While a healthy lifestyle has long been linked to a longer life span, there's been very little research to date on how lifestyle factors affect people with "multimorbidity" -- living with two or more long-term mental or physical health conditions such as hypertension (high blood pressure), asthma, cancer, depression, migraine, diabetes and angina.

To find out, a team of UK researchers tracked 93,736 middle-aged adults who had two or more of 36 chronic conditions, for up to nine years. The team assessed four lifestyle factors: leisure-time physical activity, smoking, diet and alcohol consumption.

A very healthy lifestyle, the researchers found, is associated with up to 6.3 years longer life for men and 7.6 years for women, regardless of the presence of multiple chronic conditions, compared with those given the lowest lifestyle score.

"More individuals are living with multiple chronic conditions, impacting their health and daily lives," said Yogini Chudasama, an epidemiologist and statistician at the Leicester Real World Evidence Unit at the University of Leicester's Diabetes Research Centre.

"We found a healthy lifestyle, in particular abstinence from smoking, increased life expectancy by as much as 7 years. Our study has important implications for the public's health, as we hope our findings have shown that it's never too late to make vital lifestyle changes," she said in a press statement.

For women with at least two chronic conditions, even an "unhealthy" score on the four lifestyle factors was associated with living 3.5 years longer when compared to people who were given a "very unhealthy" score. A "healthy" score was linked to a gain of 6.4 years and "very healthy" score was linked to a gain of 7.6 years.

For men, the corresponding estimates were 1.5 years, 4.5 years and 6.3 years. However, the gain for those classed as "unhealthy" wasn't considered statistically significant by the researchers.

In their analysis, the researchers said they accounted for individual factors like socioeconomic status, ethnicity and employment status.

The study had some limitations, the researchers said: More than 95% of participants were white and they were more affluent than the general population in the United Kingdom. It was an observational study and, as such, can only establish a link rather than cause.

The most common conditions for men were hypertension, asthma, cancer, diabetes and angina, while for women they were hypertension, asthma, cancer, depression and migraine.

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A healthy lifestyle can help you live longer even if you have chronic conditions, study suggests - CNN

The average American has experienced 560 moments of worry about their immune health since the start of COVID-19, according to new research.

The study of 2,000 Americans asked respondents how their mindsets and anxiety have changed since the beginning of COVID-19.

Results found the average person was struck with worry four times a day thats 112 times in a month.

In fact, two-thirds of respondents admitted their immune health has been a constant source of concern since the rise of COVID-19.

Four in five of the adults polled revealed the onset of COVID-19 has caused them to rethink their health priorities completely.

Sixty-three percent are aiming to better incorporate fruits and vegetables into their diets while 57 percent want to exercise more.

This was a significant shift, given that three in 10 could not correctly identify the function of the immune system, a key factor in ones overall health, before the pandemic. The immune system protects the body from germs and cell changes that could result in illness.

The survey, conducted by OnePoll on behalf of MitoQ, found many respondents have deep concerns about their health as they step out publicly.

Fifty-seven percent said food and merchandise prepared by someone whose hygiene habits (like hand-washing) they couldnt monitor was a worry for them.

Over half said being near others who arent wearing masks was a top concern, while 51 percent wouldnt feel comfortable with those who do not respect the six-feet social distancing rule.

Three in 10 plan on wearing masks in public until there is a COVID-19 vaccine available while 31 percent will continue to wear one as long as its required.

A quarter said they will wear a mask as long as its recommended to wear one in public.

With or without masks, 64 percent would feel more comfortable resuming public life and sooner if they felt more confident in their immune health.

Four in five (85 percent) are committed to making these healthy lifestyle changes permanent in order to be healthier and more resilient in the event of another global health crisis.

COVID-19 has kickstarted many new habits nearly seven in ten (69 percent) are improving their diets and four in five want to incorporate immunity strengthening foods and supplements into their routines.

In times of tremendous uncertainty particularly as it relates to public health it is not surprising that the majority of Americans are looking to establish or improve healthy habits and routines, said a spokesperson for MitoQ.

We know that there are many things that can impact a persons immunity and that prioritizing health and wellness are paramount. While lifestyle factors alone cannot prevent someone from contracting a virus or a bug, focusing on a healthy diet, high-quality supplementation and adequate sleep and exercise can all play a role in supporting the body from the inside out.

