How Aging Affects Your Feet

8 Common Problems and Why They Occur

 

Aging takes its toll on your feet as it does with the rest of your body. Given the amount of stress we place on our feet over a lifetime, it's easy to see why these problems occur. In addition to general wear-and-tear, there are physiological changes that will affect how your joints, bones, and tendons function.

 

Feet dangling from dock with sun shining in background

These changes tend to develop gradually as cell turnover and collagen production begin to slow. As the skin starts to thin, so, too, will the fatty layer cushion the soles and heels.

 

These changes can give rise to stability problems affecting the knees, hips, and lower back. The gradual wearing down of cartilage in the joint space, along with inflammation of bursa and tendons, only adds to the burden.

 

The most common aging-associated foot problems are those that affect the skin, connective tissues, joints, nails, and blood circulation.

 

Dry Skin

Dry skin, especially on the soles of the feet, is a problem that may require a daily application of moisturizer to prevent cracking and infection. The gradual depletion of collagen, exacerbated by the lack of consistent foot care, can lead to the formation of cracked heels and calluses.

 

If left untreated, cracked skin around the heel can make it painful to walk or even stand.

 

If cracks in the skin are deep enough, bacteria can infiltrate the exposed tissue and cause a foot infection. In older people or people with diabetes, this can lead to a potentially serious infection known as cellulitis.

 

Flat Feet

As your feet age, connective tissues called ligaments can begin to stretch, reducing the height of your arch and leading to a condition commonly known as flat feet (pes planus).

 

The pain caused by pes planus, which typically develops in the midfoot, tends to increase with activity and is often accompanied by swelling along the inner ankle and arch. Hip, knee, and lower back pain are also common.

 

Flat feet can also alter the angle of your foot, causing overpronation, the loss of stability, and an increased risk of ankle and foot sprains.

 

Shortened Achilles Tendon

Another type of connective tissue, known as a tendon, can begin to lose water as you age. Tendons connect muscle to bone, and, if these are shortened due to water loss, you may end up with a more flat-footed gait since you will be less able to flex your ankle, midfoot, and toes.

 

This is especially true of the Achilles tendon which connects the calf muscle to the heel bone (calcaneus).

 

Unless steps are taken to routinely stretch your Achilles tendon, you may be at greater risk of a tear or rupture if you overexert the tissues (such as by forceful jumping or running up the stairs).

 

Hammertoe

Hammertoe is the abnormal bend in the joint of one or more of toes, typically caused by the wearing of narrow shoes or high heels that forces the toes deeper into the toe box. Hammertoes are prone to calluses and corns. Joint stiffness, discomfort, swelling, and pain are also common.

 

Once they develop, hammertoes are essentially permanent unless surgery (such as arthrodesis or arthroplasty) can realign the toe joints. Stretching may help restore some of the mobility but doesn't necessarily reverse the condition. Toe pads, splints, and well-fitted shoes can help relieve some of the discomfort and pain.

 

Toenail Changes

Toenails usually become thicker and more brittle as you age, making them more difficult to cut and maintain.4? One reason for this is that nail growth tends to slow in tandem with the decrease in hormone production in older adults.

 

Estrogen and testosterone both stimulate the production of keratin and contribute to the smooth, firm appearance of toenails and fingernails. When these hormones decline, the reduced supply can cause our nails to discolor, crack, and form uneven ridges and layers.

 

Although proper nail care can significantly improve your nail's appearance, it may not be enough to entirely avoid aging-related changes. Other common causes of toenail changes include:

 

·         Hypothyroidism

·         Peripheral artery disease (PAD)

·         Onychomycosis, a fungal infection of the toenails

·         Seborrheic Keratosis

 

A common skin condition affecting older adults is called seborrheic keratosis. These raised, flesh-toned lesions are often mistaken for warts and typically affect the top of the feet, toes, and ankles. (They are never seen on the soles of the feet.)

 

Though the seborrheic lesions are not painful, they can sometimes be itchy or cause irritation when wearing shoes.

