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Mountain View News Saturday, May 17, 2025

FREE ASSISTED LIVING PLACEMENT SERVICE

 

 Discover the perfect assisted living community with 
Safe Path for Seniors. Our compassionate advisors specialize 
in assisting individuals with unique needs. Benefit 
from our extensive network and affordable options. 
Plus, we offer personalized tours to help you explore 
each community firsthand. 

Call (626) 999-6913 or visit www.safepathforseniors.
com for free assistance.

SENIOR HAPPENINGS


HAPPY BIRTHDAY! …MAY BIRTHDAYS*

Beth Copti, Marilyn Diaz, Anne Schryver, Jo Ann Williams, Paul Hagan, 
Lenore Crilly Joann Serrato-Chi, Harriett Lyle, Jean Coleman, Birgitta 
Gerlinger, Luciana Rosenzweig, Linda Wochnik, Marian Woodford, Debbie 
Sheridan, Joanne Anthony, Carole Axline, Kika Downey, Shirley Hall, Janet 
Ten Eyck, Jane Thomas, Ray Burley, Bridget Flanagan,Donna Mathisen,Vicky 
Ryan, * To add your name to this distinguished list, please call the paper at 
626.355.2737. YEAR of birth not required 


SLEEP STUDIES AND SENIORS: WHY QUALITY SLEEP MATTERS

 

As people age, changes in sleep patterns are common—but they’re not always harmless. Many seniors 
experience difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up too early. While some of this is a normal 
part of aging, frequent sleep disruptions may signal underlying health issues. This is where a sleep 
study can be especially valuable.

 

Sleep studies, or polysomnography, are non-invasive overnight tests that monitor brain activity, breathing, 
heart rate, and body movements. They help diagnose sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, insomnia, 
and restless leg syndrome, all of which are more common in older adults.

 

One often overlooked reason for poor sleep in seniors is nocturia, or frequent urination at night. Getting 
up multiple times disrupts the natural sleep cycle, leaving individuals feeling tired, irritable, and 
unfocused during the day. While nocturia can result from bladder issues or medications, it’s also associated 
with sleep disorders like sleep apnea. A sleep study can uncover whether disrupted breathing 
is causing the body to produce more urine at night—something many don’t realize.

 

Lack of quality sleep is more than just frustrating; it’s linked to serious health consequences such as 
memory loss, depression, weakened immune function, and an increased risk of falls. Untreated sleep 
problems can also worsen chronic conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure.

 

By identifying the root cause of sleep disturbances, sleep studies enable doctors to recommend effective 
treatments—whether it’s CPAP therapy for sleep apnea, adjusting medications, or improving sleep 
hygiene.

 

For seniors and their caregivers, understanding that poor sleep is not just “part of getting older” is 
essential. With proper diagnosis and care, it’s possible to greatly improve nighttime rest and daytime 
quality of life. A sleep study may be the first step toward better health and energy in later years.


HOW MUCH ADVIL (IBUPROFEN) IS TOO MUCH?


OUT TO PASTOR 

A Weekly Religion Column by Rev. James Snyder

Dear Savvy Senior,

I take Advil pretty regularly for arthritis 
pain and headaches, but how can I tell if 
I’m taking more than is safe? Achy Alan

Dear Alan,

Ibuprofen – better known by one of its 
brand names, Advil – is one of the most 
popular medications on the market today for treating all different types of pain, headaches, fevers 
and cramps.

Given the drug’s broad pain-reducing effects, safety record and availability over the counter (OTC), 
it’s no surprise that some people pop the little brownish-red tablets whenever they feel the slightest 
twinge of discomfort.

But ibuprofen, which is also sold under brand names like Motrin and Nuprin, can pose certain health 
risks, especially for those with kidney or stomach issues. Here’s what you should know.

What’s Safe?

For most adults and children ages 12 years and older, the recommended OTC dose of ibuprofen is one 
(or two, if needed) 200-milligram tablets, caplets or gel caplets every four to six hours while symptoms 
persist. You shouldn’t take more than 1,200 mg (or six pills) in a 24-hour period.

If you haven’t consulted a doctor about how much is safe, or if you aren’t certain about your risk factors, 
it’s best not to exceed the recommended limit of 1,200 milligrams a day.

If you have chronic pain, or were recently injured or had surgery, your doctor may prescribe ibuprofen 
for you at a higher dose. Prescription tablets are usually stronger compared to the OTC dose, such 
as 600 mg and 800 mg. The maximum daily dose for prescription-strength ibuprofen is 3,200 mg in a 
24-hour period. But it’s important only to take what your provider has prescribed for you.

Also be aware that ibuprofen is sometimes added to certain cold and flu medications, so always read 
the ingredient list on medications before using them.

Be Cautious!

Ibuprofen belongs to a class of drugs known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, 
which reduce pain and inflammation by blocking the activity of certain enzymes.

But these enzymes also help maintain kidney and liver function and regulate the balance of fluids 
and electrolytes in your body. So, taking ibuprofen can be dangerous for patients with kidney disease 
or failure; those with liver damage or cirrhosis; and people with conditions that put strain on their 
kidneys, like high blood pressure or heart failure. Those at high risk for these conditions – as well as 
for stomach ulcers, heart attacks, strokes or bleeding problems – should talk with their doctors before 
taking ibuprofen.