Despite best intentions, respondents did confess to a few hiccups theyve encountered when it comes to staying on the straight and narrow path.

Over half revealed they struggle to maintain their exercise routine while one in two also have strayed from their healthy eating regime.

Thirty-eight percent have found it difficult to stay consistent in their choices while nearly one in five admitted to giving into temptation and peer pressure when it comes to diverging from their goals.

This data demonstrates that an increasing number of Americans are interested in leading healthier lives. This trend even while ignited by a pandemic is a positive and encouraging shift, explained the spokesperson for MitoQ.

There are many things that Americans can do to improve their health and some of it starts at the cellular level. Certain supplements, like MitoQ, can help to support the immune system from deep within cells. This, combined with other healthy habits, can help the body to fight anything that comes its way.

A sampling of the data is outlined below. Full data set is available upon request.

Top pandemic worries while in public

Benefits respondents want to enjoy from a healthy lifestyle

Top healthy lifestyle struggles

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The average American worries about their health this many times a day - New York Post

According to researchers from the from the World Cancer Research Fund and the American Cancer Research Institute, the risk of postmenopausal breast cancer is greatly reduced by being physically active and maintaining a healthy body weight. In this 2019 file photo, execise instructor Jennifer Breedlove leads students in a U-Jam classes.

According to researchers from the from the World Cancer Research Fund and the American Cancer Research Institute, the risk of postmenopausal breast cancer is greatly reduced by being physically active and

According to researchers from the from the World Cancer Research Fund and the American Cancer Research Institute, the risk of postmenopausal breast cancer is greatly reduced by being physically active and maintaining a healthy body weight. In this 2019 file photo, execise instructor Jennifer Breedlove leads students in a U-Jam classes.

According to researchers from the from the World Cancer Research Fund and the American Cancer Research Institute, the risk of postmenopausal breast cancer is greatly reduced by being physically active and

Reduce the risk of breast cancer through a targeted diet and an active lifestyle

Breast cancer is the most commonly-diagnosed cancer among women and the second most common cancer overall with over two million new cases in 2018. While there are many hereditary and genetic factors thought to contribute to developing breast cancer, strong evidence exists the risk of many different types of cancer can be greatly reduced through an active lifestyle, maintaining a healthy body weight and adopting a diet that limits sugar, fast foods, processed foods and favors a plant-based approach, according to researchers from the World Cancer Research Fund and the American Cancer Research Institute.

Our evidence shows that fruit and vegetables, as well as wholegrains and fibre, play a crucial role in protecting us against certain cancers, as well as weight gain, overweight and obesity, Dr Giota Mitrou, World Cancer Research Fund Internationals Director of Research wrote in a 2018 report entitled Diet, Nutrition, Physical Activity and Cancer: A Global Perspective.

The 2018 report detailed evidence that a diet that includes many non-starchy vegetables is believed to decrease the risk of oestrogen-receptor-negative breast cancer. Medical experts now recommend adopting a diet that includes mostly plant-based foods such as whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and beans as a goal toward a healthy lifestyle as plant-based foods are high in the types of fiber, nutrients, and phytochemicals (natural substances) thought to prevent cancer. Researchers say foods rich in fiber, vitamins, and other natural substances called phytochemicals are known to help protect against cancer.

What types of food should be avoided?

Researchers recommend avoiding processed foods high in fat and refined starches such as white bread or pasta, biscuits, cakes and pastries. A diet that includes large amounts of processed foods and fast foods high in fat, starches or sugars also often causes weight gain and obesity, which is known to cause cancer. While most foods undergo some form of processing before consumption, fast food and highly processed foods have generally undergone industrial processing and are often higher in energy and lower in micronutrients. In general, researchers say it is best to avoid potato products such as chips and crisps, products made from white flour such as bread, pasta and pizza, cakes, pastries, biscuits and cookies. Strong evidence also exists that the consumption of either red or processed meat also increases the risk of cancer. Although medical experts dont recommend avoiding red meat completely as it can be a valuable source of protein, iron and other micronutrients, in particular protein, iron, zinc and vitamin B12, but avoiding processed meat that has been transformed through salting, curing, fermentation, smoking or other processes to enhance flavor or improve preservation is advised. Processed meat can include ham, salami, bacon and some sausages such as frankfurters and chorizo. Minced meats such as fresh sausages may sometimes, though not always, count as processed meat. But, a healthy diet doesnt necessarily include meat and those who choose to meat-free diets can adapt their protein selections to include fish or chicken and obtain nutrients through careful food selection.

