Planning for healthy ageing – new solutions for staying young and

healthy – and dodging winter aches and pains

Planning for healthy ageing

(ARA) - In just two short years, the first wave of baby boomers will turn 65. For some,
this milestone birthday may signal retirement; for others it may not. For all boomers,
it should mean an increased focus on health care. Baby boomers can take steps now
to help ensure many more healthy years.

A focus on early prevention – including regular tests for certain cancers and heart
disease, a healthy diet and exercise – is an important start to staying healthy well
into the golden years.

Most baby boomers will count on Medicare to support them in their efforts to stay
healthy. In fact, Medicare has long been a source of comfort for those 65 and older
who otherwise wouldn't have health coverage. But as more people older than 65
seek care, they may find it increasingly difficult to get in to see a doctor, or they may
find that their choice of doctors is limited because of planned Medicare payment
cuts to physicians.

Prevention
"As we age, we have an increasing role to play in our health care to ensure our
golden years are healthy ones," says Dr. J. James Rohack, president of the American
Medical Association. "Have regular discussions with your physician about any health
problems or concerns you may have and make sure you are up-to-date on
preventive exams."

At age 50, it's important to start annual exams for colorectal cancer, and men should
have a prostate exam. For those boomers who weigh less than 154 pounds,
screenings for osteoporosis should start at age 60. It's also important to start annual
exams with a physician before you reach age 65 to:

* Monitor and discuss blood pressure, cholesterol, needed vaccines and tests to
monitor or prevent disease.
* Identify activities and goals to address healthy eating, physical activity, tobacco use
cessation, moderating alcohol use and attention to stress and mood.
* Discuss screenings needed to prevent and/or monitor degenerative or chronic
disorders in vision, hearing, bone density, cancer and obesity.

Access to care, choice of physician

Weighing in with legislators is another way boomers can take charge of their health
care, because what happens in Washington in the next couple months, with regards
to the health-reform debate, could have a significant impact on their ability to see
their doctor of choice.

A recent AMA/AARP poll shows that nearly 90 percent of people 50 and older are
concerned that the current Medicare physician payment formula threatens their
access to care. Without permanent repeal of the broken Medicare payment system
as part of health reform, physicians face steep payment cuts which might force them
to limit the number of new Medicare patients they can treat.

"Without health-reform action by Congress, the 21 percent payment cut planned for
this January puts many physicians in the difficult position of not being able to treat
new Medicare patients and still keep their practice doors open," says Rohack. "For
years, Congress has taken short-term action to stop the cuts and preserve seniors'
access to care, but they can no longer put a Band-Aid on the problem. It's time for
permanent action to preserve the stability and security of Medicare and ensure
seniors can keep their choice of physician."

As the health system reform debate continues, and final legislation approaches, a
permanent fix for the broken Medicare physician payment formula must be included
to preserve access to care for the millions of baby boomers headed toward Medicare
enrolment age. Replacing the physician payment formula with a system that better
reflects the costs and practice of 21st century medical care will help improve quality
and reduce costs by allowing physicians to increase care coordination, reduce costly
hospital admissions and adopt health information technology.

"I encourage all baby boomers to take preventive action now to prepare for a long,
healthy life, and to ensure that their physician will still be there for them when they
begin relying on Medicare," says Rohack.

New solutions for staying young and healthy

(ARA) - As we grow older, we look forward to the changes that life brings –
retirement, grandchildren, financial security and travel. Other changes that we might
not accept so readily are the aches, pains and mental slowdowns that leave us
longing for the good old days of our youth.

We think we have to put up with degeneration when aging, but that is not true.
Staying active is key for a healthy lifestyle, but what else can we do to benefit our
bodies as we age?

The human growth hormone (HGH) might be a key element in feeling your best as
you age. When HGH was first discovered, its only purpose was thought to be to
stimulate body growth to adult size. Recent studies have found that one of the main
reasons the body ages is because of the decrease in HGH, which helps the body
regenerate.

It is possible that aging symptoms – rise in blood glucose, high blood pressure and
even skin wrinkles – can be treated by maintaining HGH levels in the body. Receptor
sites for HGH exist in almost every cell in the human body, so regeneration and
healing effects can be quite comprehensive.

Until now, HGH therapy was injectable, costly and messy, available only to
celebrities and the very wealthy. In 1997, a group of doctors and scientists
developed an all-natural source-product which causes your own natural HGH to be
released again. GHR, manufactured by GlobalHealth Products, is a capsule that
works as a natural releaser for HGH. It has no known side effects, unlike the
synthetic version, and has no known drug interactions. Aging baby boomers and
seniors can feel young again by realizing HGH potential.
Some think that HGH is so comprehensive in its healing and regenerative powers
that it has the capability to displace many prescription and non-prescription drugs.
HGH is known to help treat hemorrhoids, autoimmune diseases, macular
degeneration, cataracts, fibromyalgia, angina, chronic fatigue, diabetic-neuropathy,
hepatitis C, chronic constipation, high blood pressure, sciatica, kidney dialysis, and
heart and stroke recovery.

As seniors and others deal with health care coverage problems, it is important to
look at what you can do for yourself to ensure your healthiness. HGH can be
particularly helpful to the elderly who, given a choice, would rather stay happy,
healthy and independent in their own home. HGH gives the possibility of real health,
not just treating sickness.

