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Can You Recognize Age Dementia Symptoms?

Every time you forget something, do you worry about dementia?

When you start creeping up there in age, it’s easy to be a little nervous about memory loss.  Losing your memory is like dying before you die.

Your memory doesn’t work quite as well as you age, but a little forgetfulness is no reason to worry about age dementia symptom.

Many things other than aging alone can cause memory problems.

  • depression
  • dementia (severe problems with memory and thinking, such as Alzheimer’s disease)
  • side effects of drugs
  • strokes
  • head injury
  • alcoholism

Alzheimer’s disease starts by changing your recent memory. If you have Alzheimer’s disease you might remember even small details of your past but not be able to remember recent events or conversations. Over time, the disease affects all parts of your memory.

Age dementia symptoms are certainly worrisome.  They are more than normal aging.

First you want to rule out any of the issues above that might be contributing to your memory loss.  Don’t assume the worst until you have addressed other possibilities.

Signs that are concerning: Continue reading Can You Recognize Age Dementia Symptoms?

Could Your Persistent Cough Have Anything to do With Your Antihistamine?

Could your persistent cough have anything to do with your antihistamine?

Do you have a persistent cough that doesn’t want to go away?

Is it driving you nuts?

Lena had sinus issues.

She said her family doctor had made the comment years ago, that her nose was …  “not a white man’s nose”.

Though a funny story, she was at a loss for exactly what that meant, and wondered if the doctor had racial issues.

All Lena knew was that her nose was always stuffed up.

She accepted the daily use of antihistamines as her lot in life.

They seemed harmless enough.  Lena really didn’t notice any side effects, but then she had been using them for so many years she had lost count.

When I began to question Lena about her re-occurring persistent cough, I was actually hopeful that it could be caused by sinus issues.

Lena insisted that the cough was coming from her lungs.

Persistently coughing up clear mucus is indicative of fluid in your lungs. I was hopeful that Lena was wrong.  Fluid in your lungs is a serious issue.

You can often verify fluid in the lungs by listening with a stethoscope, though that fluid will not show up on x-ray early on in the disease process.

In Lena’s case, when I listened to her back over the lowest three ribs on each side for the tell tale popping sounds of fluid, I heard nothing at all.  I heard no air flow in or out.

If Lena had fluid in her lungs it was not audible.

I encouraged Lena to inquire with her doctor about getting an inhaler. Whether or not she had fluid in her lungs, Lena needed to ventilate better.

Lena’s doctor wouldn’t give her an order for an inhaler because she wasn’t wheezing.

After purchasing an over the counter inhaler and giving it a try, Lena was surprised how much more deeply she could breathe.

When I took a listen to her lungs she had little squeaks all over the place, but not necessarily fluid.  This solved the problem of the lack of a prescription inhaler.  Her doctor gave her one right away when she showed up at his office wheezing and squeaky.

However, the persistent cough continued.

I had mentioned to Lena that her daily antihistamine dosing might be problematic many times before.  Shear sleep deprivation and fatigue ate away at her resistance until she was ready to take absolutely any advice and give it a try.

“How can I stop this cough?”

When I brought up the subject of antihistamines with Lena, she protested yet again.  She couldn’t fathom the possibility that her harmless daily antihistamine could possibly be the culprit.

I had to pull out documentation of the side effects to stifle her argument, but that certainly GOT her attention.

She was shocked and in a state of disbelief so I gave her some time to digest the information.

Do you know the side effects of antihistamines? Continue reading Could Your Persistent Cough Have Anything to do With Your Antihistamine?

A Good Stress Reducer Game Can Cause So Much Healing, Do You Remember How To Play?

stress reducer game

Holidays are a great excuse to spend quality time with the people you love!

Yesterday’s Independence Day celebration was no exception.

Everywhere I went I saw families laughing, eating and playing together.  There is nothing like a good stress reducer game to take your mind off your worries.

Does your inner child remember how to play?

