Studies have shown that gum disease, missing teeth and other signs of poor oral health, as well as poor brushing habits and lack of plaque removal, increase stroke risk. According to the American Stroke Association, stroke is the number 5 cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the United States. Previous research has also found that gum disease and other oral health concerns are linked to heart disease risk factors and other conditions like high blood pressure.

“What hasn’t been clear is whether poor oral health affected brain health, meaning the functional status of a person’s brain, which we are now able to understand better using neuroimaging tools such as magnetic resonance imaging or MRI,” said study author Cyprien Rivier, M.D., M.S., a postdoctoral fellow in neurology at the Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut. “Studying oral health is especially important because poor oral health happens frequently and is an easily modifiable risk factor – everyone can effectively improve their oral health with minimal time and financial investment.”

Just as healthy lifestyle choices impact the risk of heart disease and stroke, they also affect brain health, which includes one’s ability to remember things, think clearly and function in life. Three in five people in the U.S. will develop brain disease in their lifetime, according to latest estimates from the American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association.

Between 2014 and 2021, researchers in this study analyzed the potential link between oral health and brain health among about 40,000 adults (46% men, average age 57 years) without a history of stroke enrolled in the U.K. Biobank. Participants were screened for 105 genetic variants known to predispose persons to have cavities, dentures and missing teeth later in life, and the relationship between the burden of these genetic risk factors for poor oral health and brain health was evaluated.

Signs of poor brain health were screened via MRI images of the participants’ brains: white matter hyperintensities, defined as accumulated damage in the brain’s white matter, which may impair memory, balance and mobility; and microstructural damage, which is the degree to which the fine architecture of the brain has changed in comparison to images for a normal brain scan of a healthy adult of similar age.

The analysis found:

• People who were genetically prone to cavities, missing teeth or needing dentures had a higher burden of silent cerebrovascular disease, as represented by a 24% increase in the amount of white matter hyperintensities visible on the MRI images.
• Those with overall genetically poor oral health had increased damage to the fine architecture of the brain, as represented by a 43% change in microstructural damage scores visible on the MRI scans. Microstructural damage scores are whole-brain summaries of the damage sustained by the fine architecture of each brain region.

“Poor oral health may cause declines in brain health, so we need to be extra careful with our oral hygiene because it has implications far beyond the mouth,” Rivier said. “However, this study is preliminary, and more evidence needs to be gathered – ideally through clinical trials – to confirm improving oral health in the population will lead to brain health benefits.”

The analysis was limited by the fact that the UK Biobank includes only people who reside in the U.K., and they are predominantly of European ancestry (94% of the U.K. Biobank participants reported their race as white vs. 6% reported as mixed, Black British, Asian British or other). In addition, more research among people from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds is needed.

American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association, Stroke Council member and volunteer expert Joseph P. Broderick, M.D., FAHA, a professor at the University of Cincinnati Department of Neurology and Rehabilitation Medicine and director of the University of Cincinnati Gardner Neuroscience Institute in Cincinnati, Ohio, said while the study results don’t demonstrate that dental hygiene improves brain health, the findings are “intriguing” and should prompt more research.

“Environmental factors such as smoking and health conditions such as diabetes are much stronger risk factors for poor oral health than any genetic marker – except for rare genetic conditions associated with poor oral health, such as defective or missing enamel,” Broderick said. “It is still good advice to pay attention to oral hygiene and health. However, since people with poor brain health are likely to be less attentive to good oral health compared to those with normal brain health, it is impossible to prove cause and effect. Also, genetic profiles for increased risk of oral health may overlap with genetic risk factors for other chronic health conditions like diabetes, hypertension, stroke, infections, etc. that are known to be related to brain imaging markers.“ Broderick was not involved in this study.

Co-authors are Daniela Renedo, M.D.; Adam H. de Havenon, M.D., M.S.C.I.; Sam Pyabvash, M.D.; Kevin N. Sheth, M.D.; and Guido J. Falcone, M.D., Sc.D., M.P.H. Authors’ disclosures are listed in the abstract.

The study was funded by the American Heart Association through the Bugher Center for Hemorrhagic Stroke Research Network (AHA grant #817874). U.K. Biobank data were accessed using project application 58743.

Statements and conclusions of studies that are presented at the American Heart Association’s scientific meetings are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect the Association’s policy or position. The Association makes no representation or guarantee as to their accuracy or reliability. Abstracts presented at the Association’s scientific meetings are not peer-reviewed, rather, they are curated by independent review panels and are considered based on the potential to add to the diversity of scientific issues and views discussed at the meeting. The findings are considered preliminary until published as a full manuscript in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.

