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Prevention of Alzheimer’s is a more likely outcome than finding a cure, according to David Geldmacher, MD, director of the Division of Memory Disorders in the Department of Neurology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). Effort at finding a cure for Alzheimer’s is still a goal, but due to advanced learning in the…

The FDA, (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) has empowered individuals by authorizing direct access to information about genetic health risks through tests provided by 23andMe, a personal genetics company. The company offers information about genetic mutations and DNA variations that have been shown to increase the risk of disease. Although the FDA approved the 23andMe…

The sticky plaques made up of the protein called beta-amyloid fill the brains of Alzheimer’s patients. A group of Harvard scientists believe the plaques may form a protection to the brain from viruses, bacteria or other pathogens instead of being harmful. Their study suggests that the disease may be triggered when the brain’s immune system…

Scientific data indicates that older people play by different social rules than younger people, so many negative observations about elders are not justified. It seems that being nice and presenting a positive image to gain people’s appreciation ceases to be a major motivator as people age.  Social niceties are of less concern to older people,…

Last week our office received a call from a woman facing the difficult situation of placing her husband in a nursing home for long term care. After a series of strokes and now advanced dementia, she has decided that a nursing home may be the best place for him. He is currently receiving inpatient rehab…

National Public Health Week is April 3 – 9, 2017 and residents are encouraged to take this time to explore the services offered at Cobb & Douglas Public Health (CDPH). CDPH offers over 30 distinct public health programs, from those that primarily focus on the educational and health needs of residents, to the investigation and…

You can combat multitasking and lower your stress level by taking a mindfulness walk for 10 minutes every day. These are words of wisdom from Dr. Deepak Chopra, who claims that “multitasking can increase stress and make your brain deteriorate.” Since mindfulness is being in the present moment and appreciating what’s happening around you right…

  A recent article on dealing with conflict makes a lot of sense. How you handle it influences your stress level and your blood pressure. If you can live peacefully, you will have a sense of harmony; you know how to work things out. An article by Jennifer Bonn in the Marietta Daily Journal gives…

It has been observed that arthritic joints give warnings of an approaching storm. Predicting rain has long been associated with aching joints; ask many older people! Scientific studies show that pressure changes can affect not only arthritic pain, but trigger migraines and influence many other illnesses, including asthma. The effect of barometric change manifests as…