How to Live a Long Life

To learn how to live a long life, we should take a look at the major causes of death and then try to avoid or negate those causes. Here are the major causes of death and what we can do about it:

1. Heart Disease

Almost one third of all deaths are from heart disease, often from a fatal heart attack. We can't move to Japan and eat fish and rice for a long life.

Well, maybe some of us can, but that is not a solutions for most of us.

We can't move to Italy and live on a healthy Mediterranean Sea diet either, at least not most of us. But we can look at what folks eat to live longer.

During the Korean War, the advance of heart disease was evident. While WW II servicemen had clean arteries, Korean War servicemen (I was one of them) had partially occluded arteries. However, those who were prisoners of war, had their arteries nice and open again. Starving on a fish, vegetable and rice diet is good for the heart.

But before we talk about diet, let's look at heredity.

I have heart disease, had a heart attack and I've had heart surgery twice. I have the aortic valve of a very kind pig. Yet, I'm 76 years old and still kicking.

When I was a boy, my Uncle Ben died at age 50 of a heart attack at his desk. His children suffered from heart disease.

My older brother, a very healthy eater, has had bypass surgery, but he had it at a much older age than I did.

My sister died from heart disease but at an older age.

We should look at our family history and see if heart disease is a major cause of death. We should look at that history at a young age.

Once you know that heart disease is prevalent in your family, you should inform your doctor of this fact so that you can take action to diminish the threat to your life.

If heart disease is prevalent in your family, you should be monitored for heart function. You should change your life style to prevent heart disease. That means exercise, eating more fish than meat, eating fruits and vegetables and nuts and grains.

I suggest that you go to the American Heart Association site to learn more about heart disease. Change your diet, stop using tobacco, lower your alcohol content and engage in daily exercise.

Changing your eating and exercise patterns can reverse heart disease. Remember those Korean War prisoners of war.

Your doctor can describe effective drugs to lower cholesterol levels generated by your own body.

2. Cancer:

Cancer is another cause of death.

Many families have a history of cancer.

We have some families like that where we live. Cancer can bring death rapidly in young people, people in their thirties, even younger.

As with heart disease, if your family has a cancer history, then your doctor needs to know this.

Cancer must be detected by medical scanning. Except for skin cancers, most cancers are not obvious until it is too late. As a person should know the signs of heart disease, we all should know the signs of cancer.

I go to a dermatologist every few months. He sometimes takes a biopsy of my skin and usually finds a basal cell carcinoma. He sees pre-cancer indications and uses his can of liquid nitrogen to burn them away.

Over the years, I have had many surgeries to remove basal cells. So have a number of my friends in this area.

The main skin cancer threat is melanoma, a deadly form of cancer that can be sniffed out by some dogs.

Colon cancer can be detected by screening. So can prostate cancer tendencies. As you get older, you need more screening.

Go to the American Cancer Society site to learn more about cancer detection, avoidance and treatment.

3. Stroke

I remember the death snore of my grandmother after she suffered a cerebral hemorrhage. She died the next day.

My father had multiple strokes in his mid-eighties and he died of a stroke at age eighty-eight.

So I do have a family history here and my oldest son who is a neurosurgeon keeps his eye on me.

Here is the governments information on Stroke Prevention (cdc.gov/stroke/prevention.htm):

Stroke Prevention

All people can take steps to lower their risk for stroke, whether they have had a stroke or not. Things you can do to lower the risk of stroke include steps to prevent and control high blood pressure, heart disease, and other chronic conditions.

Prevent and control high blood pressure: High blood pressure is easily checked. It can be controlled with lifestyle changes and with medicines when needed. You can work with your doctor to treat high blood pressure and bring it down. Lifestyle actions such as healthy diet, regular physical activity, not smoking, and healthy weight will also help you to keep normal blood pressure levels. All adults should have their blood pressure checked on a regular basis. See our high blood pressure fact sheet.

Prevent and control diabetes: People with diabetes have a higher risk of stroke, but they can also work to reduce their risk. Further, recent studies suggest that all people can take steps to reduce their risk for diabetes. These include weight loss and regular physical activity. For more information about diabetes, see CDC's diabetes program Web site.

No tobacco: Smoking can affect a number of things that relate to risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. Not smoking is one of the best things a person can do to lower their risk of stroke. Quitting smoking will also help to lower a person's risk of stroke. The risk of stroke decreases a few years after quitting smoking. Your doctor can suggest programs to help you quit smoking. For more information about tobacco use and quitting, see CDC's tobacco intervention and prevention source Web site.

Treat atrial fibrillation: Atrial fibrillation is an irregular beating of the heart. It can cause clots that can lead to stroke. A doctor can prescribe medicines to help reduce the chance of clots. See our fact sheet on this condition.

