Causes of hearing loss

Loud noise is one of the most common causes of hearing loss. Noise from lawnmowers, snow blowers, or loud music can damage the inner ear and result in permanent hearing loss. Loud noise also contributes to tinnitus. You can prevent most noise-related hearing loss by turning down the sound on your devices, moving away from loud noise, or using earplugs or other ear protection.

Earwax or fluid buildup can also cause hearing loss by blocking sounds that are carried from the eardrum to the inner ear. If wax blockage is a problem, your doctor may suggest mild treatments to soften earwax.

A ruptured eardrum can also cause hearing loss. The eardrum can be damaged by infection, pressure, or putting objects in the ear, including cotton-tipped swabs. See your doctor if you have ear pain or fluid draining from an ear.

Health conditions common in older people, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, can contribute to hearing loss. Ear infections caused by viruses and bacteria (also known as otitis media), a heart condition, stroke, brain injury, or a tumor may also affect your hearing.

Hearing loss can also result from taking certain medications that can damage the inner ear, sometimes permanently. These medications may be used to treat serious infections, cancer, or heart disease. They also include some antibiotics and even aspirin at some dosages. If you notice a problem while taking a medication, check with your doctor.

Genetic variations can cause hearing loss as well. Not all inherited forms of hearing loss are evident at birth. Some forms can show up later in life. For example, otosclerosis, which is thought to be a hereditary disease, involves the abnormal growth of bone that prevents structures within the ear from working properly.

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Published by: AARP

Many counties and cities have additional property taxes on top of the statewide rate. How much you pay in property taxes depends on the value of your home, your state’s property tax rates, and any exemptions you may have. You can lower your property taxes, however, in six ways.

1. Appeal the appraisal

Your bill is based on an appraisal, which is typically done by a state or local appraiser. Call the appraiser — politely — to discuss what went into the appraisal. You can appeal it if you feel that it doesn’t reflect the true value of your home. To do so, you’ll have to provide more evidence than the fact that you think the increase in the home’s value — and therefore your taxes — is too high.

You may need to look up the value of comparable homes in your area. And if you have problems with the house that might lower its value, now is the time to let the assessor know.

Be aware that simply appealing the appraisal may not bring relief, especially if you’re in a suburban housing development. “In my experience, the local property appraisers are using automated valuation models that are pretty accurate,” says Bankrate analyst Jeff Ostrowski. “It’s kind of unlikely that your value is going to be significantly different from your neighbors’.”

2. Look for senior exemptions

Many states offer a break on property taxes for people 65 and older. The break comes from applying the tax rate to only a percentage of your assessment. For example, New York state applies its property tax to as little as 50 percent of the appraised value of your home. You must be at least 65. The state allows each county, city, town, village, or school district to set the maximum income limit at any figure between $3,000 and $50,000.

3. Look for other exemptions

“That’s always a good idea,” Ostrowski says. “Research those and take advantage of as many of those as you can.” Many states give veterans an exemption, particularly those with disabilities. Resident veterans in Florida with at least a 10 percent disability rating are entitled to a $5,000 deduction on the assessment of their home for tax purposes. Resident veterans with a 100 percent disability rating may receive a full property tax exemption. Many states also offer a property tax exemption for those with disabilities.

4. Get help

It never hurts to ask for assistance. The AARP Foundation’s Property Tax-Aide program provides information on eligibility and how to apply for property tax relief.

Since its inception in 2019, Property Tax-Aide has served over 40,000 people with an estimated benefit of $10 million in property tax relief.

5. Move

If you think taxes are too high in your area, consider moving to someplace with lower taxes. (Bear in mind that each county or city in a different state may have its own level of property taxes.) In New Jersey, the property tax on the average home is $9,527. In neighboring Pennsylvania, the tax on the average home is $3,983. Don’t forget, that you may get fewer services in areas with lower overall taxes.

6. Be wary of property tax scams

Scary — and fake — letters demanding overdue property taxes are a fixture of most four-star scam shops. A variant of that scam is the fake property tax assessor. You’ll get a letter suggesting that you’re paying too much in property taxes because home values have fallen. The scammer will try to get you to pay thousands of dollars in fees to get the home reassessed, thereby reducing the property taxes. Be sure to check with the Better Business Bureau or with your state tax office about any company that promises big breaks on your property tax returns.