The Association receives funding primarily from individuals; foundations and corporations (including pharmaceutical, device manufacturers and other companies) also make donations and fund specific Association programs and events. The Association has strict policies to prevent these relationships from influencing the science content. Revenues from pharmaceutical and biotech companies, device manufacturers and health insurance providers and the Association’s overall financial information are available here.

Additional Resources:

• Video Perspective from American Stroke Association volunteer expert Joseph P. Broderick, M.D., FAHA and additional multimedia are available on the right column of the release link https://newsroom.heart.org/news/poor-oral-health-may-contribute-to-declines-in-brain-health?preview=3775f290c7c9c8d8377e78cb8d00e8c2
• Spanish news release
• Abstracts on ASA’s International Stroke Conference 2023 Online Program Planner 
• AHA News story: Health conditions a dentist might find that have nothing to do with your teeth (Aug. 2022)
• AHA News story: Could the path to better brain health involve better mouth care? (Nov. 2021)
• AHA news release: Gum disease, inflammation, hardened arteries may be linked to stroke risk (Feb. 2020)
• For more news at ASA International Stroke Conference 2023, follow us on Twitter @HeartNews #ISC23

The American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference (ISC) is the world’s premier meeting dedicated to the science and treatment of cerebrovascular disease. ISC 2023 will be held in person in Dallas and virtually, Feb. 8-10, 2023. The three-day conference will feature more than a thousand compelling presentations in categories that emphasize basic, clinical and translational sciences as research evolves toward a better understanding of stroke pathophysiology with the goal of developing more effective therapies. Engage in the International Stroke Conference on social media via #ISC23.

About the American Stroke Association

The American Stroke Association is devoted to saving people from stroke — the No. 2 cause of death in the world and a leading cause of serious disability. We team with millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies and provide lifesaving tools and information to prevent and treat stroke. The Dallas-based association officially launched in 1998 as a division of the American Heart Association. To learn more or to get involved, call 1-888-4STROKE or visit stroke.org. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter.

Hearing aid technology keeps evolving, which means there’s a growing variety of styles and features to consider.

“People who already use a hearing aid know that selecting one is not a simple decision,” says Eric Mann, M.D., Ph.D., chief medical officer in the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) office responsible for hearing aids. “Hearing loss affects people in different ways. So, it’s important to choose a hearing aid that’s appropriate for your condition and fits your lifestyle.”

The FDA regulates hearing aids to make sure they are safe and effective. If you’re considering hearing aids, the agency shares below, in a Consumer Update, some common technologies and terms you may encounter and notes a change that’s coming to how hearing aids are sold.

Hearing Aids and How They Work

People may be born with hearing loss. Or they may develop it later in life—often because the inner ear can wear out as we age or be damaged by years of exposure to loud noises.

In some cases, hearing loss is temporary and can be restored with medical help. In other cases, it’s permanent but can be improved with hearing aids.

Hearing aids are medical devices worn behind or in the ear. They can improve hearing by making sounds louder. However, hearing aids usually won’t restore your hearing to normal levels or quality in the way that eyeglasses can often restore vision to 20/20.

Air-conduction vs. bone-conduction hearing aids

Most hearing aids work through air conduction. They bring amplified sound into the ear canal. Sound then moves through the eardrum and three tiny bones in the middle ear to reach the inner ear, where it’s processed and sent to the brain.

For people who have problems with their outer or middle ear, those areas can be bypassed with bone-conduction hearing aids. They send sound through the skull to reach the inner ear.

Styles of Hearing Aids

Types of hearing aids include Behind the ear, Receiver in the canal or ear, In the ear, In the canal, and Completely in the canal

Behind-the-ear (BTE) aids: BTE hearing aids are generally the largest hearing aid style. A plastic case containing most of the electronics sits behind the ear and is connected to an earmold that fits in the ear canal. BTE hearing aids can be used by people of all ages. The style is often chosen for young children because it can be adapted as they grow.

Receiver-in-the-canal (RIC) aids: RIC (or mini receiver-in-the-ear; mini RITE) hearing aids sit behind the ear but are typically smaller than a BTE. The RIC hearing aid is attached to a tube housing a small wire with a dome-shaped tip at the end that rests in the ear canal (in some cases, earmolds are used). The RIC design allows more of the ear canal to remain open and is less visible than the BTE style.

In-the-ear (ITE) aids: This hearing aid sits completely in the outer ear (the “bowl” of the ear). All the hearing aid electronics are housed in a custom-fit shell.