 

See your doctor if you notice any changes in the color, texture, or shape of the lesions. These may be an early sign of skin cancer, including pigmented basal cell carcinoma and cutaneous melanoma.

 

Arthritis

Osteoarthritis, also referred to as wear-and-tear arthritis, affects roughly 10% of men and 13% of women over 60. The ankle joint, subtalar joint, and the first metatarsophalangeal joint (big toe) are three joints commonly affected in the foot and ankle.

 

Common risk factors for foot osteoarthritis include.

 

·         Obesity

·         Hammertoe

·         Bunions

 

A past foot or ankle injury7

Another foot condition commonly affecting older adults is gouty arthritis. Gout is an inflammatory disorder in which the accumulation of uric acid crystals around a joint causes acute and often debilitating pain, mainly in the big toe.

 

Circulatory Problems

One of the most common foot and ankle symptoms in older people is edema, the medical term for the swelling of tissues. Edema is often caused by poor circulation, leading the build-up of fluid in the lower extremities (especially the ankles and feet).

 

Edema is typically associated with conditions seen in older adults, such as:

 

·         Congestive heart failure

·         Chronic kidney disease

·         Cirrhosis and other liver diseases?

 

The obstruction of a blood vessel can lead to venous edema, typically affecting one leg. Cardiovascular disease, certain medications, and hormonal changes may cause swelling in both legs, referred to as bilateral peripheral edema.

 

Diabetes can also affect blood circulation, particularly as you get older. If this happens, infections of the foot can be far more difficult to treat, leading to the formation of ulcers that just won't heal.

 

Diabetic neuropathy, a pins-and-needles sensation mostly affecting the legs and feet, is another common consequence of long-term diabetes.

 

Reasons to Smile Every Day

 

Many see smiling simply as an involuntary response to things that bring you joy or inspire laughter. While this is certainly true, it overlooks an important point: Smiling can be a conscious, intentional choice. It appears that whether your smile is genuine or not, it can act on your body and mind in a variety of positive ways, offering benefits for your health, your mood, and even the moods of people around you.

 

1 Smiling Helps You Live Longer

Perhaps the most compelling reason to smile is that it may lengthen your overall lifespan. One 2010 study found that genuine, intense smiling is associated with longer life.

 

Overall, happy people seem to enjoy better health and longevity, though more research is needed to understand why that is. Research does suggest that happiness could increase lifespan by years; suggesting maintaining a happy, positive mood may be an important part of living a healthy lifestyle.

 

2 Smiling Relieves Stress

Stress can permeate our entire being, and it can really show up in our faces. Smiling not only helps to prevent us from looking tired, worn down, and overwhelmed but it can actually help decrease stress.

 

Believe it or not, smiling can reduce stress even if you don't feel like smiling or even if you fake it with a smile that isn't genuine. When you are stressed, take the time to put on a smile. You and those around you will reap the benefits.

 

3 Smiling Elevates Mood

Next time you are feeling down, try putting on a smile. There's a good chance your mood will change for the better. The physical act of smiling actually activates pathways in your brain that influence your emotional state; meaning that by adopting a happy facial expression, you can "trick" your mind into entering a state of happiness. This holds true whether or not your smile is real.

 

A simple smile can trigger the release of neuropeptides that improve your neural communication, as well as neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, which can boost your mood. Think of smiling like a natural antidepressant.

 

4 Smiling Is Contagious

How many times have you heard that a smile has the power to light up the room? While it is certainly a beautiful sentiment, it carries a hint of truth. Smiling not only has the ability to elevate your mood, but it can also change the moods of others for the better.

 

Your brain automatically notices and interprets other people's facial expressions, and sometimes, you may even mimic them. That means that you might spot someone else's smile and unconsciously smile yourself. Yes, it is scientifically proven that smiles are contagious.

 

5 Smiling Boosts the Immune System

Smiling can also boost your overall health by helping your immune system to function more effectively. It is thought that when you smile, immune function improves because you are more relaxed (thanks to the release of certain neurotransmitters). Whether you're trying to maintain your overall health or strengthen your immune system ahead of cold and flu season, smiling may help.

