Category: Medicine Hat News

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Magic of Maui – Seven Days Not Enough

Sunrise above the clouds at Haleakala National Park. (iStockphoto/Thinkstock)
Sunrise above the clouds at Haleakala National Park. (iStockphoto/Thinkstock)

The most memorable day was spent at the Haleakala volcano summit (10,000 ft) to watch the most beautiful sunrise.
The most memorable day was spent at the Haleakala volcano summit (10,000 ft) to watch the most beautiful sunrise.

After watching the sunrise from the volcano crater at 10,000 ft. Alia (pink jacket), Hussein (yellow jacket) and the rest of the group get ready to bike down the mountain on Volcano Chrome Cruiser Bikes.
After watching the sunrise from the volcano crater at 10,000 ft. Alia (pink jacket), Hussein (yellow jacket) and the rest of the group get ready to bike down the mountain on Volcano Chrome Cruiser Bikes.

The bikers riding down the mountain road under the watchful eyes of Sabiya and Noorali in the van - drinking coffee and taking pictures.
The bikers riding down the mountain road under the watchful eyes of Sabiya and Noorali in the van – drinking coffee and taking pictures.

We were back at the the Ka’anapali Beach Hotel to soak in the sunset.
We were back at the the Ka’anapali Beach Hotel to soak in the sunset.

Then to the magic show: left to right -- Noorali, Sabiya, Alia and Hussein “performing” magic.
Then to the magic show: left to right — Noorali, Sabiya, Alia and Hussein “performing” magic.

Taking a holiday is a wonderful thing. It takes a while to organize one but once you get there, you are glad you made it. That is how my family and I felt when we arrived at mid-night at our hotel in Maui, Hawaii.

We stayed at Ka’anapali Beach Hotel (Hawaii’s most Hawaiian hotel). We had our rooms facing the beach. The sunset every evening was breathtaking. One can sit on the balcony all day to observe the interaction between humans, their pets and nature – sun, sand, water, waves, breeze and fluttering palm trees.

The location of the hotel also provided an opportunity for long walks on the beach, with the presence of multiple shops and other hotels and restaurants meant you could just stay on the beach and get everything you wanted right there. This allowed my daughter, Alia, to continue with her early morning jogs and workouts while we were still in bed.

We decided to take it easy on the first day to recover from the long journey. We spent our time at the beach, the swimming pool and the local village shops. We had lunch at Leilani’s on the Beach where they serve you a giant “killer” Hula pie as desert for free! In the evening, we had dinner at the hotel’s Tiki Terrace restaurant where Hula dancers entertained us.

Other activities during the week included parasailing, zipline adventures from a base camp at 1,600 ft. elevation, and Kupanaha Magic Show Dinner Theater at the hotel. One evening was spent at Maui Theatre watching a show called Ulalena. The show takes you through the same journey as the Hawaiian people – from the creation of the islands to the early island explorers. Through their special effects you will visit volcanoes, vast oceans and primeval rain forests while meeting the Gods who rule each location.

The most memorable day was spent at the Haleakala volcano summit to watch the most beautiful sunrise and then bike 28 miles downhill. Early Hawaiians applied the name Haleakalā (“house of the sun”) to the general mountain. The tallest peak of Haleakalā is at 10,023 feet (3,055 m). The drive to the summit is a two-lane highway containing many blind turns and very steep drop-offs. It takes about two to three hours to drive to the summit if you have no fear of heights.

We decided to go by van as part of a guided tour. Pick-up time was at 2:30 a.m. at our hotel. A continental breakfast was provided before we started the journey. At the summit, it is cold (about zero degree Celsius) and windy. We were provided with warm overalls. Sometimes it rains and the clouds distort the view of the sunrise. We were lucky. No rain and the sunrise was beautiful. There were lots of people. After you have taken pictures it is time to leave.

If you have the stomach to drive by yourself then you can stay as long as you want, hike around and visit the rest of the park. If you have a fear of heights or want to enjoy the view and let somebody else drive then take a guided tour. As the morning broke, we drove downhill about half way. Then we were given Volcano Chrome Cruiser Bikes and helmets. Hussein and Alia biked with the rest of the group while Sabiya and I took photos from the van.

One thing we didn’t do is the famous Hana Highway drive. We had done it 15 years ago and had no desire to do that again as there was no time. We did visit Maui’s Winery, hiked the Maui Rain Forests and Waterfalls and spent an evening to have dinner and a show at Old Lahaina Luau. Our most memorable dining was at the secluded Mama’s Fish House and at Sansei Seafood Restaurant and Sushi Bar.