In-the-canal (ITC) aids and completely-in-the-canal (CIC) aids: These are the smallest hearing aids currently available. The electronics are contained in a small custom-fit shell that fits partly or completely into the ear canal.  Some people may like them because they are less noticeable while other people may find them harder to handle.

Hearing Aid Features

Today’s hearing aids come with a variety of features. Here are some of the more common ones.

Directional microphones focus on sound from a specific direction. They could help you hear someone in a face-to-face conversation over the noise around you, for example.

Telecoils enable the hearing aid to pick up sound directly from compatible phones or compatible sound systems in public places, such as theaters and houses of worship.

Wireless connectivity such as Bluetooth allows hearing aids to interact with televisions, cellphones, computers or tablets.

Getting Hearing Aids

Medical evaluation is required for children younger than 18 years of age

While hearing loss in adults is often caused by aging or noise exposure, the reasons for hearing loss in children are more varied and may be associated with other medical conditions requiring medical evaluation and treatment. So, the FDA requires a statement of a doctor’s exam before the sale of hearing aids for children.

The FDA does not intend to enforce the requirement that people 18 years of age and older have a medical evaluation statement (or sign a waiver) before the sale of certain hearing aids.

Hearing aids typically are sold by audiologists; ear, nose and throat doctors; or sellers licensed to dispense hearing aids, such as instrument specialists.

Proposed Over-the-Counter (OTC) Hearing Aids

Some hearing aids can be legally sold directly to the user over the internet or through mail order if permitted in your state.

To broaden access to hearing aids, the FDA is proposing a new category of over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids that you could buy in the store or online without seeing a physician for an exam or an audiologist for help with fitting. After the new FDA regulations are finalized, hearing aids could become more widely available nationwide.

The proposed OTC rules would apply to certain air-conduction hearing aids intended for people age 18 and older who have perceived mild to moderate hearing loss. A person with mild hearing loss may hear some speech sounds but not others. A person with moderate hearing loss may hear almost no speech when someone is talking at a normal level.

“We want hearing aids to be more readily available and accessible, especially as our population ages,” Mann explains. “It’s also important for people to recognize that hearing loss could be a sign of an easily treatable problem like built-up earwax or a more serious problem like a benign tumor on the hearing nerve. See a doctor when things don’t feel right, when your hearing loss is progressing, or if you are having associated symptoms like dizziness, ear pain, or drainage from the ear canal.”

Hearing Aids vs. Personal Sound Amplification Products

You may have seen products in stores or online that are known as personal sound amplification products (PSAPs). These are not alternatives to hearing aids.

While hearing aids and PSAPs both amplify sound for the user, the products have different intended uses. Hearing aids are intended to make up for impaired hearing. PSAPs, in contrast, are intended for people with normal hearing to amplify sounds in certain situations, such as recreational activities like birdwatching or hunting.

Because such PSAPs are regulated as consumer electronics and not medical devices, they may be more variable in terms of product quality compared to hearing aids. The FDA does not regulate such PSAPs for safety and effectiveness as it does for hearing aids.

For more information, click here to visit the National Institute on Deafness and Other Hearing Disorders, part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

That’s why older Americans need to be especially careful and – in the case of the very elderly – family members may need to step in to make sure they are taking the right precautions.

As with just about everyone, coronavirus is touching all areas of the lives of seniors, from health to finances to how they socialize. Here are my tips on things seniors and their families can do:

• Prioritize healthy practices.

Follow health guidelines. Wash your hands, avoid touching your face, and sanitize surfaces. Social distancing and staying in place have become important new additions to our lifestyle because avoiding contact with infected people is the surest way to prevent contracting the virus. Grocery stores and retailers have set up senior-only shopping hours, and seniors should take advantage of those. In addition, food delivery services can bring take-out meals or groceries to your home.

• Trust nursing homes.

Despite the tragic deaths that occurred at Life Care Center’s nursing home in Kirkland, Wash., the nursing home industry has been working around the clock in every community to protect their residents. Nursing homes are always vigilant for influenza, pneumonia, and other viral outbreaks. If you have a loved one in a nursing home, do not go visit. Stay in touch remotely through a cell phone, computer, or the staff to help the nursing home avoid contamination.

• Know what financial resources are available.

We’ve experienced a stock market drop, but It is important at times like this to not ‘panic sell’ and lock in your losses There are still safety nets and even financial opportunities that can help seniors. For example, the passage of the CARES Act will pump $2 trillion into the economy. Social Security income, Medicare, and Medicaid payments remain unchanged. Income from annuities remains guaranteed.

