Health

Brain Shrinks by 5 percent Beginning at 45; Experts Say Banish Distractions

Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

Ted Zanto, an associate professor of neurology at the University of California, San Francisco, said aging shrinks the brain by about 5 percent between age 45 and 60.

Additionally, while AARP writer Sari Harrar noted that might sound small, it could help explain why the ability to pay attention and tune out distractions begins to decline before age 50. “Around then, your brain also has to start coping with the full catastrophe of midlife,” Harrar penned in a column for AARP’s magazine.

She noted further in quoting neuroscientist Denise Park, “Rebellious kids! Aging parents! Work! Money! Menopause! Throw in constant interruptions from our digital devices and you might start feeling overwhelmed.”

Dr. Mahmud Kara, the creator of KaraMD, told the Washington Informer in an email that tuning out distractions remains easier said than done.

However, Dr. Kara offered some ways to limit the noise.

“Creating a routine that works best for your lifestyle is essential,” Dr. Kara said. “For example, if you know that you are a ‘morning’ person and focus best within the first few hours after you wake up,

5 Maryland Sen. Joanne C. Benson speaks at a ceremony April 7 to break ground on a new cancer center opening in 2024 on the campus of the University of Maryland Capital Region Medical Center in Largo. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer) 5 Exercise and decluttering the home could help offset effects of brain shrinkage. (Photo courtesy Bel Mara Health)

use that time to focus on the tasks that take priority for the day. Once you develop that routine, stick to it day after day so that it becomes a habit.”

Working out regularly provides many physical, mental and emotional well-being benefits. For example, recent research has revealed that exercise is good for the gray matter, offered Jim Powell, the co-founder of My Speech Class.

“It turns out that aerobic activities that get the heart pumping can also keep the brain working in tip-top shape for longer,” Powell remarked.

“Peak oxygen uptake is associated with increased gray matter volume, which suggests that cardiorespiratory exercises known to improve aerobic capacity may help slow down a decline in gray matter. Some of the most popular and effective cardiorespiratory workouts include running, cycling, swimming and even brisk walking,” he said.

Health experts noted that the brain does possess wondrous plasticity and individuals can help it adjust and refocus by taking up a few simple, healthy habits.

“Weight loss has been linked to increased memory and concentration. According to researchers, high blood pressure, sleep apnea and type 2 diabetes, all of which are typically caused by obesity, are thought to harm the brain,” said Theola Tinny, co-founder of VinPit.

“Researchers believe that once people regain a healthy weight and the problems that come with it, their cognitive disorders will fade away,” Tinny said. “Also, our surroundings have a huge impact on our ability to concentrate. Decluttering your home or tidying your workstation is well recognized for making your mind feel more ordered, liberated and able to think more clearly. You may alter your environment to make it more conducive to sustained focus.”

She said physical activity, dietary choices and weight are all factors that might affect the ability to function and concentrate.

“If you skip breakfast, for example, you are unlikely to be able to accomplish duties to your full potential by midday due to hunger sensations,” Tinny said. “Taking care of your health, staying active and consuming foods that promote concentration can all help you improve your concentration.”

WI

New Cancer Center Coming to Prince George’s

William J. Ford WI Staff Writer

Shuntina Ferguson recalled her first cancer diagnosis and surgery at age 32. After doctors conducted tests, she later underwent two major medical procedures: a double mastectomy and then a hysterectomy.

The District Heights resident in Prince George’s County said faith and the love of her family which includes two children, serve as the reason she’s a cancer survivor “because everyone I knew who had cancer died.”

She received her last treatment at an oncologist’s office in 2011 in Greenbelt but said the office moved to Silver Spring in neighboring Montgomery County with new workers where she continues to go today.

“I don’t like going out there because . . . I don’t feel any warmth from the people,” said Ferguson, now 44. “I definitely believe if I was to go to the new cancer center in Prince George’s County, I would feel that warmth. Plus, I wouldn’t have to drive all the way to Silver Spring.”

Ferguson’s conclusion illustrates the goal for hospital officials and doctors when the new University of Maryland Capital Region Cancer Center opens in 2024 on the Largo campus of the state-of-theart $500 million medical center that opened in June.

