Advance Directives
"Do everything you can to save my father." Doctors hear this a lot. It's the easy thing for family members to say, but it's not necessarily what their father would have said. That's why people need to think about advance directives (sometimes called living wills) for medical care and the appointment of a health care agent.
What are Advance Directives?
Advance directives are documents, written while a person is still able to make decisions, saying that if the person becomes mentally incompetent, then he or she no longer wants artificial life-sustaining measures. These include cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), respirators, and any other measures that the person cares to list.
Why does the advance directive only apply if the person is mentally unable to make decisions?
Because, before then, the doctor can just ask the person about his or her preferences concerning treatment. If the mind is gone, the person can no longer ask to be allowed to die with dignity.
Why would someone not want CPR?
Most relatively healthy people would want CPR if their heart were to stop. That's because they can expect to recover, leave the hospital, and continue with their active lives for a reasonable period of time. Some elderly people who have become incurably frail decide that life is no fun any more. One of my cancer patients, for example, when asked whether he would want CPR, told me that he only wanted to have to die once. CPR would bring him back to life, and then he'd have to die again later. He knew that "later" would be pretty soon anyway.
Why would someone want CPR?
Some people might make the opposite decision. They might decide to have CPR and machines to support artificial breathing because they want to live as long as possible. If you make a decision like that, it will be respected by doctors and hospitals. The doctor is expected to do everything possible to save the life of the patient unless the patient or the patient’s family doesn't want certain specific measures to prolong life.
* If you check into the hospital for any reason, even if you're not in any life-threatening danger, federal law requires the hospital to ask if you want CPR. Whenever you become a patient at a facility that gets Medicare or Medicaid money, you must be offered a document to sign after selecting certain choices about what treatment you want if you lose your mental competence. But the paper doesn't indicate which choices would be the wise ones to make.
* People often decide that they won't want CPR and respirators once they can no longer remember the names of their children (or their own name). But they often check off that they would still want antibiotic therapy, IV fluid therapy, and artificial feeding through a tube. They do this because they visualize themselves having an illness that might respond to IV fluids, antibiotics, and tube feedings. They want these treatments if they can recover and have a life in which they can meaningfully interact with their families and friends.
* The problem here is that these people don't visualize the time when they can't talk and can't understand conversation. If they were to think about the end stages of organic brain syndrome, also called dementia, or senility, they might decide that they wouldn't want IV fluid, antibiotic therapy, or artificial feeding through a tube when they got to that stage of their lives. They might want the medical team to concentrate on comfort measures rather than life-prolonging measures. A person who is writing advance directives needs to plan for the end stage of life.
* Another option is to refrain from writing advance directives that specify particular treatments but, instead, to designate a health care agent. The agent would be someone who will make decisions for you when you can no longer make them for yourself. Then, just tell your health care agent what your wishes would be in various situations. The person you name as your health care agent would then not be locked into the wording of a particular advance directive document that might not apply to your actual situation.
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Illness and Other Health Conditions Affecting Sexuality
Certain illnesses and health conditions can have a major impact on sexual function. Obviously, people with physically disabling conditions such as multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, stroke or cerebral palsy may be limited in their ability to have traditional intercourse. Painful conditions such as arthritis and rheumatism also can take their toll. Other diseases may affect the sexual organs themselves, the nerves and blood vessels that play a role in sexual response and sex hormone levels. Here are four examples of illnesses known to have some effect on sexuality and sexual function.
Cancer: In some cases, cancer can have a direct impact on sexual functioning if it affects hormone production or an organ involved in sex itself, such as the prostate, penis, ovaries, cervix or vagina. Treatment for most forms of cancer, not just those affecting sexual and reproductive organs, can make people feel uncomfortable about their bodies and sexually unattractive. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are intense treatments that can cause more illness and discomfort than the cancer itself. Patients often experience unpleasant side effects such as fatigue, nausea, hair loss, skin irritation and weight changes. Surgery for cancer, such as removal of a breast or testicle, is often disfiguring and can affect a person's sexual self-image.
Diabetes: People with diabetes can develop diabetic neuropathy nerve damage caused by decreased blood flow and high sugar levels. This damage can interfere with sexual response.
Stroke: Along with causing problems with motor function and control, stroke can affect a person's body image. A stroke survivor may not be aware of one side of the body; the mouth may droop; feeling on the paralyzed side may be different; and speech may be garbled and emotions hard to control. The patient also may be afraid that sexual activity could bring on another stroke. Stroke survivors and their partners need to work together to overcome these physical and emotional issues.
Heart conditions, coronary artery disease, high blood pressure: Treatment of these conditions with medications that lower blood pressure can interfere with the blood flow to the genitals that is necessary for sexual response. Also, people with a history of heart attack or heart conditions may fear that sex could bring on an attack. They should work with their partners and physicians to deal with these issues.
Cancer: In some cases, cancer can have a direct impact on sexual functioning if it affects hormone production or an organ involved in sex itself, such as the prostate, penis, ovaries, cervix or vagina. Treatment for most forms of cancer, not just those affecting sexual and reproductive organs, can make people feel uncomfortable about their bodies and sexually unattractive. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are intense treatments that can cause more illness and discomfort than the cancer itself. Patients often experience unpleasant side effects such as fatigue, nausea, hair loss, skin irritation and weight changes. Surgery for cancer, such as removal of a breast or testicle, is often disfiguring and can affect a person's sexual self-image.
Diabetes: People with diabetes can develop diabetic neuropathy nerve damage caused by decreased blood flow and high sugar levels. This damage can interfere with sexual response.
Stroke: Along with causing problems with motor function and control, stroke can affect a person's body image. A stroke survivor may not be aware of one side of the body; the mouth may droop; feeling on the paralyzed side may be different; and speech may be garbled and emotions hard to control. The patient also may be afraid that sexual activity could bring on another stroke. Stroke survivors and their partners need to work together to overcome these physical and emotional issues.
Heart conditions, coronary artery disease, high blood pressure: Treatment of these conditions with medications that lower blood pressure can interfere with the blood flow to the genitals that is necessary for sexual response. Also, people with a history of heart attack or heart conditions may fear that sex could bring on an attack. They should work with their partners and physicians to deal with these issues.
Fitness & Nutrition
In your golden years, your good health empowers you. It is your legacy. From getting enough calcium to minding your mind, you are at the helm. Here, you'll find tips, advice and news for steering your health on the right course.
Nutrition:
Food Pyramid Blocks Re-examined
How to Get Your Soy
Move Over, USDA Pyramid
Medical Nutrition Therapy for People With Diabetes
Fitness:
Can Exercise Keep You Mentally Sharp?
Strength Training for Seniors
Yard Work - Good for the Bones, Too
Yard Work - The Ultimate Fall Workout
How to Trim the Holiday Fat
General:
Fighting Aging: It's All in Your Attitude
Simple Ways to Ward Off Aging
In the Encyclopedia:
Seniors' health
Aging
Bowel training
Exercise
Nutrition:
Food Pyramid Blocks Re-examined
How to Get Your Soy
Move Over, USDA Pyramid
Medical Nutrition Therapy for People With Diabetes
Fitness:
Can Exercise Keep You Mentally Sharp?
Strength Training for Seniors
Yard Work - Good for the Bones, Too
Yard Work - The Ultimate Fall Workout
How to Trim the Holiday Fat
General:
Fighting Aging: It's All in Your Attitude
Simple Ways to Ward Off Aging
In the Encyclopedia:
Seniors' health
Aging
Bowel training
Exercise
Understanding Cholesterol-Lowering Medications
What Is Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a waxy, fatlike substance that your body needs to function normally. Cholesterol is naturally present in cell walls or membranes everywhere in the body, including the brain, nerves, muscles, skin, liver, intestines, and heart.
Your body uses cholesterol to produce many hormones, vitamin D, and the bile acids that help digest fat. The cholesterol in your blood comes from 2 sources: the foods you eat and your liver. However, your liver makes enough cholesterol to satisfy your body’s needs. It takes only a small amount of cholesterol in the blood to meet these needs. If you have too much cholesterol in your bloodstream, the excess may be deposited in arteries, including the coronary (heart) arteries, where it contributes to the narrowing and blockages that cause the signs and symptoms of heart disease.
What causes high cholesterol?
Several drugs and diseases can bring about high cholesterol, but for most people, a high-fat diet, obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, or inherited risk factors are the main causes.
Risks of high cholesterol
If you have too much cholesterol in your bloodstream, the excess may be deposited in arteries, which leads to atherosclerosis (commonly called hardening of the arteries). Atherosclerosis may contribute to high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, blood clots, or impotence.
Cholesterol is a waxy, fatlike substance that your body needs to function normally. Cholesterol is naturally present in cell walls or membranes everywhere in the body, including the brain, nerves, muscles, skin, liver, intestines, and heart.
Your body uses cholesterol to produce many hormones, vitamin D, and the bile acids that help digest fat. The cholesterol in your blood comes from 2 sources: the foods you eat and your liver. However, your liver makes enough cholesterol to satisfy your body’s needs. It takes only a small amount of cholesterol in the blood to meet these needs. If you have too much cholesterol in your bloodstream, the excess may be deposited in arteries, including the coronary (heart) arteries, where it contributes to the narrowing and blockages that cause the signs and symptoms of heart disease.
What causes high cholesterol?
Several drugs and diseases can bring about high cholesterol, but for most people, a high-fat diet, obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, or inherited risk factors are the main causes.
Risks of high cholesterol
If you have too much cholesterol in your bloodstream, the excess may be deposited in arteries, which leads to atherosclerosis (commonly called hardening of the arteries). Atherosclerosis may contribute to high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, blood clots, or impotence.
Alzheimer Disease
* Alzheimer Disease Overview
* Alzheimer Disease Causes
* Alzheimer Disease Symptoms
* When to Seek Medical Care
* Exams and Tests
* Alzheimer Disease Treatment
* Self-Care at Home
* Medical Treatment
* Medications
* Next Steps
* Follow-up
* Prevention
* Outlook
* Support Groups and Counseling
* For More Information
* Web Links
* Multimedia
* Synonyms and Keywords
* Authors and Editors
Alzheimer Disease Overview
Alzheimer disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia in industrialized nations. Dementia is a brain disorder that interferes with a person’s ability to carry out everyday activities.
* The brain of a person with Alzheimer disease (see Multimedia file 1) has abnormal areas containing clumps (senile plaques) and bundles (neurofibrillary tangles) of abnormal proteins. These clumps and tangles destroy connections between brain cells.
