Arthritis – From Snake Oil to Science and Success

8232Achy, stiff joints brought on by osteoarthritis have been experienced by many millions of people for a very long time. Experts have found skeletons dating to the Ice Age that show signs of osteoarthritis.

Sometimes called “wear-and-tear” arthritis, osteoarthritis is a common condition that many people develop during middle age or older. In 2011, more than 28 million people in the United States were estimated to have osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis occurs when the protective cartilage on the ends of your bones wears down over time. Although osteoarthritis can damage any joint in your body, the disorder most commonly affects joints in your hands, knees, hips and spine.

Unfortunately, Osteoarthritis often gradually worsens and no cure exists. While new information and new medications may seem like magical cure-alls, it is important to take a deeper look before making treatment decisions. In this Stein Institute for Research on Aging presentation, Gregory Middleton, MD shares the symptoms and causes of OA, current treatments, and how to make informed choices about medications and disease management.

Watch Arthritis – From Snake Oil to Science and Success.

Alzheimer's Disease – Neuroimaging, Caregiver Concerns, and Residential Care

Continuing our in-depth look at Alzheimer’s disease, On Our Mind examines the patient experience as well as the impact of the disease on families and communities. Learn more with our newest installments:

27760Neuroimaging Advances for Alzheimer’s Disease
What insights can new imaging techniques give us not only to the biology of the disease but the efficacy of new therapies?

27760Caregiver Concerns: Wandering, Home Safety and More
Six in ten people with dementia will wander. Learn how to create a home environment that facilitates safety.

27760Residential Care and Alzheimer’s Disease
Making the residential care decision can feel overwhleming. Learn how residential care has changed and the impact of care with dignity.

The Brain Channel’s flagship series On Our Mind takes a closer look at Alzheimer’s disease. Join Dr. William Mobley as he meets with those on the front lines of this disease to discuss current and potential therapies, testing, clinical trials, neuropathology, public policy and so much more.

Watch all of the Alzheimer’s Disease programs.

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Your Legs, Your Life: The Importance of a Healthy Lower Half – Research on Aging

8232The life expectancy of humans has increased fifty percent over the last century and is projected to continue lengthening in the coming decades. This comes with some potential issues. As we live longer, we develop more chronic conditions, including diabetes and high blood pressure that worsen the quality of life and increase health care costs.

Healthy, functional legs can help stave off some of these chronic conditions and are critical in maintaining a vibrant lifestyle, as well as preventing injury and disability, particularly among older individuals. Dr. Matthew Allison discusses the importance of sustaining healthy legs. He describes ways to maintain mobility and increase stamina and activity. Dr. Allison also talks about various diseases that impede leg function, such as peripheral arterial disease, chronic venous disease, and neuropathy in the legs; and potential treatment options in this Stein Institute for Research on Aging presentation.

Watch Your Legs, Your Life and browser other programs from the Stein Institute for Research on Aging.

Eating Disorders Explained

27760How do we manage our eating behaviors? What processes in the body affect how we view our relationship with food?

Walter Kaye, PhD, explores the biological impulses that affect anorexia nervosa and bulimia as well as new brain imaging techniques to help treat and understand eating disorders.

Watch The Science of Dieting: Why Is It Difficult for Most People, but Not Those with Anorexia Nervosa? online now.

Explore more programs in the Stein Institute for Research on Aging series.

Get the Sleep You Need

26070Lack of quality sleep not only affects our mood and ability to function – it also affects our health. Worse still, it can be dangerous to the people around us.

Failure to get adequate sleep poses a danger to society by contributing to traffic and industrial accidents. Some sleep disorders can even be life threatening. Jose S. Loredo, MD, MS, MPH, FCCP, professor of clinical medicine and medical director of the UC San Diego Sleep Medicine Center and VA Pulmonary Sleep Disorders Laboratory, discusses how these disorders can be managed and treated.

Don’t miss this episode from the Stein Institute for Research on Aging:

Sleep and Sleep Disorders in the Older Adult

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