Related: Online support groups offer hope, support to worldwide sisterhood of breast cancer patients

Medical experts also recommend avoiding sweetened drinks and fruit juices. As for artificially sweetened drinks, researchers say there is no strong evidence in humans to suggest that artificially sweetened drinks, such as diet sodas, are a cause of cancer and the evidence that artificially sweetened drinks help prevent weight gain, overweight and obesity is not consistent. Ultimately, researchers maintain that the available evidence is insufficient to make a recommendation regarding artificially sweetened drinks.

On HoustonChronicle.com: New genetic, genomic tests allow personalized treatment options for breast cancer patients

One of the major problems with sugar sweetened drinks is that they provide energy but do not fill you up. This can promote overconsumption of energy and thus weight gain. This effect is compounded when there are low levels of physical activity, Professor Martin Wiseman, World Cancer Research Fund Internationals Medical and Scientific Adviser wrote in the 2018 report.

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Basic research findings

Exercise and physical activity are key to a healthy lifestyle and researchers recommend a minimum of 150 minutes of physical activity per week. A healthy diet and a healthy body weight are key to reducing the risk of all types of cancer. In terms of a healthy diet, doctors recommend eliminating fast foods, processed foods and sugary drinks as much as possible and advise concentrating on a diet that includes plenty of vegetables whole grain foods.

Link between breast cancer and a healthy heart

The risk of postmenopausal breast cancer is greatly reduced by being physically active and maintaining a healthy body weight. In addition, a sedentary lifestyle and premenopausal obesity not only increase the risk of breast cancer, both are known to contribute significantly to heart disease, according researchers from the American Heart Association (AHA).

Dr. Cindy M. John, a cardiology specialist at he Richmond Medical Center, advises her patients transitioning to a healthier lifestyle to make gradual changes.

You dont have to start by running a marathon every year, John said in an interview Monday (Sept. 21). You can start out by walking 20 minutes five times a week. I also tell my patients that dietary changes dont have start out as extreme changes. For example, instead of having dessert with every meal, start by limiting yourself to dessert once a week.

In addition to healthy lifestyle choices, John says its also crucial to schedule a yearly mammogram and visit a health care provider for regular medical screenings.

Women are often the caregivers in a family, which means we focus on caring for others and often forget to take care of ourselves. But, its just as important to slow down and remember to care for your own health and your own body.

Dr. Cindy M. John is a Board Certified Cardiologist who specializes in preventive medicine and risk factor modification. For appointments, call the OakBend Medical Group Cardiology office at 281-622-4925.

knix@hcnonline.com

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Reduce the risk of breast cancer through a targeted diet and an active lifestyle - Chron

If there is one thing that many people wish for regardless of age is to be healthy. Whether you are a teenager or a senior citizen, being healthy is always a priority. Especially with the state of the world now, with the coronavirus pandemic wreaking havoc all over the world, we all want to make sure that we are able to come out of this alive and well.

So how do you go about shifting to a healthier lifestyle? Fortunately, there are many things you can do to assure that you will live longer. Science has also made many signs of progress in both technology and pharmaceuticals. This way we can get more medicine and other technology to help people have a better quality of life.

You can check out GSHS.org for more information on the latest news and discoveries that have to do with health and science.

Aside from relying on the latest discoveries from science, you can also do these tried and tested ways of living a healthier lifestyle.

One of the things you need to watch is what you eat. If you love eating fast food and junk food then it is time to stop. These are full of unhealthy fats that will slowly poison your body. The key is to eat a balanced diet. There is nothing wrong with having cheat days when you eat a slice of chocolate cake or a handful of French fries. But if this is your usual diet, you will soon feel the effects on your body. Try to eat more fruits and vegetables. Include lean proteins and healthy fats into your diet. You dont have to stick to bland foods. Learn how to cook so you can create your own meals instead of relying on takeout and deliveries.

We cannot stress enough the importance of exercise. Regular exercise has so many benefits, including weight loss, stronger muscles, and increased energy levels. Not to mention that it can make you feel happier! Now, if it feels like a burden to work out, try to look for an exercise that you will enjoy. This can be taking a simple 30-minute walk four times a week. Or perhaps clearing the living room and dancing to your favorite dance tracks. Gardening can also be a great form of exercise. Meanwhile, yoga is not only good for the body but also the mind.

