9 Daily Habits That Shorten Your Lifespan and Steal Years from You - Jordan News
9 Daily Habits That Shorten Your Lifespan and Steal Years from You It's not just luck or genetics that determine how long we live or how well we age. Our daily habits—often unconscious—could be the real key to either premature aging or enjoying long-lasting health. اضافة اعلان While aging is associated with conditions like dementia, joint pain, mobility issues, and heart disease, research shows that lifestyle choices play an equally critical role as genetics. Certain behaviors that may seem harmless can gradually harm our health and reduce our chances of aging well. 9 Daily Habits That Can Shorten Your Life According to a report from HuffPost, doctors and health experts have warned against the following habits, which can cost you valuable years: 1. Skipping Preventive Healthcare Neglecting preventive medical care is one of the biggest long-term health mistakes, says Dr. Heather Whitson, director of the Duke Center for Aging. Routine screenings—like mammograms, colonoscopies, and vaccinations—are the body's equivalent of car maintenance. Ignoring them shortens the body's lifespan just like skipping car servicing shortens a car's. 2. Social Isolation Dr. Lee Lindquist, chief of geriatrics at Northwestern Medicine, emphasizes that social interaction boosts both mental health and longevity. Surrounding yourself with people who bring joy is essential; constant exposure to negative or "toxic" individuals increases stress and undermines healthy aging. 3. Not Adjusting Medications with Age Continuing to use medications prescribed in earlier decades without reassessment can be dangerous. Some medications may increase fall risk or impair mental capacity as you age. The American Association of Retired Persons warns that anxiety meds can affect memory, and some sleep aids may double fall risk. 4. Skipping Exercise Despite being basic health advice, skipping physical activity remains a common mistake. Exercise improves mood, strengthens bones, supports heart and brain health, and is so beneficial that, as Dr. Whitson says, turning it into a pill would bankrupt the healthcare industry. The American Heart Association recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise per week. 5. Smoking: A Silent Life-Shortener Smoking remains a top health destroyer, linked to lung cancer, heart disease, strokes, and chronic respiratory illness. Quitting is tough due to addiction, but focusing on a personal reason for quitting and working with a doctor on a cessation plan can make all the difference. 6. Unhealthy Diet Prioritizing a healthy diet significantly improves your odds of healthy aging. Dr. Whitson recommends the Mediterranean diet—rich in fish, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, while minimizing processed foods. It's never too late to adopt better eating habits, but starting younger makes it easier. 7. Poor Sleep Habits Lack of sleep does more than cause fatigue—it raises long-term risks for heart disease and dementia. Conditions like sleep apnea can be especially harmful if untreated. Sleep is not a luxury but a cornerstone of healthy aging. 8. Ignoring Stress Chronic stress—when unmanaged—takes a toll on the body. Dr. Whitson explains that we activate our stress response for non-life-threatening issues, which weakens immunity, disrupts blood pressure, sleep, mood, and metabolism. Managing stress—through therapy or reducing anxiety triggers—is vital. 9. Failing to Plan for Your Future Health Dr. Lindquist stresses the importance of planning not just for the end of life, but for the 'fourth quarter of life'—your 70s, 80s, and 90s. This stage often involves hospital visits, memory issues, and other health challenges.
Having a clear care plan can greatly improve your quality of life during these years.
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Why Does Heartburn Increase With Age? - Jordan News
As we age, our bodies undergo a range of changes—some more frustrating than others. One common and often uncomfortable issue that tends to become more frequent with age is heartburn. Foods that once caused no problem may now require an antacid afterward. اضافة اعلان While heartburn can affect people of any age, gastroenterologists confirm that it becomes more common with aging. According to a report by HuffPost, understanding the causes behind age-related heartburn is the first step toward reducing its frequency. What Is Heartburn, Exactly? Heartburn occurs when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus—the tube connecting your mouth to your stomach. This is typically due to a weakening or relaxing of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), a muscle ring that normally acts as a valve to keep acid in the stomach. Dr. Vivek Lal, a microbiome scientist and founder of ResBiotic, explains that when this valve fails to function properly, acid reflux happens, causing the characteristic burning sensation in the chest—hence the name heartburn. 3 Reasons Heartburn Becomes More Common With Age 1. Weaker Esophageal Muscles Dr. Mikhail Yakubov, a gastroenterologist, notes that one major reason heartburn is more prevalent in older adults is that esophageal muscles naturally weaken over time. This includes the LES, making it easier for acid to escape into the esophagus. Additionally, the digestive system slows down with age, allowing more time for acid to move in the wrong direction—further increasing the chances of heartburn. 2. Medications As people age, the likelihood of developing conditions like high blood pressure increases. According to the CDC, over 70% of adults aged 60+ have high blood pressure. Dr. Ali Kazemi explains that some medications for high blood pressure, especially nitrates and calcium channel blockers, can relax the LES, increasing the risk of heartburn. Other drugs—including opioids, certain antibiotics, and over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen and aspirin—can also irritate the stomach lining and contribute to heartburn. 3. Weight Gain It's common to gain some weight with age. Studies show that between the ages of 40 and 66, both men and women typically gain about half a pound to a pound per year. Kazemi and other doctors note that weight gain, especially around the waist, can increase intra-abdominal pressure, pushing stomach acid upward and worsening reflux. Additionally, slower digestion associated with obesity increases the time acid stays in the stomach—another trigger for heartburn. GLP-1 medications (like Ozempic and Mounjaro) used for diabetes and weight loss have also been linked to reflux symptoms due to their delayed gastric emptying effect. What Can You Do If You Have Frequent Heartburn? The good news: you can manage heartburn, regardless of age, by adjusting a few habits: Talk to your doctor if you suspect your medication may be contributing to heartburn. Alternatives may be available. Maintain a healthy weight, especially around the midsection. Eat smaller meals, avoid lying down right after eating, and limit trigger foods (like spicy, fatty, or acidic items). Avoid smoking and limit alcohol intake—both can worsen heartburn. If symptoms persist, a healthcare provider may recommend prescription treatments or further testing to rule out more serious conditions like GERD.
