lifestyletipsdecember12

LIFESTYLE

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Depression May Lead to Memory Problems

epression’s gloomy tentacles can extend into all aspects of life. They may even reach ahead in time, increasing the risk for dementia. The October 2012 Harvard Women’s Health Watch explores the link between the onset of depression in middle age or later and memory loss.

It found that dementia is more common among people who become depressed in middle age or later in life than among those who aren’t depressed, according to a report in Archives of Psychiatry.

In that study, the age of onset was also linked to the type of dementia — individuals with late-life depression had double the risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease, while those whose depression began in midlife faced three times the risk for vascular dementia (which is caused by poor blood flow in the brain).

Depression is often overlooked in older adults. “I think older individuals are more in denial about having depressive illness,” says Dr. M. Cornelia Cremens, assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and a geriatric psychiatrist.

“They’ll say, ‘Well, I’m 83 years old — who wouldn’t be depressed?’” However, ignoring sadness or dismissing it as a normal side effect of aging could allow potentially treatable memory issues to progress unchecked.

“If somebody appears to have the beginning of dementia and they are depressed, it’s very important to treat the depression as aggressively as possible,” Dr. Cremens says.

Although there aren’t any proven methods for preventing dementia, strategies such as treating depression and following healthy lifestyle habits,

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including exercising, eating a healthy diet, and keeping the mind active with social outings and games, may help.

Psychotherapy Urged Roughly 1 out of 10 Americans report having depression, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While prescription medication is one way to treat the symptoms, the American Psychological Association (APA) is urging people to consider psychotherapy as an alternative form of first treatment.

According to the APA, the number of people taking antidepressants has risen but the number of people seeking psychotherapy has fallen. The CDC notes that less than one-half of those taking multiple antidepressants have seen a mental health professional in the past year.

“Our message is in cases of mild to moderate depression, psychotherapy has been shown to be effective and give people some tools on how to deal with their depression,” Luana Bossolo, APA assistant director for public relations, said to CBSNews.com.  Additional source: Harvard Health Publications.

Lifestyle Tips Insert

Vol. 7 No. 12

!

CLIP-N-SAVE!

www.eatingwell.com

Healthy Recipe: Turkey & Tomato Panini

INGREDIENTS: • 3 tablespoons reduced-fat mayonnaise • 2 tablespoons nonfat plain yogurt • 2 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil • 1 teaspoon lemon juice • 2 teaspoons canola oil • 8 slices whole-wheat bread • 8 tomato slices • 8 ounces thinly sliced reduced-sodium deli turkey NUTRITIONAL VALUE: • Calories per serving: 286 • Carbohydrates: 36 g.

• Protein: 10 g.

• Sodium: 681 mg.

• Fat: 6 g.

• Saturated fat: 1 g.

• Fiber: 5 g.

DIRECTIONS:  Combine mayo, yogurt, basil, cheese, and lemon juice in small bowl. Spread about 2 teaspoons of the mixture on each slice of bread. Divide turkey and tomato slices among 4 slices of bread; top with the remaining bread.  Heat one teaspoon oil in large nonstick

skillet over medium heat. Place 2 panini (i.e. bread slices) in the pan. Cook until golden on one side, about 2 minutes.

Reduce heat to medium-low, flip and cook until second side is golden, 1 to 3 minutes more.

 Repeat with another 1 teaspoon oil and

the remaining panini (bread).

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Questions and Answers

About the ‘Empty Chair’ Q: We lost a loved one at our company recently. Her name was Allison.

As a result, it isn’t going to be the brightest of holidays, but we were told using an “empty chair” at a meeting can help. However, we don’t know what this means. Can you assist?

A: Certainly. At your next staff meeting, leave the deceased employee’s chair in its usual spot. Everyone is feeling the impact of the empty chair, so why not take time to acknowledge this loss? Ask each co-worker to say something nice about Allison – if they are comfortable doing so.

For instance, they might share a fond or funny remembrance – or perhaps a co-worker will want to express some of the many reasons why Allison is missed. Validate each person’s approach, and reaffirm that together you will all get through this time of grieving. Good luck.

– Source: Karla Wheeler, founder of

Quality of Life Publishing Co. (www.qolpublishing.com).

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The Hidden Health Risks of Stress

S

tress has been found to play a role in so many diseases of modern life — from asthma, depression, and migraine flares to heart attacks, cancer, and diabetes — that it likely accounts for more than half of the country’s health care-related expenses, says George Chrousos, a scientist at the National Institutes of Health.

In recent years, with an improved knowledge of biology and advanced laboratory techniques, researchers have produced a picture that identifies many more complex, and longer-lasting, effects from stress than were previously understood.

One of the more disconcerting findings is that children (and perhaps even unborn babies) exposed to extreme emotional stressors may face a lifetime of consequences. “Children are extremely vulnerable to stress, because of their rapidly developing brain and their lack of prior experience with it,” Chrousos says.

Researchers also blame stress’s ability to impede the delicate dance of chemicals that keep the body functioning smoothly. Recent studies especially implicate chemicals involved in fat storage, the immune system, and the longevity of cells themselves.

So what can be done? Proactively head off stressors whenever possible, and express your emotions rather than holding them in.

Also, eat regular, balanced meals; aim for the recommended daily seven to nine hours of sleep for adults; and, especially, exercise 30 minutes each day. Even gentle walking is sufficient to boost mood and lower stress.  Source: Huffington Post.

Lifestyle Tips Insert

Vol. 7 No. 12