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Black people have a disproportionate association with dementia

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I’ve never met Wendy Williams. However, the news that she suffered from aphasia and frontotemporal dementia brought upon her a familiar feeling of grief and sympathy. My grandmother suffered from dementia, or more precisely, Alzheimer’s disease, and died in 2015. It’s hard to clarify the pain you’re feeling if you witness a loved one lose the qualities that make them who they’re and regularly develop into someone you do not recognize.

But Williams’ messages also taught a more universal lesson: Dementia doesn’t discriminate based on class, income or celebrity status. However, there are significant racial differences in diagnosis and treatment.

Racial disparities in diagnosis and treatment

– notes the Alzheimer’s Association frontotemporal dementia it causes damage to nerve cells that changes behavior, personality and the flexibility to grasp language and is less common than Alzheimer’s disease. Carl V. Hill, Ph.D., M.P.H.the corporate’s director of diversity, equity and inclusion Alzheimer’s Associationargues that Black people and other underserved communities are disproportionately affected by Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, and yet they’re less more likely to be diagnosed, recruited to take part in research, and have less access to care and support services.

He notes that Black Americans are roughly twice you usually tend to develop these two conditions that they bring about lack of cognitive functions that impair considering, remembering, learning, reasoning and more. Yet the risks and impacts of dementia in Black communities are vastly underestimated in comparison with its impact.

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“There are many factors contributing to family health disparities in disproportionately impacted communities,” Hill says, noting that systemic inequalities — including lack of wealth, poor early-life education, and low access to food and health care — are root causes of health disparities experienced by the Black and other communities related to Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. “Additionally, chronic health conditions associated with a higher risk of dementia, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, disproportionately affect Black/African American and Latino/Hispanic populations.”

Character identification

Sharon D. Allison-Ottey, MD, is a physician trained in internal medicine and geriatric medicine, and an writer, researcher, health advocate, speaker and health strategist who explains that dementia shouldn’t be a specific disease, but relatively generic term as a consequence of impaired ability to recollect, think or make decisions that interferes with on a regular basis activities.

“There are many other clues we should be aware of, such as an inability or difficulty doing tasks they used to do, a change in desire to go to social events or outings, or your loved one feeling noticeably anxious, confused, fearful or having a change in mood.” says Allison-Ottey. “Another red flag is problems with evaluating finances and other areas.” Here are some real-life examples of changes that would set off alarm bells:

  • Grandma has been baking pound cake for over a decade, but her last two attempts resulted in failure (i.e. omitted the sugar, burned the cake, etc.).
  • Your uncle is sensible, but now he seems neglected or not so smart, and also you notice that he takes a very long time to tie his shoes.
  • Grandpa lets everyone borrow money; now he has given large sums to a wayward grandson, a distant relative, a friend, and even a stranger.

“We should look for progressive and significant signs of memory impairment that impact daily life,” he says. “This includes losing things, having trouble remembering dates and faces, and even more troublesome issues like difficulty ‘finding words’ and repeating yourself can be part of early or late onset dementia,” he says.

What to do

She notes the importance of treating the one you love like an adult and asking others around them in the event that they, too, see the changes.

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Don’t assume what is going on on.

National Institute on Aging notes that many circumstances – so simple as medication uncomfortable side effects, sleep problems, low vitamin D levels or an unbalanced eating regimen, or as serious as head injuries, blood clots, cancer or thyroid problems – could cause similar symptoms. “A visit to the doctor will help sort everything out. Is it a short-term problem related to medication, normal aging, or early-to-mid-stage dementia?” says Allison-Ottey. ‘A specialist reminiscent of a geriatrician or neurologist could also be advisable as they might help guide initial and subsequent treatment. Family meeting and discussion are vital at every stage without a loved one, and definitely with a loved one.”

Engage more often.

She notes that it is important to talk over with family members “in a safe atmosphere” to see how they’re feeling and in the event that they notice changes of their memory, mood or each day activities. It also suggests routine phone calls, more frequent visits and residential security checks to ensure they will navigate the space. But don’t treat them like children and do not take away their autonomy. “I continue to emphasize that you respect their ‘adulthood’ and do not try to control their lives or drastically change them, as this may cause them to withdraw and become defensive,” she says. “If you believe your loved one is a danger to themselves, it is important to intervene appropriately.”

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Support them in visiting the doctor.

More knowledge is frightening but crucial. “If possible, ask if you can make an appointment with your GP to discuss the situation and offer to go with her,” advises Allison-Ottey. “Write down all your problems and concerns and you can send them to the office even if they don’t want you to go with them.”

Find a community.

Without my family members, it could be not possible to process the mourning after the lack of my grandmother. Community is important at every step of this process. “I tell diagnosed people and family caregivers that nobody has to undergo this disease alone. It’s vital to achieve out for help — from your loved ones, your personal network, the Alzheimer’s Association and other services in your community, says Hill, who reports that the Alzheimer’s Association has offices across the country.