* This usually affects the parts of the brain that control cognitive (intellectual) functions such as thought, memory, and language.
* Levels of certain chemicals that carry messages around the brain (neurotransmitters) are low.
* The resulting losses in intellectual ability are called dementia when they are severe enough to interfere with everyday functioning.
Alzheimer disease affects mainly people aged 60 years or older.
* The risk of developing Alzheimer disease continues to increase with age. People aged 80 years, for example, have a significantly greater risk than people aged 65 years.
* About 5 million people in the United States and more than 30 million people worldwide have Alzheimer disease. Many others have mild, or minimal, cognitive impairment, which frequently precedes dementia.
* The number of people with Alzheimer disease is expected to rise substantially in the next few decades because of the aging of the population.
* The disease affects all races and ethnic groups.
* It seems to affect more women than men.
Alzheimer disease is a progressive disease, which means that it gets worse over time. It cannot be cured or reversed by any known treatment.
* The symptoms often are subtle at first.
* Over time, people with the disease lose their ability to think and reason clearly, judge situations, solve problems, concentrate, remember useful information, take care of themselves, and even speak.
* Changes in behavior and personality are common.
* People with mild Alzheimer disease usually require close supervision and help with everyday tasks such as cooking, shopping, and paying bills.
* People with severe Alzheimer disease can do little on their own and require complete full-time care.
Because of this, Alzheimer disease is considered a major public health problem.
* The cost of caring for people with the disease is estimated at over $100 billion per year in the United States. The average yearly cost per affected person is $20,000 to $40,000, depending on the severity of the disease.
* That cost doesn’t take into account the loss of quality of life for the affected person, nor the physical and emotional toll on family caregivers.
* Alzheimer Disease Causes
* Alzheimer Disease Symptoms
* When to Seek Medical Care
* Exams and Tests
* Alzheimer Disease Treatment
* Self-Care at Home
* Medical Treatment
* Medications
* Next Steps
* Follow-up
* Prevention
* Outlook
* Support Groups and Counseling
* For More Information
* Web Links
* Multimedia
* Synonyms and Keywords
* Authors and Editors
Alzheimer Disease Overview
Alzheimer disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia in industrialized nations. Dementia is a brain disorder that interferes with a person’s ability to carry out everyday activities.
* The brain of a person with Alzheimer disease (see Multimedia file 1) has abnormal areas containing clumps (senile plaques) and bundles (neurofibrillary tangles) of abnormal proteins. These clumps and tangles destroy connections between brain cells.
* This usually affects the parts of the brain that control cognitive (intellectual) functions such as thought, memory, and language.
* Levels of certain chemicals that carry messages around the brain (neurotransmitters) are low.
* The resulting losses in intellectual ability are called dementia when they are severe enough to interfere with everyday functioning.
Alzheimer disease affects mainly people aged 60 years or older.
* The risk of developing Alzheimer disease continues to increase with age. People aged 80 years, for example, have a significantly greater risk than people aged 65 years.
* About 5 million people in the United States and more than 30 million people worldwide have Alzheimer disease. Many others have mild, or minimal, cognitive impairment, which frequently precedes dementia.
* The number of people with Alzheimer disease is expected to rise substantially in the next few decades because of the aging of the population.
* The disease affects all races and ethnic groups.
* It seems to affect more women than men.
Alzheimer disease is a progressive disease, which means that it gets worse over time. It cannot be cured or reversed by any known treatment.
* The symptoms often are subtle at first.
* Over time, people with the disease lose their ability to think and reason clearly, judge situations, solve problems, concentrate, remember useful information, take care of themselves, and even speak.
* Changes in behavior and personality are common.
* People with mild Alzheimer disease usually require close supervision and help with everyday tasks such as cooking, shopping, and paying bills.
* People with severe Alzheimer disease can do little on their own and require complete full-time care.
Because of this, Alzheimer disease is considered a major public health problem.
* The cost of caring for people with the disease is estimated at over $100 billion per year in the United States. The average yearly cost per affected person is $20,000 to $40,000, depending on the severity of the disease.
* That cost doesn’t take into account the loss of quality of life for the affected person, nor the physical and emotional toll on family caregivers.
Seniors' health
Definition
Seniors' health refers to the physical and mental conditions of senior citizens, those who are in their 60s and older. The proportion of people age 65 years and older in the United States is on the rise and will continue to increase through 2030.
Purpose
For a senior, the aging process and a person's lifestyle will affect health. People who maintain a healthy weight, exercise regularly, eat nutritionally, and don't smoke reduce the risk for many health conditions. This wellness allows people to live longer and to remain independent for more years. Smoking, obesity (excess weight), and lack of exercise shorten life and increase the risk for many health conditions. According to a 2003 report, about 80% of people in the United States age 65 and older have at least one chronic (long-lasting) condition and 50% have two.
Diet and exercise
Proper diet and regular exercise form the foundation of senior health. A nutritional diet and physical activity can help prevent diseases such as cancer, stroke, heart disease, and diabetes. A healthy diet also can help manage diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.
As people age, there is more of a need to exercise on a regular basis. According to the American Heart Association, the inactive person loses from 3-5% of muscle fiber each decade after age 30. That loss would total 30% of lost muscle fiber at age 60. Exercise helps to boost muscle strength. It can help improve balance and coordination, and therefore help to prevent falls.
Organizations including the heart association advise that regular physical activity helps prevent bone loss (osteoporosis) and the risk of conditions such as heart disease, Type II diabetes, colon cancer, stress, and depression. In addition, exercise can help extend the lives of people with conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Good health later in life helps to prevent serious illness or death from common infections as well. If a senior catches the flu, for instance, it can have more detrimental effects than in a healthier, younger person. When the SARS outbreak occurred in 2002 and 2003, clinicians expressed concern about the elderly Americans and again expressed the importance of diet and exercise. As people age, their immune system response weakens. Seniors need to be proactive in keeping their systems strong.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a condition in which bones become less dense (solid). Bones become brittle, thinner, and break easily. Although osteoporosis is associated with aging, it is only the risk of osteoporosis that increases as a person ages. It is linked to approximately 70% of bone fractures in people age 46 and older. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), one out of two women over age 50 will experience an osteoporosis-related fracture. So will one out of eight men over 50.
Osteoporosis is associated primarily with the changes that occur to women during menopause. During menopause, there is a decrease in the level of estrogen, the hormone that helps maintain bone mass. Other causes of osteoporosis include lack of exercise and a diet deficient in vitamin D.
Osteoporosis is largely preventable, however, research released in 2003said that evidence is increasing to suggest that the condition starts as far back as in the womb. If this is true, it still is preventable, but by the behavior of the mother carrying a child. More research needs to be done, but it is clear that childhood growth rates are linked to hip fractures that occur decades later.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a joint disease in which cartilage wears out and bones rub against each other. This condition can occur gradually over time as activities performed throughout the years cause wear on joints. In addition, bones thin as a person ages.
Excess weight and injuries can aggravate this condition. About 16 million Americans experience some form of osteoarthritis. It generally affects the neck, fingers, lower back, knees, and toes. Symptoms include pain, stiffness, swelling, and creaking. The pain may disrupt sleep, and joint stiffness may make it difficult for a person to dress.
Falls
More than two million Americans each year fall and experience serious injuries, according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. For seniors, fall-related injuries can reduce mobility and hinder independence.
As people age, their reflexes slow down so it may be more difficult to prevent a fall. Deteriorating vision and hearing can affect balance, which can cause an accidental fall. Furthermore, conditions such as arthritis, dizziness, and sleeping disorders can increase the likelihood of a fall. In addition, a person may fall at the start of a condition such as a stroke or heart attack.
Falls can result in broken bones or fractures because bones are weakened by osteoporosis. In addition, healing takes longer. Head injuries could affect sight and hearing. Injuries sustained during falls could reduce an active person's mobility and independence.
Vision
Eyesight changes as people age. Generally, people are in their 40s when they experience presbyopia, a form of farsightedness. This is a progressive condition involving a decrease in the eye's ability to focus on close objects (near vision). By age 65, little near focusing ability remains.
Glaucoma is a condition caused by pressure from the build-up of a large amount of fluid in the eye. This progressive condition is often seen in people in their 50s. It starts with the gradual loss of peripheral vision. If not treated, it can lead to some vision loss.
People in their 60s may experience the first signs of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). It is a progressive condition affecting the retina. The macula in the retina distinguishes detail. Degeneration in the macula could cause scarring and a gradual reduction in vision. The person experiences a circle of blindness, an area of sightlessness that grows as the condition progress.
More than half of people age 65 or older will be diagnosed with cataracts. Cataract refers to the loss of the transparency in the lens of the eye. As the loss progresses, the person is able to see less detail. This condition generally affects both eyes.
Hearing
Presbycusis, age-related hearing loss, is a progressive condition. It usually starts with a difficulty in hearing high-frequency sound such as people talking. A senior has less trouble with low-frequency tones. Background noise will make it even more difficult to hear. Presbycusis affects approximately 25% of people between the ages of 65 and 75 and half of those over 75. Many people diagnosed with this condition say they have lost hearing in both ears. They also report feelings of dizziness and that they experience a ringing in their ears.
Sleep disorders
Sleep patterns change when a person ages. Many people in their 60s and 70s experience less time in the stages of deep sleep known as delta sleep. Despite this change, many healthy older people don't experience sleep disorders. Overall health plays a role in whether a senior experiences trouble sleeping.
Obesity is linked to snoring and sleep apnea. Snoring can turn into apnea. A person with apnea stops breathing for up to one minute until the brain restarts the breathing process. This action could be repeated several hundred times each night.
Furthermore, a senior's sleep can be disrupted by conditions such as arthritis, osteoporosis, and Alzheimer's disease. Insomnia, or the inability to stay asleep, is a symptom of conditions including depression, anxiety, chronic pain, and restless leg syndrome (RLS).
RLS involves movement of legs when a person is at rest. The person moves legs in response to a tingling sensation in the upper leg, calf, or foot. In other cases, legs move involuntarily. Sensations that trigger movement can re-occur within seconds.
A person with RLS is likely to have PLMD (periodic limb movement disorder). A sleeping person with this condition will kick legs or move arms repeatedly. These involuntary movements can last from 20 seconds to an hour. Approximately 45% of the elderly have a mild form of PLMD, according to the National Sleep Foundation.
