Concert health
Before rocking out at your favorite band’s concert this summer, heed some health advice from the June issue of Men’s Health:
First and foremost, protect your hearing, because the noise level at a typical concert can top 120 decibels, causing permanent hearing damage, according to Sam Levine, professor of otology at the University of Minnesota. Take along some hi-fi earplugs, and you’ll get all the sound with none of the damaging noise.
If you’re planning to quaff a few as you listen to an outdoor concert, follow the 2-1 water-to-beer ratio to avoid dehydration and sunstroke, suggests Carl Monzo, a paramedic with the Bonnaroo festival. Also, wear clothing that is lightweight and wicks away the heat, sandals to protect your feet, and a bandanna that you can soak with water for a quick cooldown.
And at the risk of sounding like your mother, remember to slather on the sunblock to stave off a bad burn, and take lots of water in a backpack-style hydration pack. Finally, a small pack of all-purpose wipes can come in handy to quickly banish germs in the portable toilet.
Mark of a good diet
Nutrition research consistently has shown that the Mediterranean diet is the “gold standard” of healthy eating, promoting good health and longevity. It has been linked with a decrease in illnesses, including lung disease and Alzheimer’s disease.
Now shoppers can easily find the foods and drinks that support a Mediterranean diet by looking for the Med Mark packaging symbol.
The symbol was developed by the non-profit Oldways Preservation & Exchange Trust, which created the Mediterranean Diet Pyramid along with the Harvard School of Public Health and the World Health Organization.
The Med Mark symbol is about the size of a postage stamp and has the image of an amphora, the pottery jug used for 3,000 years by all Mediterranean cultures to store and ship food and drinks. Manufacturers whose products meet the standards for a traditional healthy Mediterranean diet can license the stamp for their packaging.
For more information on the Mediterranean diet, including scientific studies, recipes and images of Med Mark, go to med iterraneanmark.org.
Over 60 and driving
Safe driving can be a challenge for people over age 60. Drivers 60 and older have more accidents per mile driven than drivers 25 to 59, according to an article in the June issue of the Harvard Women’s Health Watch.
Driving can be impaired by failing health as well as medications that leave you less alert and unable to negotiate busy intersections.
To stay safe on the road, stay abreast of the following health changes:
* Vision: Have regular eye exams.
* Hearing loss: Consider a hearing aid.
* Loss of strength and flexibility: Drive a car with an automatic transmission, power steering and power brakes.
* Sleep problems: Avoid drowsy driving by not driving after dark or after a big meal.
* Medications and their side effects: Ask your doctor for medications that won’t impair driving. If they will, stay off the road.