Prevent and control high blood cholesterol: High blood cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart disease, which can increase the risk for stroke. Preventing and treating high blood cholesterol includes eating a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol and higher in fiber, keeping a healthy weight, and getting regular exercise. A lipoprotein profile can be done to measure several kinds of cholesterol as well as triglycerides (another kind of fat found in the blood). All adults should have their cholesterol levels checked once every five years, and more often if it is found to be high. If it is high, your doctor may prescribe medicines to help lower it. See our cholesterol fact sheet.

Moderate alcohol use: Excessive alcohol use can increase the risk of high blood pressure. People who drink should do so in moderation. More information on alcohol can be found at CDC's alcohol and public health Web site.

Maintain a healthy weight: Healthy weight status in adults is usually assessed by using weight and height to compute a number called the "body mass index" (BMI). BMI is used because it relates to the amount of body fat for most people. An adult who has a BMI of 30 or higher is considered obese. Overweight is a BMI between 25 and 29.9. Normal weight is a BMI of 18 to 24.9. Proper diet and regular physical activity can help to maintain a healthy weight. You can compute your BMI at CDC's nutrition and physical activity program Web site.

Regular Physical Activity: The Surgeon General recommends that adults should engage in moderate level physical activities for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week. For more information, see CDC's nutrition and physical activity program Web site.

Diet and nutrition: Along with healthy weight and regular physical activity, an overall healthy diet can help to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels. This includes eating lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, lowering or cutting out salt or sodium, and eating less saturated fat and cholesterol to lower the risk of high blood pressure and heart disease which can lead to stroke. For more information, see CDC's nutrition and physical activity program Web site.

Genetic Risk Factors

Stroke can run in families. Genes play a role in stroke risk factors such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and vascular conditions. It is also possible that an increased risk for stroke within a family is due to factors such as a common sedentary lifestyle or poor eating habits, rather than hereditary factors."

You can see that if you are watching out for stroke you are helping your heart too.

4. Respiratory Disease

My grandfather who died at age ninety-seven when I was in Korea told me to always take a walk first thing in the morning and to fill my lungs with fresh air. He had been a coal miner but the black lung disease did not kill him.

Exposure to dangerous chemicals can be detrimental to your respiratory health.

I have been exposed to many dangerous chemical in my work career. Fortunately I was monitored and given training to prevent exposure. However, some of my friends and coworkers have suffered, even died from exposure to heat, asbestos and beryllium oxide.

Many workers in I my industry have suffered from silica exposure. Silica is very fine sand.

Some have suffered and eventually died from breathing excessively hot air while repairing industrial kilns and furnaces. There is no excuse for the later. Kilns should be cooled before workers are allowed to enter them despite that loss of revenue.

The most dangerous chemical to most of us is tobacco. Second-hand smoke is suspect but the main culprit is plain old smoking. So don't smoke!

Our air is polluted. Even in Idaho, we get the smoke from farmers burning weeds and from forest fire in our state and neighboring states. We just don't have as much industrial pollution in most of the state.

Pollutants can cause cancer.

Asthma is a major health risk. It requires medical monitoring.

Some consider Sleep Apnea a respiratory disease. It is very hereditary; just ask my kids and grandkids.

This is a horrible ailment and I learned that I had it some years ago while watching a television program. I had a terrible time in college as did my third son. I would fall asleep in lectures and when I tried to study. In graduate school when I was older, it was awful and I don't know how I got through it.

Sleep apnea kills your short term memory so it is good I was an engineer/scientist where I could calculate my way through college instead of memorize my way through.

When I was tested for sleep apnea, my blood oxygen dropped to near-zero. Instead of waiting for a later test to fit a CPAP unit, I was given one in the hospital. I slept for two and one-half hours and woke up at 5:30 a.m. and left the hospital.

I could never remember sleeping that long.

I didn't need any sleep the next couple of days.

Finally, I called my oldest son and told him that I was up all night studying quantum mechanics and Russian. He told me to stay in bed for at least five hours until my system adjusted to having oxygen while sleeping.

Sleep apnea can lead to heart disease and stroke. Get help!

5. Accident Injuries

Many folks are killed in accidents on the highway, in the home and in the workplace. Do the best you can do is follow the rules of safety. Highway deaths are often caused by drunk drivers.

Also, the use of cell phones and radio transmitters while driving can cause accidents.

Ladders and electrical circuits are waiting to catch you unawares. Gravity and high-voltage are there to snag you day and night, even on Christmas. Be careful. At work, follow the rules.

Children love to get into trouble. Are those dangerous chemical locked up?

6. Diabetes

To learn about diabetes, go to: diabetes.org/home.jsp

This is a disease I dread. I know that as you get older and heavier you become more at risk. I see it in my old friends and relatives, it is close to home.

There are two types of diabetes (form our source above):

"Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults, and was previously known as juvenile diabetes. In type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar (glucose), starches and other food into energy needed for daily life.

"Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. In type 2 diabetes, either the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin. Insulin is necessary for the body to be able to use glucose for energy. When you eat food, the body breaks down all of the sugars and starches into glucose, which is the basic fuel for the cells in the body. Insulin takes the sugar from the blood into the cells. When glucose builds up in the blood instead of going into cells, it can cause two problems:

* Right away, your cells may be starved for energy.

* Over time, high blood glucose levels may hurt your eyes, kidneys,
nerves or heart.

'Finding out you have diabetes is scary. But don't panic. Type 2 diabetes is serious, but people with diabetes can live long, healthy, happy lives.

"While diabetes occurs in people of all ages and races, some groups have a higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes than others. Type 2 diabetes is more common in African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, and Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders, as well as the aged population."

Diabetes can cause other problems. Go to the reference to learn more and see your doctor if you need help in this area. Eat right and avoid obesity.

7. Influenza and Pneumonia

When the flu bug goes around, we all are exposed to it. During the great world-wide flu epidemic of 1918, even hermits in the pine barrens of New Jersey were found dead. So, get your flu shots to lessen the risk. Maybe they will, maybe they won't. It is sort of a guessing game with the scientist as to which strain to protect you from. Sometimes, they guess wrong. But you still may get some protection even then.

We old folks get pneumonia in the hospital, often after surgery. Then some of us die. But youngsters can die too. Ask your doctor if you need a pneumonia shot.

8. Alzheimer's Disease

This horrible disease can not be stopped. It is a killer of the aged. It can come on rapidly. It brings tremendous sorrows to many families. My neighbor's wife thought he was her mean brother. It broke the kind old man's heart.

Medical treatments for this disease can treat some of the symptoms. For a very informative tutorial on Alzheimer's Disease go to: alz.org/brain/01.asp

9. Kidney Disease

According to Kidney Foundation facts

Millions of Americans have kidney disease (CKD) and another millions more are at increased risk. Early detection can help prevent the progression of kidney disease to kidney failure. Heart disease is the major cause of death for all people with CKD.

Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is the best estimate of kidney function.

Hypertension causes CKD and CKD causes hypertension.

High risk groups include those with diabetes, hypertension and family history of kidney disease. African Americans, Hispanics, Pacific Islanders, Native Americans and Seniors are at increased risk.

Three simple tests can detect CKD: blood pressure, urine albumin and serum creatinine.

10. Systemic Infection

HIV/AIDS is such a disease. There are many others and a major cause of death throughout the world. Vaccines and treatments are needed throughout the world and many organizations are helping to provide for that need. Bacteria, virus and fungus are agents. Parasites too are a problem.

Staff infections are prevalent in hospitals. Stay home if possible.

11. Suicide

Too many young people die of this cause. It is a higher risk in my state of Idaho. Too often, a person commits suicide with no apparent reason. The family is stunned and devastated. Some veterans are suicidal. (I did not see this in Korea but we had one guy in our company shoot himself in the foot with an M-1 hoping that would send him home. It sent him to the hospital and then to a court martial. The company commander was furious.)

My friend's dad killed himself during the depression. His dad was pilfering money from the coal company where he was accountant. It devastated his family, my father who was his best friend, and me.

If you suffer from depression, get help. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

is a 24-hour, toll-free suicide prevention service available to anyone in suicidal crisis. If you need help, please dial 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

You will be routed to the closest possible crisis center in your area. With more than 130 crisis centers across the country, our mission is to provide immediate assistance to anyone seeking mental health services. Call for yourself, or someone you care about. Your call is free and confidential.

Para obtener asistencia en español durante las 24 horas, llame al 1-888-628-9454.

Lock up those guns!

12. Liver Disease

Alcohol and drugs are two causes of liver disease. A major cause is malnutrition. Go to: discoveryhospital.com/main.php?id=3307 for symptoms and treatment.

13. High Blood Pressure

This killer can be controlled by medication.

As we get older, we have to watch our blood pressure but even teens can have high blood pressure. Get tested! It doesn't hurt and any nurse can do it. You probably can get a test by machine at your pharmacy. If you get such a reading and it is high, have your doctor check it out. The machines are not all that accurate form my experience.

14. Homicide

Move to the suburbs, make that the country. We live in a dangerous age. Stay out of those dark alleys.

In Idaho, drinking or drugs or both are factors in homicide. I suggest that you stay out of places where drugs are present and alcohol alone is served.

15. Other Causes

They say that there are other causes of death. I can think of the major wars and the minor wars. I can think of that killer, Osama bin Laden. The Taliban killed thousands before our invasion. There are so many terrorist organization to help that killing machine along.

And then we have the weather, earthquakes, volcanoes, tidal waves, and all that.

Duck your head!

God bless you to a great old age.

Good Health to You!

Now keep happy and avoid stress. Read the comics and watch cartoons. How about those I Love Lucy VCR tapes you got laying around? One guy dying in a hospital watched the Three Stooges and Red Skelton movies. He got better!

Do you know more now on how to live a long life? What do you do, Grandma?

Fly Old Glory