How to dodge or deal with winter aches and pains

(ARA) - Happy holidays, time with friends and family, the

freshness of a new year - there are many things to look forward
to with the arrival of winter. If you're among the millions of
Americans, however, who suffer from chronic pain, winter can
bring on a whole new set of problems and pains.

Whether you suffer from chronic ailments like arthritis or fibromyalgia, or simply
experience the aches, pains and stiffness associated with past injuries or with aging,
winter's cold and dampness can exacerbate these problems. Plus, there's the
potential to suffer painful injuries from winter activities like shoveling snow or
hazards like slipping on icy ground.

Here is some simple advice to minimize winter's impact on chronic pain and avoid
new pains from injuries:

Arthritis and fibromyalgia : While both conditions can cause excruciating pain, both
also respond well to positive influences like exercise, diet and hot/cold therapy. To
help minimize winter's impact on these two chronic ailments, be sure to stay active
and maintain prescribed medications and therapies. Dress warmly when going
outdoors, wearing layers that help trap heat near your body.

Turn to hot and cold therapy to soothe sore muscles and aching joints. You don't
need to resort to a hot water bottle or an ice pack to get hot/cold therapy relief. The
IMAK Therapy Wrap is a 38-inch wrap that fits virtually any part of the body.
Insertable gel packs can be heated or chilled, depending on what works for your
pain. Breathable cotton Lycra fabric keeps the wrap comfortable against the skin.

Hot and cold therapy had also proven useful in treating normal aches and pains
associated with aging, and with pain resulting from injury. To avoid common winter
injuries from shoveling snow or slips and falls, follow this advice:

* Stretch before you start, just as you would if engaging in a workout.

* Shovel while it's still snowing and shovel repeatedly throughout the snowfall. That
way, you're not trying to move a large amount of heavy, wet snow when the
snowfall is over and the accumulation greater.
* Use a small shovel - a large one may tempt you to overdo it - and let the stronger
muscles of your legs do most of the lifting and pushing work. Bend at the knees to
avoid excess strain on your back.

If you do overdo it and wind up with some aches and pains, turn to hot and cold
therapy to soothe sore muscles.

Other outdoor dangers : Raking leaves, shoveling snow, even sitting for long hours
in the cold on stadium bleachers watching a football game - all can put undue strain
on your neck and shoulders. When performing outdoor physical activity that could
strain your neck, be sure to take regular breaks, and let your strong leg muscles do
as much of the work as possible. If you're sitting for long periods in the cold, dress
warmly in layers and be sure to protect your neck with a warm scarf. Shift position
often, standing up when possible, bending forward and gently stretching your neck,
arm and shoulder muscles to avoid stiffness.

Finally, be aware of the risk and dangers of inclement winter weather. Slips on ice
and frostbite from snow send thousands to emergency rooms every winter. If you
must walk on ice, take measures to ensure your footing is good, such as using special
cleats that attach to your shoes or wearing thick-soled snow boots. Never shovel
snow, play in snow or spend time outdoors in snow unless you are appropriately
dressed in warm layers, including hat, gloves and warm boots.

With a few precautions and the right therapy, you can enjoy winter months free of
the aches and pains associated with colder weather.

QUESTIONS – Circle the most appropriate answer

Q1 The text about planning for healthy ageing claims:

a. people over 65 will find it difficult to see a doctor of their choice
b. regular medical testing is going to be essential for staying healthy
c. regular medical testing for heart related problems is important
d. healthy diet and exercise helps prevent cancer

Q2 To prevent disease and maintain one’s health as we get older:

a. older folk should talk with their physician regularly about their general health
b. older folk should make sure they undergo all preventative health checks
c. people aged 50 or older and weigh less than 154 pounds (70 Kg) should get checked for the onset
of prostate cancer as soon as possible
d. all of the above

Q3 Things to talk about with the doctor:

a. problems that come and go
b. lifestyle
c. bad habits or attitudes
d. all of the above

Q4 Legislation changes planned for the American Medicare system :

a. may jeopardise compensation payments to physicians due to a planned 21% payment cut
b. will ensure that nearly all people aged 50 or order will be looked after
c. is going to preserve access to care for all
d. none of the above
Q5 Some of the solutions for staying young and healthy are:
a. staying employed
b. staying active
c. develop a healthy attitude towards aches and pains
d. practice yoga

Q6 HGH therapy:
a. is expensive and only used by celebrities and the wealthy
b. is now cheaper because of an all-natural product which replaces HGH in our own bodies
c. does away with the need for prescription drugs
d. helps many different common ailments that come with aging

Q7 The cold and wet associated with Winter:

a. can help relieve stiffness in joints
b. can make arthritis and other aches and pain worse particularly after exercising
c. makes it essential to wear warm clothing when outdoors to minimize its impact
d. can make you want to exercise

Q8 Some ways to treat or avoid aching body joints is to:

a. use cotton Lycra fabric
b. put heated (or chilled) IMAK gel packs on the affected area
c. stretch well after exercise
d. exercise before going to bed

Q9 Outdoor dangers and ways to combat them:

a. simple activities like raking up leaves or clearing snow can make us very hungry
b. sitting still for long hours in the cold outdoors can strain necks and shoulders
c. avoid stiffness by lying flat in a layered position
d. frostbite is best if avoided