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W e d n e s d ay, A p r i l 30, 2025
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How’s your balance? Here’s what that could mean for heart and brain health
BY GENARO C. ARMAS
American Heart Association News (TNS)
PHOTOS BY APRIL BUFFINGTON
Music therapist Jaqueline McCarthy, center, teaches COPD patients how to play the harmonica at the Baton Rouge General Pulmonary Rehabilitation Center.
Music therapy for the lungs La. patients learn breath control using harmonica
BY MARGARET DeLANEY Staff writer
A musician needs full lungs to play the harmonica — that makes the pocket-size instrument just what the doctor ordered for respiratory therapy patients at Baton Rouge General Pulmonary Rehabilitation Center. Jaqueline McCarthy, a musical therapist at Baton Rouge General, teaches the weekly classes, split up into 15 minute one-on-one sessions. McCarthy, a former opera singer, also leads a special class once a month for patients wanting to learn the harmonica as respiratory therapy treatment, which helps patients with types of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis. In the class, patients learned the Louisiana classic “You Are My Sunshine.” Playing the harmonica strengthens the diaphragm and teaches pursed-lip breathing, which helps better oxygenate the blood, according to Jessica Richardson, a registered nurse and team leader at the center. The technique enables people to inhale and exhale more air, by breathing in through their nose and then breathing out through puckered lips. “Patients with long-term lung conditions can use this harmonica therapy to strengthen the body,” Richardson said. “The breathing techniques increase the levels of oxygen and makes the diaphragm stronger.” The deep, deliberate breaths used in playing the harmonica help patients with damaged lungs inflate microscopic air sacs called alveoli, which
Patricia Beebe learns how to play the harmonica recently at the Baton Rouge General Pulmonary Rehabilitation Center. are where the blood exchanges CO2 for oxygen. In contrast, breathing quick, shallow breaths will cause the alveoli to collapse, making it harder to get air sacs to inflate again — sort of like when blowing up a balloon. The best thing about learning to play the harmonica, according to music instructor McCarthy, is that patients don’t need previous musical experi-
ence to get the benefits. The harmonica will make it sound good no matter what. The sheet music is comprised of pluses and minuses (indicating inhales or exhales, respectively) and numbers one through six (indicating where on the harmonica to play).
ä See MUSIC, page 2G
It’s an ability and skill often taken for granted. It affects quality of life and has been linked to heart disease and stroke. As we age and our muscles weaken, balance becomes crucial to staying active and supporting a healthy heart and brain. “Balance is important because it’s one of the attributes that allows you do to physical activity,” said Dr. Kelley Gabriel, a professor of epidemiology and associate dean at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health. “Everything you do involves some level of balance — standing at the sink, mopping, walking the dog. It’s embedded into almost every single activity.” According to federal physical activity guidelines, balance training should be part of the weekly exercise routine for older adults to help prevent falls, another frequent problem for stroke survivors. Such exercises include walking backward, standing on one leg or using a wobble board. Use caution and work with a coach or training partner if needed. Activities that strengthen the back, abdomen and legs also improve balance, according to the guidelines. Balance is a “multifaceted physiological process” that involves vision, the vestibular system in the inner ear and the nervous system, researchers wrote in a 2024 study in the Journal of the American Heart Association. The Swedish study included 4,927 participants without cardiovascular disease who were 70 years old. Their balance was measured at the start of the study using a balance board. After five years of follow-up, researchers found that problems with lateral balance — the ability to remain stable while shifting weight from one side of the body to the other — were associated with a higher risk for heart attack and stroke. Similarly, a 2023 study in the European Journal of Medical Research found that among nearly 130,000 adults age 60 and older in Korea, those with balance impairment may be at increased risk for coronary heart disease or stroke. Two 2024 studies — one in the Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer’s disease and the other in the Journals of Gerontology Series A — also found an association between balance impairment and increased risk of dementia among older adults. Dr. Pei-Shiun Chang, associate professor of community and health systems at the University of Indiana School of Nursing in Bloomington, said that while impaired balance may be an
ä See BALANCE, page 2G
4 symptoms are warning signs of colorectal cancer large intestine, known as the rec- been increasing in adults under age plore further,” he says. “Following a well-rounded diet, Disease has been tum. 50, particularly for rectal cancer. Even though it may be embar- staying physically active, for inDr. Derek Ebner, a Mayo Clinic rassing, he stresses, “If you have stance, perhaps can be protective. rising among younger gastroenterologist, notes that Warning signs and symptoms any of those symptoms, you need The other key, though, is just being cancer has been increasEbner says four key symptoms to share it with a health care pro- very mindful of those symptoms, people for the past colorectal ing in adults under age 50, particu- have been identified for people un- vider. That way, they can navigate and then also underscoring the imtwo decades those subsequent steps.” larly for rectal cancer. He says it’s der 50. portance of screening.” By Mayo Clinic News Network (TNS) Colorectal cancer, the third-most common cancer in the U.S., has been rising among younger people for the past two decades. It is not one type of cancer but two cancers: colon cancer, which starts in the large intestine, and rectal cancer, which begins in the last part of the
important to know the warning signs of colorectal cancer. “Historically, colorectal cancer was equally divided along the colon and rectum, but particularly for those with early onset colorectal cancer — age less than 50— we’re seeing higher rates of rectal cancer among the younger onset,” says Ebner. Case of colorectal cancer has
“Abdominal pain, diarrhea, seeing blood with bowel motions, as well as iron deficiency anemia,” he says. Ebner notes that blood loss after bowel movements, even if not visibly apparent, can lead to low iron levels. “If on a blood test, for example, we see a sign of iron deficiency, that would then prompt us to ex-
That can lead to early treatment and better outcomes.
Reducing risks While it’s not possible to completely prevent cancer, there are ways to reduce your risks, and that includes following a healthy lifestyle. “Abiding by a healthy lifestyle is critical,” says Ebner.
n Screening: Talk to your health care team about colorectal cancer screening. n Exercise: Aim for 30 minutes of exercise most days. n Nutrition: Eat fruits, veggies and whole grains. n Weight: Maintain a healthy weight. n Lifestyle: Don’t smoke; limit alcohol consumption.