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People 65 years and older are at higher risk of developing serious flu complications compared with young, healthy adults. This increased risk is due in part to changes in immune defenses with increasing age. While flu seasons vary in severity, during most seasons, people 65 years and older bear the greatest burden of severe flu disease. In recent years, for example, it’s estimated that between 70 percent and 85 percent of seasonal flu-related deaths have occurred in people 65 years and older, and between 50 percent and 70 percent of seasonal flu-related hospitalizations have occurred among people in this age group.

• A Flu Vaccine is the Best Protection Against Flu
• Flu Vaccine Reduces Risk of Flu Illness and Serious Outcomes

Flu vaccination has many benefits. It has been shown to reduce the risk of getting sick with the flu and also to reduce the risk of more serious flu outcomes that can result in hospitalization or even death. Although immune responses to vaccination may be lower in older people, studies have consistently found that flu vaccination has been effective in reducing the risk of medical visits and hospitalizations in older people. Higher dose and adjuvanted flu vaccines are potentially more effective than standard dose unadjuvanted flu vaccines for people in this age group and are therefore recommended preferentially over a regular dose flu vaccine.

The best way to protect against the flu and its potentially serious complications is with a flu vaccine.  Flu vaccines are updated each season because flu viruses are constantly changing. Also, immunity wanes over time. Annual vaccination helps to ensure the best possible protection against flu. A flu vaccine protects against the flu viruses that research indicates will be most common during the upcoming season. (More information about this season’s exact vaccine composition is available at Vaccine Virus Selection.) Flu vaccines for the 2022-2023 flu season have been updated from last season’s vaccine to better match circulating viruses. Immunity from vaccination fully sets in after about two weeks.

Flu vaccination is especially important for people 65 years and older because they are at a higher risk of developing serious flu complications. Three specific flu vaccines are preferentially recommended for people 65 years and older over other flu vaccines. People 65 and older should get a higher dose or adjuvanted flu vaccine, including Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent, Flublok Quadrivalent, or Fluad Quadrivalent vaccine. These vaccines are preferred for people 65 years and older because a review of existing studies suggested that, in this age group, these vaccines are potentially more effective than standard dose unadjuvanted flu vaccines.

When should I get vaccinated?

For most people who need only one dose of flu vaccine for the season, September and October are generally good times to be vaccinated against the flu. Ideally, everyone should be vaccinated by the end of October. Additional considerations concerning the timing of vaccination for certain groups of people include:

Most adults, especially those 65 years and older, and pregnant people in the first or second trimester should generally not get vaccinated early (in July or August) because protection may decrease over time. However, early vaccination can be considered for any person who is unable to return at a later time to be vaccinated.

Some children need two doses of flu vaccine. For those children, it is recommended to get the first dose as soon as the vaccine is available because the second dose needs to be given at least four weeks after the first. Vaccination during July and August also can be considered for children who need only one dose.

Vaccination at present and during August also can be considered for people who are in the third trimester of pregnancy during those months, because this can help protect their infants for the first few months after birth (when they are too young to be vaccinated).

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If you like to garden, be careful in extreme heat. Here are seven sensible tips to keep in mind during hot and humid weather. Whether you like it hot or not, it is important to take care while working outside.

Do your heaviest work early in the morning, as early in the day as possible, or in the evening. It’s good for both you and the plants. Take a cue from South American and Mediterranean countries where it is siesta time from 11 to 2 in the afternoon. Sit in the shade, relax, and enjoy your garden, listen to the birds, and watch the butterflies. The weeds will still be there waiting for you once the day cools down.

Slow down and pace yourself. Take frequent breaks. It’s okay if you can’t get as much done during a hot, muggy day as you can on a cooler day!

Keep hydrated. Drink plenty of cool water before, during, and after working outside. Don’t wait until you are thirsty to drink. And no alcohol. It just dehydrates you. Get in the habit of bringing a water bottle with you if needed. Drink in small sips to avoid getting waterlogged. If you’re feeling dehydrated, consider a sports beverage that will place the salt you’re sweating out.