There was so much more to do but as always, “Hopefully, next time.”

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Sarcopenia Among Seniors can be Prevented

A senior doing push-ups at a gym. (iStockphoto/Thinkstock)
A senior doing push-ups at a gym. (iStockphoto/Thinkstock)

Sarcopenia is not a disease. But it may kill you. It makes you frail because there is incremental loss of strength, increasing the risk of hospitalization and death. Sarcopenia is a Greek word which means “poverty of flesh.” It is part of aging. The skeletal muscles degenerate 0.5 to one per cent per year after the age of 25. Older adults lose about three per cent of their lean body mass each decade.

In the United States, an estimated 53 percent of men and 43 percent of women over 80 are sarcopenic, says an article in the New York Times.

The European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) says that for the diagnosis of sarcopenia, there should be presence of low muscle mass and low muscle function (strength or performance). The exact reason for sarcopenia is not known. Lack of exercise increases the likelihood of sarcopenia. Muscle fibres are replaced with fat and there is an increase in fibrous tissue – akin to scar tissue.

As the aging process keeps marching on, there is a tendency to be less physically active. That should be avoided if you want your muscles to maintain bulk and strength. Studies have shown exercise in the very old can increase strength and muscle function and improve balance. This will reduce the risk of falling and breaking bones. Your capacity to live independently will increase.

It has been shown sarcopenia is an important independent predictor of disability, linked to poor balance, gait speed, falls, and fractures. Sarcopenia is very similar to osteoporosis where there is loss of bone caused by inactivity. Osteoporosis can be prevented with regular exercise just like sarcopenia. Combination of sarcopenia and osteoporosis in old age causes significant frailty and risk of falling.

There are two ways to prevent and treat sarcopenia. One is regular exercise and second one is intake of adequate amount of dietary protein.

Regular exercise increases the ability and capacity of skeletal muscle to synthesize proteins in response to short term resistance exercise. Thirty minutes of walking three times a week and light resistance exercise three times a week can do wonders for physical strength in frail individuals. For an elderly person who is not able to lift light weights, should try water aerobics.

Having a good high protein diet is important. In the elderly, it should be more than the amount recommended to prevent deficiency disease, says the Times article quoting one of the experts interviewed by the paper. For older adults, four ounces of fish, chicken or turkey a day, and an additional protein snack in the afternoons to combat a dip in energy will help. Also include vegetarian protein sources like soy or quinoa, to provide variety without dietary fat, says the expert.

Other strategies include: use of testosterone or anabolic steroids, agents such as DHEA and human growth hormone, selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs), and the fatty acids EPA and DHA contribute to increased muscle strength. Some of these treatments have side effects and some have not proven to be of benefit. So, high protein intake (if there is no kidney disease) and regular exercise to build strength remains the main therapy to prevent and treat sarcopenia.

Remember, November is Seniors’ Falls Prevention Month.

Start reading the preview of my book A Doctor's Journey for free on Amazon. Available on Kindle for $2.99!

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Danger of Falls in Seniors Reminds Me of My Mother

A senior that fell down a flight of stairs. (iStockphoto/Thinkstock)
A senior that fell down a flight of stairs. (iStockphoto/Thinkstock)

Talking about seniors falling reminds me of my mother. She wanted to be independent and mobile. Her children helped her achieve that goal by finding people to assist her at home. My brother and sister were in the same city so they made sure she was safe and comfortable.

My mother had multiple medical problems. She was in her 80s. Her peripheral vision was diminished. This blinded her to furniture as she was walking. She had right foot drop from neurological problems. This made it difficult to lift her foot often causing her to trip. She used a walker to aid her unsteady gait. She had osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. She was lucky to never break a bone from falling.

The shower area was equipped with handles. This made it easy for her to maintain balance while getting in and out of the tub. Sometimes she would get dizzy spells. She also had mild congestive heart failure. Once a month her wonderful family physician would make an old-fashioned house-call to check her blood pressure and give a vitamin B injection.

To maintain her safety and independence we hired in-home help twice daily. In addition to this, a physiotherapist would come once-a-month to assess and advise her on mobility and balance. A massage therapist would come once-a-week to take care of her aches and pains. She also subscribed to an emergency call system that utilized a neck pendant with an emergency call button. Help was always only a button-push away. It was also nice to have wonderful, helpful, and caring neighbours.