 

6 Smiling May Lower Blood Pressure

Smiling could have a beneficial impact on your blood pressure. Laughter specifically seems to lower blood pressure, after causing an initial increase in heart rate and breathing. While smiling has been shown to lower your heart rate in the face of stress, more research is needed to determine exactly how it reduces blood pressure.

 

You can try testing this idea for yourself if you have a blood pressure monitor at home. Sit for a few minutes and take a reading. Then smile for a minute and take another reading while still smiling. Do you notice a difference?

 

7 Smiling Reduces Pain

Studies have shown that smiling releases endorphins, other natural painkillers, and serotonin. Together, these brain chemicals make us feel good from head to toe. Not only do they elevate your mood, but they also relax your body and reduce physical pain. Smiling is a natural drug.

 

8 Smiling Makes You Attractive

We are naturally drawn to people who smile. While more severe or negative facial expressions like frowns, scowls, and grimaces work in the opposite manner, effectively pushing people away, smiling is seen as more attractive—and people may even assume you have more positive personality traits if you're smiling.

 

Not only can smiling make you more attractive, but it can also make you look more youthful. The muscles we use to smile also lift the face, making a person appear younger. So instead of opting for a facelift, just try smiling your way through the day—you'll look younger and feel better.

 

9 Smiling Suggests Success

Research has shown that people who smile regularly appear more confident, are more likely to be promoted, and are more likely to be approached. Try putting on a smile at meetings and business appointments. You might find that people react to you differently.

 

10 Smiling Helps You Stay Positive

Try this test: Smile. Now try to think of something negative without losing the smile. It's hard, isn't it?

 

Smiling can influence your feelings of positivity, even if it feels unnatural or forced. Regardless of whether or not your smile is genuine, it still sends the message that "Life is good!" to your brain and, ultimately, the rest of your body.

PROBLEMS

Problems - what are they? Where do they come from, what causes them? How are you best able to cope with problems and why do they seem to pick on you?

The world is full of problems, however, all do not victimize you. Everyone has his or her problems. Some are imaginary, some are real. It's how you live with them that counts. As you think, so you are. As you continue to think, so you will become. So you doubt this? Well, think it over, and cautiously watch your step.

Some people make mountains out of minor issues,. Some laugh at the things that assail them. It is all in the state of mind. Do you believe this? Well, let us see. Are you becoming deeper and deeper in debt? Do yo spend less? Do you set a goal and not go beyond it? You can do anything you make up you mind to do.

Is your task difficult or hard to accomplish? Take the first step and keep on keeping on. As you sow, you reap. As you do unto others, they will tend to do unto you. That is human nature, and it often creates problems hard to overcome.

You may say your problem is ill health. You are sick of being sick, and whatever you do seems to react adversely for you. You take medicines to gain relief, but the side effects take over that are often worse than the original complaint. What can you do about that?

Change your approach. Medicines only add to the fire of insecurity. Try Chiropractic and give it a fair trial.

We doctors of Chiropractic have a different approach. No medicine, no pain killers, no surgery except in emergencies which do create adverse problems. Thus, use judgment. With Chiropractic, spinal adjustments are made by the skillful hands of the chiropractor. With this done normal nerve energy is released, function is restored, and the symptoms disappear, thus adding life to years and years to life with ability to meet its problems, fears, and worries.

"He who fears he will suffer, already suffers because he fears."

-Michel De Montaigne

Improve Your Health

Relieve Your Aches and Pains

It's difficult to stay healthy in  this fast moving, highly competitive world. The constant mental bashing of politics, the rush of getting somewhere on time, the constant pressure of getting a promotion, keeping up the demand of others, the problems of "eating out', the poisons found in our polluted air water, and simply the many hazards of our civilization that are slowly taking away from our health. Note that many of the luxuries of "the good life" present hidden hazards that are more dangerous than the most potent germs and viruses.