For owners of permanent life insurance policies, there are a couple of options to get liquidity from this asset. If the owner wants to keep the policy in force, they can take out a policy loan for upwards of 90% of the cash surrender value. If the policy owner wants to stop paying premiums, they could use a life settlement to sell the policy under tax-favorable conditions to receive a percentage of their death benefit as a lump-sum today.

• Beware of scams.

Seniors often are prime targets of scams, and with their heightened level of distress, could be even more susceptible than usual, Orestis says. “Be on the lookout for such things as emails from imposters of the CDC asking you to open a link or download a list telling you where positive cases are in your area,” he says.

• Vet your news sources.

The coronavirus is getting round-the-clock news coverage. But mixed into the information coming from reliable sources is a flood of misinformation. Fact-check information by reading statistics from the websites of reliable medical resources and verified news organizations. Don’t fall for conflicting statistics or attempts to minimize the severity of the outbreak by comparing it to car accidents, the flu, or other outbreaks. The danger is people can be lulled into underestimating the danger and let their guard down.

No one is sure how long this crisis will last or what the outcome could be. But the most vulnerable members of our population can protect themselves by following smart health practices, avoiding unwise financial decisions, taking advantage of financial safety-nets, and being on the lookout for scams and bad information.”

Chris Orestis, known as the “Retirement Genius,” is President of LifeCare Xchange and a nationally recognized healthcare expert and senior advocate. He has 25 years experience in the insurance and long-term care industries, and is credited with pioneering the Long-Term Care Life Settlement over a decade ago. Known as a political insider, Orestis is a former Washington, D.C., lobbyist who has worked in both the White House and for the Senate Majority Leader on Capitol Hill. Orestis is author of the books Help on the Way and A Survival Guide to Aging, and has been speaking for over a decade across the country about senior finance and the secrets to aging with physical and financial health. He is a frequent columnist for Broker World, ThinkAdvisor, IRIS, and NewsMax Finance, has been a featured guest on over 50 radio programs, and has appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, CNBC, NBC News, Fox News, USA Today, Kiplinger’s, Investor’s Business Daily, PBS, and numerous other media outlets.

But for retirees who aren’t counting on the check to pay bills because they draw Social Security and can tap retirement savings, there are numerous options to put that stimulus check to good use.

The stimulus money provides an opportunity to help a family member, add savings, pay down debt, or take care of some things you’ve been putting off. Retirees should look at their current situation and determine if the money is best used short-term or for future considerations.

I suggest five ways for retirees to use their stimulus check:

• Bulk up your emergency savings.

  The rule of thumb regarding an emergency fund is having enough money in quickly accessible cash to pay for at least three months’ worth of living expenses, If your fund is short, add your stimulus check.

• Invest it in stable places.

  If a retiree doesn’t absolutely need their stimulus check, it could turn out to be a nice bonus by growing it through investment. People are understandably hesitant about the volatile stock market now, It has bounced back a few times recently and no one should panic sell or buy. Another stable investment is in maintaining a life insurance policy instead of allowing it to lapse. Life insurance policies are a stable asset that guarantee the face value and also have secondary market value if the owner decides to sell it off with a life settlement.

• Invest in your health.

  Seniors are among the most vulnerable groups to suffer extreme symptoms from the coronavirus. Add that to feelings of isolation and not seeing family, and it would be productive to spend the stimulus on an activity that would boost their wellness, both physically and mentally. Fitness equipment, an online fitness class, appointments with a social worker for counseling, or perhaps some added technology to help stay connected to loved ones and others.

• Help a family member.

  With so many people hurting financially from this crisis, retirees in a good position currently have a wonderful opportunity with these checks to provide added support for loved ones, especially those among the millions now out of work.

• Spend it on overdue repairs.

  This is an investment in a way, because spending on a car or home issue that’s relatively inexpensive now could save you from much bigger costs later if those issues are left unattended. “A lot of people put off home projects, car repairs or maintenance because they want to conserve funds and limit retirement withdrawals. Your stimulus check could be money well spent to prevent big expenditures.

Americans are suffering financially, and seniors aren’t necessarily the exception. It’s a welcome bonus for many, so they should be sure to use it, or save it, wisely. Those that have the wiggle room to spend it can make their lives easier through this difficult time.