The cause of these disorders is not known. They are thought to be caused by a chemical reaction in the brain. In addition, the conditions may be hereditary.
Mental health
While age has little effect on the mind, social and emotional factors affect an older person's health. After a lifetime of work or raising a family, retirement brings several challenges. A person who has been identified for years by a profession may experience a sense of lost identity.
A senior may find that the thinking process has changed. Learning something new may take longer. However, older people have excellent recall of new information.
Memory loss may be a concern, particularly since this is a symptom of Alzheimer's disease.
Dementia
Alzheimer's disease is a form of dementia, a condition in which mental abilities decline. Symptoms of dementia include memory loss that goes beyond forgetting a word or where an item was placed. The person with dementia may never recognize family members or remember how to perform functions such as preparing a meal. Sometimes they experience a change in personality, with some uncharacteristic aggression or paranoia.
Alzheimer's disease is the most prevalent form of dementia. Although the cause of this condition is not known, the risk of Alzheimer's increases as a person ages. In 2000, the condition affected one in 15 people over the age of 65. The ratio rises to one in three people age 85 and older.
Alzheimer's is a progressive condition. In most cases, after five to eight years, a patient with this condition is unable to perform basic functions. There is no known cure for Alzheimer's. However, as of 2003, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration had approved four medications that could help delay the degenerative process.
Precautions
A health condition may result in a doctor recommending against some forms of exercise. However, even if a person can't jog, other forms of exercise include those designed for people in wheelchairs and those who are bedridden.
Treatments for menopause and osteoporosis include Raloxifene, a medication that may cause blood clots.
Description
The cost of treatment varies. Cost of medical treatment will be determined by the type of procedure and whether a person has medical insurance. Health plan and Medicare coverage and copayments impact an individual's cost for various preventions and treatments.
Nutrition
Nutrition plays an important role in senior health. Not only does a well-balanced diet keep a person from becoming obese, that same diet is a safeguard against health conditions that seniors face. Proper diet can help prevent a condition like diabetes or keep it from worsening.
The senior diet should consist of foods that are low in fat, particularly saturated fat and cholesterol. A person should choose foods that provide nutrients such as iron and calcium. Other healthy menu choices include:
* fish, skinless poultry, and lean meat.
* proteins such as dry beans (red beans, navy beans, and soybeans), lentils, chickpeas, andpeanuts.
* low-fat dairy products
* vegetables, especially those that are dark green and leafy
* citrus fruits or juices, melons, and berries
* whole grains like wheat, rice, oats, corn, and barley
* whole grain breads and cereals
Exercise
Physical activity should be rhythmic, repetitive, and should challenge the circulatory system. It also should be enjoyable so that a senior gets in the habit of exercising regularly for 30 minutes each day. It may be necessary to check with a doctor to determine the type of exercise that can be done.
Walking is recommended for weight loss, stress release, and many other conditions. Brisk walking is said to produce the same benefits as jogging. Other forms of exercise can include gardening, bicycling, hiking, swimming, dancing, skating or ice-skating. If weather prohibits outdoor activities, a person can work out indoors with an exercise video.
Exercise also offers a chance to socialize. In some cities, groups of seniors meet for regular walks at shopping malls. Senior centers offer exercise classes ranging from line dancing to belly dancing.
Costs for exercise range from the price of walking shoes to the fees for joining a gym.
Osteoporosis
Prevention is the best method of treating osteoporosis. Methods of preventing osteoporosis include regular weight-bearing exercise such as walking, jogging, weight lifting, yoga, and stair climbing.
People should not smoke since smoking makes the body produce less estrogen. Care should be taken to avoid falling.
Diet should include from 1,000-1,300 mg. of calcium each day. Sources of calcium include:
* leafy, dark-green vegetables such as spinach, kale, mustard greens, and turnip greens
* low-fat dairy products such as milk, yogurt, and cheeses such as cheddar, Swiss,mozzarella, and parmesan; also helpful are foods made with milk such as pudding and soup
* canned fish such as salmon, sardine, and anchovies
* tortillas made from lime-processed corn
* tofu processed with calcium-sulfate
* calcium and vitamin D tablets
MEDICAL TREATMENT
An x ray will indicate bone loss when much of the density has decreased. A more effective way of detecting osteoporosis is the DEXA-scan (dual-energy x-ray absorbtiometry). This whole-body scan will indicate whether a person is at risk for fractures. It could be useful for people at risk for osteoporosis as well as women near the age of menopause or older. People should ask their doctors about whether this test is needed.
During menopause, a woman loses estrogen. A pill or skin patch containing estrogen and progesterone eases symptoms of menopause has been used to treat osteoporosis. This treatment is known as hormone replacement therapy (HRT). In 2002, the Women's Health Initiative found that HRT produced harmful effects in postmenopausal women, including increased incidence of breast cancer, heart disease and dementia. The effects were bad enough to stop the study. In 2003, researchers were looking for alternatives to HRT for women who had been using the hormones for osteoporosis. Until an alternative is identified, women and physicians have been advised to closely weigh the risks and benefits of hormone therapy. Several drugs are available to help reduce the risk of fractures in seniors with osteoporosis. In 2003, the FDA approved a new treatment option called Teriparatide. Some alternative treatments show promise in studies, including SAMe, (S-adenosylmethionine). However, long-term safety and effectiveness of SAMe have yet to be established.
Osteoarthritis
Treatments for osteoarthritis range from preventative measures such as walking to joint replacement surgery. Treatment costs vary from no cost for soaking a joint in cold water, the price of over-the-counter remedies to fees for surgery.
Preventive and maintenance remedies include low-impact exercise such as swimming and walking, along with maintaining proper posture. Nutritional aids include foods rich in vitamin C such as citrus fruits and broccoli. Also recommended is daily consumption of 400 international units of Vitamin E. Cutting back on fats, sugar, salt, cholesterol, and alcohol helps relieve the symptoms of osteoarthritis.
HOME REMEDIES AND PHYSICAL THERAPY
The Arthritis Foundation recommends several remedies for easing pain. To treat inflammation, a person should use a cold treatment. Methods include soaking the affected area in cold water or applying an ice pack. To soothe aches and stimulate circulation, a person applies heat to the affected area for 20 minutes. This should be done three times a day.
Over-the-counter (OTC) remedies such as aspirin and ibuprofen and salves containing capsaicin can be helpful. Furthermore, a doctor may recommend anti-inflammatory medications.
SURGICAL TREATMENT
If osteoarthritis is suspected, a doctor's diagnosis will include an assessment of whether joint pain is part of a patient's medical history. The doctor may take an x ray to determine the presence of cartilage loss and how much degeneration occurred.
Acupuncture may be helpful in treating mild osteoarthritis. Generally, a person should have one to two treatments a week for several weeks. Afterward, one treatment is recommended. An assessment of results should be made after 10 treatments.
In cases of severe osteoarthritis, joint replacement surgery or joint immobilization may be required. Joints are replaced with metal, plastic, or ceramic material.
Fall prevention
Fall prevention starts with regular exercise such as walking. This improves balance and muscles. The walk route should be on level ground. Other methods for preventing falls include:
* when rising from a chair or bed, a senior should move slowly to avoid dizziness
* people who smoke should quit
* shoes with low heels and rubber soles are recommended
* medications should be monitored because of side effects that increase the probability of afall
* vision and hearing should be checked periodically
* fall-proofing the home, including the installation of lighting, especially on stairways, clearingclutter and electrical cords that can cause falls, and installing handrails and strips in bathtubs andrails on stairs.
MEDICAL TREATMENT FOR FALLS
After a fall, a senior may need first aid treatment for cuts or fractures. The doctor may evaluate whether medications cause balance problems. If indicated, the doctor may examine the patient's central nervous system function, balance, and muscle/joint function. A hearing or vision test may be ordered.
Corrective measures could include adjusting prescriptions, vision surgery or having the patient use a cane or walker.
Vision
A person diagnosed with presbyopia may need bifocals or reading glasses to read print that appears too small. These lenses may need to be changed as vision changes over the years. Eventually, a person relies on glasses to focus on items that are near. Other seniors who never needed corrective lenses may need to wear eyeglasses. Publishers aware of this condition produce books with large print.
A senior should schedule periodic vision exams because early treatment helps prevent or lessen a risk of cataracts or glaucoma. Diet also plays a role in vision care. Dark green vegetables like broccoli are said to help prevent cataracts from progressing. Physical exercise is thought to reduce the pressure associated with glaucoma.
Glaucoma can be treated with eyedrops. Surgery can remove cataracts. The affected lens is removed and replaced with a permanent synthetic lens called an intraocular lens. There was no successful treatment for age-related macular degeneration as of 2001.
Hearing
An audiologist can administer tests to determine the amount of hearing loss. Although there is no cure for presbycusis, hearing aids can help a senior affected by age-related hearing loss. If this treatment is not effective, the person might need to learn to read lips.
Sleep disorders
Losing weight can help with conditions such as snoring and sleep apnea. A doctor may advise the senior to quit smoking, reduce alcohol consumption, or to sleep on his or her side. In some cases, a doctor may refer the senior to a sleep disorder clinic. The senior may be prescribed a continuous positive airway pressure device. Known as a CPAP, the device is placed over the nose. It sends air into the nose.
PLMD and restless leg syndrome may be treated with the prescription drug Dopar. These disorders could be signs of kidney or circulation conditions. Treatment of those conditions should end these sleeping disorders.
Insomnia treatments include exercising and treating depression, stress, and other causes of sleeplessness.
Mental health
After retirement, a senior must find activities and interests to provide a sense of fulfillment. Otherwise, feelings of loneliness and isolation can lead to depression and susceptibility to poor health.
Activities that stimulate a person physically and intellectually contribute to good health. A senior can start an exercise program, take up hobbies, take classes, or volunteer. Senior centers offer numerous activities. Lunch programs provide nutritional meals and companionship. This is important because a senior living alone may not feel motivated to prepare healthy meals.
Dementia
Diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease starts with a thorough medical examination. The doctor should administer memory tests. Blood tests may be required, as well as a CT scan or MRI scan of the brain. If Alzheimer's is diagnosed, the doctor may prescribe medication to slow down progression of this form of dementia.
As of 2003, the FDA had approved four prescription medications for treatment of Alzheimer's. Tacrine, donepezil, riviastigmine, and galantamine are cholinesterase inhibitors that enhance memory. Modest improvement was reported in clinical trials on donepezil, riviastigmine, and galantamine. Tacrine's possible side effects include liver damage, so it is seldom prescribed.