My family started the day in Volcano Village at the parade and festivities as usual.  The parade was soggy, but we are a never say die community, so there has never been a Fourth of July parade that was canceled because of rain!

There was a very small crowd in attendance.

The folks who usually head up the hill to catch the traditional Volcano parade must have stayed down the mountain where it was warm and far less rainy.

We highlanders are a hearty bunch!  The rain just made the party far more intimate.

There were familiar friendly faces everywhere enjoying the local entertainment and food, and browsing the beautiful craft booths.  My what a talented little village Volcano is!

My daughters sang with their friends from the Summer Musical cast of Peter Pan.  That was really fun!  Most of the community will be there Friday for opening night as well!

Community theater gets much love and support from the Volcano community!  They seem to grow talent up there!

The talented cast members were followed up by super talented kids who wowed the crowd, a very interesting middle eastern dance display, and then the UPS guy rocked the place with his band.  Heck, I didn’t know the UPS guy was even in a band!

My teenagers were longing to hook up with friends to continue the party down the hill at the fireworks celebration, but everyone had family plans.

I was happy to accommodate so we headed to Queen Liliuokalani Park, where several of their friends’ families were headed.

As a single mom, living far from any family ties, I’m used to my kids craving family.  It used to make me sad that I couldn’t fill that void for them.  Over the years, I have seen them embrace the community as their extended family.  I feel such a healing from watching them create such a firm bond with so many people.

What a diverse group of people our family has become!

We got to the park shortly before the fireworks started.  My basket was heavy and I was worn out from the day, so I headed to the water and parked myself on a grassy patch under charming palm trees.

It was dark and smoky but my teenagers found friends easily before the fireworks got under way.  The technology age sure has created resourceful kids.  I had to laugh as I eaves dropped on their conversations to pin point each other.

They were a bit miffed that I wasn’t up for traipsing around the park to find their friends.  I knew where they were headed and I wasn’t worried about their safety, so I was happy to kick back and relax for a while.

My five year old would much rather have been with his sisters, but he snuggled down on our blanket and watched the fireworks all around us.

“Why are the fireworks not up in the sky, mom?”  He kept asking.  Though each time he said it, I assured him the big fireworks in the sky would start soon.

Once the fireworks display began he wasn’t disappointed!

I have never seen a fireworks show quite like that one.  I loved it, and I usually associate fireworks to pollution and waste!  Shoot, anything that scared my beloved dog was an evil thing in my book when I was 20 something.

Last night I opened up to the experience because my kids were excited about it.

Since the Queen’s Park is so close to Coconut Island, where the fireworks were being launched, the show was directly over head and the noise could be felt as well as heard.

My little guy was blown away by the awesome display!

Nick couldn’t even sit down by the end of it.  It was just too exciting!  The whole park exploded in loud cheering from the crowd following the grand finale.  It was so much fun.

The quiet following the fireworks show was a wonderful contrast.  I stretched out on the blanket and looked up at the sky.  The star filled night sky seemed to hold three clouds perfectly still over the palm trees above me.  It was like time stopped.

Through the smoky haze I could see families on a slow migration back to their cars, but every time I looked back up at the sky, time stopped again.  The feeling was so wonderful it gave me goose bumps.

Nick was really enjoying the whole experience.  I could hear his chatter about the colors of the fireworks, and the water lapping the shore, and the stars, and on and on …

Briana and Makayla returned and dug into the picnic basket, busy with laughter and reminiscing.

The timeless night sky kept me captivated while their happiness wrapped me in Joy and Appreciation.

You know, I wish I could say, click on the link below and download some of the joy that I felt in that moment.

If I could I would.  Since I can’t do that, I told you my story instead.  It brought me Joy to share it with you, and I hope it brought you Joy to read it.

You can’t create magic moments at will, but you CAN “Tune Your Heart to Joy in a Moment” at will!

Heart Math is all about Tuning Your Heart to Joy.  It is the ultimate stress reducer game.

