Aging Untold: How to reset when stress becomes chronic

(Aging Untold) — On this episode of Aging Untold, we explore when everyday stress can become chronic and how it may affect your body.

Then, we meet older adults returning to college and look at the challenges and rewards of learning later in life.

Plus, in one Michigan town, a familiar thumbs-up has become a small gesture that brings big smiles to the community.

How to reset when stress becomes chronic

Stress is part of life for lots of people, but chronic stress can have physical effects.

Dr. Rhea Rogers, a board-certified physician, said stress becomes chronic “when you can’t turn it off.”

The Aging Untold experts are sharing signs of chronic stress and tips on how to calm your body down, including box breathing and the SEEDS method.

Read the full article here.

Thinking about going back to school after retiring?

Taking classes after retiring can be low-cost or even free.

Gerontologist “Sam” Cradduck said she sees going back to college later in life as personal enrichment.

Dr. Rhea Rogers said learning new things later in life is a way of “establishing neuroplasticity.”

Read the full article and find resources for free or low-cost classes here.

Ketamine infusion therapy could offer hope for chronic pain patients

Some medical professionals are promoting ketamine infusion as a possible solution for patients who cannot get relief from traditional pain management methods.

Elanor Koch of Nebraska said she has seen improvement since starting the therapy.

She said a tumor eroded and compressed her spinal cord by more than 60%, and she would wake up in pain. A flare would leave her in bed for days.

Then, Koch said she found ketamine infusion therapy and experienced significant improvement after six treatments in one month.

People with certain medical histories might not be good candidates for ketamine infusion, including those with mental health conditions such as schizophrenia, uncontrolled high blood pressure, heart disease, kidney or liver disease and substance use disorder.

Read the full article here.

Meet the Michigan man greeting his town for 10 years

On most days, 78-year-old George Doxtader can be found on a bench at the corner of State and Main streets in Eaton Rapids, Michigan, giving a thumbs-up to greet passersby.

People in the community look forward to seeing him.

“It just makes them happy to see his smiling face and his thumbs-up,” Pastor Jenny Rouble of First Congregational Church said. She said Doxtader is a friend and a blessing to the community.

What many might not know is that Doxtader suffered two major health events decades ago and has paralysis on the right side of his body. And sometimes, he has trouble speaking.

Learn more about George and how he is inspiring his community here.

This program is provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute providing medical advice or professional services. The information provided should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, and those seeking personal medical advice should consult with a licensed physician. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health provider regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have seen on this program. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately. No physician-patient relationship is created by this program or its use. Aging Untold/Gray Media, nor its employees, contractors or agents, nor any contributor to this program, makes any representations, express or implied, with respect to the information provided herein or to its use.