The tests involve simple physical activities that people perform on a regular basis. Grip strength, walking speed, rising from a chair, and balancing on one leg can reveal a person’s capacity to perform everyday tasks safely. To bring the point home, so to speak, in order to help people understand the importance of strength and balance, researchers at the University College London analyzed 33 studies that examined physical capabilities in people of any age and recorded subsequent deaths among the participants. Overall, those who had poorer results on physical function tests had a consistently higher risk of death.

What did the tests reveal specifically? Here are some of the test results:

• In 14 studies that included a total of 53,476 people, the death rate was 1.67 times higher for people with the weakest grip strength than for those with the strongest grip.

• Five studies that included a total of 14,692 people found that the death rate was 2.87 times higher for the slowest walkers than for the fastest walkers.

• Five studies that included a total of 28,036 people found that the death rate was nearly twice as high for people who were slowest to rise from a chair than for those who were quickest at this task.

It is important to not that while most of the studies included older people, the association between grip strength and death risk was also found in younger adults. The study was published online Sept. 10 in the BMJ.

So, the good news is that such screenings are available. But, even better news is that your chiropractor can not only also assess your abilities in these areas, but can recommend individualized strength exercises and reassess your abilities. And, in addition, chiropractic care has been shown to be relieve balance problems such as vertigo and those relating to improper alignment and nervous system interference. So, if you’d like an evaluation of your risk potential, as well as help with lowering that risk, see your chiropractor in Camarillo today!

For more information on seniors and exercise, go to: The U.S. National Institute on Aging

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As I’ve mentioned in previous blogs, falls for both men and women of any age can be serious. The overall statistics on the number of falls sustained each year in the U.S., not only for people 65 years and older but for younger individuals as well, may surprise you. Nearly 19,000 people die each year from falls and almost 8 million seek treatment in emergency rooms. And, as mentioned, although falls are the leading cause of injuries among people age 65 and older, the study revealed that young people fall down just as frequently as seniors!

Let’s face it, even though reaching old age can be a very “risky” business in many ways if we don’t take care of ourselves along the way, as far as falling goes younger people are more likely to intentionally engage in risky activities than seniors, such as standing on ladders and ledges, running, and playing sports — activities that can often lead to a serious tumble.

But, no matter what a person’s age may be, the more physically fit we remain reduces our fall potential, especially if you are a male. The study included individuals between 20 and 87 years of age. Of the 10,615 participants in the study, done be researchers, lead by Kristin Mertz, M.D., at the epidemiology department at the University of Pittsburgh, 20 percent reported falling in the past year. Of those who fell, 15 percent fell while walking. Surprisingly, the study found that women were 2.8 times as likely to fall while walking as men, but that the fitness levels of the participants only seemed to make a difference in men falling while it did not appear to have the same effect for women. The study found men with low fitness levels were 2.2 times more likely to fall while walking than were highly fit men.

“We were surprised to find that fitness and physical activity seemed to have a stronger relationship with walking-related falls in men compared with women,” Mertz said. As a chiropractor, I am surprised with that finding as well.

And, as your Camarillo Chiropractor, I would like to add the following commentary: Whether you are young or older, male or female, maintaining a healthy lifestyle that includes good nutrition, routine exercise, and regular chiropractic adjustments can benefit the entire body and help to maintain your fitness level and balance acuity as you age.

Look for research study results in the only July issue of American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
Source: Health Behavior News Service

Technorati Tags: balance, chiropractor, falls, health and fitness, men, research, where:Camarillo-CA

Balance challenges are often disclosed by 9 percent of adults, aged 65 and older. Good balance is vital in helping an older person to stay independent, and to carry out daily chores and activities. Many older men and women, however, undergo dizziness, “wooziness,” and challenges with balance.

The label, vertigo, relates to the experience that some people have that they, themselves, or their environment is spinning. About 40 percent of people nationwide will have an incidence of dizziness that is serious enough to go seek out a health professional. And, among older adults, falls are the most widespread cause of extreme injury and deaths.

Balance and Inner Ear Problems

There are many types of balance disorders. Three conventional types are benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, labyrinthitis, and Meniere’s disease. Of these three, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is the most prevalent. It occurs as a brief, intense experience of vertigo when an individual changes head position. It can additionally be felt when rolling over to the left or right in bed, upon arising in the morning, or when looking up for an object on a high shelf. This condition is more disposed in people 60 and older, however it can also happen in younger people.

There are diverse reasons for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. It may be created by an inner ear infection, head injury, or simply aging. Frequently times a simple Epleys procedure can eliminate the affliction, although it can be linked to other disease processes. Your Camarillo chiropractor has many years of experience in this procedure.

Labyrinthitis is an infection or iinflammation of the inner ear that produces dizziness and loss of balance. It affects people|individuals of any age and the cause is uncertain.

Ménière’s disease is a balance disorder that creates vertigo, hearing loss that comes and goes, tinnitus (ringing or roaring in the ears), and a “full feeling” in the ear.

Age is not the only explanation for why these conditions occur, but older individuals are more likely to encounter balance disorders. Therapy for balance disorders varies based upon the reason. A chiropractor is well-educated in discovering and treating many of the causes. On occasion, even simple exercises for vestibular rehab can be the remedy to balance challenges. Make an appointment with a health care professional, such as your Camarillo chiropractor, if you have encountered, or are currently experiencing, dizziness, vertigo, or other abnormalities with balance.

Whereas some balance disorders are caused by challenges in the inner ear, other disorders may involve another part of the body, like the brain or the heart. Other influences, besides aging and ear infection, may involve head injury, certain medicines, interferences with blood circulation, upper respiratory infections, viral infections, stress, fatigue, smoking, alcohol use, stroke, high or low blood pressure, and heart disease.

Balance disorders caused by high blood pressure can normally be managed by less sodium intake,sustaining a healthy weight, and exercise. To assist in making the symptoms of dizziness less intense, frequently eating low-salt or salt-free foods, and avoiding caffeine and alcohol, will help.

Balance disorders are serious. It is the number one cause of falls and fall-related injuries in older people. It is crucial to have a suspected balance disorder analysed and treated as soon as possible.

If you can answer “yes” to any of these questions, you should discuss the symptom(s) with your chiropractor:

• Do you have the feeling of being “unsteady?”

• Does the room seem to spin around you?

• Is there ever a time when you feel as if you are moving when you know you are standing still?

• Do you lose your balance and/or fall?

• Do you feel as if you are falling?

• Does your vision ever become “blurred?”

• Do you ever feel disoriented, or lose a sense of time, place or identify?

Don’t wait until it’s too late! Call your Camarillo chiropractor today.

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