Don’t Let The ‘organ Recital’ Get You Down
Seems like the older we get, the more illnesses we have to worry about. We used to laugh when our parents called their recitation of problems ‘the organ recital, ‘ but that’s what it seems like for us younger folk today as well.
At least our athletic friend has a somewhat lesser problem to manage that our brother-in-law. A few months back he was diagnosed with the form of diabetes called Type 2, which often affects older people. It means that his body has become resistant to the effects of insulin, which regulates blood sugar. Consequently he’s had to start taking extra insulin to compensate for this change, and things aren’t going very well with getting the dosage accurate. He read recently that some patients with Type 2 diabetes have begun to take a supplement made from an extract of the agaricus brazil mushroom. It seems this extract has the ability to increase the body’s acceptance of insulin when taken along with it, so that the dosage can be stabilized.
That brings us back to our friend the ice hockey player. Since his joints bother him when he plays, he’s been looking around for something to help.
He’s started taking a supplement as well, kirkland glucosamine. He swears that it helps build up the cartilage in his joints so that he can play better. He recognizes that it may be all in his mind, but he’s convinced that the supplement helps his body grow stronger tissue to cushion and protect his bones, so he takes the supplement every day.
Our sister-in-law has trouble with osteoarthritis in her hands. It’s very frustrating for her to have her hands achy and swollen because of her hobby. Whenever the arthritis in her hands flares up, she tries a new round of arthritis remedies, looking for relief. She crochets all kinds of lovely baby blankets and little caps for newborns. A local charity gives her creations, and those of many other generous women, to the public hospital where many low-income mothers have their babies.
Of course, one of the best ways to deal with any of the problems related to aging is to keep active in body and mind. We’re so envious of our friends who’ve been able to keep up with activities such as running and tennis, even if they do occasionally need some therapy for knees and elbows. At best some of us can manage a nice brisk walk around the park or a neighborhood, but at least that’s something.
As far as we’re concerned, we’ve been convinced by the many scientific studies of recent years that growing older can be managed better if we keep our minds active. Maybe we’re just playful kids at heart, but we feel good about playing board and video games and working on number puzzles and crosswords. Physically we might be able to keep up with gardening or walk the dog daily, but that’s quite an accomplishment for former ‘couch potatoes’ like us!