For example, heart disease is the nation's #1 killer, and it's caused primarily by poor eating habits and the lack of exercise. Over-stimulation of the nervous system by frantic living, tobacco and vape smoking, and drugs, also compounds abuse to the heart. The common cold is responsible for more lost wages than any other ailment; likely caused more by a lowered resistance than by germs. There are many diseases that occur because of the body's inability to fight them off or because of a breakdown in the body's mechanism, all because of poor living habits. Back trouble is second only to heart trouble as a leading cause of chronic disability among persons who must work for a living. Most of this disability can be attributed to back injuries caused by weak muscles, bad working postures and/or improper lifting techniques.

If you don't make a special effort to take care of yourself and to control your personal environment, you're almost certain to suffer from illness and/or aches and pains - head to toe. And, if you don't know how to utilize natural self-help techniques in relieving your symptoms and raising your resistance, you may suffer the fate of those chronically ill persons who spend fortunes on drug medications and doctor bills. Many persons think there is a pill for every ailment, and that they need only to see a doctor to rid themselves of aches and pains. So very wrong! Most of those people never regain their health, and many turn to excessive use of drugs for temporary relief of symptoms.

It's never too late to make changes in your life .... BE SMART - DO IT NOW!

"A healthy attitude is contagious, but don't wait to catch it from others."

Walking Cuts Blood Pressure

Thirty minutes of walking three times a week may be enough to help lower blood pressure and start
you on the path to better health.

A study shows that even a little bit of weekly exercise is enough to lower blood pressure and improve overall fitness. The results showed that 30 minutes of walking three times a week, even if it was broken into 10-minute walks throughout the day, was enough to have a healthy effect on blood pressure as well as measurements around the waist and hip.

National guidelines recommend that people exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week to maintain optimum health. But few people achieve that goal, citing lack of time as the biggest obstacle.Researchers say these results may help motivate people to fit in even a little exercise here and there to benefit their health.

Even a Little Exercise Helps
In the study, published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, researchers invited 106 healthy but sedentary civil servants to take part in an exercise program for 12 weeks. About a third were told to briskly walk for 30 minutes, five days a week. Another third were told to briskly walk for 30 minutes a day, three days a week; the remaining third were told not to change their sedentary lifestyle at all.

The participants wore pedometers to monitor their walking, and researchers measured their blood pressure, blood cholesterol, weight, hip and waist size, and overall fitness before and after the study.
The results showed systolic (the top number) blood pressure dropped, and waist and hip measurements shrunk significantly, in both the three-day-a-week and five-day-a-week exercise groups.

Systolic blood pressure dropped by 5 points among those who exercised three days a week and by 6 points among those who exercised five days a week.

Waist and hip measurements fell by 2.6 centimeters and 2.4 centimeters respectively among the three-day-a-week exercisers and by 2.5 centimeters and 2.2 centimeters among the five-day-a-week exercise group.

No changes were found in the sedentary group.

A decrease of a few points in blood pressure and a few centimeters in the waist and hips is enough to significantly reduce the risk of death due to heart disease. They say the study shows even moderate exercise below the recommended levels can still have benefits.

Back Pain and Aging

Back pain is extremely common in our society. In fact, almost 80% of adults in the United States will encounter some form of back pain in their lifetimes. There are many reasons why so many people experience back pain, including poor posture, poor body mechanics, overweight, excessive strain on the spine, smoking, poor diet, as well as spinal diseases and other health conditions, but the most common cause of back pain in our country is simply aging. Read on to find out why aging can be a real pain.

The Spine

The spine is made up of individual bones called vertebrae, which provide support for the body. In between each vertebra is a disc that gives the spine flexibility and serves as a shock absorber for the body. Discs are made up of a tire‑like outer band (called the annulus fibrosus) and a gel‑like inner substance (called the nucleus pulposus). Together, the vertebrae and the discs provide a protective tunnel (called the spinal canal) through which the spinal cord and spinal nerves pass through.

What happens when we age?

For many of us, several things begin to happen to our spines as we age. Our vertebrae begin to thicken and our discs start to loose moisture and shape. As a result, the spinal canal becomes narrower putting pressure on the spinal cord and nerve endings and causing pain, numbness, or weakness in the body. This condition is called spinal stenosis. While stenosis can affect people in their 20s and 30s, it is most commonly seen in older patients. Spinal stenosis is a degenerative condition, meaning the symptoms tend to be progressive, increasing in severity as the patient ages.