Preparation
Before beginning a weight loss or exercise program, seniors should check with their doctors. The doctor will determine whether a patient is at a healthy weight, or needs to gain or lose weight. The medical professional should be informed about a health condition or a family history of a condition like heart disease. The doctor may order a physical exam or recommend a specific exercise program.
Exercise preparation
A senior should select a form of exercise enjoyable enough to become a regular routine. Suitable clothing or equipment such as walking shoes or a bicycle helmet should be purchased. If a person is active for more than a half-hour, the American Heart Association recommends drinking water every 15 minutes.
In addition to packing a water bottle, a person should pick an exercise buddy. Exercising with a friend or a group makes the activity more enjoyable. In addition, a person is more apt to stick with a routine if a buddy is involved.
Before exercising, a warmup with slow stretching exercises is recommended. This could take longer for a senior because muscular elasticity slows down as a person ages. The exercise session should end with a cool-down that includes slow stretches.
Aftercare
Some recovery time may be needed after surgery. However, a healthy person will heal more quickly. A senior needs to maintain a schedule of regular exercise in order to remain mobile. Otherwise, a minor illness could make them dependent on others for daily care, according to the American Heart Association.
If mobility becomes limited due to a condition such as osteoarthritis, equipment like a walker and devices that make it easier to open bottles and grip cutlery can be helpful.
Risks
Exercising too long or too strenuously can be physically harmful. The over-exertion could cause the person to lose interest in exercise and put off establishing a regular routine. Experts recommend starting out slowly and building up to more intense or longer sessions. This is particularly important for a sedentary person.
Osteoporosis
The long-term effects of hormone replacement therapy have ruled this treatment out for some women.
Normal results
Seniors who stay active and eat nutritionally will be at less risk for conditions such as diabetes. A senior also should seek mental stimulation and social interaction. These provide enjoyment, boost self-esteem, and help reduce feelings of isolation and depression. Although eyesight and hearing will weaken, glasses and hearing aids help seniors keep the senses of sight and hearing.
When surgery is required for osteoarthritis, hip replacement surgery is extremely successful. In about 98% of surgeries, flexibility returns and pain is eased. Knee replacement surgery also is effective.
If a person maintains a healthy lifestyle, the ability to avoid falls and recover from them is increased.
After a fall, seniors needs to build up physical strength and the confidence needed so they don't fear falling again. Care should be taken so that seniors don't feel isolated by their injuries. Isolation could lead to decreased mobility and loss of independence.
There was no cure for Alzheimer's disease as of 2001. However, that year several medications proved moderately effective in stopping memory loss. Since Alzheimer's is progressive, a person diagnosed with this condition should make arrangements for the future. Finances should be taken care of and plans should be made for future care. Family should be brought into the discussion.
After diagnosis, a person should stay active for as long as possible. Not only does this help with enjoying this stage of life, activities can help to fight depression. Alzheimer and other support groups can be helpful. In addition, modifications to environment can be effective.
Leading causes of death in persons 65 and olderCause of deathNumber of deathsDeath rate (per 100,000 population)Percentage of all deaths in those 65 years oldAll causes1,542,4934,963.2100.0Heart disease594,8581,914.038.6Malignant neoplasms, including neoplasms of lymphatic and hematopoietic tissues345,3871,111.322.4Cerebrovascular diseases125,409403.58.1Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and associated conditions72,755234.14.7Pneumonia and influenza70,485226.84.6Diabetes mellitus35,523114.32.3Accidents and adverse effectsMotor vehicle accidentsAll other accidents and adverse effects26,2137,21019,00384.323.261.11.70.51.2Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome, and nephrosis17,30655.71.1Atherosclerosis17,15855.21.1Septicemia15,35149.41.0All other causes, residual222,0482,045.914.4
For Your Information
Resources
Books
* Clafin, Edward, ed. Age Protectors. Emmaus, PA: Rodale Publishing, Inc.,1998.
* Gillick, Muriel R. Lifelines: Living Longer, Growing Frail, Taking Heart. New York: W.W. Norton and Co., 2001.
* Honn Qualls, Sara and Norman Abeles, ed. Psychology and the Aging Revolution: How We Adapt to Longer Life. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association, 2000.
* Powell, Douglas H. The Nine Myths of Aging: Maximizing the Quality of Later Life. Thorndike, ME: Thorndike Press, 1998.
* Wei, Jeanne Y. and Sue Levkoff. Aging Well: The Complete Guide to Physical and Emotional Health. New York: Wiley, 2000.
Periodicals
* "Aging Americans Face Growing Health Threats." Health & Medicine Week (June 23, 2003): 3.
Periodicals
* Evans, Jeff. "Aging U.S. Population Will Force Changes in Health Care Services." Family Practice News (April 1, 2003): 54-61.
Periodicals
* "Increasing Evidence That Osteoporosis Begins in the Womb." Women's Health Weekly (June 19, 2003): 30.
Periodicals
* "Update on the Treatment of Osteoporosis Released." Drug Week (June 27, 2003): 344.
Periodicals
* Vernarec, Emil. "An Emerging Alternative to NSAIDs for Osteoarthritis?" RN (May 2003): 24-31.
Organizations
* Alzheimer's Association. 919 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1100, Chicago, IL 60611-1676. (800) 272-3900. http://www.alz.org.
* American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. One Prince St., Alexandria, VA 22314-3357. (703) 836-4444. http://www.ent.org.
* American Dietetic Association. 216 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60606-6995. (312) 899-0040. http://www.eatright.org.
* American Heart Association. 7272 Greenville Ave., Dallas, TX 75231. (800) AHA-USA1. http://www.americanheart.org.
* National Institute on Aging. P.O. Box 8057, Gaithersburg, MD 20898-8057. (800) 222-2225. http://www.nih.gov.
* National Osteoporosis Foundation. 1232 22nd St., NW, Washington, DC 20037. (800) 624-BONE. http://www.osteo.org.
* National Sleep Foundation. 1522 K St., NW, Suite 500 Washington, DC 20005. Fax: (202) 347-3472. http://www.sleepfoundation.org.
Seniors' health refers to the physical and mental conditions of senior citizens, those who are in their 60s and older. The proportion of people age 65 years and older in the United States is on the rise and will continue to increase through 2030.
Purpose
For a senior, the aging process and a person's lifestyle will affect health. People who maintain a healthy weight, exercise regularly, eat nutritionally, and don't smoke reduce the risk for many health conditions. This wellness allows people to live longer and to remain independent for more years. Smoking, obesity (excess weight), and lack of exercise shorten life and increase the risk for many health conditions. According to a 2003 report, about 80% of people in the United States age 65 and older have at least one chronic (long-lasting) condition and 50% have two.
Diet and exercise
Proper diet and regular exercise form the foundation of senior health. A nutritional diet and physical activity can help prevent diseases such as cancer, stroke, heart disease, and diabetes. A healthy diet also can help manage diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.
As people age, there is more of a need to exercise on a regular basis. According to the American Heart Association, the inactive person loses from 3-5% of muscle fiber each decade after age 30. That loss would total 30% of lost muscle fiber at age 60. Exercise helps to boost muscle strength. It can help improve balance and coordination, and therefore help to prevent falls.
Organizations including the heart association advise that regular physical activity helps prevent bone loss (osteoporosis) and the risk of conditions such as heart disease, Type II diabetes, colon cancer, stress, and depression. In addition, exercise can help extend the lives of people with conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Good health later in life helps to prevent serious illness or death from common infections as well. If a senior catches the flu, for instance, it can have more detrimental effects than in a healthier, younger person. When the SARS outbreak occurred in 2002 and 2003, clinicians expressed concern about the elderly Americans and again expressed the importance of diet and exercise. As people age, their immune system response weakens. Seniors need to be proactive in keeping their systems strong.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a condition in which bones become less dense (solid). Bones become brittle, thinner, and break easily. Although osteoporosis is associated with aging, it is only the risk of osteoporosis that increases as a person ages. It is linked to approximately 70% of bone fractures in people age 46 and older. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), one out of two women over age 50 will experience an osteoporosis-related fracture. So will one out of eight men over 50.
Osteoporosis is associated primarily with the changes that occur to women during menopause. During menopause, there is a decrease in the level of estrogen, the hormone that helps maintain bone mass. Other causes of osteoporosis include lack of exercise and a diet deficient in vitamin D.
Osteoporosis is largely preventable, however, research released in 2003said that evidence is increasing to suggest that the condition starts as far back as in the womb. If this is true, it still is preventable, but by the behavior of the mother carrying a child. More research needs to be done, but it is clear that childhood growth rates are linked to hip fractures that occur decades later.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a joint disease in which cartilage wears out and bones rub against each other. This condition can occur gradually over time as activities performed throughout the years cause wear on joints. In addition, bones thin as a person ages.
Excess weight and injuries can aggravate this condition. About 16 million Americans experience some form of osteoarthritis. It generally affects the neck, fingers, lower back, knees, and toes. Symptoms include pain, stiffness, swelling, and creaking. The pain may disrupt sleep, and joint stiffness may make it difficult for a person to dress.
Falls
More than two million Americans each year fall and experience serious injuries, according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. For seniors, fall-related injuries can reduce mobility and hinder independence.
As people age, their reflexes slow down so it may be more difficult to prevent a fall. Deteriorating vision and hearing can affect balance, which can cause an accidental fall. Furthermore, conditions such as arthritis, dizziness, and sleeping disorders can increase the likelihood of a fall. In addition, a person may fall at the start of a condition such as a stroke or heart attack.
Falls can result in broken bones or fractures because bones are weakened by osteoporosis. In addition, healing takes longer. Head injuries could affect sight and hearing. Injuries sustained during falls could reduce an active person's mobility and independence.
Vision
Eyesight changes as people age. Generally, people are in their 40s when they experience presbyopia, a form of farsightedness. This is a progressive condition involving a decrease in the eye's ability to focus on close objects (near vision). By age 65, little near focusing ability remains.
Glaucoma is a condition caused by pressure from the build-up of a large amount of fluid in the eye. This progressive condition is often seen in people in their 50s. It starts with the gradual loss of peripheral vision. If not treated, it can lead to some vision loss.
People in their 60s may experience the first signs of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). It is a progressive condition affecting the retina. The macula in the retina distinguishes detail. Degeneration in the macula could cause scarring and a gradual reduction in vision. The person experiences a circle of blindness, an area of sightlessness that grows as the condition progress.