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There were many moments – reminiscent of while playing music or talking – that I saw him come back to me. If I knew then what I do know now, I might have spent much more time with her and brought many more photos. It has been over ten years since we noticed these first symptoms. This journey has been painful more often than not, but I do not regret making the choice to become involved and support my grandmother in the ultimate stages of her life.

 

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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Health and Wellness

Why wearing sweat and playing in sudoku can be good measures of your overall health

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While aging is inevitable, good aging is something that we can influence. It isn’t just concerning the number of candles on the birthday cake – whether you’ve got a puff to blow them up, balance to wear a cake and memory to recollect why you’re celebrating.

How we age Our bodies change. Muscle mass shrinks, bones weaken, slow response times. But this doesn’t mean that we’re all intended for the longer term of walks and daytime television.

Aging isn’t about staying free from wrinkles-it will remain independent, mobile, acute mental and social. In gerontology, There is a saying: We wish to add life to years, not only for years of life. This means specializing in quality – the power to do what you’re keen on, move freely, think clearly and enjoy sometimes with others.

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There is not any universal definition, but some easy home tests can provide you with a good idea. It doesn’t require a elaborate laboratory – only a toothbrush, a stopwatch and a way of humor.



Oscillate

One funny (and surprisingly useful) way of testing the balance is to face on one leg when brushing teeth. If you can do it for 30 seconds or longer (eyes open), that is an incredible sign of lower body force, coordination and stability of posture.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJ46e0w0w

Found a study 2022 The incontrovertible fact that individuals who couldn’t balance one leg for ten seconds had an 84% higher risk of death in comparison with the median statement of seven years than those that could. As such, balance is like superpower for healthy aging – it reduces falls, supports mobility and can be improved at any age.

Grip

The strength of adhesion is greater than just opening jars. It is a strong overall health indicator, predicting heart health, cognitive functions and even a risk of mortality.

Studies show that for each 5 kg it reduces the strength of grip, risk of death For all reasons, it increased by 16%.

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You can test the grip power using a manual dynamometer (many gyms or clinics have them) or just concentrate to on a regular basis tasks-the bottles, moving food or tools turn into harder?

Floor feat for the feet

Can you sit on the ground and stand up without using your hands? This test is an actual measure of the strength and flexibility of the lower body, that are vital for each day activities and reduce the chance of falls. If you can do it, you’re in great shape.



If it is simply too difficult, try the SIT-to-Stand test. Using a chair (armless), see how much Transition to the Setting on Stand You can do in 30 seconds. This task is a good measure Lower limb function, muscle balance and strengthIt can also predict people threatened with falls AND Cardiovascular problems.

Mental sharpness

Cognitive functions can be measured in alternative ways, but some basic home tests are surprisingly eloquent. Try to call as many animals as possible in 30 seconds. Less than 12 may indicate anxiety; Over 18 is a good sign.

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Try the spelling “world” back or bring a brief list of three elements after a number of minutes. This skill is a vital strategy Increase memory in the elderly. Add a challenge for puzzles, sudoku or learning a brand new skill. This kind of “verbal liquidity” and memory reminder tests are easy ways to detect early changes in brain health – but don’t panic whether it is empty sometimes. Everyone forget where they generally left the keys.

Lifestyle matters

There is not any magic ball for good aging – but when it existed, it might probably be a mixture of exercises, weight loss program, sleep and social connections.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=si_tjyyzy0

Hi Best studied strategies activate:

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Daily movement: Walking, resistance training, swimming or tai chi maintain a powerful balance of muscles and bones and supporting the balance and health of the center.

Healthy nutrition: AND Diet in the Mediterranean style – wealthy in full grains, fruits, vegetables, fish, olive oil and nuts – is related to higher brain and heart health.

To sleep: Seven to nine hours of prime quality sleep bracket, resistance and mood.

Connection: Some studies suggest that loneliness is just as harmful as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Stay involvedJoin the club, volunteer or simply raise your phone to your friend.

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If you can balance one leg when brushing your teeth, wear a potato bag up the steps and name 20 animals under pressure, you’re doing thoroughly. If not (yet), it’s okay, these are skills that you just can construct in time. Aging means a proactive approach to health: making small, consistent decisions that lead to raised mobility, clearer considering and richer social connections.

So tonight give a challenge for one leg to your teeth. Your future self can thanks, especially in the event that they still have all teeth.

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This article was originally published on : theconversation.com
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Health and Wellness

Chloe and Halle Bailey hit St. Lucia – with a children’s halo in the mix

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Chloe and Halle Bailey hit St. Lucia - with a children's halo in the mix

Instagram/@Hallebiley

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They may not sing together now, but Chloe and Halle Bailey are still doing every little thing different together, including for a very needed vacation. The sisters packed their bags and went to Happy Place Chloe, St. Islands Lucia. But it wasn’t just a sister’s escape. Halle took her one -year -old son, Hello, to enjoy the sun and sand (and sleep, after they show photos). They stopped in the wonderful Landing Windjammer center, surrounded by transparent blue waters and greenery. “It was our first sister journey from a minute and we both just wrapped our films, feeling more blessed than ever,” she wrote. Chloe also explained that the center is a personal favorite for her.