Symptoms of Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis can occur in all areas of the spine, but occurs most often in the lumbar (lower back) and cervical (neck) areas. Patients with lumbar spinal stenosis may feel pain, weakness, or numbness in the legs, calves or buttocks. Symptoms often increase when walking short distances and decrease when sitting, bending forward, or lying down. Cervical spinal stenosis has similar symptoms in the shoulders, arms, and legs, and may also include hand clumsiness and gait and balance disturbances.

Treatment Options for Spinal Stenosis

The good news is that nearly 90 percent of spinal stenosis cases are successfully treated without surgery. Non‑surgical treatment options most commonly used for patients with stenosis include the following:

  

  $ Medications such as non‑steroidal anti‑inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce swelling and pain, and analgesics to relieve pain.

  $ Corticosteroid injections (epidural steroids) to reduce swelling and treat acute pain.

  $ Rest or restricted activity (this may vary depending on extent of nerve involvement).

  $ Physical therapy and stretching and strengthening exercise to help stabilize the spine, restore   mobility, and increase flexibility.

• Chiropractic care and physical therapies.

Severe cases of spinal stenosis may require surgery. However, surgery should not be considered unless several months of non‑surgical treatments have been tried. The most common surgery used to treat stenosis is called decompressive laminectomy in which the laminae (bony plates located on the back of the vertebra) are removed to create more space in the spinal canal.

Don't Ignore Back Pain

With all of the treatment options available today, it's no longer necessary to accept back pain as a normal part of the aging process. Back pain, especially if it continues to get worse, includes bowel and bladder difficulties, or prevents you from participating in your everyday activities, should not be ignored. Talk to your physician or see a spine specialist. They will help you find a treatment plan that can return you to your pain‑free life once more.

Physiology of Sleep

The Physiology of Sleep
The 100 billion cells that make up our brain interact to become our thoughts, feelings, dreams, hopes, memories, movement and how you sleep. The master clock in the brain is called he suprachiasmatic nucleus or SCN. It regulates our circadian rhythm. Light regulates the master clock. The light passes through the pupils and ganglion cells relay the information to the SCN. When light passing through the pupils is inhibited, the SCN sends a signal to release melatonin. Levels of melatonin remain level throughout the night until interrupted by the light of the morning.

When you feel tired at night, that is determined in part when you are in the presence of sunlight in the morning. To keep the biological clock on a cycle, the brain needs input of sunlight through the eyes to reset itself each day. The tip here is to get natural light within one hour of being awake.

What happens in the brain when you are sleeping? The entire sleep cycle takes about 90 minutes and is then repeated: In stages 1 and 2, you first fall asleep, but are not in a deep-sleep state yet. During stages 3 and 4, you are in a deep, restful sleep. Your breathing and heart rate slow down, and your body remains still. In stage 5, your brain is active and you dream. Here's the entire 90-minute cycle: light sleep (lasts about 20 minutes), deep sleep, rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and repeat. It's interesting to note that your eyes move under your eyelids during REM sleep.

Deep sleep is crucial for immune system repair. Blood supply to muscles increases; tissue growth and repair occur; energy is restored; growth hormone is released, which is essential for growth and development, including muscle development; and other hormones are released, such as leptin and ghrelin, which keep your appetite in check, regulate fat storage and send signals to your brain when your stomach is full. UV damage also is repaired during deep sleep.

If you wake up during REM sleep, you might vividly remember your dreams. During REM sleep, our breathing becomes more rapid, irregular and shallow, and our eyes jerk rapidly in various directions. Our heart rate increases and our blood pressure rises.

REM sleep also allows our memory to improve. What's really important to understand here is that REM sleep promotes the consolidation of long-term memories for motor skills, facts and figures, and complex thought. If you are spending money on yourself or your child for a tutoring session (math, SAT prep, golf, tennis, soccer, swim lessons, etc.), and you / they don't get enough sleep, you are throwing money away!