More than half of people age 65 or older will be diagnosed with cataracts. Cataract refers to the loss of the transparency in the lens of the eye. As the loss progresses, the person is able to see less detail. This condition generally affects both eyes.
Hearing
Presbycusis, age-related hearing loss, is a progressive condition. It usually starts with a difficulty in hearing high-frequency sound such as people talking. A senior has less trouble with low-frequency tones. Background noise will make it even more difficult to hear. Presbycusis affects approximately 25% of people between the ages of 65 and 75 and half of those over 75. Many people diagnosed with this condition say they have lost hearing in both ears. They also report feelings of dizziness and that they experience a ringing in their ears.
Sleep disorders
Sleep patterns change when a person ages. Many people in their 60s and 70s experience less time in the stages of deep sleep known as delta sleep. Despite this change, many healthy older people don't experience sleep disorders. Overall health plays a role in whether a senior experiences trouble sleeping.
Obesity is linked to snoring and sleep apnea. Snoring can turn into apnea. A person with apnea stops breathing for up to one minute until the brain restarts the breathing process. This action could be repeated several hundred times each night.
Furthermore, a senior's sleep can be disrupted by conditions such as arthritis, osteoporosis, and Alzheimer's disease. Insomnia, or the inability to stay asleep, is a symptom of conditions including depression, anxiety, chronic pain, and restless leg syndrome (RLS).
RLS involves movement of legs when a person is at rest. The person moves legs in response to a tingling sensation in the upper leg, calf, or foot. In other cases, legs move involuntarily. Sensations that trigger movement can re-occur within seconds.
A person with RLS is likely to have PLMD (periodic limb movement disorder). A sleeping person with this condition will kick legs or move arms repeatedly. These involuntary movements can last from 20 seconds to an hour. Approximately 45% of the elderly have a mild form of PLMD, according to the National Sleep Foundation.
The cause of these disorders is not known. They are thought to be caused by a chemical reaction in the brain. In addition, the conditions may be hereditary.
Mental health
While age has little effect on the mind, social and emotional factors affect an older person's health. After a lifetime of work or raising a family, retirement brings several challenges. A person who has been identified for years by a profession may experience a sense of lost identity.
A senior may find that the thinking process has changed. Learning something new may take longer. However, older people have excellent recall of new information.
Memory loss may be a concern, particularly since this is a symptom of Alzheimer's disease.
Dementia
Alzheimer's disease is a form of dementia, a condition in which mental abilities decline. Symptoms of dementia include memory loss that goes beyond forgetting a word or where an item was placed. The person with dementia may never recognize family members or remember how to perform functions such as preparing a meal. Sometimes they experience a change in personality, with some uncharacteristic aggression or paranoia.
Alzheimer's disease is the most prevalent form of dementia. Although the cause of this condition is not known, the risk of Alzheimer's increases as a person ages. In 2000, the condition affected one in 15 people over the age of 65. The ratio rises to one in three people age 85 and older.
Alzheimer's is a progressive condition. In most cases, after five to eight years, a patient with this condition is unable to perform basic functions. There is no known cure for Alzheimer's. However, as of 2003, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration had approved four medications that could help delay the degenerative process.
Precautions
A health condition may result in a doctor recommending against some forms of exercise. However, even if a person can't jog, other forms of exercise include those designed for people in wheelchairs and those who are bedridden.
Treatments for menopause and osteoporosis include Raloxifene, a medication that may cause blood clots.
Description
The cost of treatment varies. Cost of medical treatment will be determined by the type of procedure and whether a person has medical insurance. Health plan and Medicare coverage and copayments impact an individual's cost for various preventions and treatments.
Nutrition
Nutrition plays an important role in senior health. Not only does a well-balanced diet keep a person from becoming obese, that same diet is a safeguard against health conditions that seniors face. Proper diet can help prevent a condition like diabetes or keep it from worsening.
The senior diet should consist of foods that are low in fat, particularly saturated fat and cholesterol. A person should choose foods that provide nutrients such as iron and calcium. Other healthy menu choices include:
* fish, skinless poultry, and lean meat.
* proteins such as dry beans (red beans, navy beans, and soybeans), lentils, chickpeas, andpeanuts.
* low-fat dairy products
* vegetables, especially those that are dark green and leafy
* citrus fruits or juices, melons, and berries
* whole grains like wheat, rice, oats, corn, and barley
* whole grain breads and cereals
Exercise
Physical activity should be rhythmic, repetitive, and should challenge the circulatory system. It also should be enjoyable so that a senior gets in the habit of exercising regularly for 30 minutes each day. It may be necessary to check with a doctor to determine the type of exercise that can be done.
Walking is recommended for weight loss, stress release, and many other conditions. Brisk walking is said to produce the same benefits as jogging. Other forms of exercise can include gardening, bicycling, hiking, swimming, dancing, skating or ice-skating. If weather prohibits outdoor activities, a person can work out indoors with an exercise video.
Exercise also offers a chance to socialize. In some cities, groups of seniors meet for regular walks at shopping malls. Senior centers offer exercise classes ranging from line dancing to belly dancing.
Costs for exercise range from the price of walking shoes to the fees for joining a gym.
Osteoporosis
Prevention is the best method of treating osteoporosis. Methods of preventing osteoporosis include regular weight-bearing exercise such as walking, jogging, weight lifting, yoga, and stair climbing.
People should not smoke since smoking makes the body produce less estrogen. Care should be taken to avoid falling.
Diet should include from 1,000-1,300 mg. of calcium each day. Sources of calcium include:
* leafy, dark-green vegetables such as spinach, kale, mustard greens, and turnip greens
* low-fat dairy products such as milk, yogurt, and cheeses such as cheddar, Swiss,mozzarella, and parmesan; also helpful are foods made with milk such as pudding and soup
* canned fish such as salmon, sardine, and anchovies
* tortillas made from lime-processed corn
* tofu processed with calcium-sulfate
* calcium and vitamin D tablets
MEDICAL TREATMENT
An x ray will indicate bone loss when much of the density has decreased. A more effective way of detecting osteoporosis is the DEXA-scan (dual-energy x-ray absorbtiometry). This whole-body scan will indicate whether a person is at risk for fractures. It could be useful for people at risk for osteoporosis as well as women near the age of menopause or older. People should ask their doctors about whether this test is needed.
During menopause, a woman loses estrogen. A pill or skin patch containing estrogen and progesterone eases symptoms of menopause has been used to treat osteoporosis. This treatment is known as hormone replacement therapy (HRT). In 2002, the Women's Health Initiative found that HRT produced harmful effects in postmenopausal women, including increased incidence of breast cancer, heart disease and dementia. The effects were bad enough to stop the study. In 2003, researchers were looking for alternatives to HRT for women who had been using the hormones for osteoporosis. Until an alternative is identified, women and physicians have been advised to closely weigh the risks and benefits of hormone therapy. Several drugs are available to help reduce the risk of fractures in seniors with osteoporosis. In 2003, the FDA approved a new treatment option called Teriparatide. Some alternative treatments show promise in studies, including SAMe, (S-adenosylmethionine). However, long-term safety and effectiveness of SAMe have yet to be established.
Osteoarthritis
Treatments for osteoarthritis range from preventative measures such as walking to joint replacement surgery. Treatment costs vary from no cost for soaking a joint in cold water, the price of over-the-counter remedies to fees for surgery.
Preventive and maintenance remedies include low-impact exercise such as swimming and walking, along with maintaining proper posture. Nutritional aids include foods rich in vitamin C such as citrus fruits and broccoli. Also recommended is daily consumption of 400 international units of Vitamin E. Cutting back on fats, sugar, salt, cholesterol, and alcohol helps relieve the symptoms of osteoarthritis.
HOME REMEDIES AND PHYSICAL THERAPY
The Arthritis Foundation recommends several remedies for easing pain. To treat inflammation, a person should use a cold treatment. Methods include soaking the affected area in cold water or applying an ice pack. To soothe aches and stimulate circulation, a person applies heat to the affected area for 20 minutes. This should be done three times a day.
Over-the-counter (OTC) remedies such as aspirin and ibuprofen and salves containing capsaicin can be helpful. Furthermore, a doctor may recommend anti-inflammatory medications.
SURGICAL TREATMENT
If osteoarthritis is suspected, a doctor's diagnosis will include an assessment of whether joint pain is part of a patient's medical history. The doctor may take an x ray to determine the presence of cartilage loss and how much degeneration occurred.
Acupuncture may be helpful in treating mild osteoarthritis. Generally, a person should have one to two treatments a week for several weeks. Afterward, one treatment is recommended. An assessment of results should be made after 10 treatments.
In cases of severe osteoarthritis, joint replacement surgery or joint immobilization may be required. Joints are replaced with metal, plastic, or ceramic material.
Fall prevention
Fall prevention starts with regular exercise such as walking. This improves balance and muscles. The walk route should be on level ground. Other methods for preventing falls include:
* when rising from a chair or bed, a senior should move slowly to avoid dizziness
* people who smoke should quit
* shoes with low heels and rubber soles are recommended
* medications should be monitored because of side effects that increase the probability of afall
* vision and hearing should be checked periodically
* fall-proofing the home, including the installation of lighting, especially on stairways, clearingclutter and electrical cords that can cause falls, and installing handrails and strips in bathtubs andrails on stairs.
MEDICAL TREATMENT FOR FALLS
After a fall, a senior may need first aid treatment for cuts or fractures. The doctor may evaluate whether medications cause balance problems. If indicated, the doctor may examine the patient's central nervous system function, balance, and muscle/joint function. A hearing or vision test may be ordered.
Corrective measures could include adjusting prescriptions, vision surgery or having the patient use a cane or walker.
Vision
A person diagnosed with presbyopia may need bifocals or reading glasses to read print that appears too small. These lenses may need to be changed as vision changes over the years. Eventually, a person relies on glasses to focus on items that are near. Other seniors who never needed corrective lenses may need to wear eyeglasses. Publishers aware of this condition produce books with large print.
A senior should schedule periodic vision exams because early treatment helps prevent or lessen a risk of cataracts or glaucoma. Diet also plays a role in vision care. Dark green vegetables like broccoli are said to help prevent cataracts from progressing. Physical exercise is thought to reduce the pressure associated with glaucoma.
