West Newsmagazine 11-29-23

34 I MATURE FOCUS I
November 29, 2023
WEST NEWSMAGAZINE
@WESTNEWSMAG
WESTNEWSMAGAZINE.COM
MATURE FOCUS, from page 32
atable – and its place in our diet has deep
cultural roots. Given this, recommendations
about reducing consumption should
be supported by strong scientific evidence,
which doesn’t yet exist,” she said.
The study was recently published in the
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Poor sleep and A-fib
Atrial fibrillation, or A-fib – the most
common type of heart arrythmia among
those over 50 – comes with some serious
health risks, so it’s important to prevent
the condition or keep it at bay if you’ve
already been diagnosed. Known triggers
of A-fib episodes include stress, caffeine,
alcohol, dehydration and overeating.
Researchers at the University of California
– San Francisco say they recently
confirmed another direct connection to
episodes of A-fib: a poor night’s sleep.
The study tracked about 420 adults
in the I-STOP-AFIB trial, which was
designed by investigators following
patients with A-fib. They rated their sleep
quality each night on a scale from “amazing”
to “horrible,” and used mobile electrocardiograms
to measure A-fib episodes
the following day.
Just one bad night of sleep was associated
with a 15% greater risk of having an
A-fib episode. Continued poor sleep was
associated with those episodes not only
occurring more frequently but potentially
lasting longer… which also raises the risks
of heart failure, blood clots and strokes
related to the condition.
The study authors said that, while it’s
important to treat underlying disease that
may be causing A-fib, improving the quality
of sleep may be a way to minimize
episodes.
“Treating insomnia can be challenging,
but in many cases, there are things within
an individual’s control that can meaningfully
improve sleep quality,” said corresponding
author Gregory M. Marcus,
M.D., a cardiologist and electrophysiologist
at UCSF Health.
Marcus mentioned going to bed at a
reasonable and consistent time, avoiding
alcohol and caffeine in the evening, getting
regular exercise, keeping the bedroom
cool, and waking up at the same time each
morning as measures that may help.
On the calendar
BJC Missouri Baptist Hospital offers a
Today’s Grandparents class on Monday,
Dec. 4 and Wednesday, Dec. 13 from
6:30-9 p.m. at the Missouri Baptist Medical
Center Clinical Learning Institute, 3005
N. Ballas Road. This hands-on class offers
updates on current trends in infant care
and feeding, and provides tips on local and
long-distance grandparenting. The course
fee is $20 per person (each person attending
must register separately). Registration
is available online at classes-events.bjc.org.
• • •
St. Luke’s Des Peres Hospital offers
Medicare counseling sessions on Tuesday,
Dec. 5 between 10 a.m. and 2:30
p.m. in Conference Room 1 of the hospital,
2345 Dougherty Ferry Road in Des
Peres. St. Luke’s is partnering with Missouri
SHIP to offer Medicare counseling
and enrollment assistance. Missouri SHIP
services are free and confidential. Sign
up for a free 60-minute session to learn
more about your options and select the
right coverage to meet your needs. Participants
should bring a current health
insurance card, list of current medications,
list of primary care providers and specialists,
and a preferred pharmacy name and
phone number. Registration is limited and
is available at stlukes-stl.com.
• • •
Create Your Own Masterpiece: Let it
Snow, presented by St. Louis Oasis, is on
Monday, Dec. 11 from 1-3 p.m. at the Chesterfield
Community Center, 690 Chesterfield
Parkway West (second floor of Chesterfield
Mall, next to Macy’s). Join us to create your
ow canvas masterpiece, “Let it Snow.” You
will learn how to blend specific paints and
brush strokes to achieve the look you want.
All supplies are included and participants
are welcome to bring their own snacks and
drinks. The cost is $38 per person. Register
at st-louis.oasisnet.org.
• • •
St. Luke’s Hospital presents a free
online program, A Discussion of Overactive
Bladder with Dr. Cathy Naughton,
on Wednesday, Dec. 13 beginning at 6
p.m., live via Zoom. If symptoms such as
uncomfortable urges to use the bathroom,
frequent accidents requiring you to wear
pads, and getting up multiple times at night
are part of your everyday life … relief
is possible! Join us for this educational
event and learn options to regain control.
This virtual webinar will be hosted by Dr.
Cathy Naughton, a board-certified urologist
in practice at Urology Specialists of St.
Luke’s. Register online at stlukes-stl.com.
• • •
St. Louis Oasis presents A Holiday Classic
Christmas on Thursday, Dec. 14 from
1-2 p.m., online via Zoom. Get into the holiday
spirit with this festive presentation featuring
movie trivia and clips from all of your
favorite holiday classics including “Holiday
Inn,” “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “White Christmas”
and more. The cost is $17. Register by
visiting st-louis.oasisnet.org.
live life to the fullest
The staff is great. It truly feels
like we’re embraced by friends
and family.
– Mason Pointe Resident
Call 314.501.5658 to schedule
a personal tour today.
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