One of the most important things that happens during sleep is that the brain's cells shrink. Researchers believe it's easier for brain cerebrospinal fluid (like lymphatic fluids) to flush out its many crevices. During sleep, proteins that could build up and become responsible for Alzheimer's disease and other neurological disorders are removed more efficiently from the brain than during waking hours. In this way, toxins and other waste products are washed out.

How Much Sleep Do We Need?

• A newborn baby might sleep 20 hours a day.
• By age 4, the average is 12 hours a day.
• By age 10, the average falls to 10 hours a day.
• Most adult people seem to need seven to nine hours of sleep a night, although after age 18, the sleep time necessary for optimal health / function becomes more individualized to the person.

Tips to Promote Healthy Sleep

When patients complain about being tired during the day, we talk about their sleeping habits. For most adults, it is essential to sleep for at least seven to eight hours every night. Some people need even more. There is evidence to suggest many people are biologically programmed to sleep not only for a long period in the middle of the night, but also for a short period in the middle of the day. Because of the sleep cycle, nap recommendations should include less than 30 minutes or a full 90 minutes (best option).

Here are some simple lifestyle changes / considerations to suggest to patients:

• Don't drink caffeine after 3 p.m.
• Keep alcohol consumption to one or two drinks with dinner, or eliminate consumption altogether.
• Turn off the TV, computer and cellphone at least an hour before bed so your brain has time to wind down, free of stimuli. Make sure all the lights are off (even cellphone screens, clock lights, etc.). If you need an eye mask, get one!
• Perform a calming activity such as reading, meditating, gentle stretching, or taking a bath an hour before bed.
• Don't eat dinner too late, especially if you're prone to digestive problems that keep you up at night.
• Go to sleep and wake up at the same time, even on weekends, so your body gets used to a regular sleeping pattern. Get early-morning light stimulation to reset your clock.
• Make sure your pillow adequately supports your neck and your mattress is comfortable.

Insomnia is often related to diet and lifestyle (too much caffeine and an overloaded calendar, which could potentially be disrupting diurnal cortisol rhythm). There are potential side effects of sleep drugs (Rufinamide, etc.), and although we cannot discourage someone from taking prescription medication, we certainly can recommend nutritional support and lifestyle approaches as first-line therapy.

Finally, a considerable number of patients seem to be taking prescription sleep aids. This seems unfortunate to me when we have many natural remedies to recommend. Prescription sleep drugs can cause severe allergic reactions and complex nighttime behavior that goes beyond sleepwalking.

Diet / Supplement Considerations

In terms of nutritional support, these are some of the common recommendations I offer to help patients maximize the quality and duration of their restorative sleep:

• Melatonin (1 mg per tablet; recommended dosage is 1-3 tablets, one hour before bedtime)
• Casein tryptic hydrolysate (enzymatically isolated decapeptide from whey milk that has natural, benzodiazepine-like properties)
• Passionflower extract (sedative and anxiolytic properties; similar mechanism of action as benzodiazepines)
• 5-HTP (the precursor for serotonin)
• Theanine and B vitamins to support balanced levels of GABA, serotonin, and dopamine, all of which are involved in regulating sleep
• DHA to support balanced levels of dopamine, GABA, and norepinephrine, which are important for cognitive function including memory formation and information consolidation during specific cycles of sleep
• Lavender scent or oils

An Aspirin A Day

America has become a "quick fix" country. We are told everyday on television to take some type of medication for "Menstrual Cramps? Take Midol! for "Backache?" Take Doan's Pills! for "Stomach Ache?" Take Pepto Bismol!"  VERY IGNORANT SUGGESTIONS!

But lately, there has been a new story in the health field, a medical "breakthrough". "An aspirin-a-day may help in reducing the risk of heart disease". Does an aspirin a day keep the doctor away? Is aspirin a safe drug?  Learn what an aspirin is and what it does and come to your own conclusion.