Jordan News
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9 Daily Habits That Shorten Your Lifespan and Steal Years from You - Jordan News
9 Daily Habits That Shorten Your Lifespan and Steal Years from You It's not just luck or genetics that determine how long we live or how well we age. Our daily habits—often unconscious—could be the real key to either premature aging or enjoying long-lasting health. اضافة اعلان While aging is associated with conditions like dementia, joint pain, mobility issues, and heart disease, research shows that lifestyle choices play an equally critical role as genetics. Certain behaviors that may seem harmless can gradually harm our health and reduce our chances of aging well. 9 Daily Habits That Can Shorten Your Life According to a report from HuffPost, doctors and health experts have warned against the following habits, which can cost you valuable years: 1. Skipping Preventive Healthcare Neglecting preventive medical care is one of the biggest long-term health mistakes, says Dr. Heather Whitson, director of the Duke Center for Aging. Routine screenings—like mammograms, colonoscopies, and vaccinations—are the body's equivalent of car maintenance. Ignoring them shortens the body's lifespan just like skipping car servicing shortens a car's. 2. Social Isolation Dr. Lee Lindquist, chief of geriatrics at Northwestern Medicine, emphasizes that social interaction boosts both mental health and longevity. Surrounding yourself with people who bring joy is essential; constant exposure to negative or "toxic" individuals increases stress and undermines healthy aging. 3. Not Adjusting Medications with Age Continuing to use medications prescribed in earlier decades without reassessment can be dangerous. Some medications may increase fall risk or impair mental capacity as you age. The American Association of Retired Persons warns that anxiety meds can affect memory, and some sleep aids may double fall risk. 4. Skipping Exercise Despite being basic health advice, skipping physical activity remains a common mistake. Exercise improves mood, strengthens bones, supports heart and brain health, and is so beneficial that, as Dr. Whitson says, turning it into a pill would bankrupt the healthcare industry. The American Heart Association recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise per week. 5. Smoking: A Silent Life-Shortener Smoking remains a top health destroyer, linked to lung cancer, heart disease, strokes, and chronic respiratory illness. Quitting is tough due to addiction, but focusing on a personal reason for quitting and working with a doctor on a cessation plan can make all the difference. 6. Unhealthy Diet Prioritizing a healthy diet significantly improves your odds of healthy aging. Dr. Whitson recommends the Mediterranean diet—rich in fish, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, while minimizing processed foods. It's never too late to adopt better eating habits, but starting younger makes it easier. 7. Poor Sleep Habits Lack of sleep does more than cause fatigue—it raises long-term risks for heart disease and dementia. Conditions like sleep apnea can be especially harmful if untreated. Sleep is not a luxury but a cornerstone of healthy aging. 8. Ignoring Stress Chronic stress—when unmanaged—takes a toll on the body. Dr. Whitson explains that we activate our stress response for non-life-threatening issues, which weakens immunity, disrupts blood pressure, sleep, mood, and metabolism. Managing stress—through therapy or reducing anxiety triggers—is vital. 9. Failing to Plan for Your Future Health Dr. Lindquist stresses the importance of planning not just for the end of life, but for the 'fourth quarter of life'—your 70s, 80s, and 90s. This stage often involves hospital visits, memory issues, and other health challenges. Having a clear care plan can greatly improve your quality of life during these years.
Jordan News
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Reducing Dietary Fat May Ease Symptoms of Depression, Study Finds - Jordan News
A new study suggests that cutting calories or following a low-fat diet may lead to a slight reduction in depression symptoms. Researchers from Bond University in Queensland, Australia, analyzed 25 clinical trials involving over 57,000 participants who either received nutritional guidance as part of their treatment plans or continued with their regular eating habits. اضافة اعلان Key Findings: Calorie restriction and low-fat diets were associated with modest improvements in depression, especially in adults at risk of cardiovascular disease—such as those with obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, elevated blood sugar, smoking habits, or low physical activity. The impact on anxiety was less clear. The Mediterranean diet showed uncertain effects on depression, anxiety, and overall quality of life. Despite the small effect size, the researchers believe that long-term dietary changes might still offer notable mental health benefits over time. Important Note: The team recommends that individuals consult healthcare professionals before making any major dietary adjustments, especially if they have underlying health conditions or are undergoing treatment for mental health issues. Source: HealthDay News