The majority Black jurisdiction leads the state of Maryland and the D.C. region with the highest cancer diagnoses with a focus on four types of cancers: lung, breast, colorectal and prostate. Cancer ranks as the second-leading cause of death in Prince George’s behind heart disease.

Hospital and government officials broke ground Thursday, April 7 for the cancer center that anticipates providing service for 1,000 patients in its first year.

Sen. Joanne C. Benson (D-District 24) of Landover, another Prince George’s cancer survivor, said she plans to volunteer at the center whenever she can.

“I am a 37-year cancer survivor,” she said. “You can’t imagine what it’s like being told that you

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NURSE from Page 1

“The working conditions are seriously compromised [with] stopped up sinks, water leaks, a security board that doesn’t work and infection control issues,” said Francine Joel, a nurse of 40 years who’s on her second stint at HUH in the intensive care nursery.

“Our main issue is staffing; we have travel nurses who have been here but the baseline staffing is not based on patient acuity,” Joel said. “You have sick patients and staffing goes by numbers rather than who’s sick. Even the best nurse can’t be there for you because they’re with someone else.”

Under the status quo, most nurses, depending on where they’re stationed, remain responsible for at least five patients, the intensity of their condition notwithstanding. Contract negotiations have centered on how best to alleviate that situation and address the issue of differential pay for weeknight and weekend shifts.

Nurses said Adventist HealthCare wants to pay HUH nurses a flat rate for those shifts, rather than a percentage of base pay which nurses say would severely reduce the pay for senior personnel.

Since last July, DCNA has been in negotiations with Adventist HealthCare which operates HUH in conjunction with Howard University. By last November, when the nurses’ contract expired, the two parties still had not reached an agreement. In January, nurses picketed and circulated a petition among DCNA members which suggested how they would proceed.

They, along with other labor leaders, also sent letters to Howard University President Wayne A.I. Frederick and HUH CEO Anita Jenkins but to no avail.

In February, Adventist HealthCare walked away from the bargaining table. Since then, there’s only one meeting, held less than a week ago, which failed to produce the desired results.

“Management has rejected each proposal time and time again and they haven’t engaged in concrete discussions about how to alleviate the staffing crisis,” said DCNA Executive Director Edward Smith.

“There are enough nurses but not enough to work under the conditions. We agreed on firstyear raises and management implemented that but they didn’t follow up with differential pay,” Smith said.

In March, adjunct faculty members at Howard University, out of frustration with a years-long negotiation process, threatened to strike. They would later avoid a strike and enter a contract with the university that included incremental wage increases and other protections.

Speakers at the protest held by nurses on Monday included Dyana Forester of the Metro Washington Council AFL-CIO, Jaime Contreras of SEIU 32BJ, DC Jobs with Justice Executive Director Elizabeth Falcon, the Rev. Graylan Hagler, and a representative of SEIU local 500, which represents Howard University faculty members.

One nurse, who has worked at HUH for more than 20 years and requested anonymity, said they consider safety the most important factor in contract negotiations. At the start of the pandemic, the nurse, along with several of their colleagues, worked long hours tending to COVID-19 patients. They said funds that poured into the hospital during that time didn’t change conditions.

In standing outside HUH with their colleagues outside, the nurse said they want to ensure that both patients and nurses are protected.

“It’s overwhelming because you feel bad and you’re not sure if you

5 Howard University Hospital nurses and medical personnel held a one-day strike on April 10 in front of the hospital. (Screen grab)

gave your patients adequate care,” the nurse said. “We have patients who need close observation and we use technicians to sit with them. If you come to work and you’re not in charge, you have five people [under your care]. That means checking their vitals, washing them and changing their urinals. Everyone’s talking about money but this is about safety.” WI @SamPKCollins

Día Del Niño is a Children’s Day celebrated in Mexico on April 30th. Instead of classes, schools organize games and music for their students to enjoy.

Each week, Kid Scoop brings students interactive games, activities, puzzles and more in a bright & bouncy, award-winning feature kids and their family members can enjoy together.

PUBLICATION DATE HERE Publication Date 4-21-22