Published: July 18, 2011
Mayo Clinic Health Letter, July 2011 Highlights
ROCHESTER, Minn. - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Here are highlights from the July issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter.
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Weight Training Helps Older Adults Stay Active
ROCHESTER, Minn. -- Getting older doesn't need to mean getting
significantly weaker. The July issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter
describes the benefits of weight training to help prevent loss of muscle
strength in older adults.
Muscle strength is needed for everyday movements like mowing the lawn or
playing with grandkids. With no strength training and little physical
activity, age-related muscle loss and weakness can quickly become a
downward spiral. A decline in muscle mass, strength and endurance makes
everyday tasks harder as well as increasing fatigue and the likelihood
of developing a disability.
While age takes a toll on the amount and quality of muscle in the body,
studies have found that only 30 percent of the difference in strength
between young adults and older adults is due to aging. That means 70
percent of strength loss is related to other factors, most notably a
decline of physical activity.
This 70 percent loss doesn't have to occur, and if it has occurred, the
loss can be regained. Older adults often experience remarkable
improvement in strength within weeks or months of starting a strength
training program. Stronger muscles can promote a healthier lifestyle,
and also can influence health in other ways.
Improved bone health: Strength training increases bone density and
reduces the risk of osteoporosis.
Reduced risk of injury: Weight training can contribute to better
balance, coordination and agility -- reducing the risk of injury.
Strengthening makes joints more stable and helps muscles take a greater
role in absorbing stresses exerted on joints.
Improved weight control: Muscles burn calories. Muscle gains through
strength training help burn more calories, making it easier to reduce
body fat and control weight. At first, strength training may not result
in much weight loss because muscle weight gains may offset losses in fat
weight. Reduction in measurements such as waist size and a leaner
overall body are likely to occur.
Reduced back pain: Strengthening lower back muscles is a proven way to
ease back pain.
Improved cognition: A recent study found that older women who
participated in strength training once or twice a week improved
cognitive function.
A doctor, physical therapist or certified trainer can offer suggestions
for a weight training program. Two or three sessions a week, lasting 20
to 30 minutes, are adequate for most people.
Malaria: A Vexing Parasitic Disease
ROCHESTER, Minn. -- Travelers headed to tropical locations -- central
South America, Haiti, sub-Saharan Africa or South Asia -- should seek
medical advice on malaria prevention a couple months before departure.
The July issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter discusses malaria
risks for travelers and the importance of prevention and treatment.
Malaria can lead to serious illness and sometimes death. About 1,500
people in the United States are diagnosed with malaria each year. Most
cases occur in travelers who didn't take preventive measures. Worldwide,
malaria kills an estimated 1 million people every year.
Malaria is caused by microscopic parasites that are transmitted most
commonly by mosquito bites. After a bite from an infected mosquito,
parasites travel to the liver. They lie dormant for anywhere from 10
days to four weeks, although dormancy can last up to one year. Once the
parasites mature, they leave the liver and infect red blood cells. Then,
the signs and symptoms of malaria start to occur.
Malaria infections are categorized as either uncomplicated or severe. In
uncomplicated malaria, symptoms may be similar to the flu and include
moderate to severe chills, high fever, headache and vomiting. If not
properly treated, it may become a life-threatening medical emergency.
Severe malaria may involve swelling of the brain, breathing problems,
kidney and liver failure, severe damage to the red blood cells and
dangerously low blood sugar.
Treatment involves one or more antimalarial drugs such as chloroquine
(Aralen), hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil), and mefloquine (Lariam). These
drugs may be used to prevent malaria.
Effective treatment can cure malaria. People who experience high fever
when visiting high-risk areas for malaria should talk to a doctor.
Malaria should be considered when high fever occurs for up to a year
after travel to high-risk locales.
Nightmares: An Adult Dilemma, too
ROCHESTER, Minn. -- Nightmares are common, typically starting in early
childhood and tending to decrease after age 10. But teens and adults can
be jolted by nightmares, too. The July issue of Mayo Clinic Health
Letter explains why nightmares may occur in adults and ways to
decrease their frequency.
Everyone has bad dreams occasionally, but nightmares tend to be more
disturbing as they unfold. People are awakened from nightmares; often
recall the dream in detail; and may feel fear, anxiety, anger, sadness
or disgust from the dream. Returning to sleep may be difficult.
What causes nightmares isn't always clear. Daily life stressors as well
as major life changes -- a death of a loved one or a move -- may trigger
more frequent nightmares. Traumatic events, such as an accidents or
injuries, may cause post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), where
trauma-related nightmares may occur. Medications that affect
neurotransmitters (chemicals in the brain) like norepinephrine,
serotonin and dopamine can cause more frequent nightmares. Examples
include drugs containing levodopa and reserpine (Serpalan) as well as
beta blockers and antidepressants. Drinking alcohol can trigger
nightmares, too. Alcohol is associated with more intense dreaming as
well as better recall of dreams.
Occasional nightmares aren't a cause for concern. But if the thought of
sleep causes anxiety and fear about recurring nightmares, checking with
a physician is a good idea. Nightmares associated with an underlying
medical condition or mental health condition can generally be managed by
treating the underlying problem. Stress reduction techniques, counseling
or therapy may be helpful.
A doctor may suggest keeping a sleep diary to track sleep patterns and
factors that may affect sleep. For sleep that's severely disrupted, an
overnight sleep study may be recommended to help determine causes and
treatment options.
Mayo Clinic Health Letter is an eight-page monthly newsletter of
reliable, accurate and practical information on today's health and
medical news. To subscribe, please call 1-800-333-9037 (toll-free),
extension 9771, or visit www.HealthLetter.MayoClinic.com.
Mayo Clinic
Ginger Plumbo
507-284-5005 (days)
507-284-2511
(evenings)
newsbureau@mayo.edu
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