Chris Orestis (www.retirementgenius.com) is President of LifeCare Xchange and a nationally recognized healthcare expert and senior advocate. He has 25 years experience in the insurance and long-term care industries, and is credited with pioneering the Long-Term Care Life Settlement over a decade ago. A political insider, Orestis is a former Washington, D.C., lobbyist who has worked in both the White House and for the Senate Majority Leader on Capitol Hill. Orestis is author of the books Help on the Way and A Survival Guide to Aging, and has been speaking for over a decade across the country about senior finance and the secrets to aging with physical and financial health. He is a frequent columnist for Broker World, ThinkAdvisor, IRIS, and NewsMax Finance, has been a featured guest on over 50 radio programs, and has appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, CNBC, NBC News, Fox News, USA Today, Kiplinger’s, Investor’s Business Daily, PBS, and numerous other media outlets.

That’s why older Americans need to be especially careful and – in the case of the very elderly – family members may need to step in to make sure they are taking the right precautions.

As with just about everyone, coronavirus is touching all areas of the lives of seniors, from health to finances to how they socialize. Here are a few tips on things seniors and their families can do:

Prioritize healthy practices.

Follow health guidelines. Wash your hands, avoid touching your face, and sanitize surfaces. Social distancing and staying in place have become important new additions to our lifestyle because avoiding contact with infected people is the surest way to prevent contracting the virus. Grocery stores and retailers have set up senior-only shopping hours, and seniors should take advantage of those. In addition, food delivery services can bring take-out meals or groceries to your home.

Trust nursing homes.

Despite the tragic deaths that occurred at Life Care Center’s nursing home in Kirkland, Washington, the nursing home industry has been working around the clock in every community to protect their residents. Nursing homes are always vigilant for influenza, pneumonia, and other viral outbreaks. If you have a loved one in a nursing home, do not go visit. Stay in touch remotely through a cell phone, computer, or the staff to help the nursing home avoid contamination.

Know what financial resources are available.

We’ve experienced a stock market drop, but It is important at times like this to not “panic sell” and lock in your losses. He points out there are still safety nets and even financial opportunities that can help seniors. For example, the passage of the CARES Act will pump $2 trillion into the economy. Social Security income, Medicare, and Medicaid payments remain unchanged. Income from annuities remains guaranteed.

For owners of permanent life insurance policies, there are a couple of options to get liquidity from this asset. If the owner wants to keep the policy in force, they can take out a policy loan for upwards of 90% of the cash surrender value. If the policy owner wants to stop paying premiums, they could use a life settlement to sell the policy under tax-favorable conditions to receive a percentage of their death benefit as a lump-sum today.

Beware of scams.

Seniors often are prime targets of scams, and with their heightened level of distress, could be even more susceptible than usual. Be on the lookout for such things as emails from imposters of the CDC asking you to open a link or download a list telling you where positive cases are in your area.

Vet your news sources.

The coronavirus is getting round-the-clock news coverage. But mixed into the information coming from reliable sources is a flood of misinformation. Fact-check information by reading statistics from the websites of reliable medical resources and verified news organizations. Don’t fall for conflicting statistics or attempts to minimize the severity of the outbreak by comparing it to car accidents, the flu, or other outbreaks. The danger is people can be lulled into underestimating the danger and let their guard down.

No one is sure how long this crisis will last or what the outcome could be. But the most vulnerable members of our population can protect themselves by following smart health practices, avoiding unwise financial decisions, taking advantage of financial safety-nets, and being on the lookout for scams and bad information.

Chris Orestis, known as the “Retirement Genius,” is President of LifeCare Xchange and a nationally recognized healthcare expert and senior advocate. He has 25 years experience in the insurance and long-term care industries, and is credited with pioneering the Long-Term Care Life Settlement over a decade ago. Known as a political insider, Orestis is a former Washington, D.C., lobbyist who has worked in both the White House and for the Senate Majority Leader on Capitol Hill. Orestis is author of the books Help on the Way and A Survival Guide to Aging, and has been speaking for over a decade across the country about senior finance and the secrets to aging with physical and financial health. He is a frequent columnist for Broker World, ThinkAdvisor, IRIS, and NewsMax Finance, has been a featured guest on over 50 radio programs, and has appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, CNBC, NBC News, Fox News, USA Today, Kiplinger’s, Investor’s Business Daily, PBS, and numerous other media outlets.

Falls are the leading cause of deadly injuries in the United States.

