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HEALTH & WELLNESS
Health,Wellness&FitnessGuide
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DR. KAPLAN: Brain health tips at home and at my office
Everyone is getting sick right now. We have to learn how to boost our immune systems so we are not susceptible to the flu, Covid, RSV, pneumonia, or bronchitis. Beyond healthy eating, exercising, and reducing emotional stress, the three most important habits you can take on aggressively due to this “flu season” is washing your hands frequently, stopping touching your face, and increasing your vitamin D levels.
It seems the people that have the worst outcome after contraction of the flu or Covid-19 are those with heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and vitamin D deficiency.
Also after contraction of Covid-19, lots of people (called the long haulers), are getting “brain fog” which seems very similar to patients who have had “chemo brain” after receiving cancer treatments of chemotherapy and radiation.
Many of these people are losing their memory, focus, motivation, and energy. There are many ways to help the long haulers who are suffering from brain based issues even after they have recovered from Covid. For these people, having sessions in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber has seemed to decrease their neurological symptoms.
As a holiday gift to the community, we are offering one FREE hyperbaric oxygen chamber therapy (normally $150) to the first se ven people that call or text (646) 221-6738 to help with your brain, nerves, and energy.
Another great tool that may help peopleʼs brains get back to normal is called a qEEG brain mapping that measures different brain waves to let you know what areas of the brain are not functioning at optimal levels and how that would account for symptoms you are feeling.
Based on the evaluations, the brain mapping will inform you of what neurofeedback therapy you would need to improve the areas of the brain that are not working properly. It does all this without medications, surgeries, radiation or side effects.
If you are interested in getting brain mapping done with the qEEG, you can get this done at my Emerson office for only $21 (normally $500) if you mention this article.
There are many at-home activities that you can perform if you are suffering from these brain based issues. One thing you can do is to eat with chopsticks. You will have to really use your frontal cortex which helps with working memory.
You can also start brushing your teeth or hair with your nondominant hand to make the brain work a little harder. Challenge your brain with games like chess, checkers, board games, or cards. Walk or bike to work or drive a new route home. Learn a musical instrument, play a new sport, learn a foreign language, or take dancing lessons.
It really helps if you can do a stimulating activity that is also a physical exercise as well.
One of my favorite brain exercises is to do chores with your eyes closed. This really helps to enhance other neural pathways, but please make sure you are always taking the proper safety precautions if you try this at home.
Also, it is very important that you connect with other people. Isolation in the home is very bad for your brain. Start by participating in zoom meetings, educational classes, and support groups. Be more social. Call an old friend to make plans (as long as you are not sick).
Always get a good nightʼs rest to really improve brain function. The hours before midnight are the most important hours. It is better to go to bed early and wake up early rather than go to bed late and wake up late.
One of the easiest ways to improve memory and focus is to take lots of breaks. Your brain is typically only capable of remembering three concepts or facts at a time.
If after 20 minutes of reading or studying a subject you learned three big concepts, it is time to take a break. Go for a quick walk, have a snack, drink some water, do some push ups, or partake in some breathing exercises.
After your break, go back to your studies, and then your brain will now be able to memorize three more concepts. Breaks are very important for your brain, your eyes, and your body.
If you are interested in learning about ways to improve your memory and focus by using a natural process called neuroplasticity, you can call (201) 261-2150, text (646) 221-6738, or email info@kaplanbrainandbody.com and set up a free 10 minute consult to ask me any health questions you may have. We offer functional neurology, cold laser, HBOT, neurofeedback, vestibular rehab, physical therapy, postural therapy, and many other services.
You can learn more about the brain and neurology by subscribing to my YouTube channel at Kaplan Brain and Body or purchase my book on Amazon, “Boost Your Brain Power: A guide to improving your memory and focus” by Dr. Eric Kaplan. If you are on social media, please follow us on Instagram and Facebook at “Kaplan Brain and Body.”
Lastly, please join our loyal listeners and tune in to my two radio shows called “Boost Your Brain Power with Dr. Eric Kaplan.
The first show is every Saturday at 8 a.m. on 970 AM the Answer and the second show is on Saturday at 2 p.m. on 710 AM WOR. If you are interested in learning the best ways to stay healthy without drugs or surgeries, this is the show for you. We talk about how not to just treat symptoms, but how to get to the DR. ERIC KAPLAN, KAPLAN BRAIN & root cause of the health problems and heal from within.
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PASCACK VALLEY
Ask the Dentist: Gum disease related to heart disease?