People who take medications such as diuretics, anticoagulants, ACE inhibitors or ARBs (angiotensin 
receptor blockers) to manage cardiovascular issues should also be careful, because ibuprofen stresses 
the kidneys and the heart.

To reduce these health risks, don’t take the maximum recommended dose for more than a week or 
two at a time. If you are needing it for more than two weeks, or if you’re turning to ibuprofen every 
day to keep your aches and pains in check, you need to see your doctor.

When taken for long periods, ibuprofen can also increase the risk of stomach ulcers. The drug inhibits 
enzymes that, among other things, aid in the production of mucus that lines and protects the stomach 
lining, so without these enzymes, the stomach becomes vulnerable to irritation and damage.

Some alternatives to ibuprofen you should talk to your doctor about include acetaminophen (Tylenol), 
topical NSAIDs (diclofenac gel) that is not absorbed into the blood to the same extent as oral 
NSAIDs, nonacetylated salicylates, curcumin (an active ingredient in turmeric) and acupuncture.

Send your questions or comments to questions@savvysenior.org, or to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, 
Norman, OK 73070.


IT'S NOT ALWAYS WHAT I DON'T KNOW

I would be the first to admit one truth about myself: I don’t know 
everything. To quote a politician, “I don’t know what I don’t know.” 

That has been the theme of my life for as long as I can remember.

It all began with my parents. Whenever I got into trouble, they would usually respond, 
“Don’t you know anything?” Of course, as all parents are, they were right.

It’s not that my memory is getting worse as I get older. It has always been bad 
since the day of my birth. I can’t remember anything about the day of my birth 
or the weeks after.

One thing I don’t remember very well is names. For example, I know 10 people 
whose first name is George. They all look different, so I do not know what a 
George looks like.

I think that’s the reason somebody invented the name “Buddy.” So confusing.

It also may be why I call my wife “Honey, my dear, sweetheart,” because I don’t 
remember her first name.

The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage does not have any memory failure. She 
can remember every day and what she has been doing since the day of her birth. 
Fortunately for me, I can count on her pristine memory.

On my way to my office the other day, I walked through the kitchen where she 
was preparing lunch. As I walked through, she said, “No, and I haven’t seen it in 
weeks.”

I stopped, looked at her quizzically and said, “What?”

She just smiled, so I continued to my office to begin work.

As I began, I looked for my tape recorder, which I use Sunday mornings to record 
my sermon, and I couldn’t find it. I looked and looked and looked, but it was 
nowhere to be seen.

After 30 minutes, I peeked into the kitchen and said, “Did you see…?”

“Didn’t you hear me?” She said, “I said no.”

I stood there a little stunned, and all I could say was, “What?” How did she know 
what I would ask her 30 minutes before I asked her?

I sat in my office and thought about this for a moment. How could she know 
something like this before I even asked the question? What enables her to know 
ahead of time? Is she a prophet?

While trying to process this, I found my tape recorder under some papers piled 
on my desk.

A few days later as I walked through the kitchen on way to my office, The Gracious 
Mistress of the Parsonage looked at me and said, “It’s this Thursday at 9 
o’clock.”

I stared at her and said, “I didn’t ask you any question. What’s this all about?”

She returned to her work, and I continued to my office.

About an hour later, I was updating my schedule for the week. I wanted to know 
when my next doctor’s appointment was, but I didn’t have it on my schedule.

I peeked into the kitchen and asked, “Do you know when my doctor’s appointment 
is?”

She looked at me and said, “Don’t you listen to me? I said this Thursday at 9 
o’clock.”

I then remembered she said that, but when she said it, I had no idea what she was 
talking about. How did she know I wanted to know when my doctor’s appointment 
was? How did she know 45 minutes before I asked her what I would ask 
her?

It was a Monday morning, and as I went to my office The Gracious Mistress of the 
Parsonage said, “They’re in your vest pocket in your closet.”

I was hurrying to get to my office because I had a business appointment at the 
bank, so I didn’t listen very carefully to what she said.

I looked around for my car keys and could not find them. Finally, I went to the 
kitchen and said, “Do you know...”

“If you remember, I said earlier that they were in your vest pocket in your closet.”

Thinking about it, I remember her saying that, but I had no idea what she was 
talking about at the time. How did she know I was going to look for my keys?”

When I returned home from the bank that afternoon, I pondered all of this.

When I see something, I think of how to use it to my advantage. It then hit me. 
I think I’m going to ask her which horse is going to win the race this weekend. I 
figured out how to present it so she does not know what I am doing.

I walked into the kitchen later, and she looked at me and said, “No, I am not helping 
you on the horse race.”

Later, I thought about that and said to myself, "I did not know we were so intimately 
connected."

Sitting in my office, I thought about this and was reminded of what wise old 
Solomon said.

“1 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; 
2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;” 
(Proverbs 2:1-2).

My take is, I need to be proactive when it comes to knowledge. My knowledge 
will feed my wisdom, which in turn will apply my heart to understanding. I can’t 
take for granted what I hear and I must learn how to pay attention to all that is 
around me.


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com