Dr. Curtis McElroy

Category: Preventative Medicine

  • What Does It Take To Be Fit After 40

    What Does It Take To Be Fit After 40

    Physical fitness over 40 is really not too different from physical fitness at any other age. 

    The real difference comes in when you believe you are still 16 and can leap tall buildings in a single bound.  In other words, getting back into shape takes a bit longer and requires a bit more energy than when you were 16.

    To define physical fitness means to be in good shape or in good condition. 

    People who are in good physical shape can carry out daily tasks without too much fatigue and with enough energy to perform leisure time activities. 

    Your physician will define physical fitness by the cardiovascular measurements he can take in the office, such as pulse, respirations and blood pressure.  He’ll also use measurements of weight, body mass index and muscle mass.

    A trainer may define physical fitness using some of the same parameters but with the addition of muscle strength testing, cardiovascular endurance and body composition. 

    But what really is physical fitness and how do you define that after the age of 40?  Is 40 really a magical number?  In realistic terms it isn’t magical at all.  However, there are many people who will tell you that their metabolism noticeably slowed, their joints were noticeably stiffer and they gained weight after passing their 40th birthday.

    Physical fitness to the human body is what fine-tuning is to a racing engine. You can perform up to your potential and can help you look and feel your best.  It is the performance of the heart, lungs and muscles of the body in tandem with each other.  It’s important to remember that our fitness has individual qualities that vary from person to person.  It is influenced by your age, heredity, habits, physical fitness program, eating and sex.  There are several factors within your power to change: habits, exercise program and eating habits.

    To define physical fitness over 40 you have to determine your goals and aspirations. 

    If you’ve been a couch potato for 10 years you may never compete in the senior Olympics.  But, if you develop a reason to pursue and continue an exercise program you just may compete.

    The most important piece to define physical fitness over 40 is the motivation and reason why a person would pursue activities and set a goal for physical fitness. 

    Your reason ‘why’ will carry you through doubts, disappointments, and injuries.  If you develop a reason ‘why’ you’ll get through to a state of physical fitness.

    A physical fitness program is a life-long commitment of time and effort.  This is something you must do without question, like you would brush your teeth or shower.  And, unless you are thoroughly convinced of the benefits of physical fitness and you have a reason to exercise daily you will not succeed.

    If you are beginning a physical fitness program you should always consult with your doctor to be sure that you are able to complete the program and don’t have any underlying issues that may impact your progress. 

    Your doctor will also help you to develop a beginning program that will meet your current physical fitness abilities.

    RESOURCES

    World Health Organization Europe: Physical Activity and Health in Europe
    http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/87545/E89490.pdf
    Circulation: Exercise and Physical Activity in the Prevention and Treatent of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease
    http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/107/24/3109.long
    Fit After 50 Women’s Health Magazine: How to Define Physical Fitness
    http://www.fit-after-50-womens-health-magazine.com/define-physical-fitness.html
    Mens Health: 10 Standards to Assess Your Fitness Level
    http://www.menshealth.com/fitness/assess-your-fitness-level
    The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition: The Evolution of Physical Activity Recommendations
    http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/79/5/913S.long
    Center for Disease Control and Prevention: A New View of Physical Activity
    http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/sgr/ataglan.htm
    ShapeFit: Fitness over 40- 10 Tips to Get in Shape and Stay Fit as You Get Older
    http://www.shapefit.com/fitness-over-40-10-tips.html

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Diabetic Foot Care

    Diabetic Foot Care

    Giving daily attention to the condition of our feet is important for all of us; however, it is critically important if you have diabetes.

    Individuals with diabetes typically will develop peripheral neuropathy and peripheral vascular disease. This can be avoided with good glucose control and lifestyle changes to improve your overall health. The poor blood sugar control leads to nerve damage over a period of time.

    Frequently, individuals with diabetes do not take their disease seriously until the long term effects of uncontrolled glucose levels start to occur. Initial symptoms may be tingling, burning, numbness and pain in the lower extremities.

    These symptoms start in the toes and progress to involve the entire foot, lower leg and eventually the hands.

    The decrease in sensation to touch and injury of the feet can lead to severe infections requiring surgery and possibly amputation. So it should be clear the importance of proper glucose control followed by proper foot care to catch potentially serious problems early.