Question: The dentist told my husband that untreated gum disease can increase chances of heart attack. Is this true? J.S., Westwood Answer: As far back as 1989, a case study in Finland demonstrated that patients with oral infection were 30% more likely to present with heart attack as compared to patients without oral infections. Subsequently, a large 14 year case study of 9760 people demonstrated that those with gum disease had a 25% increased risk of coronary heart disease as opposed to the people with minimal or no gum disease when adjusted for all other
variables. Another study by Beck et al., showed that people with X-ray evidence of gum disease (bone loss) were 0.5-2.8 times more likely to develop heart disease or stroke than those without significant evidence. ROBERT H. GULLER, D.M.D OF PASCACK DENTAL ARTS It appears that there is an established link between gum (periodontal) disease and heart disease, but ongoing and future research should help to clarify exact reasons for this link and help to determine what methods of disease prevention are most effective. Should and will gum disease be listed among traditional cardiac risk factors? Weʼll have to wait and see. For questions about this and other dental procedures contact Dr. Guller at askdrguller@aol.com or call (201) 391-5565.
L. SCOTTBERKOBEN, P.A.
AProfessional Corporation Attorneys at Law Hoop skirts are out of style... and it just may be that your will hasn’t kept up with changing times as well.
What could make a will less effective than it once was? Marriage, divorce, death of a spouse certainly might make a difference; the arrival of children or grandchildren... a change in financial, personal or legal circumstances...all could indicate that a review of this important document might be a good idea. A little effort now could save big problems for your loved ones later. We can help you. Give us a call.
Experienced Municipal Prosecutors and Defenders 211 Center Ave., Westwood • (201)666-7770 Visit our website: www.lscottberkoben.com
Parents have a responsibility to teach their children about finances—and thatʼs true for wealthy families and less affluent ERIC KOHLMEIER families alike. Kids are smart enough to pick up on signals that their family may have more than others. But if the conversation stops at the benefits that money can bring, youʼre missing out on important life lessons. Theyʼre not really being taught how to be financially responsible once they leave the house and become independent. What steps can parents take to teach both sensitivity and responsibility about money?
Step 1: Find teachable
moments. It can be difficult to find time to sit down and talk specifically about wealth, but natural opportunities to teach pop up every day.
For example, you can incorporate financial responsibility into an impromptu math lesson about money: If you find something that originally cost $100 and itʼs on sale for 30% off, you can ask kids how much the new price is—and, now that they are only spending $70, what they might do with the $30 thatʼs left.
Step 2: Take a lifelong view
toward financial literacy. Every child, and especially those who will one day inherit substantial wealth, should have a tool kit of basic financial literacy skills by 18, including concepts such as how to spend, how to save, how to give, and the value of a dollar.
This can start very early with an exercise as simple as a three piggy banks analogy. You encourage the child to divide any money he or she receives into three piggy banks: spending, saving, and community/charity. This shows the concept of different types or purposes of money as opposed to all being for spending. Repeating this exercise can help ingrain the habit of saving regularly.
By late childhood or adolescence, parents can add concepts such as what it means to invest, what companies one might invest in, and how you assess risk with an investment.
You can encourage children in high school to think about college expenses logically by examining the costs and coming up with a credible college budget. Ask them to consider basic questions: What will you need in order to make this happen? What will the family need to supply, and what is the student expected to supply, in terms of tuition, books, room and board, transportation, and normal spending money?
And parents and grandparents can continue to encourage responsible, long-term financial responsibility by giving young adults an incentive to begin saving for retirement early. If youʼre able, and they have earned income, offer to match what they save into a Roth IRA. Itʼs also wise to coax contributions to a 401(k) at work.
Step 3: Show your kids
how itʼs done. Your childʼs healthy relationship with money begins with an open and honest relationship within a family that models good money behavior. These discussions can be challenging, but the fruit is well worth the labor.
Stress education and expect them to do well in school. The parents who do really well in teaching financial literacy typically lead by example—they tend to be savers, and theyʼre more careful with spending money. Remember to be that example..
Wells Fargo Advisors does not provide legal or tax advice. Be sure to consult with your tax and legal advisors before taking any action that could have tax consequences. Any estate plan should be reviewed by an attorney who specializes in estate planning and is licensed to practice law in your state.
This article was written for Wells Fargo Advisors and provided courtesy of Eric Kohlmeier, Senior Financial Advisor, Managing Director–Investments in Park Ridge at (201) 505-0472.
Investments in securities and insurance products are not FDIC-insured/not bank-guaranteed and may lose value.
Wells Fargo Advisors is a trade name used by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC, Member SIPC, a registered brokerdealer and non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company. © 2022 Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC. All rights reserved.
WESTWOOD
50+ CLUB TO THE BROWNSTONE DEC. 30
St. Andrewʼs 50+ Club is planning a New Yearʼs celebration trip to the Brownstone on Friday, Dec. 30. The afternoon event includes lunch, entertainment, transportation, and gratuities. The cost is $75 per person.
For reservations call Hilda at (201) 265-5257.
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AUTO BODY
Established in 1965
