Ageing Gracefully - Raffles Medical Group

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26 Feature Raffles HealthNews “ My memory will start to fail and I will become a burden to the people around me. ” Gradual memory decline is part of normal ageing. However, Dr Alvin Seah, a Neurologist, and Consultant at Raffles Internal Medicine Centre, said that this has no sinister significance. Normal older people should be capable of maintaining a good memory through exercising their minds frequently and using appropriate memory skills. Memory decline among the elderly is very gradual and is usually not obvious until after the age of 70. Furthermore, the ability to learn new things should not be affected. The factors that affect memory and learning ability adversely include fatigue leading to poor concentration, psychological stress and emotional problems. Any severe systemic illness such as heart failure or kidney disease will also affect the brain’s concentration level. Here are several ways to maximise memory performance: • Simplify information and remember them one by one • Categorise information by putting similar items in the same list • Summarise information • Be observant and notice the special features • Preserve optimal function of the senses. Seek medical attention early if there is problem in hearing or eyesight. Wear spectacles or hearing aid if necessary. • Be confident and adopt a positive attitude • Use coping strategies or memory aids However, those whose daily activities are affected by worsening memory could be suffering from mild cognitive impairment or even frank dementia. They should seek medical attention early. There is good evidence that early treatment can preserve cognitive function and either stabilise or slow the patient’s cognitive decline. “ I will get diabetes and high blood pressure and not be able to enjoy my favourite foods, such as laksa and chicken rice. ” Dr Stanley Liew, an Endocrinologist and Consultant at Raffles Internal Medicine Centre, feels that instead of worrying about ageing, we should all look forward to growing old and enjoying life, The prevalence of chronic illnesses such as diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol increases with ageing. However, the majority of elderly are healthy and free of these chronic illnesses. Not all of us will develop these chronic illnesses when we grow old. Elderly people can indulge in a wide variety of food just like younger people. In fact, we should start adhering to a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise and a healthy diet as prevention of chronic illnesses is most effective if initiated early in life. Having the occasional laksa and chicken rice is absolutely fine. It does not make sense to have an overly restrictive lifestyle such that the quality of life is compromised. We should not be concerned about increasing our life expectancy alone. We should strive to remain physically and mentally fit as happiness and health are the two most important things in life! “ I can no longer take part in the extreme sports that I enjoy doing. My bones will weaken and as a result, I cannot continue doing sports. ” Extreme sports are activities that involve a high level of physical exertion, speed, height and a high level of inherent danger. They differ from your traditional sports in that there is often a high dependence on specialist equipments and a lot of environmental variables that is difficult to control. Dr Lim Yeow Wai, an Orthopaedic Surgeon, and Consultant at Raffles Orthopaedic Centre said, “Even if you are in the prime of your youth, the risk of getting injuries from extreme sports are higher.” He added that you should not worry as life begins at 50! As you age, your endurance increases. Therefore, you will find yourself doing better in endurance sports as compared to your younger days. Even as you grow older, you can continue playing the sports you like. For e.g., if you are a tennis or badminton player, switch to playing doubles if you find that you are getting more aches and pains after a single game. Here are some tips to help prevent sports injury: • Don’t be a weekend warrior. Try not to pack three to four days of activities into one weekend, this is the surest way to get injured. • Learn to do your sports right. Get a trainer to learn the sports or equipment especially when you have not played or used it before. • Accept your body’s limit. Listen to your body when it complains to you. • Increase your exercise level gradually. The general guide is increase 20% intensity every 2 weeks to a level you are comfort with. HN
Raffles HealthNews Supplements 27 STOP the ravages of time We have heard a lot about antioxidants from various sources. However, do you know what it is exactly, and what can it do for you To put it simply, antioxidants are substances that can protect your cells against the effects of free radicals. Free radicals are atoms that are extremely unstable. When present in excessive amounts, they will attack the protective membranes and genetic material of the cells, causing cellular damage and malfunction. Antioxidant supplements help by reining in free radicals and preventing them from multiplying at the cellular level. The skin is the first part of the body that physically changes to show signs of age, wear and tear. Wrinkles and fine lines can be directly related to the level of free radicals in the body. Antioxidants can prevent and repair damage done by these free radicals, thereby influencing how fast and how well we age. Nutritional supplements, especially those with high levels of antioxidants, may thus work to stop the effects of the environment on the skin and even reverse some of the effects over time. Some commonly known antioxidants and their sources include: Vitamin A and Carotenoids Liver, cantaloupe, carrots, sweet potatoes, kale and spinach Vitamin C Citrus fruits, cantaloupe, strawberries, tomatoes, broccoli, cabbage and kiwi fruit Vitamin E Wheat, oats, wheat germ, leafy green vegetables, sardines, egg yolks, nuts and seeds For enquiries, contact Raffles Health at 6311 1683 or 6311 1108. Selenium Walnuts, brazil nuts, corn, wheat, soybeans, beef, chicken, tuna, egg and cheese Usual Price S$34.90 per bottle Now: Buy 2 bottles at S$49.90* * Promotion is valid from 1st February till 30th April 2009.
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Ageing Gracefully - Raffles Medical Group

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