“Prior studies have shown that hearing loss is an independent risk factor for falls, even for those who were not dizzy. However, the reason why has never been completely understood, although it is believed to be related to the inner ear. This study found that the sounds we hear affect our balance by giving us important information about the environment. We use sound information to keep ourselves balanced, especially in cases where other senses—such as vision or proprioception—are compromised,” said senior author Maura Cosetti, MD, Associate Professor of Otolaryngology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and Director of the Ear Institute at NYEE. “Balance is complicated and involves the coordination of many different sensory inputs. When people fall, doctors typically focus on vision issues, check for neuropathy in their feet and bone issues, and fully ignore issues related to hearing. This review highlights the importance of hearing for our sense of balance. And because hearing loss is treatable, getting hearing checked is a crucial first step.”

In this study, a team of researchers from Mount Sinai and New York University’s Steinhardt School of Culture conducted a comprehensive analysis of all published research since inception (PubMed, Cochran Database of Scopus) that investigated the association between sound and standing balance. They looked at 28 medical articles involving more than 700 patients. Many of the studies focused on fields that clinicians who treat falls would not typically encounter, such as sound engineering, computer science, physics, and psychology. The authors combined all of the studies and looked for trends in the data.

The studies analyzed mostly healthy adults, but also looked at patients with congenital blindness, vestibular loss (damage to the inner ear causing balance and eye issues, including vertigo), and different levels of hearing loss. All research examined how sounds affected someone’s ability to keep their balance while standing still, often with their eyes closed and when standing on a pliable, squishy surface. They also looked at how wearing noise-canceling headphones (a complete lack of sound) affected balance. Some studies played white noise or static, while others used environmental sounds such as cocktail party chatter or running water. They found that people had more difficulty staying balanced or standing still on an uneven surface when it was quiet, but had better balance while listening to sounds.

The authors found that the type of sound was important when it comes to balance. More specifically, continuous background noise (usually static) was the most helpful for subjects to keep their center of gravity. Some types of sounds actually caused poor balance; for example, some people who listened to sound jumping back and forth through headphones (i.e. beeping that went from left to right) had difficulty standing upright. The authors believe this may be because sound can act as an “auditory anchor.” More specifically, people use sounds like white noise to help unconsciously create a mental image of the environment to keep ourselves grounded. The research analysis also showed that sound became more important for balance when the subjects were given difficult balancing tasks (e.g., standing on a moving floor) or if the patients had pre-existing sensory issues. When people with vision loss, hearing loss, or balance problems heard stationary sounds, their posture dramatically improved. This suggests people rely more on hearing when other senses are impaired.

“This research suggests that sounds can have a stabilizing effect on balance—maybe acting as an anchor that patients can lean on when other senses are less reliable—and shows that being unable to hear sounds resulted in poorer balance. Ultimately an inability to hear puts patients at higher risk for instability and falls,” adds Dr. Cosetti. “Elderly patients have a number of factors that put them at greater risk of falling, and hearing loss is a significant and under-recognized contributor. Age related hearing loss is prevalent, affecting up to two-thirds of those over the age of 70, and should be considered and checked in those at high risk for falls. Future research will confirm whether treating that hearing loss (with hearing aids or other implants) will also serve as a type of ‘balance aid’ like a cane, giving access to important information that could be used to improve balance and decrease fall risk.”

The analysis highlighted large gaps in research on hearing loss and balance. Future studies are needed that look at different levels of hearing loss, and how hearing aids and cochlear implants affect balance. The researchers added that more studies using everyday sounds like traffic or shopping malls or airports are necessary to understand more about fall risks in people with hearing loss. Also, more studies focused on older adults need to be conducted.

The Mount Sinai Health System is New York City’s largest academic medical system, encompassing eight hospitals, a leading medical school, and a vast network of ambulatory practices throughout the greater New York region. Mount Sinai is a national and international source of unrivaled education, translational research and discovery, and collaborative clinical leadership ensuring that we deliver the highest quality care—from prevention to treatment of the most serious and complex human diseases. The Health System includes more than 7,200 physicians and features a robust and continually expanding network of multispecialty services, including more than 400 ambulatory practice locations throughout the five boroughs of New York City, Westchester, and Long Island. The Mount Sinai Hospital is ranked No. 14 on U.S. News & World Report’s “Honor Roll” of the Top 20 Best Hospitals in the country and the Icahn School of Medicine as one of the Top 20 Best Medical Schools in country. Mount Sinai Health System hospitals are consistently ranked regionally by specialty by U.S. News & World Report.

For more information, visit https://www.mountsinai.org or find Mount Sinai on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

According to a release from the American Heart Association, almost one-quarter of adults have metabolic syndrome, a set of factors that in combination amplify a person’s risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke and other illnesses. In the new research, participants were considered metabolically unhealthy if they had two or more such factors: high blood pressure; high blood sugar; high blood triglyceride levels; or low levels of HDL, the “good” cholesterol – or if they took medicine for diabetes, high blood pressure or cholesterol.

Researchers used magnetic resonance imaging and tests of thinking skills to evaluate more than 2,100 women and men ages 37 to 55. Compared with the healthiest participants, those who were metabolically unhealthy, obese or both showed evidence of brain decline.

“This has public health implications, since poor metabolic health is also associated with poor brain health,” said lead researcher Dr. Rebecca Angoff, clinical fellow in medicine at Harvard Medical School’s Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. “This is further ammunition for health care workers to convince patients to change their lifestyles and to work on early prevention with their patients.”

The preliminary study was presented this week at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions in Philadelphia.

Participants were part of the Framingham Heart Study, a decades-long investigation of cardiovascular disease risk. None had diabetes or neurological conditions such as stroke or dementia.

Among people who were metabolically unhealthy, MRIs revealed lower total cerebral brain volume – in essence, a smaller brain – than was measured in metabolically healthy people.

Lower cerebral brain volume is a sign of injury throughout the brain that leads to the loss of neurons and supporting cells, Angoff said. “Aging, decreased blood flow and diseases like Alzheimer’s can lead to a smaller brain.”

Participants who were both metabolically unhealthy and obese showed the most signs of subtle injury to the brain’s white matter – tissue that provides crucial connections throughout the brain. These injuries, which have been linked to early Alzheimer’s disease, result from blood vessel abnormalities and may be due to risk factors such as high blood pressure and diabetes, Angoff said.

On the cognitive tests, obesity was linked to poorer scores. Specifically, those who were obese but metabolically healthy performed worse on a combination of six tests of thinking skills, and on individual tests that measured verbal memory and abstract reasoning. Participants who were obese and metabolically unhealthy scored lower for abstract reasoning and on a test measuring visual details and spatial memory.

Differences in MRI and cognitive test results may reflect early, subtle signs of an aging brain, the researchers said. “This subclinical brain aging may precede clinically visible decline, but it’s unclear if these findings affect daily functioning,” Angoff said.

Nearly 4 in 10 Americans are considered obese, based on having a body mass index of at least 30. That translates to a weight of 175 pounds for a 5-foot-4 woman or 200 pounds for a 5-foot-9 man.

Although BMI is commonly used to gauge obesity and health risk, researcher Judith Wylie-Rosett, who was not involved in the new study, said she’d be interested in focusing on people’s waist-to-height ratio or waistline measurement as a health indicator. That’s because regardless of a person’s weight, a bigger belly can be a sign of fat buildup around abdominal organs, which could affect the liver or be associated with other metabolic abnormalities.

Evidence is growing that heart health goes hand in hand with brain health, said Wylie-Rosett, professor and division head of health behavior research and implementation science at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City. So, “lifestyle and medical interventions that reduce cardiovascular risk may also reduce the risk of dementia,” she said.

Specifically, a diet high in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, fish and unsaturated fats has been found to promote brain health, she said. And studies in people 50 and older show regular, moderately intense physical activity can improve brain function.

Preserving brain health is increasingly urgent as the massive baby-boom generation grows old and faces greater risk of mental decline. “With the aging of the U.S. population,” Wylie-Rosett said, “could a campaign to promote healthy eating and physical activity reduce projection for memory loss for the ‘boomer’ generation?”

To find out more about what the AHA does, click here (heart.org).

The numbers are startling and frightening: the National Council on Aging (NCOA), citing information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), notes that falls are the leading cause of fatal injuries for older Americans. One in four Americans age 65 and over fall each year. In the U.S., an older adult is treated in the emergency room for a fall every 11 seconds, and an older adult dies from a fall every 19 minutes. The average cost to treat a fall is $30,000, according to the National Council for Aging Care.

Here are four exercises you can do to increase your balance. Of course, always consult your physician and get his or her approval before attempting any of these exercises.

Sit-to-Stand

1. Sit in a firm, standard chair that has armrests.
2. Shift forward until your buttocks are near the front of the seat and place your feet firmly on the ground. Your toes should be directly under your knees.
3. Shift your body weight forward slightly towards your toes as you stand up. Try not to use your hands.
4. To sit back down, stand with the back of your legs one inch from the edge of the chair. Bend your knees and lean your torso forward slightly as you reach your buttocks toward the back of the chair. Your knees should be above your toes.
5. Lower yourself slowly into the seat without using your hands.
6. If you must use your hands, grab the armrest and lower yourself back down slowly to the seat using your legs.

