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Corpus Christi Rehabilitation Hospital is part of Ernest Health, a network of rehabilitation and long-term acute care hospitals. Ernest Health hospitals see patients who are often recovering from disabilities caused by injuries or illnesses, or from chronic or complex medical conditions.Read More
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Exercise – Put Your Heart Into It!
According to Strava, a social network for athletes, most people by now have given up on their New Year’s resolutions (“Quitters’ Day” was officially Jan. 12). For those whose healthy resolutions may have fallen victim to that day, here is something to consider: According to the American Heart Association, moderate-intensity exercise is important in preventing heart disease and stroke, which are the nation’s No. 1 and No. 5 killers, respectively.
So, how do you gauge if your exercise is at the “moderate” level?
First, pay attention to how hard you think your body is working (this is called perceived exertion). Take note of how heavy you’re breathing, how much you’re sweating, and how tired your muscles feel. Studies have shown that an individual’s perceived exertion correlates to his or her heart rate. This means that if you feel like you’re working hard, your heart rate is probably higher.
You can estimate if you’re reaching the moderate-intensity level of an activity by using perceived exertion. In general, on a scale of 1-20, a moderate-intensity activity would feel like an 11-14.
Other clues of this level of exercise include:
Moderate-intensity exercises can include brisk walking, biking, pushing a lawn mower, water aerobics, doubles tennis, gardening, and ballroom dancing, among other activities. So, take your pick!
Exercise for Older Adults — It’s Never too Late
This past July, 101-year-old Julia “Hurricane” Hawkins became the oldest female athlete ever to compete in the USA Track and Field Outdoors Masters Championship, shaving 6 seconds off the world record for 100 meters. Want to be more impressed? She took up running merely a year earlier when she was 100 years old!
It goes to show that it’s never too late to begin exercising. No matter your age, it’s possible to stay active at every stage of your life. Consider the benefits of exercise, which include disease prevention, energy boosts, pain and weight management, improved mood and memory, and more.
With any exercise program, be sure to get clearance from your doctor first.
Here are some ideas you may want consider in developing a well-rounded exercise program:
Heads Up on Preventing Brain Injuries
With the Winter Olympics on the horizon, many of us will be privy to some amazing athletic feats. But, a downside of this popular event includes the head injuries that have been known to come with the territory.
In the past, American Jackie Hernandez slid unconscious against the snow after hitting her head during a snowboard cross event. British halfpipe skier Rowan Cheshire suffered a concussion during a training session. Czech snowboarder Sarka Pancochova cracked her helmet during a fall during the slopestyle final. And at 20 years old, American snowboarder Trevor Jacob had already suffered at least 25 concussions.
While the majority of us don’t live the dare-devil lives of many of these athletes, we’re all at risk for head injuries with everyday activities. Brain injuries don’t discriminate and can occur anytime, anywhere…with anyone.
With a little planning, however, brain injuries can be prevented. And, it doesn’t take epic – or Olympian – effort:
Brighten the Holidays for a Hospitalized Loved One
If you have a friend or family member in the hospital during the holidays, there are numerous ways to help brighten his or her spirits and spread some holiday cheer (with pre-approval from the hospital staff, of course):
Most importantly, remember that your loved one is in the hospital to heal, so don’t overwhelm him or her. Typically, you’ll want to keep your visiting time short to allow plenty of time for rest and sleep, which is critical to recovery.
Tis the Season…for Colds & the Flu
It’s that time of year again. Cold and flu season.
A common cold and the flu are similar because they’re both respiratory illnesses. Even though they’re caused by different viruses, they share many of the same symptoms. This makes it hard to know for sure which you may have unless you visit your doctor.
Symptoms for both illnesses can include a cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, fever, muscle or body aches, headaches and fatigue. However, flu symptoms tend to be worse than cold symptoms, and people with colds are more likely to have runny or stuffy noses.
A cold usually doesn’t result in serious health problems, but the flu can. While most folks can recover from the flu in less than a couple weeks, it can lead to respiratory complications like bronchitis, pneumonia, and bacterial infections. In the worst cases, these complications can lead to hospitalization.
While anyone can get severely sick from the flu, groups at higher risk for complications include adults older than 65, young children, pregnant women, people with chronic medical conditions, or individuals with compromised immune systems.
So how can you prevent these illnesses? Some suggestions include:
10 Tips for Family Caregivers
Caring, giving, sharing.
For most people, the holidays bring out the best in us when it comes to going the extra mile. But for those who are family caregivers, this is a description of everyday life.
Whether you became a caregiver suddenly (grandma had a stroke), or gradually (aging parents), taking care of a loved one in addition to having a career, family, and children can be a challenge. So, how can a caregiver do it all?
Below are 10 tips for family caregivers provided by the Caregiver Action Network: