Health Briefs TV Clean Cell Phone Tips

Just thinking about what our cell phones touch every day is enough to make us search for the best ways to keep them clean. Health Briefs TV offers some tips to keep smart phones free of germs and bacteria.

Think out the many places where we lay our valued smart phones every day. From the time we prepare to head out in the morning until we go to bed, our phones have been put down on several different surfaces. Each surface is no cleaner than the one before it. Each surface has its own level of germs and bacteria which our phones pick up and spread to our ears, eyes, chin, nose mouth, and hands. Let us be honest: almost everyone takes their phone into the bathroom at work and sets it down on the back of the toilet. Can you think of a more germ-laden, gross place to put it down?

Here’s how to keep smart phones clean and free of the germs and bacteria which can make us break out in a rash or become sick:

• Wash hands after using the toilet anywhere. Use a clean paper towel to open the bathroom door when ready to leave. We know there are people who do not wash their hands after using the bathroom.
• Keep cell phones off kitchen counters when preparing a meal to prevent spreading Salmonella. If it must be kept nearby, lay the phone down on a clean towel.
• Clean the phone once a day by taking it out of the case and wiping it down with a soft, damp cloth and a wee bit of antibacterial soap.
• Antibacterial phone wipes are also good. Ask any wireless carrier store if they have any.

The Health Briefs television show also suggests cleaning the inside of purses, tote bags and another place where cell phones are kept once a week. Antibacterial wipes are perfect for that.

Prevent the spread of germs and bacteria by keeping smart phones clean.

US Media Studios Explains the Health Benefits of Yoga

Once considered something only the hipster crowd practiced, yoga has gained a new, refreshing reputation as a great health benefit.

US Media Studios learns that people who practice yoga are less stressed out than those that do not. It is also a great exercise for connecting the mind and body. It is beneficial to all age groups and all kinds of people. Military combat veterans who go to yoga classes gain inner peace, strength in mind and thoughts, stress relief, and feel stronger mentally and physically.  Baby boomers and other age groups who take yoga classes experience increased flexibility, increases muscle strength, improved respiration and energy, gain better balance, and protection from injury. Yoga also help build stronger bones.

Yoga classes around the country are offered a low-cost at community centers, the Y, health clubs and gyms, and on the beach, in parks and in city centers.  Some yoga teachers, or yogis, allow a new participant to take one class free to see if it is something the person wants to continue. It doesn’t hurt to ask before starting. Not all yoga classes are alike. Go online or ask someone who is into yoga which type would be best for a newcomer. US Media Studios also reminds readers that yoga clothes are cool and are worn almost everywhere now.

Feeling stressed out with sore joints and muscles? Are crazy thoughts running through your mind all day and night long? Sample one yoga class. It might just be ticket to better mental and physical health.

Health Briefs TV Celebrates National Public Health Week

The first full week of April is designated National PublicHealth Week in the United States. Health Briefs TV celebrates this national initiative to help promote healthy lives for everyone.

Throughout every state and every county in the state, no two health departments are the same. Each one has its own unique community and population striving to serve through program and services tailored to its residents, and often with dwindling funds. The people and community will change over the years, and as it does, the Health Departments have to change too. Here’s a look, nationally, at what this week is all about:

• Building healthy communities by committing funds to healthier schools, homes, parks, and community centers.
• Providing quality healthcare no matter the age, race, sex, income level of the resident.
• Ensuring that schools and other facilities provide healthy meals and exercise programs.
• Finding and implementing ways to curtail stress.
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The Health Briefs TV show also notes some of the top public health concerns Americans may have to contend with: obesity and diabetes, high blood pressure, Zika infection, climate change and how it affects public health, community environmental challenges and how to combat them, and keeping seniors healthy and mobile, and ensuring every person in the United States has clean, safe drinking water. Join us as we share news about National Public Health Week.

Health Briefs TV Touts the Benefits of Coffee

Coffee, and caffeinated drinks, are not just good to wake us up. The health benefits of drinking a cup or two of coffee every day provides benefits for the entire body, and can reduce the chance of developing colorectal cancer.

Health Briefs TV learns that drinking two cups a day is associated with a 26 percent reduction of the development of colorectal cancer. If we were to drink just another half cup, those chances decrease by 50 percent. Caffeine and polyphenol in coffee act as antioxidants. Also, the melanodins that are created when the beans are roasted can increase colon mobility, and the diterpenes can prevent cancer by strengthening the body against oxidative damage.

Coffee and caffeine can be found in several beverages, in facial moisturizers, baked in treats, and in the office break room. We would also like to note that it doesn’t matter if the coffee is boiled, perked, steamed, or decaffeinated. It didn’t matter if the coffee was instant or freshly ground.

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in both men and women in the United States. Almost five percent of men and four percent of women develop this disease over their lifetime. Health Briefs TV suggests taking every possible active step to reduce the chance of developing colorectal cancer:

• Eat a healthy diet including different types of beans, which contain cancer fighting fiber.
• Drink a few cup of coffee per day.
• If smoking, stop. Seek assistance if needed. There are plenty of affordable options to help.
• Get daily exercise. This is as simple as taking a walk at lunch time and after dinner.

So go ahead and enjoy another cup of java. It does more than wake us up and warms us up. It reduces the chance of getting colorectal cancer. Cheers.

Health Briefs TV Reviews the Risks and Prevention Steps for Heart Attacks

A recent study found that younger people are experiencing heart attacks and other heart-related problems. Health Briefs TV wants to remind readers of the risks and how to prevent heart attacks and strokes. It’s easier than you think.

Heart attack victims are becoming younger. They carry serious health risks such as being obese, not getting exercise, smoking, and may be diabetic. Some have high blood pressure also.  Unhealthy diets are a big risk factor for younger adults, those in their fifties and sixties.  Add all the risk factors together:

• Unhealthy diets
• Lack of regular exercise
• High blood pressure
• Smoking
• Obesity

All of these amount to a heart attack waiting to happen. Heart attacks and strokes don’t strike at convenient times. There is no convenient time.  But there is a convenient time to take charge of your health every day. That time is right now. 

Here are few easy preventative steps everyone can take to a healthier lifestyle:

Eat small, healthier meals. The average adult only needs three ounces of meat (the size of the palm of the hand). A good way to start measuring the amount of food consumed daily is to use a smaller plate. Fill up the plate with fresh, cooked or steamed vegetables. Add the three ounces of meat.

Avoid eating fast food. Even the meals which are marketed as “healthy” are generally not healthy. Many of them are salt-laden.

At work, take walk breaks three times a day. If the weather is not cooperative, walk around the office or stand up and march. Do some shallow knee squats. Stretch every limb.

At home, take a brisk walk after dinner. Walk around the block. Weekends are a good time to ante up the exercise. Ride a bike (with a helmet). Walk the dog or a neighbor’s dog. Swim in a pool.  Power walk through a local park. Just get up and move.

Talk to the doctor about how to lower blood pressure naturally. Ask if there is a healthful way to stop smoking. Many cities offer smoking cessation meetings and host hotlines. There are also several good products in the stores to help curb the habit.

Health Briefs TV encourages readers to take active steps to improve their health. A heart attack is waiting to happen. Why let it?

(image:pixabay)

Health Briefs TV Updates on the Flu Shot

Even though we have come into the first days of the spring season, there is no reason to not get a flu shot if you haven’t yet. In fact, there is good news about this year’s flu vaccine, which Health Briefs TV relays.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a statement last week stating this year’s flu vaccine is the most effective one in years. The Center states that people who received the vaccine were 59 percent less likely to get sick with influenza than people who didn’t. Basically, getting the flu vaccine this year reduced the risk of a doctor visit because of the fly by nearly 60 percent.

Deaths from the flu number between 4,000 and 50,000 a year in the US. Even though the CDC (and most family physicians) strongly recommends getting a flu shot, about half of the US population does. The flu affects older people and the very young the most. This year’s formula is effective for the H1N1 viruses (51%), and the influenza B viruses are reduced by 76 percent with this year’s vaccine. Health Briefs TV recommends getting the flu shot, and more so if you work in a crowded office where space is shared. Take preventative steps on your own to reduce the chance of getting the flu:

• Wipe desk and equipment on desk with a sanitizing wipe before use every day, especially if items are shared.
• Use a paper towel with isopropyl alcohol dabbed on it to clean the phone. The smell from the alcohol evaporates quickly.
• Stay home if sick.

There are 170 million doses of the fly vaccine with options ranging from the traditional shot, nasal spray and the high-dose version for older folks. 

Health Briefs TV Reflects on How Older Women Fare to Older Men

Ask anyone over the age of 55 and they will say that growing older is no so golden. From the general aches and pains of advancing age to dementia-related diseases, the so-called “Golden Years” are not so shiny. Health Briefs TV reflects on how older women fare to older men.

A study which ran for 30 years with data from both sexes aged 65 and over found that men live longer and with less disability than women. Men in the study lived longer than women in the study and experienced less disability than women. Disability can be from arthritis, falls which harm the bones, dementia and other related medical issues.

Older women might want to focus more on quality of life than quantity. Health Briefs TV encourages both older men and women to remain active physically and socially, as these ways have been proven to extend and improve growing older. There are many programs which are free or offered at a low cost which provide exercises to keep muscles and bones limber and flexible. The same classes give seniors the opportunity to meet new people, connect with friends and enjoy an activity together.  Most of the exercise classes can be tailored to a specific participant’s physicality. 

Older women may experience some pitfalls as they age. Men also experience them. The aforementioned study notes that women tend to focus how much can be done now as opposed to doing less with more. More time for family, friends and loved ones. More time to slow down and enjoy a leisurely activity. Life can be good and good when we are older. Preventative moves can help us live longer, healthier and more active years.

Health Briefs TV and How to Get a Jump on Spring Allergies

We welcome spring and its warmer weather. We don’t welcome the allergies that come with it. Health Briefs TV covers how to get a jump on spring allergies.

People who live in the south will vouch for how much pollen is in the air by the amount of pollen on their cars. Spring is tree pollen time and it is also grass and flower pollen time. Other factors of spring allergies changes in the atmosphere are shifting pollen patterns and warmer temperatures for longer periods of time. The higher the temperature, the more favorable pollen is to aerosolization. Pollen causes sneezing, watery eyes and for some migraines.

Mold is another spring allergy. As with pollen, warm air helps mold grow everywhere. Mold, a miniscule fungi, can live almost anywhere from soil, plants, bathrooms and even older cars. Mold spores are in the air. They are more prevalent in warm weather climates.

Hay fever is another spring allergy. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that more than 19 million adults and six million children live with and manage this type of allergy. Symptoms include sneezing, stuffiness, runny noses, itchiness in the nose and roof of the mouth, throat and, having itchy eyes.

Health Briefs TV relays some tips for get ahead of spring allergies:

• Use a smart phone app to see what the pollen count is in your area for the day and week.
• Use a nasal steroid spray. Start it one to two weeks before the onslaught of pollen season.
• Over-the-counter antihistamines are also very good at curbing allergy symptoms.
• Allergy shots may also work to ease symptoms.
• Ask your doctor if a sublingual tablet (melts under the tongue) is advisable for you.

Keep mind that taking a shower before bed is best because it washes allergens off of the body and away from beds. It is also a good idea to stay inside when the pollen count is the highest. Get ahead of spring allergies this year.

Health Briefs TV Shares Ideas for Competitive Runners

Competitive running can take a toll on any physically fit runner. Health Briefs TV shares some ideas to make it less stressful on the body, mind and soul.

Running is an activity that more people engage in these days. Be smart when starting out. Set realistic goals for yourself. Make a point of running one race per month, if possible. This can lessen the stress and nervousness of running in one major event per year. Small 5K races are a good way to start. Runners go through the registration process, getting their running bib, getting dressed and experiencing a race before a big event date arrives. It also gives the runner’s body the opportunity to “feel” what it is like to push it. 

Give muscles and joints a break and commit one day per week for a good stretch workout. Take a yoga class or use a favorite stretch workout DVD. Stretching helps lengthen the muscles and eases joint stiffness. Set aside one day a week to pamper body muscles and joints.

Mix things up. Doing the same routine over and over is not only boring, but it does not challenge the body enough. Choose one day per week to try a new workout, run on a new path or course, push one new part of the body. Don’t forget that the mind also needs to be stimulated too. Change up the music used. 

Health Briefs TV also suggests buying a calendar specifically for running goals. Write down challenges and cross them off the list. Write down a mission goal for each race or each month and be on the way to mastering it and competing well in the next big race or marathon.

image:pixabay

The Health Briefs TV Show Wants You to Get Some Rest

Are you tired? Not getting enough sleep? Does your mind keep you awake running thoughts through it a breakneck speed? The Health Briefs TV show wants you to get some rest.