Start with one set of 10 repetitions each day. The goal is three sets a day.

Single-Leg Stance

1. Simply stand on your right foot without letting it touch your left leg.
2. Look forward and balance.
3. Repeat while standing on your left foot.

Repetitions: Start standing for five seconds on each side, a total of 10 times each. The goal is to stand for 10 seconds on each side.

With time and practice, you’ll be able to improve your balance.

Forward Lunges

Forward lunges have more advanced movement than other exercises, so anyone with knee issues should be careful not to overexert themselves.

Stand up and take a large step forward with your right leg.

1. Bend your right knee as you bring most of your weight forward onto your right leg.
2. Keep your torso upright and do not let your right knee bend past your right toes.
3. Your left knee should be slightly bent.
4. Push into standing again while also contracting your right buttock and thigh muscles.
5. Do not shift your weight backward onto the left leg. Make sure to control the motion in both directions.
6. Hold and repeat.
7. Repeat this exercise lunging forward with the left leg.

Repetitions: Start with five lunges on each side once a day. If it doesn’t make you sore, add an additional lunge until you are doing 10 lunges on each side, one time a day.

Vision Tracking

Vision is the number one sensory system the brain uses for balance. Of all senses, vision is the most negatively impacted by age and time. For this reason, exercising while training your eyes is vital.

Bend your right elbow so that your thumb rests a few inches from your face.

1. Slowly move your thumb to the right and then to the left as far as you can without it being uncomfortable. Follow only your thumb with your eyes and do not move your head.
2. After that, move your thumb up and then down. Follow with your eyes only the entire time and do not move your head.
3. When complete, hold your thumb out at arm’s length and repeat the exercise. You can switch to using your left thumb, if desired.

Repetitions: Three sets for 20 seconds each.

Falls can be both dangerous and scary, but these exercises can help prevent them. With time and practice, you’ll be able to improve your balance and set yourself up for success as you get older.

 FLU SYMPTOMS IN ELDERLY CAN INCLUDE: 

• Weakness
• Dizziness
• Loss of Appetite
• Delirium

Also, monitor any senior’s diet. You want to make sure seniors are making healthy choices like these to build up strength and immunity during flu season.

• Whole Grains – Whole grains contain brown rice, oats and buckwheat which studies say help build healthy bacteria in your stomach, plus whole grains are loaded with zinc, an immune booster.
• Garlic – This popular addition to many dishes contains allicine, a compound known to boost immunity.
• Chicken Soup – A study published in the American Journal of Therapeutics found most recipes for chicken soup include a compound called carnosine, which can mobilize the immune system to fight the early stages of flu.

Constantly wipe away flu germs.

The CDC reports viruses can live on surfaces for 24 hours and people with flu can spread it to others up to six feet away.  Throughout flu season use paper towels while cleaning. Germs like to grow in wet, moist areas like sponges and towels. Use paper towels with a disinfectant spray to frequently wipe down countertops, door knobs, light switches, railings and other surfaces a senior might touch throughout the day. You can also use a Lysol sanitizing wipe as a backup.

Frequently wash hands.

Flu germs easily spread when someone touches their nose, mouth or eyes. Health officials recommend you wash hands with soap and water.

Help seniors relax during flu season and make sure they get plenty of rest.

Experts advise seven to nine hours of sleep a night to help build up immunity.

Visiting Angels caregivers help seniors get ready for the day, plan and prepare meals, run errands, help them keep their homes tidy and provide much needed companionship. They are experts in their field and can quickly identify when a senior needs to get in front of a health care provider.

• Take several deep breaths to try to relax. Remain still on the floor or ground for a few moments. This will help you get over the shock of falling.
• Decide if you are hurt before getting up. Getting up too quickly or in the wrong way could make an injury worse.
• If you think you can get up safely without help, roll over onto your side. Rest again while your body and blood pressure adjust. Slowly get up on your hands and knees, and crawl to a sturdy chair.
• Put your hands on the chair seat and slide one foot forward so that it is flat on the floor. Keep the other leg bent so the knee is on the floor. From this kneeling position, slowly rise and turn your body to sit in the chair.
• If you are hurt or cannot get up on your own, ask someone for help or call 911.

If you are alone, try to get into a comfortable position and wait for help to arrive.

• Carrying a mobile or portable phone with you as you move about your house could make it easier to call someone if you need assistance. An emergency response system, which lets you push a button on a special necklace or bracelet to call for help, is another option.

Learn more about preventing falls and fractures on the National Institute for Aging website..