The worst part of the year is winter. Icy roads, parking lots and sidewalks are dangerous for young and old alike. We must be vigilant at all times. If it takes a village to raise a child then it takes a community to care for a senior. This involves family, friends, neighbours, volunteers and health care professionals. A team effort.

When we fall the consequences can be serious. Particularly in seniors. Many of them are on blood thinners. Statistics show that 50 per cent of seniors who fall do so repeatedly. Almost half of seniors that fall experience minor injury and five to 25 per cent experience serious injury. About 40 per cent of nursing home admissions are the result of falls. Falls cause more than 95 per cent of hip fractures among seniors, 20 per cent will die within the first year and 50 per cent will never regain their pre-hip fracture functioning. These are serious statistics.

There is a lot we can do to prevent our seniors from falling. Some steps were covered earlier in this article. Also, we should remember to keep our seniors active. Activity improves muscle strength which improves balance. Exercise at least 30 minutes a day. It does not have to be all at once. For example, 10 minutes three times a day. You can walk, dance or take an exercise class. Tell your doctor if you feel lightheaded while exercising. You may have a blood pressure problem or something more serious. Do not ignore these warning signs.

I can go on and on but you get the point. Slow down, be careful, watch your surroundings and ask for help if you cannot do something. Children, keep an eye on our precious experienced “young” folks. One day we will be wearing their shoes, my friend. Remember, November is Seniors’ Falls Prevention Month.

Start reading the preview of my book A Doctor's Journey for free on Amazon. Available on Kindle for $2.99!

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Indoor Tanning Beds are Not Safer than Natural Sunlight

A woman lying in a tanning bed. (Stockbyte/Thinkstock)
A woman lying in a tanning bed. (Stockbyte/Thinkstock)

Many snowbirds are getting ready to move down south for winter. Some are also booking holidays to get away for a couple weeks to warmer places. The idea is to get away from cooler temperatures, spend time on a beach and soak in the natural sunlight. Before they go away, some travellers visit indoor tanning salons to get a mild tan thinking that this would protect them from sunburn and skin cancer.

There are people who like to look tanned year round and visit indoor tanning salons on a regular basis ignoring the fact that indoor tanning is as bad as basking in the natural sunlight. Some parents encourage their children to visit indoor tanning salons. Studies have shown indoor tanning bed use and childhood sunburns increase skin cancer in young adults.

There is no doubt, exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation damages your skin, whether the exposure comes from tanning beds or natural sunlight. The damage eventually leads to premature aging of the skin and skin cancer.

A recent Mayo Clinic study, published in the April 2012 issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings, found dramatic rise in skin cancer in young adults, especially among people under 40. Researchers speculate indoor tanning bed use and childhood sunburns are key culprits. The study found the incidence of melanoma has escalated, and young women are the hardest hit.

“We anticipated we’d find rising rates, as other studies are suggesting, but we found an even higher incidence than the National Cancer Institute had reported using the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Result database, and in particular, a dramatic rise in women in their 20s and 30s,” says lead investigator Jerry Brewer, M.D., a Mayo Clinic dermatologist, who was quoted in one of the reports.

The study found the incidence of melanoma increased eightfold among young women and fourfold among young men. The lifetime risk of melanoma is higher in males than females, but the opposite is true in young adults and adolescents. The good news is mortality rates from the disease have improved over the years, likely due to early detection of skin cancer and prompt medical care.

If you are a frequent user of indoor tanning beds then you are 74 per cent more likely to develop melanoma. Young women frequent indoor tanning salons more often than young men even though many of them know indoor tanning has carcinogenic effects that increase the risk of melanoma.

A study from New Brunswick showed that by Grade 12, one-third of girls were using tanning salons, and one-third of them were going with their mothers, says a report in the Medical Post. It is unacceptable that mothers should encourage their daughters to expose themselves to well recognized carcinogens. There are seven other studies involving nearly 7,400 cases showing that first exposure to sunbeds before age 35 increase melanoma risk by 75 per cent.

The message is clear, exposure to ultraviolet rays ultimately lead to premature aging of the skin and skin cancer. So, understand the risk and take care of yourself. There are many ways to enjoy winter months. Be safe and have fun.

Start reading the preview of my book A Doctor's Journey for free on Amazon. Available on Kindle for $2.99!