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Parkinson's disease is a progressive degenerative neurological disorder that affects approximately 500,000 people in the United States. The disease most commonly affects the middle aged and elderly and risk of the disease increases with age. The number of cases is expected to rise in the future as the population continues to age. The disease is the result of damage or impairment to brain cells that control movement. The cause of this damage is currently not known. Common symptoms include tremors of the extremities and face, rigidity or stiffness, impaired balance and coordination, slowness of movement (bradykinesia), and loss of spontaneous movement such as blinking and swinging of arms while walking. Medication provides relief from symptoms but can't stop progression of the disease. Diagnosis is often difficult since there is no test to identify the disease. Diagnosis is based on symptoms, ruling out of other conditions and how the patient responds to medication. The disease can also cause depression and cognitive impairments including memory loss, impaired judgment, and personality changes.
The pull-down menu below offers information about Parkinson's disease from a selection of government resources and Parkinson's disease foundations including National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Library of Medicine, Parkinson's Disease Foundation, and the National Parkinson Foundation.
Osteoporosis is a skeletal disease that thins and weakens bone mass to such an extent that the bones easily break. Known as the "silent disease" many individuals do not know they even have the disease until they break a bone. Currently 10 million Americans have been diagnosed with the disease and an additional 18 million are thought to have low bone mass. Women represent 80% of all cases. A special x-ray of the whole body known as a DEXA-scan can measure bone density and is used to diagnosis osteoporosis and identify people with low bone mass who are at risk for developing the disease. A diet rich in calcium and Vitamin D and regular weight bearing exercise can prevent osteoporosis. Current medications can slow the rate of bone loss and in some cases can even re-build bone.
The pull-down menu below offers information about osteoporosis from a selection of government resources including National Institute on Aging, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, and National Institute of Health Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases.
A stroke is a "brain attack" that occurs when blood circulation carrying oxygen and nutrients to the brain stops or is interrupted. Strokes are the 3rd leading cause of death in the United States and are a leading cause of serious long-term disability. Strokes affect approximately 600,000 individuals per year. Strokes can be caused by blood clots, narrowing of the arteries that carry blood to the brain, or the bleeding of a blood vessel that carries blood to the brain. In each of these cases, vital oxygen and nutrients fail to reach the brain and cells start to die. Increased blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes and smoking increase a person's risk for having a stroke. Symptoms of a stroke include sudden numbness or weakness of an extremity or the face especially on one side of the body; sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding; sudden dizziness, trouble walking, loss of balance or coordination; sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes, and sudden severe headache with no cause. Immediate treatment is critical for best recovery. Individuals can reduce their risk of stroke by controlling blood pressure, exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet, controlling diabetes and stopping smoking.
The pull-down menu below offers information about stroke from a selection of government resources and National Associations including Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institute on Aging, National Institute of Mental Health, and National Stroke Association.
Good nutrition is essential for healthy aging and can prevent or delay the onset of several chronic diseases and disease related disabilities. A healthy diet can affect an individual's health, level of function, and quality of life. Chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes, and osteoporosis can often be prevented or effectively managed with proper diet. The older population is at higher risk for malnutrition due to economic situation, disabilities, living situations, and health problems. Several programs exist to address the nutritional needs of seniors and include community nutrition programs and home programs depending on needs of the individual. These services also include educational opportunities so that seniors can learn how to shop, plan and prepare for meals as well as make healthy choices that may prevent or manage chronic conditions.
The pull-down menu below offers information about nutrition from a selection of government resources and National Associations including National Institute on Aging, National Network for Health, National Institute of Health Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases, US Department of Agriculture, and the Food and Drug Administration.
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