Sleep is your bodys way of healing itself. That is why it is important that you dont just get enough sleep, but that you have quality sleep. Even though you had eight hours of sleep but you keep waking up during the night, it is still not enough. Try to invest in blackout curtains, comfortable bed, and sheets so that can really feel relaxed when you are sleeping. You can also refrain from checking your phone at least half an hour before sleeping so that your brain will not be stimulated.

While occasional alcohol drinking may be acceptable as some say that wine can actually be good for your health, the same cannot be said for smoking. There are no health benefits to smoking, and if you are one, it would be best to quit now. There are too many risks involved. It is like slowly poisoning your body and after many years you will suffer from diseases like lung cancer or COPD. These vices must be given up if you truly want to adopt a healthier lifestyle. There are treatment centers that can help you in your journey if you are having a hard time getting started.

A healthy lifestyle does not just focus on your physical body. Your mental health just as important as your physical health so you should not neglect it. For many people, their unmanaged stress can actually result in an actual physical illness. Its important to not compromise your mental health. So how do you this? You need to recognize what causes your stress, and, if possible, avoid those kinds of situations. If it is not possible, there are still things you can do. You can look for an activity that you can do to take the stress away. It can be something as simple as getting a massage once in a while or perhaps reading a good book. You can also seek professional help if you are finding that things have become too overwhelming for you to manage.

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Health Tips for those interested in living a healthier lifestyle - Artvoice

Plano residents are invited to share how they are staying active through the Play in Plano Fit Family Challenge" now through Saturday.

To participate, follow the citys parks and recreation department on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to share your photos and short video clips that show you participating in your favorite healthy activity. The hashtag #playinplano! should accompany the posts, along with a tag for the parks and recreation department, organizers said.

The city also plans to share tips and information on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle every day. The social media event is leading up to the National Family Health & Fitness Day on Saturday.

Need some ideas on how to participate? Planos parks and recreation department suggests taking photos or filming a short video clip of your next nature hike. You can also take a selfie during a walk or run on a trail or while playing on a basketball court. A photo of your family sharing a healthy meal youve prepared together is yet another idea.

Showing how you stay fit can help encourage others to do the same, organizers said. Making a point to exercise and eat healthy can also help develop new skill and habits that can last a lifetime.

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How are you staying active and healthy during the pandemic? Share tips with other Plano residents - The Dallas Morning News

If youre wondering about living a healthy lifestyle, youre probably asking yourself several different questions every day. Are you drinking enough water? Is your diet a good one, or are you eating too many unhealthy snacks? Should you be getting more exercise, or more sleep instead?

Its natural to ask these questions. You only have one body, and you need to take care of it.

Statistics arent in our favor. In fact, 70% of Americans are either overweight or obese. Whats worse is that many of us have made peace with our lifestyles or have chosen to be utterly ignorant of our unhealthy choices.

Having a healthy lifestyle is about more than just eating right and exercising often; its about self-image, having a positive attitude, and choosing to make long-lasting changes. Naturally, thats probably easier said than done.

Thats why weve collected five top tricks to help you get started on living a healthier lifestyle.

The human body is composed of 60% water, and we expel a substantial amount every day. We lose it through urine, sweat, bowel movements, and even by simply breathing.

Most of us dont drink nearly enough to replace what we use; thats a mistake that can do a significant amount of damage. Why is it so important? Water helps our bodies carry out essential functions, like removing waste and spreading nutrients and oxygen through our system.

According to one study, overweight people who drink enough water lose 4.5 pounds more on average than those who dont. The evidence shows that it helps fill your stomach, making you feel less hungry and compelled to overeat.

Adults generally need to drink between 90 125 oz of water daily. Your weight, physical activity, and the humidity will determine how much you need to consume per day. Interestingly, our food intake contributes to about 20% of our day to day fluid replenishment, which means that you need roughly 70 100 oz of water (eight to ten glasses) each day.

One way to know if youre drinking enough is to check your urine. If its slightly yellow, youre good. However, if its a dark yellow or orange color, you need to consume more water.

Headaches, constipation, fatigue, and even bad breath are all signs of dehydration. Before continuing with this article, have a drink first.

