TV watching is a risk factor for walking difficulty in older adults

TV watching is a risk factor for walking difficulty in older adults Dr KK Aggarwal The advent of TV and then computer, mobile phones and internet has cut down on physical activity, more so over the last few years, with deleterious effects on health. Working long hours on the computer, using social media on smartphones, watching TV are all activities that promote sedentary behavior. Compared to their younger counterparts, the elderly are more prone to develop a sedentary lifestyle because of multitude of reasons such as health conditions, social situation, anxiety about falls, joint stiffness and pain, alterations in gait and in balance, etc. A recently published study in the Journals of Gerontology: Medical Sciences has identified sitting and watching TV for long periods as a strong risk factor for disability in older age. Researchers analysed data from the National Institutes of Health (NIH)—American Association of Retired Persons (NIH-AARP) Diet and Health Study. All study participants aged 50 to 71 years were healthy at the start of the study. All types of sedentary behavior and physical activity (light, moderate and vigorous) were recorded at baseline. The participants were followed for about 10 years. Almost 30% of the previously healthy participants reported a mobility disability i.e. having difficulty walking or being unable to walk at all when the study concluded. The researchers also observed that: Among the participants, those who reported watch TV for 5 or more hours every day had a 65% greater risk of reporting a mobility disability at the end of the study vs those who watched TV for less than 2 hours per day. Increase in total sitting time and TV time along with 3 hours or less of physical activity per week accelerated this risk. This association was independent of level of total physical activity, as well as other risk factors known to affect risk of mobility disability such as gender, education, smoking, current health status. While, no association of excess mobility disability was reported with total sitting of 6 hours per day or less in participants who reported being physically active for more than 7 hours per week. Being physically active is beneficial at all ages. Adopting an active lifestyle should no doubt start at a young age, ideally during school age, but it is also important to be physically active as one ages. People who are physically active should continue to exercise even when they become middle aged or elderly and those who are not should increase their physical activity. Regular physical activity increases muscle strength and improves balance and coordination thereby reducing the chances of falling. It also reduces risk of type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, hypertension, certain types of cancers, osteoporosis, obesity and depression. In addition, physical activity keeps thinking, learning and judgment skills sharp and prevents cognitive decline with age. Aging is not a choice given to us. It is a natural process and an integral fact of life. But we do have a choice in how we choose to age. Staying healthy and maintaining an overall wellbeing is important, be it any age. (Source: The Journals of Gerontology: Medical Sciences, August 30, 2017)

Prolonged consumption of tobacco can make a person blind

Prolonged consumption of tobacco can make a person blind AMD is a major outcome of tobacco consumption and an avoidable risk factor New Delhi, 14 September, 2017: A recent study has indicated that prolonged consumption of tobacco can lead to blindness. Exposure to tobacco over a period of 5 to 10 years tends to affect the optic nerve leading to loss of vision.[1] As per the IMA, people are only aware of heart disease, cancer, etc. as outcomes of smoking and chewing tobacco. However, the fact that it can also lead to blindness in the long run is definitely another strong reason to quit this deadly habit for good. Smoking also increases the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which is a leading cause of vision loss among people age 50 and older. It damage the macula, a small spot near the center of the retina and the part of the eye needed for sharp, central vision, which lets us see objects that are straight ahead in activities such as reading, sewing and driving. Speaking about this, Padma Shri Awardee Dr K K Aggarwal, National President Indian Medical Association (IMA) and President Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI) and Dr RN Tandon – Honorary Secretary General IMA in a joint statement, said, “Cigarette smoke contains a mixture of many harmful chemicals. These are absorbed through the lungs and some of them are oxidants, which can damage the retina when they travel through the bloodstream. Those who smoke are twice as likely to develop AMD as nonsmokers.[2] Dry AMD is the most common type of AMD. In this condition, fatty deposits form under the light-sensing cells in the back of the eye (retina). Vision loss in dry AMD usually worsens gradually. In wet AMD, tiny blood vessels under the retina leak or break open. This leads to vision changes and causes scar tissue to form. Wet AMD is less common, but harms vision more quickly. Smoking reduces the macular pigment density in the fovea (center of the macula). This pigment helps in protecting the macula from UV and blue light damage.” Symptoms of macular degeneration include dark, blurry areas in the center of vision; and diminished or changed color perception. AMD can be detected with the help of a routine eye examination. Adding further, Dr Aggarwal, said, “It is important to get vision tested on a regular basis and follow doctor’s recommendations. But, most importantly, one should aim at quitting smoking right away. Eat a diet rich in leafy green vegetables, and protect your eyes with sunglasses that block harmful UV rays.” The following tips may help to quit tobacco in any form and avert the risk of AMD in the long run. • Short-acting nicotine replacement therapies such as nicotine patches, gum, lozenges, nasal sprays, or inhalers can help overcome intense cravings. • It helps to identify the trigger situation. Knowing these will help in avoiding or getting through them without the need of using tobacco. • Whenever there is an intense craving tobacco in any form, it is a good idea to chew on sugarless gum or hard candy, or munch raw carrots, celery, nuts or sunflower seeds instead of tobacco. • Short bursts of physical activity such as running up and down the stairs a few times can make a tobacco craving go away. • Practice yoga, deep breathing exercises to relieve stress.