Glaucoma can be treated with eyedrops. Surgery can remove cataracts. The affected lens is removed and replaced with a permanent synthetic lens called an intraocular lens. There was no successful treatment for age-related macular degeneration as of 2001.
Hearing
An audiologist can administer tests to determine the amount of hearing loss. Although there is no cure for presbycusis, hearing aids can help a senior affected by age-related hearing loss. If this treatment is not effective, the person might need to learn to read lips.
Sleep disorders
Losing weight can help with conditions such as snoring and sleep apnea. A doctor may advise the senior to quit smoking, reduce alcohol consumption, or to sleep on his or her side. In some cases, a doctor may refer the senior to a sleep disorder clinic. The senior may be prescribed a continuous positive airway pressure device. Known as a CPAP, the device is placed over the nose. It sends air into the nose.
PLMD and restless leg syndrome may be treated with the prescription drug Dopar. These disorders could be signs of kidney or circulation conditions. Treatment of those conditions should end these sleeping disorders.
Insomnia treatments include exercising and treating depression, stress, and other causes of sleeplessness.
Mental health
After retirement, a senior must find activities and interests to provide a sense of fulfillment. Otherwise, feelings of loneliness and isolation can lead to depression and susceptibility to poor health.
Activities that stimulate a person physically and intellectually contribute to good health. A senior can start an exercise program, take up hobbies, take classes, or volunteer. Senior centers offer numerous activities. Lunch programs provide nutritional meals and companionship. This is important because a senior living alone may not feel motivated to prepare healthy meals.
Dementia
Diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease starts with a thorough medical examination. The doctor should administer memory tests. Blood tests may be required, as well as a CT scan or MRI scan of the brain. If Alzheimer's is diagnosed, the doctor may prescribe medication to slow down progression of this form of dementia.
As of 2003, the FDA had approved four prescription medications for treatment of Alzheimer's. Tacrine, donepezil, riviastigmine, and galantamine are cholinesterase inhibitors that enhance memory. Modest improvement was reported in clinical trials on donepezil, riviastigmine, and galantamine. Tacrine's possible side effects include liver damage, so it is seldom prescribed.
Preparation
Before beginning a weight loss or exercise program, seniors should check with their doctors. The doctor will determine whether a patient is at a healthy weight, or needs to gain or lose weight. The medical professional should be informed about a health condition or a family history of a condition like heart disease. The doctor may order a physical exam or recommend a specific exercise program.
Exercise preparation
A senior should select a form of exercise enjoyable enough to become a regular routine. Suitable clothing or equipment such as walking shoes or a bicycle helmet should be purchased. If a person is active for more than a half-hour, the American Heart Association recommends drinking water every 15 minutes.
In addition to packing a water bottle, a person should pick an exercise buddy. Exercising with a friend or a group makes the activity more enjoyable. In addition, a person is more apt to stick with a routine if a buddy is involved.
Before exercising, a warmup with slow stretching exercises is recommended. This could take longer for a senior because muscular elasticity slows down as a person ages. The exercise session should end with a cool-down that includes slow stretches.
Aftercare
Some recovery time may be needed after surgery. However, a healthy person will heal more quickly. A senior needs to maintain a schedule of regular exercise in order to remain mobile. Otherwise, a minor illness could make them dependent on others for daily care, according to the American Heart Association.
If mobility becomes limited due to a condition such as osteoarthritis, equipment like a walker and devices that make it easier to open bottles and grip cutlery can be helpful.
Risks
Exercising too long or too strenuously can be physically harmful. The over-exertion could cause the person to lose interest in exercise and put off establishing a regular routine. Experts recommend starting out slowly and building up to more intense or longer sessions. This is particularly important for a sedentary person.
Osteoporosis
The long-term effects of hormone replacement therapy have ruled this treatment out for some women.
Normal results
Seniors who stay active and eat nutritionally will be at less risk for conditions such as diabetes. A senior also should seek mental stimulation and social interaction. These provide enjoyment, boost self-esteem, and help reduce feelings of isolation and depression. Although eyesight and hearing will weaken, glasses and hearing aids help seniors keep the senses of sight and hearing.
When surgery is required for osteoarthritis, hip replacement surgery is extremely successful. In about 98% of surgeries, flexibility returns and pain is eased. Knee replacement surgery also is effective.
If a person maintains a healthy lifestyle, the ability to avoid falls and recover from them is increased.
After a fall, seniors needs to build up physical strength and the confidence needed so they don't fear falling again. Care should be taken so that seniors don't feel isolated by their injuries. Isolation could lead to decreased mobility and loss of independence.
There was no cure for Alzheimer's disease as of 2001. However, that year several medications proved moderately effective in stopping memory loss. Since Alzheimer's is progressive, a person diagnosed with this condition should make arrangements for the future. Finances should be taken care of and plans should be made for future care. Family should be brought into the discussion.
After diagnosis, a person should stay active for as long as possible. Not only does this help with enjoying this stage of life, activities can help to fight depression. Alzheimer and other support groups can be helpful. In addition, modifications to environment can be effective.
Leading causes of death in persons 65 and olderCause of deathNumber of deathsDeath rate (per 100,000 population)Percentage of all deaths in those 65 years oldAll causes1,542,4934,963.2100.0Heart disease594,8581,914.038.6Malignant neoplasms, including neoplasms of lymphatic and hematopoietic tissues345,3871,111.322.4Cerebrovascular diseases125,409403.58.1Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and associated conditions72,755234.14.7Pneumonia and influenza70,485226.84.6Diabetes mellitus35,523114.32.3Accidents and adverse effectsMotor vehicle accidentsAll other accidents and adverse effects26,2137,21019,00384.323.261.11.70.51.2Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome, and nephrosis17,30655.71.1Atherosclerosis17,15855.21.1Septicemia15,35149.41.0All other causes, residual222,0482,045.914.4
For Your Information
Resources
Books
* Clafin, Edward, ed. Age Protectors. Emmaus, PA: Rodale Publishing, Inc.,1998.
* Gillick, Muriel R. Lifelines: Living Longer, Growing Frail, Taking Heart. New York: W.W. Norton and Co., 2001.
* Honn Qualls, Sara and Norman Abeles, ed. Psychology and the Aging Revolution: How We Adapt to Longer Life. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association, 2000.
* Powell, Douglas H. The Nine Myths of Aging: Maximizing the Quality of Later Life. Thorndike, ME: Thorndike Press, 1998.
* Wei, Jeanne Y. and Sue Levkoff. Aging Well: The Complete Guide to Physical and Emotional Health. New York: Wiley, 2000.
Periodicals
* "Aging Americans Face Growing Health Threats." Health & Medicine Week (June 23, 2003): 3.
Periodicals
* Evans, Jeff. "Aging U.S. Population Will Force Changes in Health Care Services." Family Practice News (April 1, 2003): 54-61.
Periodicals
* "Increasing Evidence That Osteoporosis Begins in the Womb." Women's Health Weekly (June 19, 2003): 30.
Periodicals
* "Update on the Treatment of Osteoporosis Released." Drug Week (June 27, 2003): 344.
Periodicals
* Vernarec, Emil. "An Emerging Alternative to NSAIDs for Osteoarthritis?" RN (May 2003): 24-31.
Organizations
* Alzheimer's Association. 919 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1100, Chicago, IL 60611-1676. (800) 272-3900. http://www.alz.org.
* American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. One Prince St., Alexandria, VA 22314-3357. (703) 836-4444. http://www.ent.org.
* American Dietetic Association. 216 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60606-6995. (312) 899-0040. http://www.eatright.org.
* American Heart Association. 7272 Greenville Ave., Dallas, TX 75231. (800) AHA-USA1. http://www.americanheart.org.
* National Institute on Aging. P.O. Box 8057, Gaithersburg, MD 20898-8057. (800) 222-2225. http://www.nih.gov.
* National Osteoporosis Foundation. 1232 22nd St., NW, Washington, DC 20037. (800) 624-BONE. http://www.osteo.org.
* National Sleep Foundation. 1522 K St., NW, Suite 500 Washington, DC 20005. Fax: (202) 347-3472. http://www.sleepfoundation.org.
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Tips to Help Seniors Reduce Medication Errors
For many seniors, taking medication is part of their daily routine. The last thing that they need is to worry about a medication error. Unfortunately, errors do occur, but they can be prevented through special attention and careful monitoring.
In 2002, there were 192,477 medication errors documented by United States Pharmacopeia (USP), a nonprofit, nongovernmental organization that works to promote the safe and proper use of medications. The group’s MEDMARX medication error database shows that the vast majority of medication errors were corrected before causing harm to the patient.
However, 3,213 errors, or 1.7 percent of the total, resulted in patient injury. Of this number, 514 errors required initial or prolonged hospitalization, 47 required interventions to sustain life, and 20 resulted in a patient’s death. Compared with 2001 data, a smaller percentage of reported errors resulted in harm to the patient (1.7 percent in 2002 versus 2.4 percent in 2001).
The 2002 MEDMARX data report revealed a number of significant findings of interest to seniors, including:
- A majority (55 percent) of fatal hospital medication errors reported involved seniors.
- 9.6 percent of prescribing errors to seniors were harmful.
- The most harmful medication errors to seniors were wrong route (7 percent), such as a tube feeding given intravenously, and wrong administration technique (6.5 percent), such as not diluting concentrated medications.
- Omission errors (43 percent), improper dose/quantity errors (18 percent), and unauthorized drug errors (11 percent) were the most common types of medication errors among seniors.
United States Pharmacopeia advances public health by ensuring the quality and consistency of medicines, promoting the safe and proper use of medications, verifying ingredients in dietary supplements, and promoting safe medication use at the national, state and local levels.
As part of its work in patient safety, USP has created a list of tips for seniors and their caregivers on how to better manage the medication use process and decrease the risk of medication errors.
- Check the label when you get a prescription to verify that you’re receiving the proper medication. If possible, read back the prescription to your pharmacist or health care provider.
- When possible, keep all medication in original containers.
- Know what to do if you miss a dosage, and always remember to contact your health care provider or pharmacist if you have any doubts.
- Try to fill all prescriptions at the same pharmacy.
- Read the patient information sheet that accompanies your medication. If you are not given one, ask your pharmacist for the printed information about your prescription.
- Should there be a change in the color, size, shape or smell of your medication, notify your pharmacist immediately.
- Do not share or take another person’s medications.
- When in doubt about a medication you are taking, always consult your pharmacist and/or health care provider! Remember to ask about any side effects that you might experience or expect.
