Healthwise 97   April 2008

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 97.  

For previous articles in the healthwise series visit 'more healthwise'   

Golf risk for knees

Golfers who have had a knee replacement won't want to hear this: Have you considered taking up biking?  Researchers have found that new knees take a beating when you swing a golf club, putting a great deal of pressure on the knees, especially the forward knee. The American research found that golf caused the most stress on the artificial knee joint, with jogging and tennis coming second in the potential to damage the new op.  Biking and walking were far safer.  The researchers based in San Diego say they were surprised that golf was so hard on new knees. ‘Most people think of golf as a fairly gentle, low-impact sport.  But during the golf swing, it seems that there is a lot of force on the forward knee’, the team reported at the 75th annual meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons last month.

Wives take the flak from cancer

Wives shoulder ‘the emotional burden of cancer’ no matter which partner is ill, according to new research from the Netherlands. 

The researchers say that cancer can be a unifying experience with partners relying deeply on each other for support and decision-making.  But the study, spanning 25 years a, found that the partner who carried most of the stress was not necessarily the patient. 

It confirmed the obvious: that women with breast cancer are on average more distressed than their husbands.  ‘What was surprising was that wives of men with prostate cancer were also far more upset than their spouses,’ lead researcher, Dr Mariet Hagedoorn reported in the March issue of Psychological Bulletin. 

Falls warning

Once you hit 65, you don’t have to go far to suffer serious injury, it seems.   The leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries is a nasty fall – and that can happen only too easily without leaving the home.  Almost all over 65s reported having a fall at least once in the previous three months - and a quarter had three or more falls in that time.  Preventing a fall is important and measures inside the home are relatively simple:

Ten top tips:

1. Exercise regularly (get your doctor's approval first).

2. Have your doctor or pharmacist review your medicines, including over-the-counter medicines.

3. Have your vision checked at least once yearly by an eye doctor.

4. Get up slowly from sitting or lying down.

5. Wear shoes inside and outside the house.

6. Improve the lighting.

7. Remove throw rugs or use them with a nonslip backing and make sure carpet on steps is firmly attached to every step.

8. Keep objects like papers, books, and towels off the floor and stairs.

9. Coil or tape cords and wires next to the wall so you can't trip over them.

10. Paint a contrasting color on the top edge of all steps so you can see the stairs better.

11. For instance, use a light-colored paint on dark wood.

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

Don't mix your painkillers
Two painkillers are not better than one, researchers have warned – at least when it comes to beating the pain of arthritis.

Fruit juice warning
A new study by the American College of Rheumatology suggests that fruit juice and sugar sweetened soft drinks can do damage

Daily pinta advice
Drinking three glasses of fat free milk can head of high blood pressure in women, according to new research. 

Clever old us!
The older generation is getting smarter – or at least there are fewer over-70s falling victim to Alzheimer’s disease, according to a major new study.

Be aware of stroke symptoms
There is a three-hour window of opportunity for acute stroke treatment that can prevent long-term disability.

Glucosamine – is it really good for joints?
It was only a matter of time before evidence emerged suggesting that it doesn’t work for all joints

The complete family health guide

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