If you click on the link I can get you a special discount for their wonderful products.  That is the closest I can come to offering a download of Joy!

Your Discount For Heart Math

Tune your heart to Joy and your inner child will remind you how to play!

 

Many blessings,

Carrie Tucker, RCP

The Life Breath Coach

Heart Failure Solutions

 

PS– Remember everyday:

  • Relax and Release tension
  • Exhale Slowly
  • Be active in a way that adds Joy to your life

Plus pure water ~whole foods~sunshine~and laughter

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How Soon Will COPD Stages Damage Your Quality of Life?

How Soon Will COPD Stages Cause Harm

If you know what COPD stands for, you probably heard it from your doctor, or someone you know who has COPD.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or COPD, is code word for “can’t exhale”.

If you can’t get the stale air out, you can’t reload with fresh air.

Lung disease is progressive.  It sneaks up on ya.

COPD stages happen a little at a time.
Pam called me when she came home from her doctors office with a “mild copd” diagnosis.

“How can I have copd?” she asked.

“I don’t smoke.”

“They said it might be all the years I lived with a wood stove as my heat source.”

I told Pam that I could hear her upset, and just wanted to encourage her to make the most of her lung health.

“After all, mild copd means that you have time to optimize your lung function and minimize damage.”

“How in the world do I do that?” she asked. Continue reading How Soon Will COPD Stages Damage Your Quality of Life?

What Can Emotional Exercise Benefits Do For You?

What Can Emotional Exercise Benefits Do For You?

When you feel down, do you think,

“I should get up and take a walk?”

Probably not … but you should!

Get moving and your mood will improve!

Do you believe that you can choose to be happier?

Emotional Exercise Benefits Can Help

  • more energy
  • regular dose of endorphines

(pleasure chemicals generated by your body during exercise)

  • regular doses of serotonin and tryptophan

(mood regulating chemicals that are produced during exercise)

  • fights depression with increased endorphines, serotonin, and tryptophan
  • improves self esteem
  • stress management
  • improves sleep resulting in better mood and improved ability to cope with stress

(just don’t exercise right before bed)

  • reduces PMS symptoms
  • improves mental agility
  • enhances creativity and imagination
  • reduces anxiety and stress

Can you see how regular exercise enables you to choose a better mood?

Considering the physical benefits of exercise will make you smile too!

Do you know what the physical benefits of exercise are?

  • increased metabolism makes weight loss easier
  • reduces total body fat
  • lowers total cholesterol, especially bad cholesterol
  • increases good cholesterol, giving you more energy
  • improves immune system
  • improves insulin sensitivity
  • lowers risk of bone and joint disease

Sugar highs cause sugar lows!  When you choose chemicalized foods and stimulants you affect your mood far more than you think!  Fresh food feels really good.

 

Pretty good news, wouldn’t you say?

Maybe exercise isn’t a dirty word after all!

Can you think of any other way to gain all those benefits?

The time you spend exercising is time well spent!

 

Once you get moving avoid sabotaging your emotional exercise benefits!

Many choices you make everyday cause a shift in the wrong direction.  Be good to you!

Life with more endorphines, serotonin and tryptophan is a bright and shiny place.  You don’t want to rain on your own parade!

Tips To Protect Your Good Mood Continue reading What Can Emotional Exercise Benefits Do For You?

Do You Know Which Heart Disease Symptom Could Kill You?

Do You Know Which Heart Disease Symptom Could Kill You?

Heart disease is the number one killer in the US.

When you worry about heart disease you are probably thinking of a heart attack.

It’s important to be aware of the symptoms of a heart attack.

Getting help before it’s too late is key to your survival.

However, there is another symptom of heart disease that can sneak up on you, deteriorating your quality of life without you being aware that anything is wrong.

This very same heart disease symptom can also kill you instantly!

Do You Want To Know Which Heart Disease Symptom … OTHER than a heart attack …

Could Kill You Instantly? Continue reading Do You Know Which Heart Disease Symptom Could Kill You?