“I feel free again in my house, st lucia !!!! Oh, how I missed you !!!” she wrote. “Thank you @windjammerlanding for always taking care of your girlfriend.”

During the holidays, Halle opened to something that many ladies are struggling with – weight gain. The 25-12 months-old singer, who wore swimwear on the pictures of the journey, jumped on Snapchat to debate what she feels about her body after the birth of the child.

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“I’m a bit thicker at the moment than usual. And I do not really know – it’s a bit uncertain of it.

The actress gave birth to her charming twin Halo Granberry in December 2023 with rapper and YouTuber DDG. The former couple separated lower than a 12 months after Halo. During her conversation, Snapchat Bailey shared how her weight hesitated after delivery.

“So I felt like my body was coming back to the place … I thought I did it then, but it was still very free. Now I am 25 years old, I just have the impression:” Oh, the burden is more holding. “Okay.” I did not have time – that is my first break.

Then Bailey shared how recently Tiktok did with her sister Chloe during the journey, she caused a part of her uncertainty about her weight and body weight gain.

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“Yesterday, me and Chloe, we were on the beach and we did the fun of Tiktok and then a little bit of it. Smelling with this text and I asked:” Hey, can you are taking it off because I feel really bad due to my body, “she said. “Some people ask,” Why is it removed? “It’s due to me.

The star then stated that she was going to work to embrace her body and lean into love for himself.

“But today I say,” I’ll feel higher. ” I will not be too much because I was working on a really nice job that I just finished. “So my message for today that I tell myself:” Enjoy the moment. Don’t be too difficult for myself and let yourself live a little and have fun. “

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This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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Health and Wellness

Black MDS question removing Dei from the criteria of the medical school

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Black doctors, medicaid, low-income patiens


On May 19, the Medical Education Committee (LCME) voted in favor of removing the partnership and variety programs from the assessment criteria for medical schools awarding “MD” degrees, citing growing repression at the level of diversity, equality and integration.

According to the Committee indicated That these repression is contrary to the standards of the accreditation body, and the abandonment of the standards of diversity would allow them to find out “a single set of accreditation expectations with which all schools, regardless of their location and the current legislative environment, must be consistent.”

A spokesman for the liaison committee also said from the market that the committee made a call after “caring and careful consideration and discussion”, but regardless of what made them come to eliminate diversity from assessment criteria, doctors who worked on increasing the diversity in the field of medicine said that this was determining their efforts.

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Dr. Virginia Caine, president of the National Medical Association, a corporation representing black doctors, said that the decision made “stunned”.

“We are simply stunned by this decision made by LCME,” she said, then pointed to research indicating that black patients often have higher health results and are involved more once they are treated by black primary care physicians.

“We have such a rich and amazing story of talented black doctors,” Caine, who can also be the director of the Public Health Department at Marion County, Indiana; He told about the mouth. “If we knock out access before they enter medical schools or academic schools, we will simply be a nation that is not so creative, not so innovative and is not so successful.”

According to numbers from the Medical College Association, although the percentage of black doctors increased from 2.6% in 2019 to five.2% in 2022.

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On May 22, also National Medical Association issued an announcement Convonance of attacks on diversity, equality and inclusion by the federal government.

“Dissemination of federal administration limitation of diversity, equality and integration (DEI) negatively affect access to medical education for the next generation of black doctors. Medical education liaison committee (LCME), ancient medical education schemes, resulting in a physician of medicine, and jointly sponsored by the Association of American medical universities and American universities Medical Association, and voting to eliminate its various programs in the scope of these changes.

In addition, although there are over 150 medical schools in the United States, medical schools at Four Hbcus, Howard University College of Medicine, Morehouse School of Medicine, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science and Meharry University they mainly exceed white institutions As for the production of black doctors, which further emphasizes the Caine point.

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According to Dr. Osose Obeh, who graduated from staying in internal medicine at Johns Hopkins University after graduating from the Michigan State University, the transition from LCME together with the repression of diversity, equality and inclusion is “discouraging”.

“There is an attack on something that is really good,” said Obah. “The variety has been renamed as it gives the opportunity to uncouled people, while in reality exposure to qualified people increases.”

Confirming Dr. Caine’s previous statements about how black patients engage with black doctors, Dr. Obah told about the case when she had to present black patients bad news.

“They (patient’s family) were very grateful that I received it from me,” said Obah. “They understood why we were taking the steps we are taking and why we intend to conduct the interventions we intended to do. They felt as if nobody explained it to them.”

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(Tagstranslate) National Medical Association (T) Medical Field (T) Diversity

This article was originally published on : www.blackenterprise.com
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