Health & Wellbeing

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It’s that time of year again – back to school! For most of us in the United States, receiving a formal education is assumed. Some of us even continue to achieve advanced degrees, and go on to hold cognitively challenging jobs. But we can’t stop after we walk across the stage to receive our diploma. Lifelong learning – and the kind of highly educated lifestyle that comes with it – is good for the brain! Not only can education increase our likelihood of higher living standards (less stress, better quality food and better quality of life), it also decreases our likelihood of developing dementia as we age.

By Dr. Smita Patel

Proton pump inhibitors, or PPIs, are a class of drugs that treat acid reflux and peptic ulcers. The three most commonly prescribed PPIs are omeprazole, pantoprazole and esomeprazole. In recent years, some studies reported that PPIs increase risk for dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. We hear patients asking questions about this issue, so I’d like to clarify what we currently know about this risk.

One in five women will get Alzheimer’s disease in their lifetime. For men, it’s one in ten. Understanding this difference in gender and Alzheimer’s disease is the subject of much research and debate. Some theories include the loss of protective estrogen after menopause and the simple fact that women, in general, live longer lives than men. (Age is the primary risk factor for Alzheimer’s.)

Springfield, Ill. – AARP Illinois issued the following statement Friday thanking the state House of Representatives for voting 65-38 for HB 4900, a proposal to require generic drug companies to justify drastic increases in price to the state Attorney General.

Guest author Emmaline Rasmussen, MS, RD, E-RYT, is a nutrition specialist and clinical research dietitian at NorthShore University HealthSystem.

By Dr. Smita Patel, NorthShore Center for Brain Health

By Susannah Spiess, MD

The rapid rise in technology has provided us with modern discoveries, rekindled connections and new opportunities to collaborate and create. But has our country’s increased technology use also contributed to a rise in neck and back injuries? Here are some tips to alleviate bone and joint stresses at home and in the office.