First, as you know, aspirin is an over the counter drug.What you may not know is that if aspirin were to be discovered today, it would likely require a prescription to get it. It's simply that strong. Aspirin has several effects on the body, but it is an ANALGESIC. That means it reduces or eliminates the body's perception of pain. It does so by releasing chemicals that "trick" the brain into believing that the cause of the pain is gone, which of course, it is NOT. So, as you can read, taking aspirin for symptom relief may keep the doctor away for a while, but your body could build up a tolerance to aspirin and you'll then need something stronger. Then you can go onto PRESCRIPTION drugs.

Aspirin is also an anti-pyretic. This means that it reduces a fever. It has chemical properties which tell the brain to decrease he body's temperature. Did you know that the body raises it's temperature for a reason? Harmful bacteria can not thrive 100 degrees, so the body raises it's temperature to kill the bacteria naturally, and without drugs. But we, in our infinite wisdom, take aspirin to kill to lower a fever (and penicillin to kill the bacteria).

What else aspirin does to the body? Aspirin is an acid. It's chemical name is acetylsalicylic acid. Because it is an acid, it often eats through the stomach's protective lining. So aspirin can, and does cause upset stomach's and if taken frequently, bleeding ulcers, No problem, you've got Tylenol, and Pepto Bismol.

Aspirin also thins the blood. That is the main reason M.D.'s say it's "good" for the heart. A thinner blood decreases the work load on the heart and lowers the chance of heart disease and it also decreases the chance of stroke by not allowing blood clots to form. Unfortunately, a thinner blood also means that the platelets, the blood clotting cells, are diminished, meaning that wounds heal slowly, and you bleed longer. Sadly, that bleeding ulcer may not heal, but they've got lots of "good" prescription drugs for ulcers.

So, what good is aspirin then. Does it cure headaches, back pain and heart disease? OF COURSE NOT! To cure something, it's cause must be eliminated. All drugs, not matter what the name, only relieve the symptoms. They seldom remove the cause of the problem. Sometimes, such as in a severe accident, or for surgical purposes, drugs are needed. But in most cases, there is a better more natural and less harmful way to obtain lasting relief. Despite the facts that aspirin is harmful, and that many medications have serious side effects, you will still go to your medicine cabinet and get temporary relief by covering up your symptoms, rather than finding the cause of your problem and getting lasting relief.

But, why take drugs when you don't have to? Drugs make unhealthy people think they are healthy because they are free of symptoms. Don't go another day before you discover the CAUSE of your symptoms and see if there is a better and safer way of eliminating them.

An aspirin a day may keep the doctor away today, but tomorrow, .... well, beware!

.

Eye Exercises Help

When it comes to exercise, people all too often focus all their efforts into the body core and forget to exercise their eyes. We must remember that as we age our "focus" becomes an event that introduces poor vision and subsequent glasses into our lives.

Below are a few examples of eye exercises that may prevent an early departure from excellent sight.

*Changing Focus
Hold a magazine or book as close to your eyes as possible without the print becoming blurred. Focus on the words for 15 seconds. Then, look at an object at least 10 feet away and focus on that. Refocus on the magazine; then refocus again on the distant object. Repeat five times. This exercise helps build stamina so you don't experience eye fatigue as often when working on close tasks.

*Eye "Push Ups"
Hold a pencil at arm's length in front of your face. Slowly move it toward your nose, holding your focus at the same spot on the pencil. The objective is to bring the pencil to the tip of your nose before you see a double image of the pencil. This exercise strengthens the "convergence ability" of your eyes (that is, the ability of both eyes to aim at the same task), which helps prevent eyestrain and may eliminate the "floating print" that can occur when your eyes are tired.

*Eye rolls
Close your eyes. Slowly roll your eyes in a complete circle; then move them from left to right. Repeat this exercise three times. This improves blood and oxygen flow to your eyes.

*Palming & Cupping
Note: If you wear contact lenses, remove them before trying this exercise. Close your eyes. Place the base of your palms over your eyes and press gently for a few seconds. Then cup your hands and place them over your open eyes. Look into your cupped palms as you slowly breathe in and out through your nose for 30 seconds. This exercise relaxes tired eyes.

*Blinking or Yawning
Both actions produce tears to help moisten and lubricate the eyes.

"As long as I've got my eyesight, I'm not going to stop."