Don’t forget the sunscreen! Apply the sunscreen 30 minutes before going outdoors. (I apply when I get up in the morning as part of my routine.) You may have to reapply it after sweating.

Wear a hat—a proper sun hat shades not only your face but your ears and neck as well. Wear light-colored clothes to reflect sunshine, too.

Tie a wet bandanna around your neck or even drape a wet cotton dish towel over the nape of your neck. If you have considered buying one of the fancy cooling towels, save your money. Consumer Reports tested several along with an ordinary kitchen towel (smooth, not terry cloth) and found that they only varied by about 2 degrees. Better yet, pop the wet bandanna or towel into the fridge or freezer for a while.

Go inside if you feel yourself getting overheated or breathing too heavily. Take a cool shower or spray yourself with the garden hose!

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People whose brains have less myelin — the fatty tissue that insulates nerve cells — experience steeper declines in cognition over time, according to an NIA study published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia. The findings show the impact of myelin content as healthy people age and underscore myelin as a potential therapeutic target for neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and mild cognitive impairment.

Myelin is an insulating layer that forms around nerves, including those in the brain. It helps neurons communicate more efficiently, maintain a healthy water balance, and respond to signals involved in memory formation and other cognitive functions. Previous studies have shown that myelin production slows as people age, but whether changes in myelin are linked to age-related changes in cognition remained unknown. However, some animal study evidence suggests changes in myelin may be responsible for cognitive deficits in neurodegenerative diseases.

For this study, the team of NIA scientists gathered data from 123 cognitively unimpaired adults enrolled in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging and from the Genetic and Epigenetic Signatures of Translational Aging Laboratory Testing study. The researchers tested several different types of cognition and used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain scans to measure myelin content in the brain. They looked at two different MRI-based measurements to estimate the amount of myelin: myelin water fraction (MWF) and longitudinal relaxation rate (R1).

For both measurements, lower myelin was linked to greater cognitive decline over time. Lower myelin, as measured with MWF, was associated with a steeper decline in executive function, which includes skills such as planning, problem-solving, organization, and multitasking. Lower myelin as measured with R1 was associated with a faster decline in verbal fluency, which measures the ability to retrieve information from memory. These findings contribute to a foundation for further studies that explore how age-related changes in myelin are different in people who develop neurodegenerative diseases.

While, overall, this study establishes a meaningful relationship between myelin content and cognition, the authors noted some limitations, mainly that the cohort size was relatively small and included a higher proportion of men and White participants. Future research should reexamine the link in a larger, more diverse study cohort; explore the link between myelin and cognition in people with neurodegenerative diseases; and test whether promoting myelin production could be an effective strategy to prevent disease.

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Published by: AARP

There are compelling health reasons why you should know your blood type, especially when it comes to your heart. Research suggests that people with certain blood types — namely A and B — are at higher risk to develop blood clots and to have heart attacks and strokes.

Types of blood

Blood types are determined by the presence or absence of certain substances, called antigens, that can trigger an immune response if they are foreign to the body.

There are four main blood types: A, B, O, and AB, according to the American Red Cross. In addition to these antigens, there’s a protein called the Rh factor, which can either be present (+) or absent (-). That means there are eight blood subtypes: A+, A-, B+, B-, O+, O-, AB+, AB-.

Types A and B and blood clots

People with blood types A and B are at higher risk to develop blood clots compared with people who have type O blood, according to a 2020 study published in the American Heart Association journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology. The study, which looked at more than 400,000 people, found that types A and B were 50 percent more likely to develop blood clots in the legs called deep vein thrombosis and 47 percent more likely to develop a pulmonary embolism — when a clot travels to the lungs — than people with type O blood. They were 8 percent more likely to have a heart attack and 10 percent more likely to experience heart failure than type Os.

