Health briefs

Jan 30, 2012, 3:06 GMT

Problems dealing with money could be sign of dementia

Berlin (dpa) - Accounts paid twice over or a chequebook in a mess could indicate incipient dementia. Problems in dealing with personal finances are one of the earliest indicators of an onset of senile dementia, according to a range of psychological studies.

Elderly people who go on to develop the symptoms typical of Alzheimer's Disease often show early signs in failing to pay money over properly, being unable to understand their bank statements or carrying out transfers incorrectly, according to neuropsychologist Daniel Mason.

These signals should set alarm bells ringing in the family, and relatives should become involved to guard against financial losses as their elderly relatives may be unaware of their declining faculties.

In a project at the Alzheimer Disease Research Centre of the University of Alabama 87 patients showing symptoms of memory loss were compared with 76 healthy elderly people, testing them for the way they handled their financial affairs. Twenty-five patients who developed symptoms of Alzheimer's within a year scored significantly worse in the test.

Warm up and keep warm when jogging in the winter

Berlin (dpa) - Cold weather is no reason to stop running to stay fit. Colds and other typically winter ailments can be kept at bay through simple strategies, according to Ronny Moriabadi, a German fitness expert. 'The feet, ankles, calf muscles and knees should be prepared and warmed up using movement exercises like foot circles and running on the spot,' he says.

Moriabadi recommends wearing several thin layers. 'As the body loses a lot of heat through the head, it should be covered with a thin hat that breathes,' he says.

Runners should breathe through the nose, as drawing lungfuls of cold air in through the mouth can be uncomfortable. Other advice includes wearing running shoes with a pronounced tread to avoid slipping on icy surfaces. A water-resistant top layer is advisable to keep cold and damp out.

The run should be extended to more than half an hour at least three times a week for the sake of maintaining endurance, and cooling down exercises should be done only after the runner has changed into dry clothing. Moriabadi advises jogging through a well lit neighbourhood and wearing a flashing light as well during the long winter evenings.

Use all your senses to test food

Berlin (dpa) - Some foods can safely be consumed long after their official shelf life has expired. The shelf life shown on the container is an indication of how long the contents will retain specific characteristics, such as taste and smell, when properly stored.

If this date has passed, this does not necessarily mean that the product cannot be consumed. Consumers should trust their own senses , smelling, touching and tasting to ascertain whether it can still be consumed, according to the German consumer authority in Berlin.

Shelf life should, however, not be confused with the 'use by' date found on the packaging of perishable foods - usually fresh produce - that deteriorate quickly and can be harmful to the consumer's health. These products should not be consumed after this date, and it is illegal to offer them for sale.