Its essential to get regular blood and urine tests to check your sugar levels, for any vitamins and minerals deficiencies, and infections. You should also consider getting mammograms and PAP smears if youre female, and colonoscopies and prostate exams (after the age of 50) if youre male.

These should be done at regular intervals since several conditions dont show noticeable symptoms until its too late. The sooner youre aware of any possible health issues, the faster you can do something about it.

If your tests are clean, youll have peace of mind until your next check-up. Thankfully, your health insurance should pay for your regular visits to the doctor or GP. In fact, some plans either insist on these visits or reward you with incentives if you get positive and healthy results.

If youre not sure about what youre covered for, contact your insurance agency or broker to find out. Youll likely have to pay a deductible before the company pays the rest of your medical expenses. Its standard practice and will apply to most of your healthcare costs, from check-ups to accidents and emergency treatment.

If youre not sure what a deductible is, dont worry. Many online sources will tell you more, and you can check for more information on this link or by doing a Google search.

Folate, vitamin A, vitamin K, manganese, potassium, and dietary fiber are just some of the nutrients you can get from vegetables. Many veggies improve your gut health, while other benefits include maintaining your blood pressure and reducing your risk of heart disease.

Whether its starchy vegetables like potatoes and yams, or non-starchy ones like kale and spinach, all veggies are essential to a healthy diet.

Everyone knows that regular exercise is extremely healthy. It can increase your lifespan, lower the risk of diseases, increase bone density, and encourage weight loss.

If youre not moving throughout the day, its time to get started. Climb the stairs instead of using the elevator, join aerobics or dance classes, or just take a quick 5-minute walk in the evenings.

Exercising is about having fun and being healthy, not about suffering, and pushing yourself to breaking point. Keep things interesting; give your body a proper, balanced work-out by combining cardio and strength routines.

Fun activities thatll get your heart pumping include hiking, basketball, squash, yoga, swimming, and tennis.

The amount and quality of sleep you get can have a significant impact on your health. If youre not getting enough revitalizing rest, youll notice several different symptoms. Familiar ones include fatigue and lack of focus. However, you can also experience increased hunger cravings, and youll even start to notice signs of premature aging.

If you can, try to get seven to eight hours of slumber. Some mobile applications and smartwatches will help monitor your sleep rhythms, too. That way, you can quickly pick up on anything disturbing your well-deserved rest.

Many of us want to live healthier lives, but we just dont know where to start. However, by following a few simple steps, you can go quite a way toward making improvements. Its essential to consider these steps as long-term lifestyle changes rather than quick fixes.

Focus on improving your diet, drink lots of water daily, and make sure to include exercise in your routine. Dont forget to get enough sleep, and dont hesitate to go for regular checkups. With a little time, care, and dedication, you can improve your health, and in turn, your quality of life, significantly.

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5 Ways to Have a Healthy Lifestyle Routine - Along the Boards

PARKERSBURG The Wood County Solid Waste Authority and the Wood County Recreation Commission will soon he headed by a co-director to oversee both agencies.

Andy Hartleben will be taking on that role, starting Oct. 5, officials announced. Hartleben has been chief deputy for the Wood County Assessor and has served 18 years total in the office.

Hartleben is looking forward to getting started. He is excited about the possibility of leading two organizations.

He has served five years as a member of the Solid Waste Authority board, but he did not have any experience with the recreation commission.

However, he said he understands its mission about creating healthy opportunities for people, especially young people.

Hartleben previously served on the board of the Parkersburg Boys and Girls Club. He knows there are many youth in this area who live in a single-parent home while others are being raised by their grandparents or other family members.

He feels he can help provide opportunities to those people to help create healthy lifestyle choices as well as have activities they can do after school.

This is the right time to breathe new life into that organization, Hartleben said. I want to create those opportunities and make Wood County/Parkersburg a better place.

In a press release issued by John Reed, director of the Solid Waste Authority, the recreation commission was encountering financial difficulties that could not allow it to employ a full-time recreation commissioner while the Solid Waste Authority has been in a strong financial position over the past several years.

County Commission President Blair Couch, who also is on the board of the Solid Waste Authority, recommended that rather than seeking additional tax dollars to fund the recreation commissioner, the two agencies join forces to employ a co-director.

Reed, who also is Parkersburg City Councilman, was planning to retire as of Jan. 1. The board requested and Reed accepted to stay on part-time after retirement to handle only the compliance complaints.

