 50 plus, a strong cup of coffee is the best way to
beat fatigue. On the other hand younger friends and family may
benefit more from a catnap, new research suggests.
The difference is that when we were in our 20s we could sink
into into a deep, restorative sleep quickly enough to be
refreshed by just 30 minutes kip. But now that we are older it
can take longer to sink into deep sleep which reduces the
potential benefits from a short nap.
These findings resulted from an ingenious study, published in
the journal Sleep and carried out by scientists at Bordeaux
University in France. It measured the impact of either 30
minutes of sleep or a jolt of caffeine on two groups of drivers, aged in their 20s and 50s, both of whom were given a
late-night driving test. The first group, in their 20s, got more
benefit from the nap than the coffee while the older group were
more attentive after a hot brew.
Fluoride good for later life
Those in favour of adding fluoride to the water supply usually
point out the benefits in keeping children’s teeth filling-free.
But older teeth are also kept stronger by adding the dentally
protective chemical, according to new research published in the
American Journal of Public Health Dentistry.
It found that people living in areas with fluoridated water
supply had less tooth decay than those in non-fluoridated areas
– and the findings were more pronounced in people aged 58 and
older.
Move that body/ Jump to it
Take half an hour’s exercise at least three times a week - and
you’ll dramatically reduce your risk of dying, scientists have
reported. Three 30- minute sessions of moderate exercise every
week reduces the risk of dying in the next six or seven years by
27 per cent; make the exercise vigorous, and the impact is even
greater.
The researchers at the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda,
Maryland say the impact of exercise was the same for all types
of lifestyle. ‘No matter what a person's weight, gender or
smoking status, exercise was equally beneficial,’ reported lead
researcher, Dr Michael Leitzmann.
If
in any doubt about any of the information covered in healthwise articles and
it's relevance for you, consult your GP.
IN THE PREVIOUS EDITION
Botox for shoulder pain
Yet another use for the beauty industry’s favourite toxin.
UK 50 plus among happiest in Europe
People in France, Italy and Span seem to know all about
the good life and how to enjoy it.
Why the right red wine boosts the heart
Red wine drinkers have looked a trifle smug for the last four
or five years...........
Viagra online worry
The most searched for pharmaceutical term on the
internet during September 2007 was Viagra.
The complete family health guide
 Essential
medical reference that's a must for every home. Published in
association with the BMA, it includes comprehensive coverage of
every important aspect of health and medicine, as well as
user-friendly charts for at-a-glance information and easy reference.
Also lists the best medical websites...
 Maximise your memory
This work provides detailed instructions, illustrations and sample
exercises that show the reader how to build a system of personalized
frameworks for storing and recalling information on demand.
|