    Maintaining a daily foot care regimen will be the best prevention method you can possibly do.

    What this comes down to is understanding that taking extra precautions is extremely important for your diabetic foot care health.

    Keeping your feet in tip top condition is a matter of checking your feet more often. Each day you want to check your feet for cuts, blisters and any abnormal looking redness. If you have trouble bending your feet up, use a small mirror to see the bottom of your feet properly.  Any time you notice anything out of the ordinary be sure to set up a doctor’s appointment right away.

    As a diabetic your foot nerve endings might be damaged, this is why it is recommended that you always use warm water to soak your feet and not hot.  Wash your feet gently with a mild soap, baby soap is perfect to use. Pat your feet dry, do not rub or cause any excessive abrasions.

    Using a good quality natural foot care lotion will help your skin stay soft, just don’t put the lotion in between your toes as this might encourage a fungal infection.

    Wear a clean pair of socks each day and many doctors now recommend using diabetic socks.  These are great especially if your feet tend to get cold during the night. Make sure your socks are not too tight so they don’t restrict your circulation.

    Before you put your shoes on in the morning always check them inside to make sure that they are dry and that there are no stones inside. Preventing any type of sore or cut is crucial to your foot care health. When you are at home always wear slippers around the house and don’t walk barefoot.  Again prevention is your aim here.

    The diabetic food care routine described here is easy to follow and will effortlessly become a habit in a short amount of time. Along with your new routine just properly managing your diabetes with help keep you healthy.  Make sure your sugar levels are correct and always take the time to get regular checkups with your doctor or health care practitioner.

     

  • The Benefits Of Probiotics

    The Probiotic Advantage in Fermented Foods

    The word ?probiotic? means, ?for life.?

    Probiotics are the beneficial bacteria that reside in your intestines and that encourage the production of microflora in your gut ? which, in turn provides you with a health body system.

    When an imbalance occurs between the healthy probiotic microflora and pathogenic microorganisms, the gut becomes an environment that could cause illnesses and diseases.

    The following  are several reasons that your body systems may become  imbalanced resulting in problems with your health:

    * Too many antibiotics and strong, over-the-counter medications.
    * Toxins in the environment.
    * Diet where too many processed, sugary and acidic food and drinks are consumed.
    * Chronic stress.
    * Cleaners and personal care products that contain anti-bacterial chemicals.

    Consuming foods that contain pribiotics and probiotic supplements will help keep your gastrointestinal tract and other systems of the body in proper health by balancing out the good and bad bacteria or restoring your gastrointestinal tract with the proper microorganism that are involved in maintaining optimal digestive health.

    Probiotics can be found in many foods such as yogurt.

    Fermented foods such as sauerkraut, kefir and other types of dairy products also contain beneficial probiotics.

    Some of the ways that probiotics can benefit your health are:

     Urinary Tract Health – Evidence exists that probiotics can ward off bad bacteria that can invade the urinary tract and cause infections. Even though antibiotics can cure these infections, they may return.
    Immune System-Probiotic foods can help you maintain beneficial intestinal floral that helps keep your immune system healthy.

    Allergies– been conducted in pregnant women who had a history of allergies and took probiotics during the pregnancy. These studies show that there was a reduction in the child?s incidence of allergies.

    Digestive Health- We all have various types of bacteria in our digestive systems that help to break down food and help our bodies absorb essential nutrients. Many doctors are now prescribing probiotics to help restore that balance of bacteria that taking drugs have caused.

    Obesity-Research has shown that our digestive bacteria help us maintain a healthy weight. Probiotics are very healthy and low-calorie too, so they?re a good alternative to other means of lowering the chances of obesity.

    Women’s Health– Women can benefit from probiotics because of the effects it has on the reproductive organs. They can also be instrumental in preventing cramps and difficult menstruation.

    Probiotics are very beneficial in maintaining and restoring  proper digestive health.

    Educate yourself about fermentation and the probiotics derived from fermentation then talk to your doctor to see if probiotics are something you should be consuming to achieve optimal health.

    Simply put, probiotics are considered the ?good guys? in keeping our digestive systems clean and our immune systems working well. It?s worth the time and effort to investigate the beneficial effects of fermentation and the probiotics it provides.

Copyright @ 2017 DrCurtisMcElroy