This would allow the new director time to co-direct both agencies, Reed said. I will be working as needed.

The Solid Waste Authority presented the offer to Sean Andrews, president of the recreation commission, in July, and both boards agreed to terms which would share in the cost of operation and administration.

I believe the arrangement will be good for both organizations due to finances, Andrews said.

With the pandemic and schools and other organizations shutting down, the recreation commission was unable to offer many of its programs.

We lost a lot of programs, Andrews said, adding that impacted the commissions finances.

The arrangement will end up saving money as both organizations will share the expenses of a director.

Andrews believes Hartleben will be good for everyone involved.

Andy will be a good director for both organizations, Andrews said. It is a good situation.

Couch said the recreation commission, established in the 1940s, was a worthwhile organization worth saving as it provides youth sports.

Having the two together can help teach the rec kids about recycling, Couch said. Wood County Rec has touched so many lives, but it has been on the decline in recent years. This will be a chance for it to get built back up.

As the country is still dealing with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Couch wasnt sure if the recreation commission could offer basketball and track programs. He expects it will be in 2021 before youth sports programs can return.

During this time, Andy will be able to find out which programs are working, Couch said.

He felt bringing the two groups under one director was a wonderful idea. He thanked Parkersburg Mayor Tom Joyce and City Attorney Joe Santer in reviewing everything to make sure it could be done.

It is a wonderful idea, Couch said. We are thankful to everyone for being able to work it out.

A memorandum of understanding has been worked out between the organizations which will spell out the duties of the director. Hartleben will have the time to find what needs to be done and how to approach handling the challenges of both organizations, Couch said.

This is going to be a work in progress over the next year, he said.

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Hartleben to oversee Solid Waste Authority, Recreation Commission - Parkersburg News

Barbara Fradkin, Special to FLORIDA TODAY Published 6:11 a.m. ET Sept. 22, 2020

More than 34 million Americans have diabetes, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Type 2 diabetes is by far the most common type of diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association.(Photo: Space_Cat, Getty Images/iStockphoto)

This Q&A is provided by One Senior Place, a marketplace for resources and a provider of information, advice, care and on-site services for seniors and their families, located in Viera.

Most of the food we eat breaks down into sugar, or glucose.

In a healthy person, the pancreas releases insulin when your blood sugar goes up. Insulin is the gatekeeper, letting blood sugar into your body'scells for energy.

People with diabetes don't make enough insulin, or can't use it as well.

That means too much sugar stays in their bloodstream, which can lead to serious health problems over time.

Barbara Fradkin is theDirector and a Social Worker atOne Senior Place(Photo: Provided by One Senior Place)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates 34.2 million Americans are living with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.

Type 1 is thought to be caused by an auto-immune reaction and is mostoften developed in childhood. There is no known prevention.

Type 2 diabetes is a different story, accounting for 95% of all diabetes cases. Type 2 comes on slowly over time, and obesity is the leading risk factor.

The last 20 years have witnessed a diabetes surge in adults, teens and even children.

In Florida, 2.4 million people have diabetes and another 5.8 million have prediabetes, which is a blood sugar level that's higher than it should be.

Nearly everyone with Type 2 diabetes has prediabetes first.

Right now, more than one in three adults in America have prediabetes and 84% of them have no idea.

Catherine Robinson, Registered Diabetes Educator with Florida Health Plans, believes prediabetes intervention is critically important.

These are truly epidemic numbers," Robinson said. "But there is clear evidence that prediabetes treatment can delay or prevent the conversion to diabetes."

More: One Senior Place: Virtual support groups help homebound stay connected

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More: Need answers to your difficult questions? One Senior Place can help

And that's the good news: Type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed with healthy lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, eating healthy foodand being active.

If you're one of those people walking around with undiagnosed prediabetes, Lisa Conway, R.N., at One Senior Place wants you to know the warning signs.

"Symptoms can include increased urination, excessive thirst, unexplained weight loss, blurred vision, numbness or tingling in hands or feet, fatigue, dry mouth or itchy skin, slow healing sores and increased infections," she said.

Conway, a Certified Care Manager and Aging Life Care Professional, is also quick to echo the prescription for good health.

"You can prevent or delay Type 2 diabetes with simple, proven lifestyle changes such as losing weight, eating healthier and getting regular physical activity," she said.