We know how hard it can be to fall asleep and stay asleep sometimes. It is equally hard to function at your best when you are tired. Here’s what you need to know to get some needed sleep:

• A healthy meal of high protein and high fiber foods helps people get to sleep and stay asleep better than a meal with high saturated fats and less fiber. Avoid fatty foods at dinner time. Enjoy some peas, black beans, lentils, broccoli, raspberries, blueberries, avocado and other food like it. Skip caffeinated drinks several hours before bedtime.
• Avoid getting into an argument or heated discussion with someone – both in the physical sense and online.
• Take a walk after dinner to relieve stress and relax and loosen muscles and joints.
• Lower the blinds and the room temperature for a comfortable sleep.
• Get in bed, turn the TV and lights off and get comfortable.
• Think of something happy or positive. Close your eyes and relax thinking of the happy or positive thing. Replay in your mind what made it happy.
• Take conscious breaths. As you breathe slowly, imagine your breath as it enters your nose and mouth, makes its way through your body and goes back out. Focus on each breath and each step. This helps block and stop negative or repetitive thoughts which can keep you awake.
• Health Briefs TV suggests sticking to a regular schedule of when you go to bed and get up every day, even on weekends and vacations.

We admit we do not get enough sleep ourselves. 

Health Briefs TV Reviews Zika Virus Prevention Steps

The mosquito-borne Zika virus is making news headlines around the world. People most affected by it are from South and Latin America. Brazil has been hit most hard. In the United States, a few cases have been reported. Health Briefs TV reviews steps Americans can take to prevent mosquito bites and possibly Zika infection.

The US Centers for Disease Control reports the Zika virus is transmitted through mosquito bites. Most common symptoms are fever, rash, joint pain and conjunctivitis (red eyes). Symptoms are usually mild and can last a few days to a week. Left untreated, it can be more severe.

One of the easiest way to prevent mosquito bites is to be well-prepared when and where they bite most often. Below are some preventative steps people can take:

Empty all outdoor objects that hold standing water. Mosquitoes breed in them.

Wear light-colored long-sleeved shirts and long pants with shoes and socks when outdoors when mosquitoes are most prevalent. Buy a bug repellent which contains a good amount of DEET or picardin. For a list of the top brands which carry these ingredients, Consumer Reports, usually a members-only organization, released their list of the best bugrepellents. Some are more organic than others. Whichever one of these people choose, the Health Briefs TV show encourages readers to protect themselves from bites. Mosquito populations are most active at dawn and dusk for several hours.  Avoid swampy areas. Avoid traveling to countries where the virus is widespread.

Prevention is the key to not becoming infected with the Zika virus. 

(image:healthline.com)

Health Briefs TV on Teen Health News

Teens. We all used to be one. Some of us still are. The one thing we all have in common is the need to pay attention to our health.

Health Briefs TV takes note of some of the cool health-related news for teens.

New studies found that the more fruits and vegetables teens consume, the better chance they have of not developing cancer when older. Also, reducing the amount of soda teens drink lessens the chance of developing kidney stones and diabetes.

There are some easy ways to pack more fiber into everyday eating habits: take an apple to school to snack on, choose whole wheat bread instead of white, ask the family cook to replace white pasta and white rice with whole grains varieties. Add broccoli to it to kick up the amount of fiber in the meal. Drink water with every meal, and add a few more glasses or bottles of it during the day and right before bed.

Teens, male and female, might find that even though eating healthful foods may not be cool, it does lower the chance of getting breast cancer and other cancers, reduces the development of obesity and high blood pressure. The Health Briefs TV show producers suggest packing some whole fruit in school backpacks. If getting lunch from the school is part of the plan, choose the fresher options instead of popular ones.

There is nothing cool about being sick, and especially not with a terminal illness. It is not fashionable to test blood sugar once a day at school. It is hard to participate in activities when even a few steps can wind you. Teen health is important. Step up your health game.

Health Briefs Takes a Look at Which States are the Healthiest

The Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index report was released recently. In it, the report ranks which states are the healthiest and unhealthiest over all. Health Briefs reviewed the survey and found good news in it, and also bad news. Read one for more info.

The index counts specific criteria in its rankings: having a sense of purpose, supportive relationships and love in your life, feeling economically secure, enjoying the home, pride in community, and maintaining good health. The positive news from the survey includes an increase in citizens feeling financially healthy. Also, there are less people without insurance, fewer people are smoking this year than last year, more people are getting exercise, and finally, there is a decline in the number of people who report being food and healthcare insecure.

