Last week in Part I on Depression I discussed the importance of laughter for the prevention of depression. In this column, I will discuss one of the most understated benefits of exercise – mental health! Specifically, aerobic exercise (exercise that increases your heart rate for 30 minutes or more) such as walking, biking, running, swimming, […]
The decorations are long gone. Family and friends are back to their routines. The bills from the holidays have arrived and winter has hit hard with too many short, cold, dark and dreary days. It only takes a few other problems like stress at work and health issues to put you over the edge… Depression […]
Mim Joseph, a librarian retired from the North Pocono School District, is someone whom I have held in high regard for many years. She has been retired from her career for many years but has not retired from life…she is open-minded, intellectually curious and reads incessantly. She remains active despite some recent health issues and […]
According to American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), seniors are considered those 50 years old and older! By this definition, as hard as it is to admit, I am a senior and as one, I offer holiday health tips for seniors. Overindulgence during the holidays causes many seniors make New Year's resolutions related to diet […]
Part 1 of 2 on Lung Disease and Exercise World COPD Day 2012 is Wednesday November 14th! The purpose of this two part series on lung disease is to raise the level of awareness for the prevention and treatment of this disease. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has become the […]
In November our nation celebrates two nostalgic days of remembrance; the birthday of the United States Marine Corps (November 10th) and Veterans Day (November 11th). Both are designated to remind Americans of the selfless sacrifice that millions of courageous men and women gave of their ‘today’s’ so we could have our ‘tomorrows’. They purchased our […]
While I fully expect to be at the “butt end” of many comments for this column, I feel compelled to address this topic at the request of several patients. It seems that many geriatric physical therapists commonly encounter patients that suffer from constipation which limits their participation in rehabilitation. Ironically, research demonstrates that exercise and […]
USE IT OR LOOSE IT - EXERCISE MIND AND BODY! October is National Physical Therapy Month! Physical therapists are excited about new research which reinforces what we have all suspected; physical activity improves cognitive function and mental activity improves physical function. Mariel Consagra, a local teacher, discovered this research while assisting her husband, Atty. Charles […]
This weekend marked the beginning of high school football in NEPA! While a warm September may be a wonderful time of year to watch football from the bleachers, it often plays havoc on athletes as they suffer from severe muscle cramping. This year was not exception as many players limped off the field in […]
Part 3 of 3 on Dehydration Because of the possibility of the life-threatening, and at best life-altering, consequences of dehydration, prevention is best defense against dehydration. We must take a proactive approach to ensure and/or encourage adequate fluid intake. Consider some of the following practical tips to promote optimal hydration. Review your medications and note […]
