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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (March 21, 2012)
Page 8 The INDEPENDENT, March 21, 2012 To Your Health! By Judy Hargis, P.A Brain Smart at any Age Stanley Kunitz was named poet laureate at the age of 95. Still writing new poems and reading to live audiences, he stands as an inspiring ex- ample of the brain’s ability to stay vital in the final years of our lives. Al- though much of the brain remains a mystery, groundbreaking discoveries are being made about how it ages. It was once thought that we lost vast numbers of neurons (nerve cells) as we aged. Scientists now recognize that the brain is far more resilient than once believed. In fact, it has become really clear that if you do not have a specific disease that causes loss of neurons, most, if not all, neu- rons remain healthy until you die. Our life span has increased from an average age of 47 in the 1900s, to 75 today. Thus, there has been little time to study the aging brain until recent years. It seems that not only wisdom comes with age, but according to new studies we actually learn and problem solve better in our 50s and 60s. The brain is an amazing organ. It is responsi- ble for everything from involuntary functions like heart beats and breathing to personality and memory. It contains more than a billion cells, in- cluding neurons. Neurons are specialized cells that can send signals to thousands of other cells at a rate of about 200 miles per hour. It is a com- plicated system of chemical and electrical im- pulses that we still do not understand well. New research indicates that the rate of change in the aging brain can be hastened or slowed by lifestyle factors. Things that can improve and maintain brain function include education, exer- cise and rest. Things that can negatively impact brain function include stress, hypertension, and diabetes. Although genes can play a role in predeter- mining our brains’ aging, researchers are begin- ning to agree that taking care of our health may help long term brain function. There are things we can do to improve and maintain our brain function. It comes down, once again, to taking care of our health. Research demonstrates that maintaining a healthy weight, eating a healthy diet and regular exercise are critical. Exercise should involve 45 minutes of such things as a brisk walk, at least three times a week. Mental exercise is important too. Reading, taking up new hobbies and learning new skills are important. Strict control of blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure can also have a significant im- pact. We have all seen impressive older adults, who are sky diving, climbing mountains and run- ning marathons. Individuals who go back to school or work into their 80s or 90s. For most of us, our biggest fear is losing our mental func- tions as we age. You don’t have to be a super athlete or a poet laureate to keep your brain healthy. You just have to follow the recommendations discussed above to keep your body and mind healthy. We have the potential to live long, healthy and pro- ductive lives. This is an exciting time for the 10,000 baby boomers who are hitting age 50 every day. As always, I am happy to hear from you via email at Rebecca@the-independent.net . MCR’s are saving lives in county M a m m o g r a m From page 7 and Gayle Case of Scappoose; van scheduled whelmed, and a trained corps of nurses can save lives and ease the burden on local serv- ices. Members of the MRC in- clude Kacie Kraft, Danielle Nel- son, Cathy Weber, Robin Loper and Tish Hora of St. Helens; Teresa McGivern, Carla Coler Debbie Johnstone of Columbia City; Lowell Norbom of Deer Is- land; Erin O’Connell of Rainier; Marilyn Thomas and Robin Os- toj of Clatskanie; Monica Pe- tersen and Suzanne Paleck of Vernonia; and Heather Bee of Clatsop County. Those interested in more in- formation can check online at www.tphfcc.org and look under the Preparedness section, or call Parrott at 503-397-4651, ext 2022. Tuality Healthcare’s Mobile Mammogram van will be in Ver- nonia on the following dates: March 29, April 26, May 31, June 28, July 26, August 30, September 27, October 25, and December 13. As usual, the van will be parked in the Vernonia Health Clinic parking lot on Bridge St. To schedule an appoint- ment, call 503-681-4035. Join us for a Spaghetti Feast Benefit Dinner for Ryan Roberts Kidney Fund Also featuring a Silent Auction At the Scout Cabin in Hawkins Park March 21 from 4 P.M. to 5 P.M. 503-901-1705 Mariolino’s 503-429-5018 March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month by Chris Thomas, Oregon News Service Between 60 and 70 percent of Oregonians over age 50 have had colonoscopies to screen for colon cancer, which means at least three out of 10 have not. March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and there is new medical evidence that these tests pay off. The National Polyp Study followed patients for up to 23 years after they had polyps removed dur- ing a colonoscopy. Dr. Robert Raish with the Knight Cancer Institute at Ore- gon Health and Science Uni- versity says not all of the growths are cancerous, but if they’re left in place, they can change, “The time frame is usually pretty long – it can take five, 10 or 15 years before it turns into cancer. So, the gen- eral principle of colonoscopic screening is that if you take out a polyp, you prevent the dis- ease.” The study suggests that re- moving polyps reduces death rates by half. The five-year sur- vival rate drops from 90 per- cent when colon cancer is caught early to 11 percent after it spreads to other areas of the body. Claire Greco of Portland said the first colonoscopy she had revealed some polyps, which were then removed. Now a veteran of several follow-ups, she says dreading the test is not the best mind-set, “I really consider this relatively easy procedure to go through as a gift to myself and a gift to my family. The momentary incon- venience, which isn’t really all that bad, isn’t that difficult.” Greco knows people are squeamish about the test, but she says colonoscopies have improved over the years, “The procedure itself, any more, isn’t bad, with the medication that they give you and the environ- ment. You go to sleep – next thing you know, you wake up and you’re done. The prep is interesting to go through, but not that bad, really, because again, they have it down to a pretty good science.” After 26 years as an oncolo- gist, Dr. Raish has this advice for anyone avoiding a colon- oscopy, “By far the best way to deal with cancer is to prevent it in the first place. It’s not a dis- ease you want to get. You want to see me in the grocery store; you never want to see me in the office.” The Colon Cancer Alliance says more than 140,000 cases will be diagnosed this year, and almost 50,000 people will die from colon cancer in the United States. Columbia County Domestic Abuse Mental Health 800-294-5211 ----------------- Suicide Hotline Hotline 1-800- 784-2433 or 1-800-273- TALK(8255) 503-397-6161 or 866-397-6161 ----------------- Military Helpline 888-HLP-4-VET (888-457-4838)