Beginning Oct.7, One Senior Place in Viera will present a five-part seminar series on diabetic health, in partnership with Chefs for Seniors, Aging Matters, Florida Healthcare Plans and VITAS Health Care. More information is available at OneSeniorPlace.com.

One Senior Place is a marketplace for resources and provider of information, advice, care and on-site services for seniors and their families. Questions for this column are answered by professionals in nursing, social work, care management and in-home care. To submit a question, send an email to askOSP@OneSeniorPlace.com or visit One Senior Place, The Experts in Aging at OneSeniorPlace.com.

Barbara Fradkin is a Social Worker, Certified Care Manager and the Director for One Senior Place in Viera.

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One Senior Place: If you have prediabetes, does that mean you will develop diabetes? - Florida Today

Members are working out once again at Power of Fitness in Palm Desert.

Those who spoke with News Channel 3 said at least now they can resume their fitness routines interrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

"I think it's great. People need to get out and exercise and keep a healthy lifestyle you know," said club member Leo Valenzuela.

The news also took the weight off the shoulders of health club operators, including Ken Ebner.

Ebner says for most of the past 6 months his 2,900 members were not being charged their monthly dues, while most of his expenses continued.

He is now left with what he calls "heavy debt".

"We've been able to squeak by as they say. The reopening helps us out a lot so now we can start to get back to business," said Ebner.

The sign on the wall of the main workout area showed "maximum occupancy" for the space is one 179.

Ebner says he and his staff are ready to enforce the ten percent limit for th number of people working out.

They also have some cardio machines taped off to help members maintain proper social distancing.

Ebner says the steps they're taking to protect members and staff include adding additional hand sanitizer dispensers, doubling their cleaning schedule and requiring members to carry towels to be used for wiping down machines.

Gyms and health clubs in the county were allowed to reopen for about four weeks in June, but were ordered to close indoor activities again when the number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in the county spiked.

Ebner hopes it doesn't happen again.

"It has been very tough for the past six months. I hope this is the final phase of the shutdown. We'll have to see," said Ebner.

The health clubs hours are also reduced.

Weekday hours are 5:00 am to 9:00 pm.

Weekends it's 7:00 am to 4:00 pm.

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Riverside County gyms and fitness centers cleared to reopen at reduced capacity under red tier - KESQ

SIOUX CITY (KTIV) -- At least 2.7 million Americans are living with atrial fibrillation, also known as AFib.

It's a serious condition of the heart that can lead to blood clots, stroke, heart failure, and other heart-related complications. While many people experience symptoms, others do not. That's why doctors say a routine checkup is so critical.

"About 20% of strokes in the western world, including the United States, are related to atrial fibrillation," said Dr. Roque Arteaga, Unity-Point Health St. Luke's Cardiac electrophysiologist.

Atrial fibrillation is an irregular and often rapid heart rate that often can cause poor blood flow.

"When the electrical signals are not transmitted appropriately and in an orderly way, the upper chambers go out of rhythm, being atrial fibrillation one of those rhythm disorders and that creates what we call an erratic irregular heartbeat," said Dr. Arteaga.

Dr. Arteaga said it seems to be more frequent as patients get older. So what should you be on the lookout for?

"Feeling their heart pounding or beating irregularly or erratically," said Dr. Arteaga. "Some patients feel short of breath. Some patients feel fatigued or tired. Some people feel lightheaded or dizzy. Some patients experience a heavy pounding in their chest or neck. That's called palpitations."

Dr. Arteaga said sometimes patients don't have any symptoms. So often it's detected in a full physical exam and electrocardiogram.

"The EKG will tell us whether the heart is an irregular heartbeat, in atrial fibrillation, in any other arrhythmia, or it is normal," said Dr. Arteaga.

Once a patient is diagnosed with AFib, there are two goals of therapy.

"The prevention of strokes with anticoagulation and get patients to feel better with some kind of intervention," said Dr. Arteaga.

If left untreated, AFib can lead to serious health problems like strokes, cardiac or lung complications. That's why Dr. Arteaga said it's important to see your doctor and adds it's safe to do so now, even with the COVID-19 Pandemic.

To help prevent and detect AFib, Dr. Arteaga said to see your family doctor at least a couple of times a year for a full physical.

People should also work to live a healthy lifestyle. That includes routine exercise, weight loss or maintaining weight, healthy eating, and control of high blood pressure, diabetes, or any type of thyroid problem.