Why blood type affects clot risk

There are many possible reasons for why this happens, says Mary Cushman, M.D., a hematologist at the University of Vermont Medical Center and a professor of medicine and pathology at the Larner College of Medicine at UVM in Burlington, Vermont. ​​

“The enzyme that controls blood type has other actions,” she explains. One of these is to modify a protein called von Willebrand factor, which is very important in forming blood clots. “The modifications to the protein are different in different blood types,” she says. “So people with type O blood have the lowest levels of von Willebrand factor on average and the lowest risk of abnormal clots. Type AB has the highest level and, in some studies, the highest risk of blood clots.”

There may also be some differences in platelets, the small cell fragments in the blood that form clots, says Joshua Beckman, a cardiologist at the UT Southwestern Medical Center. This may make you more susceptible to clotting.

Type A, type AB and cholesterol, stroke

There’s evidence to suggest that type A blood is linked to higher levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, the waxy substance that clogs arteries. Type AB blood is linked to inflammation, which may adversely affect blood vessels. Larger studies need to be done before coming to any definite conclusions, Beckman says.

Blood type may impact stroke risk, too. A 2022 study published in the medical journal Neurology reviewed 48 studies of 17,000 stroke patients and found that people with type A were 16 percent more likely to have an early stroke than people with other blood types, and those with type O were 12 percent less likely. An earlier study done by Cushman found that blood type AB, compared with O, had a 1.8 times higher risk of stroke; other blood types weren’t affected.

Blood type and other health risks

Scientists are studying how blood type might affect risks from the COVID-19 virus, but they say it’s too early to draw firm conclusions. Research has linked type O blood with a lower chance of getting seriously ill from cholera, and it may offer some protection from severe malaria.

What you can do

It’s important to keep research findings in context. Though certain blood types could mean an increased chance of health problems such as blood clots and stroke, the risk is relatively small compared with the dangers of smoking and high blood pressure, and blood type doesn’t tell you much about your personal risk, Cushman points out.

You also shouldn’t let your blood type give you a false sense of security. If you’re having surgery or if you have cancer — both situations that can raise the risk of blood clots — Cushman recommends that you talk to your healthcare provider about a blood clot prevention plan. “If you have an O blood type, you may have a slightly lower risk of some diseases like thrombosis, but it doesn’t completely protect you from the risk,” she says. Thrombosis occurs when clots block blood vessels.

Knowing your blood type may give you added insight into your heart health, Salazar says. Though doctors often talk about manageable risk factors, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and smoking, there’s less conversation around genes or the genetic risk for heart disease, he says. Having a patient’s blood type is a “way to try to narrow down individuals who may be at high risk,” he says. For these people, following the American Heart Association’s Life’s Essential 8 — eating right, staying active, not smoking, getting enough sleep, managing weight, controlling cholesterol, managing blood sugar, and managing blood pressure — may be even more important.

Regardless of your blood type, everyone should have a heart-healthy lifestyle, Cushman says. “Following the guidance of the American Heart Association’s Life’s Essential 8, for example, will add years to your life and reduce your risk of thrombosis-related outcomes like heart attack, stroke, and venous thrombosis,” she says.

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Published by: AARP

Diet can have long-term effects on eye health and there is evidence that good nutrition is important for protecting our eyes as we age.

Blueberries

These violet-hued gems are rich in anthocyanins, potent antioxidants that bolster collagen structure in the retina and provide extra vision protection. They also may improve vision in people with normal-tension glaucoma, a form of disease that damages the optic nerve. You’ll also get anthocyanins from other purple, blue, and dark red foods like red or purple grapes, blackberries, pomegranates, and cranberries.

Dark Chocolate

Here’s a guilt-free reason to indulge in a chunk of dark chocolate today: A 2018 study published in JAMA Ophthalmology found that adults who ate a bar of dark chocolate could literally see better — with greater improvements in visual clarity and visual contrast sensitivity— about two hours afterward than those who consumed milk chocolate.

Eggs

Egg yolks are loaded with the same powerful eye-protecting antioxidants, lutein, and zeaxanthin, that are found in leafy green vegetables.

Oysters

Shellfish like oysters are among the best sources of the mineral zinc, which protects the eyes against the damaging effects of sunlight.