On the negative side: obesity seems to be increasing in the U.S., and many people are still finding it challenging to find and secure full-time employment. So where does this leave us, and specifically, your home state?

Below are the top five healthiest states:

1. Hawaii
2. Alaska
3. Montana
4. Colorado
5. Wyoming

Wide open space, a love for the great outdoors, sense of community and financial well-being all played a part in how these states made the top five.

Below are the bottom five states:

1. Indiana
2. Ohio
3. Oklahoma
4. Kentucky
5. West Virginia

These states usually rank at the bottom. Most are located in the East or in the Midwest region.  With so much farmland and rolling hills nearby, the Health Briefs TV show wonders how they stay at the bottom? Click here to see the whole list. (PDF)

 

Healthiest State: Hawaii 

Health Briefs TV Relay the Best Remedies for the Common Cold

There is no cure for the common cold but there are some remedies that make it more tolerable than others, which Health Briefs TV relays.

When we feel like we’re catching a cold, we want whatever we can to shorten it and make it less miserable. Fortunately, there are some good remedies for that.

Honey is not only affordable, but comes in different varieties and tastes. Organic, locally produced honey is best, but a little more expensive than the average store bought variety. There are clover based honeys, orange flower based honeys and several others. Honey soothes sore throats when drizzled in hot tea or warm lemon water. It alleviates a cough too. Try the darker colored honeys for best taste.

Zinc is also been proven to make colds better. Taken in small dozes (such as a lozenge) throughout the first few days of a cold, is can shorten the illness. Zinc taken over the course over five months has shown to prevent some people from catching a cold. We remind readers that zinc taken in high doses is toxic.

Hot drinks such as hot tea, warm salted water and warm lemon water are also good for a cold. The heat provides relief from runny noses, coughs, sore throats, chilliness and tiredness. The Health Briefs TV show also recommends hot chicken soup to warm chilled bodies and nourish bodies depleted of nutrients.

What doesn’t seem to work: researchers found no real benefits from taking elevated Vitamin C products, using the herb echinacea, or eating a chili pepper in any way shape or form.

What do you do when a cold is coming on?

 

Add some honey to tea to soothe sore or scratchy throats

Health Briefs TV Reports on Eye Strain and How to Relieve It

Our eyes were not made to view so many different devices throughout the day. From the work computer, laptop, tablet and smart phone, is it no wonder human eyes are feeling tired and strained? Health Briefs TV reports on eye strain and how to avoid it.

Almost 70 percent of American experience digital eye strain symptoms from looking at screen all day. Symptoms include dry, irritated eyes, blurred vision, eye fatigue, neck and back pain, and headaches.

There are several causes for eye strain: sitting too close to the screen, how often and how long looking at the screen, and how sensitive eyes are to the blue light that screens emit. A report from The Vision Council found that adults over age 30 report the most eye strain from digital use. Sixty-five percent of children and teens spend more than two hours per day on digital devices, and adults over the age of 60 have digital eye strain from the prolonged use of devices for more than 15 years.

The Health Briefs TV show encourages readers to get a regular eye exam. There are many eye care businesses which offer the exam for free at a very low cost. Explain to the doctor how long you are working with something that has a screen, and what effects it has on your eyes during the day. Tips for relieving the symptoms include taking a break from looking at the screen every 30 minutes to an hour. Also, look away from the screen, and sit a comfortable distance away from the screen to work. Remember to blink often as it moistens dry eyes and relaxes the muscles them.

Take good care of the eyes. We need them see all the beauty around.

Health Briefs TV Reviews Tips for a Good Night’s Sleep

There is a great deal of information in the news about the lack of sleep Americans get. A leading consumer magazine’s cover reports on several issues regarding a poor night’s rest, and an American news network reports on the why we are not getting the rest we need. Health Briefs TV reviews tips for a good night’s sleep.

Anyone who has trouble falling asleep and staying asleep can attest to how frustrating it is to be wide awake at 3 AM.  The National Center for Health Statistics found that a third of us do not get the recommended seven hours of shut eye we need to fully function the next day. Lack of rest can add up to some major health problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, weakened immune systems and may contribute to dementia.

In order to get a decent amount of rest at night, the Health Briefs TV show offers some tips to getting a sound sleep:

• Close the curtains or blinds to block out any light and lower the room temperature.
• Leave digital devices far from the bedside.
• Avoid taking sleeping aids unless prescribed by a doctor. Most really don’t work as advertised and can cause adverse effects, such as sleep walking.
• Shop for a new pillow and buy one that supports the main position in which you sleep.
• Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends. It is very difficult to set a regular sleep routine when you go to bed and wake at different times on different days.
• Wear something comfortable to sleep in.

When we get a good night’s rest, our brains clear out all the negative from the day before. Our hearts slow down and rest too. Our blood vessels relax and our blood sugar goes down. We also can fully function the next day, which includes no drowsy driving to work. We need seven hours of rest.  Get some. 

Health Briefs TV Reviews the Most Effective Way to Lose

The New Year is typically when most people start a weight loss plan. Armed with an entire year ahead of them, and the desire to drop pounds and be more active, Americans seek the best way to lose weight.

Health Briefs TV believes that a healthy weight loss plan is one which encourages healthful eating, daily exercise and a support network. Fortunately, there are some good programs which we review here that can help shed the weight gained last year.

Always keep in mind that the weight loss plan should fit the lifestyle, culture, health and physical needs of the person. Allergies to foods, chronic conditions and intolerance should also be considered.

A healthful weight loss plan includes eating plenty of legumes, fruits and vegetables, healthy proteins such as fish and chicken and grains. There are several good plans available from the new Weight Watchers program to the fresh meal delivery plans around the country. Each of these offers the participant delicious healthy meals and portions which are comparable to the person’s lifestyle and personal choices.

Any plan which includes a supplement to increase quick weight loss is not altogether healthy. Choose a plan that encourages lowering carb intake and increasing protein in the daily diet. Add an hour of good physical activity, such as walking after dinner. The Health Briefs TV show also suggests walking on breaks during the work day, and drinking enough water to stay hydrated. Add a squeeze of lemon, orange or a slice of cucumber to help boost weight loss and add flavor to an otherwise drab drink.

The New Year is here. What are your plans for staying healthy this year?

Health Briefs TV Reports on U.S. Status to Prevent Infectious Dieases

According to a new report released today, more than half of the states in the US are not prepared for an infectious outbreak. Health Briefs TV reports on the states that passed and failed, and offers suggestions for readers.

The report which was released by the Trust for America's Health (TFAH) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation found 28 states and the District of Columbia did not pass the test for preventing, detecting, diagnosing and responding to the outbreaks. States which scored the best are Delaware, Kentucky, Maine, New York and Virginia. The states which scored the lowest are Kansas, Michigan, Ohio, Oregon and Utah, and Oklahoma finished dead last.

The report found that the United States must take better steps to prevent outbreaks of tuberculosis, whooping cough and gonorrhea. The US is also behind in childhood vaccinations, flu vaccinations, hepatitis C, HIV and AIDs, food safety, antibiotic-resistant superbugs, and be better able to deal with infectious disease threats.

Health Briefs TV believes that prevention is the key to staying healthy as a nation. That said, readers who have not had an annual flu shot should get one.  Health care providers offer them for a small fee (less than $30). People without insurance can get one at any local pharmacy for a little bit more. All it takes is one sneeze or cough from an infected person and the germs are in the air to catch. Stay healthy and well and start the New Year in top form.

Health Briefs TV with the Benefits of Surgery for Older People

There are health concerns and risks for everyone who undergoes surgery, and not just for the elderly. But there are also clear benefits for older people who opt for joint replacements and other major surgeries. Health Briefs TV looks at the pros of surgery for older people.

It is hard for anyone to fathom the pain, lack of mobility and inconvenience of joint replacement surgery. Imagine then being in your 80s and 90s and having a joint replaced. Many older people are willing to go through difficult joint replacement surgeries in order to improve their quality of life. Others opt for major organ surgery for the same reason.

As the world population lives longer, choosing surgery to improve or replace parts and organs worn out is a personal decision, and one that can be hard for the patient’s family to understand. But quality of life is valued by almost everyone. Simple activities people don’t think about such as getting in and out of a car, walking into a grocery store, or descending a set of stairs are challenging and often painful for the elderly with worn out joints. Joint replacement surgery can be a life changer for the older parent.

Health Briefs TV suggests talking with older relatives and friends who opt for major surgery. Listen to their reasons, their anxiety, their hopes for a positive outcome, without judgment. Sometimes, the best thing that can happen is to get a new lease on life. It doesn’t really matter how much time is left on that lease. No one knows that anyway.