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HEALTHBEAT 4: Treating Atrial Fibrillation - KTIV

SPECIAL SERIES: COVID-19 In Arizona: 6 Months In

Bridget Dowd/KJZZ

A Kaiser Family Foundation poll in July found that 53% of adults in the U.S. reported their mental health has been negatively impacted due to worry and stress over the coronavirus.

Because the pandemic has so drastically changed how many of us live our day-to-day lives, its also taken a toll on our mental health.

I actually have been dealing with clinical depression and anxiety for years before the pandemic, and it definitely made them worse," said Jae.

Shes asked us only to use her first name to protect her privacy. In early spring, Jae was your average Arizona college student attending classes, hanging out with friends and preparing for a summer internship.

Then came COVID-19 and suddenly everything changed. Her classes and internship moved online, and she started spending a lot more time indoors. She said while medication helps, she needs more than that to maintain a healthy mind.

My taking antidepressants is also accompanied by me living this healthy lifestyle that is now a little bit more difficult to live because of COVID-19, Jae said. Im not walking and biking to class every day.

Jae says the medication started to feel less like it was enhancing her good mood and more like it was just keeping her head above water. To make things worse, she ended up contracting COVID-19.

I had very overwhelming fatigue among a whole host of these other symptoms for two weeks, and I was really worried about what was going to happen to me because theres still so little that we really know about this virus, she said.

Jae hit a low point when she tried to take a short walk and it left her feeling completely exhausted.

I felt like I had done an intense cardio workout It was that bad, Jae said. That definitely weighed on my depression quite a bit and my anxiety as well. All I could think was how long is this going to last for me?

While the combination of depression and social isolation may have Jae feeling alone, recent mental health statistics show shes far from it.

A Kaiser Family Foundation poll in July found that 53% of adults in the U.S. reported their mental health has been negatively impacted due to worry and stress over the coronavirus.

During a press conference earlier this month, Gov. Doug Ducey highlighted other figures that show what he called a worrying trend.

According to the CDC, the percentage of adults reporting thoughts of suicide in the past 30 days rose to more than one in 10, an increase of more than double compared to two years earlier, Ducey said.

The Kaiser poll also found adults were having difficulty sleeping or eating, as well as reporting increases in alcohol consumption or substance use.

Arizona Psychiatric Society

Arizona Psychiatric Society President Dr. Don Fowls

Arizona Psychiatric Society President Dr. Don Fowls said hes seen a noticeable uptick in anxiety levels.

Some of thats related to being isolated and some of its just related to the unknown and whats going on with the virus, Fowls said. I mean were learning more each day, but still there are enough unknowns that people are anxious about it.

Fowls group has worked with the Crisis Response Network and other providers in the state to make psychiatric services more available to first responders and health care workers.

He said in some ways the virus has actually improved services for those who need it, as video and phone visits become more common.

You know when you think about it, you dont have to drive to and from, and you dont have to wait in a waiting room, Fowls said.

But adults arent the only ones whose lives have been upended due to COVID-19. While many parents wrestle with their work lives and their childrens remote learning, kids are struggling, too.

Dr. Funda Bachini is a child and adolescent psychiatrist.

Oftentimes parents feel that if you dont bring things up to your child and they arent talking about it then theres not a problem and that just isnt true, Bachini said.

Luca Bachini

Dr. Funda Bachini is a child and adolescent psychiatrist.

She added that kids notice more than we might think.

Even my 3-year-old will ask to go to Target with me, and Ill say no baby, you cant, and shell say but Ill wear my mask,Bachini said.

She said by having honest conversations with their children, parents can build trust.

So for little kids, theres social stories and books about COVID and whats going on, Bachini said.

For older kids in the 7- to 12-year-old range, she said its especially important to validate their feelings, by saying things like: Hey I know that going back to school is going to look different right now. I have questions. You may have questions too. What are you thinking about?

But no matter what your age, there are some ways to self-soothe. Dr. Fowls said it may be as simple as doing more of the things you like to do that are still safe, like hiking or reading.

I wish there was one magic, silver bullet solution for everyone that would just work and away the anxiety or fears and depression, but were all a little different, Fowls said.

And he said, if you hit a rough patch, there is help out there.

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Arizona Suicide and Crisis Hotlines By County:

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How The Pandemic Has Taken A Toll On The Mental Health Of Arizonans - KJZZ