Oranges 

Vitamin C should really be called “vitamin See” because it has such a profound effect on vision. Like other antioxidants, it helps protect against free-radical damage and may reduce your risk of developing cataracts and macular degeneration. It also helps build collagen, which provides a structure for your cornea. You can also get ample doses of C from other citrus fruits, strawberries, kiwi, red bell pepper, cantaloupe, and broccoli.

Carrots

Vitamin A helps with the production of both rod and cone cells in the eyes, which helps you see in low light conditions and see colors. Beta-carotene also helps fend off disease-causing free-radical damage to the eyes. Eating large amounts may lower your risk for diseases like macular degeneration, cataracts, and glaucoma. You can get beta-carotene from yellow, orange, and red fruits and veggies like sweet potatoes and cantaloupes as well as dark leafy greens like kale and broccoli.

Almonds 

Almonds are great sources of vitamin E, an antioxidant that protects the eyes from free-radical damage. Research has also found that people over age 50 who have a high dietary intake of vitamin E — along with vitamin C, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids — have a substantially lower risk of developing age-related macular degeneration.

Salmon

A 2019 meta-analysis of studies examined the consumption of specific food groups and age-related macular degeneration and found that people who regularly ate fish had an 18 percent reduced risk of developing the sight-stealing disease. Aim for two to three servings a week of cold-water fish such as salmon, tuna, sardines, herring, mackerel, or halibut.

Kale

Kale, spinach, and other dark leafy greens like collard greens and turnip greens are packed with lutein and zeaxanthin, antioxidants that are stored in the eye’s macula, which helps shield the eye from damaging light.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes contain a positive quadruple whammy of nutrients that protect eye health: lycopene, which is part of the carotenoid family, as well as the antioxidants lutein, zeaxanthin, and beta-carotene. The antioxidants can help protect against UV-induced damage and the development of cataracts. And lycopene may play a role in preventing age-related macular degeneration: One study found that people with higher blood levels of lycopene and zeaxanthin have a significantly lower risk of developing age-related macular degeneration. Other good sources of lycopene include watermelon, pink grapefruit, papaya, and dried apricots.

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Published by: AARP

It’s not unusual to have occasional trouble finding the right word or remembering where you put things. But the persistent difficulty with memory, cognition, and ability to perform everyday tasks might be signs of something more serious.

Here are some symptoms to watch for:

1. Difficulty with everyday tasks. Everyone makes mistakes, but people with dementia may find it increasingly difficult to do things like keep track of monthly bills or follow a recipe while cooking, the Alzheimer’s Association says. They may also find it hard to concentrate on tasks, take much longer to do them, or have trouble finishing them.

2. Repetition. Asking a question over and over or telling the same story about a recent event multiple times are common indicators of mild or moderate Alzheimer’s, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

3. Communication problems. Observe if a loved one has trouble joining in conversations or following along with them, stops abruptly in the middle of a thought, or struggles to think of words or the name of objects.

4. Getting lost. People with dementia may have difficulty with visual and spatial abilities. That can manifest itself in problems like getting lost while driving, according to the Mayo Clinic.

5. Personality changes. A loved one who begins acting unusually anxious, confused, fearful, or suspicious, or who becomes upset easily and seems depressed is cause for concern.

6. Confusion about time and place. If someone forgets where they are or can’t remember how they got there, that’s a red flag. Another worrisome sign is disorientation about time — for example, routinely forgetting what day of the week it is, says Jason Karlawish, M.D., a neurologist and professor of medicine at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine and co-director of the Penn Memory Center.

7. Misplacing things. Someone with dementia may put things in unusual places and may have difficulty retracing their steps to find misplaced items, the Alzheimer’s Association notes.

8. Troubling behavior. If your family member seems to have increasingly poor judgment when handling money or neglects grooming and cleanliness, pay attention. 

9. Loss of interest, or apathy. Not feeling especially social from time to time is one thing, but a sudden and routine loss of interest in family, friends, work, and social events is a warning sign of dementia. A new study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease found that apathy may even be a sign that someone is progressing from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) — symptoms of memory loss or thinking problems that are not as severe as dementia — to Alzheimer’s disease. People with MCI are at an increased risk of developing dementia.

10. Forgetting old memories. Memory loss which becomes more persistent is often one of the first signs of dementia.

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Published by: AARP

Everyone has stomach issues from time to time, and occasional digestive discomfort is not usually something to worry about. That said, doctors note that there are a few gastrointestinal symptoms you shouldn’t write off, because they could signal something serious.

1. Prolonged diarrhea

Diarrhea can be a symptom of a number of things — from a food allergy to a bacterial infection. It can also be a warning sign of COVID-19, appearing before more well-known symptoms such as cough or fever.

2. Blood in your stool

The most common causes are hemorrhoids and anal fissures (tears in the lining of the anus). But blood in your stool can also be one of the first symptoms of colon cancer, especially if accompanied by a change in your bowel habits or the shape of your stool. Since colon cancer is more common among those over age 50, it’s especially important for older adults to see a doctor without delay. Other possible causes of bleeding are colon polyps, inflammatory bowel disease, colitis, and diverticulosis.

3. Severe cramps after eating

Severe cramping is a warning sign of bowel obstruction — a serious condition that requires immediate medical treatment. It’s also a classic symptom of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a chronic digestive disorder that has been on the rise since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

4. Difficulty swallowing

Esophageal cancer is more common in adults over 55 and three or four times more likely to occur in men than women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

5. Unexplained weight loss (especially if accompanied by abdominal pain)

Weight loss when you haven’t changed your diet or exercise habits is a common symptom of many serious illnesses, including cancer.

Although such weight loss is a symptom of some types of cancer, a 2014 study published in the journal American Family Physician found that in patients over 65, it is often due to other causes, like peptic ulcers, celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, or an overactive thyroid.

6. Chronic or prolonged constipation (especially if you’re having pain)

Constipation can be caused by a wide variety of issues, including certain medicines, a diet low in fiber, and medical conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, thyroid issues, diabetes, or, in rare cases, colorectal cancer.

7. Sudden, intense abdominal pain

A sharp pain that doesn’t let up can indicate acute appendicitis (if it’s on your lower right side), diverticulitis, or a serious infection. The context is important because muscle cramps and other issues can also manifest as sharp pain.

8. Frequent, severe, or worsening heartburn

Occasional heartburn — a burning, uncomfortable sensation in your chest — is common among older adults and can usually be treated with over-the-counter medications. But if your heartburn is frequent and worsening, or if it’s not responding to medication, you may have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a disorder in which the valve between your stomach and esophagus doesn’t close properly. Left untreated, GERD can lead to complications including erosion or narrowing of the esophagus, or a precancerous condition called Barrett’s esophagus. In rare cases, severe heartburn can also indicate a more serious condition such as esophageal cancer or a hiatal hernia.

9. Swollen abdomen

It’s not unusual to feel bloated after you eat a big meal. But there’s a difference between bloating and distension, an actual increase in measured abdominal size.

If the symptom persists after you’ve had plenty of time to digest a meal, it can be a sign that excess fluid or gas is forming in your small intestine as the result of an obstruction, inflammation, bacterial overgrowth, or gastrointestinal disease.

10. Feeling full after eating very little

If you feel stuffed even though you didn’t eat much, the most common cause is gastroparesis, a condition in which food stays in the stomach longer than it should.

The post 10 Stomach Symptoms You Should Never Ignore appeared first on C-Medisolutions.

Dogs are very susceptible to tick bites and tickborne diseases. Vaccines are not available for most of the tickborne diseases that dogs can get, and they don’t keep the dogs from bringing ticks into your home. For these reasons, it’s important to use a tick-preventive product on your dog.

Tick bites on dogs may be hard to detect. Signs of tickborne disease may not appear for 7-21 days or longer after a tick bite, so watch your dog closely for changes in behavior or appetite if you suspect that your pet has been bitten by a tick.

Talk to your veterinarian about:

• The best tick prevention products for your dog
• Tickborne diseases in your area

To further reduce the chances that a tick bite will make your dog sick:

• Check your pets for ticks daily, especially after they spend time outdoors.
• If you find a tick on your pet, remove it right away.
• Reduce tick habitat in your yard.

Note: Cats are extremely sensitive to a variety of chemicals. Do not apply any tick-prevention products to your cats without first asking your veterinarian!

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