When in the hospital:
- State your name before taking any medications and always offer your wrist bracelet for identification. Ask the nurse to identify each medication by name before you take it.
- If your medication has not been given at its regular time during your hospital stay, inquire from the nurse as to why.
- Remind your health care provider if you have any allergies to certain medications and food or if you also have a health condition that could affect the use of certain medications.
- Also remember to tell your health care provider if you are taking any dietary supplements or over-the-counter medications.
Finally, create a list of all the medications you’re taking. The list should include the following information:
- Your full name and date of birth
- Drug name (the drugs being taken, both generic and brand)
- Strength (dosage)
- Directions for using the medication, including how many times a day and when the medication should be taken
- What liquids or foods are being used to take or should be used to take with medications, for example, water, juice, apple sauce etc.
- Allergies to certain medicines and foods
- Pharmacy and health care providers names, addresses, telephone numbers
- Family emergency contact information
This list should be updated on a monthly basis and a copy should be kept with you at all times. Also keep copies at your home and share with family members and friends who need to know where your personal medication list is located. Take this list with you when you go for doctor’s appointments, hospital stays or emergency room visits -- and show it to all your health care providers so that they are aware of the medications you are taking.
New Technology Brings Improved Diagnosis of Heart Disease
Heart disease is the leading killer of Americans. According to the American Heart Association, more than 13 million Americans are affected and, when diagnosing heart disease, using the best medical imaging technology available is crucial.
Until recently, diagnosing heart disease was difficult without a costly and invasive surgical procedure, especially for patients with little or no history of a heart condition.
But now, new medical imaging technology has vastly improved the area of computed tomography or CT scanning, which renders 3-D images of internal parts of the body, including the heart, brain and other organs, to make noninvasive diagnoses of heart disease and even stroke faster and more accurate.
As with most medical imaging procedures, image quality is key. If the scanned image does not clearly represent all the minute details, the diagnosis may not be as accurate. And today's latest CT technology allows doctors to not only see things they've never seen before, meaning patients are getting the most accurate diagnosis possible, but also conduct faster exams on critically ill patients who might find it difficult to remain still for long periods of time.
For instance, the new Toshiba Aquilion 32 CFX multislice CT system is currently the industry's finest resolution scanner available for cardiovascular imaging, producing 32 slices of detailed images as thin as .5 millimeters.
Using this new equipment, a detailed three-dimensional image is produced to allow doctors to see the heart from virtually any angle, which results in greater confidence in diagnosing heart diseases and abnormalities.
Inevitably, better diagnosis leads to better treatment. As we become more aware of the dangers of heart disease, we should also be aware of the medical technology available to our doctors. If you have the option of seeing a doctor with access to the latest medical imaging technology versus another doctor with access to dated technology, which one would you prefer?
Gentle Products Pamper Your Sensitive Side
Some people are extra sensitive, and that doesn't mean their feelings. Sensitive skin, hair, teeth and gums are problems that are unfortunate birthrights for many people.
For example, 20 percent of Americans are the victims of painful, stinging canker sores. Delicate gum tissue is easily irritated by the cleansers in many toothpastes.
Needless to say, if you want white teeth and you're a canker sore sufferer, it may seem like you're destined for lifelong smile stains. But thanks to some new products, you may still be able to keep your smile white. Rembrandt Oral Care Products has developed Rembrandt Extra Whitening for Canker Sore Sufferers, a toothpaste clinically proven to reduce occurrences of canker sores by 80 percent.
"I've had to deal with canker sores since I was a kid," said Kelly Howard, a Los Angeles-based producer. "Most toothpastes just seemed to make them worse. When I switched to Rembrandt Extra Whitening for Canker Sore Sufferers, I finally got relief, and I hardly get canker sores anymore."
Whether you have sensitive skin, hair or gums, there is a host of extra-gentle products for you! Here are some more mild mannered miracles for some pesky problems:
- Sensitive feet. With gel-filled heel protectors, which offer ultra-cushy padding, life will be a walk in the park.
- Sensitive complexion. Are you extra dry around the nose yet plagued by regular breakouts? Try a moisturizer specially formulated to adapt to "fickle" and easily irritated skin.
- Sensitive eyes. Constant dry, itchy eyes can have anyone seeing red. Eye drops that are similar to natural tears are safe for use day or night.
- Sensitive hair follicles. What's the point of trying to get a smooth shave if you only end up with razor burn or shaving bumps? Use a shaving gel with aloe, which protects while it softens.
Study: Main Prostate Cancer Treatments Equally Effective
Doctors hope that the findings in a recent study comparing the most common prostate cancer therapies will help men newly diagnosed with the disease to better evaluate their treatment options.
The recent study in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology/Biology/Physics showed that survival rates are nearly the same among prostate cancer patients treated with surgery, permanent seed implantation, high-dose external beam radiotherapy and combined seed/external beam radiotherapy. The outcomes were less favorable for patients treated with low-dose external beam radiotherapy.
With many therapeutic choices now available to patients, experts count on the findings to help minimize the guesswork for patients seeking the right treatment.
"We hope that this study will help men and their families make the best choice for their cancer and lifestyle," said Dr. Patrick A. Kupelian, the study's lead author and a radiation oncologist at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Orlando in Orlando, Fla.
Cancer experts have long promoted certain forms of external beam radiotherapy, a series of painless, outpatient treatments that deliver radiation dosages with accuracy. Radiation beams - produced in high or low doses - hone in on the tumor while keeping radiation away from nearby organs such as the bladder or rectum. Potential side effects include fatigue, increased frequency or discomfort in urination, and loose stools.
Another treatment championed by experts is seed implantation, also called brachytherapy. Typically performed in the operating room while the patient is sedated, brachytherapy emits high doses of radiation through radioactive seeds inserted in or near the prostate gland. Side effects are similar to those from external beam radiotherapy and typically fade over time.
Prostate cancer is the most common malignancy in American men, with an incidence that increases with age. According to the American Cancer Society, men aged 50 and older should get a digital rectal exam and a prostate-specific blood test regularly to test for the disease. Black men - who have the highest incidence of prostate cancer - and men with a family history of the disease should be examined at an earlier age.
Although prostate cancer typically has no symptoms, health experts urge all men to recognize the cancer's signs, which include changes in urinary flow, frequent nighttime urination, painful urination and blood in the urine.
A Healthy Lifestyle Includes Quality Sleep
(ARA) - You eat right, you exercise and you’re even working to reduce the stress in your life. But are you addressing one of your body’s most important needs? While most people are concerned with maintaining their health and vitality, many neglect their sleep. Quality sleep is essential for living to the fullest during waking hours. Our bodies need this restorative time, so it’s important to find a mattress that supports your lifestyle whether you’re a weekend warrior or a Sunday stroller.
The bedroom takes on new importance once we realize the impact of a good night’s sleep. No matter what your lifestyle, a restful night has a big impact on the quality of your day. Almost anyone can achieve a better night’s sleep by following these tips:
Keep a regular sleep schedule.
The brain and body need to balance sleeping and being awake. A set bedtime helps the body regulate the circadian rhythms that control our sleeping and help us get deep, restful sleep
Avoid alcohol.
While many people believe that a drink before bed will help them relax, alcohol actually disrupts sleep, causing nighttime awakenings.
Exercise at the right time.
As a rule, activity helps promote a better night’s sleep, but make sure your timing is right. Experts recommend finishing your workout about three hours before bedtime. And if those workouts are causing any aches and pains, invest in a mattress that addresses the needs of active people. Spring Air’s Back Supporter mattresses, with its zoned balance interspring, provide exceptional support and relaxation.
Create a sleep-promoting environment.
Your bedroom should be designed to give you the best sleep possible -- cool, dark and most importantly, quiet. Snoring is a big complaint among many couples and can indicate a serious problem. Sleep apnea, a disorder that causes breathing to stop repeatedly during the night, is often indicated by snoring. Allergies can be another cause of noisy sleeping. Keep track of the times snoring occurs as a way to help eliminate allergens. For those with environmental sensitivities or those seeking to create a more organic lifestyle, consider investing in new bedding. Look for sheets and blankets made from unbleached, 100 percent cotton and consider mattresses that reflect your lifestyle, like the Four Seasons from Spring Air. These mattresses feature renewable, all-natural materials like wool, silk and down.
A partner that tosses and turns is another sleep stealer. The right mattress can help reduce motion disturbance by eliminating the “shock waves” caused by a restless partner. The Spring Air ComfortFlex mattresses are a good choice for couples looking for reduced motion disturbance with comfort and support.
If restlessness is robbing you of sleep, a mattress that eliminates body pressure points might be a good solution. Today’s mattresses improve upon the NASA-engineered visco-elastic foam invented in the 1960s to provide a sleep surface that conforms to the contours of your body. The Sleep Fitness collection from Spring Air pairs the comfort of foam with a unique surface design to help maintain a comfortable sleeping temperature.
Limit lying awake.
It’s best to find another activity rather than stare at the ceiling, unable to sleep. If you’re still not asleep 20 minutes after retiring, get out of bed and read or listen to music until you feel sleepy. Worrying about not sleeping may make it harder to fall asleep, so move the clock out of sight so you don’t obsess about the minutes ticking by. If you continue to have problems falling asleep, it may be worthwhile to learn relaxation therapy techniques from a trained professional.
Association Health Plans: A Disastrous Scheme?
(NUI) - Congress is considering legislation that would exempt Association Health Plans from state laws and established consumer protections.
AHPs are health insurance arrangements sold by business associations. These types of plans currently exist in the state-regulated market but would be regulated by the U.S. Department of Labor under the proposed bill.
While proponents argue this legislation would benefit the small-business community, most health policy experts say it would actually be disastrous for small employers and their workers.
States have enacted laws to ensure that the health insurance plans offered to small employers and their families are fairly priced and pay health bills on time. But, small employers who join these AHP insurers would lose these important safeguards.
For example, individual states have enacted laws that require insurance companies to cover certain medical procedures and treatments. Federal AHPs would be exempt from covering key consumer protections that are set forth by individual state regulation.
Some of these benefits include mammography screenings, mental health services, maternity care, well-child care, alcoholism and substance abuse treatment. Patients would also lose the right to appeal to an independent third party when a claim is denied, to have access to medical specialists and to receive emergency room care.
The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office found that the passage of AHP legislation could mean increased premiums for 75 percent of small employers and their families. In addition, older and sicker workers could lose coverage altogether.
Furthermore, a recent Mercer Consulting study indicates that the number of uninsured would increase by 1 million people, and health insurance premiums would increase by 23 percent for small employers that continued to purchase state-regulated coverage.
Federal AHP legislation could result in the kind of massive consumer fraud and abuses seen in the 1980s that left consumers with millions of dollars in unpaid medical claims.
A coalition of more than 1,000 groups, including consumers, small businesses, health care providers and state officials, oppose AHP legislation. This coalition is concerned that AHPs would hurt, not help, small employers and their workers and take away key health protections that millions of Americans have today.
Relieve Constipation with Aloe Vera
Aloe is an astringent, acts to tighten muscles, and has purgative and laxative action – dispels fecal matter that has collected in your colon. There are many aloe vera products to choose from. For best results, choose an aloe that is close to that of fresh organic aloe whole leaf.
Using Aloe Vera Gel to Relieve Constipation
Take two tablespoons of pure aloe vera gel mixed with apple juice. You can use other types of juices that fit your taste.
If you use aloe juice drink, mix 1/3 of aloe juice with 2/3 of a juice you like just before bedtime or just on awakening.
Or, if you can handle the taste of the juice, drink a glass of Aloe Vera juice as soon as you wake up and one just before bedtime. This will promote a bowel movement when you wake up.
Relieve Constipation with Aloe Vera Capsules
Aloe Vera can also be taken in capsules. Because aloe can have a strong griping action, it is best to take this herb with a calmative herb such as turmeric. Aloe can also be mixed with powdered fennel seeds. But, you can take aloe as described above and see how you react to it. I know many people who take it without turmeric and they don’t have any side effects.
The best aloe vera is, of course, fresh aloe gel from a leaf. Look for an aloe that has been hand and not machine pressed. When aloe has been machine pressed, it can be contaminated with the yellow sap that is contained in the outer skin of the aloe leaf.
This yellow sap has strong laxative and irritating action in the gastrointestinal tract. A good aloe should not have more than 10 parts per million of yellow sap.
Aloe has been shown to lower blood sugar levels. Diabetics may find a need to lower medication dosages when using aloe for a long time. But monitor this with your blood tester and your doctor.
In addition, aloe vera has a cleansing action and restores a healthy balance of the good bacteria in your colon.
Here’s how to use Aloe Vera to relieve constipation
Use aloe for 5 days and then rest 2 days. Using aloe on and off like this can help to reduce allergic reactions from long-term use.
Typical recommendations are:
- Aloe gel – 2 tablespoon each day
- Aloe vera juice – 1 quart each day
- Aloe vera concentrate – 5 g up to 3 times each day
Remember, if you’re pregnant do not use aloe vera. It has not been studied for women during this period.
Drinking peppermint tea when taking aloe vera capsules can relieve mild cases constipation. You can also mix aloe gel with peppermint tea to form a constipation drink.
Taking aloe vera to relieve constipation can give you good results since aloe vera has a strong action in the colon.
NOTE: Menstruating or pregnant women should not use Aloe Vera, in any form, to relieve constipation
Nursing Shortage May Lead to Senior Health Problems
The nursing shortage is not just a U.S. phenomenon it seems. A report from Britain finds that understaffed hospitals leave nurses with too little time to feed their elderly patients. Many seniors are unable to eat and drink without assistance due to physical or mental disability. Seniors are also at higher risk of malnourishment. Malnourishment can lead to other health problems including pressure sores and may lengthen hospital stays.
Top 9 Treatments
When you suffer from chronic heartburn, whether it's caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or some other digestive disorder, it's important to know how to treat the heartburn. Untreated acid reflux may lead to complications, including esophageal cancer. Listed below are the ten most often used treatments for acid reflux. It's important that you discuss any treatment options with your doctor.
1) Lifestyle Changes
One of the first steps doctors advice their patients to take when treating chronic heartburn is lifestyle changes. Heartburn symptoms can often be relieved if sufferers make a few of these lifestyle changes.
More:
2) Diet
Approximately 94 percent of sufferers can link their heartburn symptoms to specific foods. Therefore, it is important that heartburn suffers manage their diets as a way to treat their heartburn. There are foods that are usually pretty safe for heartburn sufferers to eat, that have little risk of causing acid reflux, while other foods should be avoided as they are major heartburn triggers.
1) Lifestyle Changes
One of the first steps doctors advice their patients to take when treating chronic heartburn is lifestyle changes. Heartburn symptoms can often be relieved if sufferers make a few of these lifestyle changes.
More:
2) Diet
Approximately 94 percent of sufferers can link their heartburn symptoms to specific foods. Therefore, it is important that heartburn suffers manage their diets as a way to treat their heartburn. There are foods that are usually pretty safe for heartburn sufferers to eat, that have little risk of causing acid reflux, while other foods should be avoided as they are major heartburn triggers.
10 Tips About Influenza
Important Information about Influenza, or Flu
Almost everyone has heard of influenza, also known as the flu, and many people are afflicted with influenza every year.
1. Common knowledge about Influenza
We know that influenza is a virus, it's contagious, and it infects the nose, throat, and lungs.
Many people are infected with influenza every year, and those people are generally miserable for awhile.
2. Statistics about Influenza
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that every year in the United States, on average:
* 5% to 20% of the population gets influenza
* More than 200,000 people are hospitalized from influenza complications
* Approximately 36,000 people die from influenza infection
3. Who is at risk for influenza?
* Adults over age 50
* Residents of long-term care facilities
* People with with chronic heart, lung, or kidney conditions, diabetes, or a weakened immune system
* Young children
* Women who are more than 3 months pregnant during the flu season
4. How does influenza spread?
The CDC reports that influenza viruses spread in respiratory droplets caused by coughing and sneezing.
They usually spread from person to person, though sometimes people become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.
Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 days after becoming sick. That means that you can pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.
5. What are the symptoms of influenza?
Here is a list of common influenza symptoms and tests that can be done to determine if you have influenza.
6. Who should get an influenza vaccine?
* People at high risk for complications from the flu (see above)
* People with any condition that can compromise respiratory function or the handling of respiratory secretions. This includes a condition that makes it hard to breathe or swallow, such as brain injury or disease, spinal cord injuries, seizure disorders, other nerve or muscle disorders, and lung diseases.
* Adults and children 6 months and older who needed regular medical care or were in a hospital during the previous year because of a metabolic disease like diabetes, chronic kidney disease, or a weakened immune system including immune system problems caused by medicines or by infection with human immunodeficiency virus [HIV/AIDS]
* People with heart disease
* People 50 to 64 years of age. Because nearly one-third of people 50 to 64 years of age in the United States have one or more medical conditions that place them at increased risk for serious flu complications, vaccination is recommended for all persons aged 50 to 64.
* Any person in close contact with someone in a high-risk group (see above) should get vaccinated. This includes all health-care workers, household contacts and out-of-home caregivers of children 6 to 23 months of age, and close contacts of people 65 years and older.
7. Who should not be vaccinated for influenza?
The CDC advises that you consult you physician before getting an influenza shot if you:
* Have had a severe allergy to chicken eggs
* Have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination in the past
* Developed Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) within 6 weeks of getting an influenza vaccine previously
* Currently have a moderate or severe illness with a fever. Wait to get an influenza vaccine until you are well.
* Are a child less than 6 months of age
8. What is the difference between seasonal flu and pandemic flu?
9. What is the bird (avian) flu?
10. Where to find information on avian influenza
The World Health Organization has compiled current statistics and information on what's being done around the world to control avian influenza.
11. Why is influenza more common during the holidays?
People are gathered indoors more frequently, increasing the possibility of exposure to influenza. Also, increased stress during the holidays can explain the higher incidence.
Almost everyone has heard of influenza, also known as the flu, and many people are afflicted with influenza every year.
1. Common knowledge about Influenza
We know that influenza is a virus, it's contagious, and it infects the nose, throat, and lungs.
Many people are infected with influenza every year, and those people are generally miserable for awhile.
2. Statistics about Influenza
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that every year in the United States, on average:
* 5% to 20% of the population gets influenza
* More than 200,000 people are hospitalized from influenza complications
* Approximately 36,000 people die from influenza infection
3. Who is at risk for influenza?
* Adults over age 50
* Residents of long-term care facilities
* People with with chronic heart, lung, or kidney conditions, diabetes, or a weakened immune system
* Young children
* Women who are more than 3 months pregnant during the flu season
4. How does influenza spread?
The CDC reports that influenza viruses spread in respiratory droplets caused by coughing and sneezing.
They usually spread from person to person, though sometimes people become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.
Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 days after becoming sick. That means that you can pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.
5. What are the symptoms of influenza?
Here is a list of common influenza symptoms and tests that can be done to determine if you have influenza.
6. Who should get an influenza vaccine?
* People at high risk for complications from the flu (see above)
* People with any condition that can compromise respiratory function or the handling of respiratory secretions. This includes a condition that makes it hard to breathe or swallow, such as brain injury or disease, spinal cord injuries, seizure disorders, other nerve or muscle disorders, and lung diseases.
* Adults and children 6 months and older who needed regular medical care or were in a hospital during the previous year because of a metabolic disease like diabetes, chronic kidney disease, or a weakened immune system including immune system problems caused by medicines or by infection with human immunodeficiency virus [HIV/AIDS]
* People with heart disease
* People 50 to 64 years of age. Because nearly one-third of people 50 to 64 years of age in the United States have one or more medical conditions that place them at increased risk for serious flu complications, vaccination is recommended for all persons aged 50 to 64.
* Any person in close contact with someone in a high-risk group (see above) should get vaccinated. This includes all health-care workers, household contacts and out-of-home caregivers of children 6 to 23 months of age, and close contacts of people 65 years and older.
7. Who should not be vaccinated for influenza?
The CDC advises that you consult you physician before getting an influenza shot if you:
* Have had a severe allergy to chicken eggs
* Have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination in the past
* Developed Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) within 6 weeks of getting an influenza vaccine previously
* Currently have a moderate or severe illness with a fever. Wait to get an influenza vaccine until you are well.
* Are a child less than 6 months of age
8. What is the difference between seasonal flu and pandemic flu?
9. What is the bird (avian) flu?
10. Where to find information on avian influenza
The World Health Organization has compiled current statistics and information on what's being done around the world to control avian influenza.
11. Why is influenza more common during the holidays?
People are gathered indoors more frequently, increasing the possibility of exposure to influenza. Also, increased stress during the holidays can explain the higher incidence.
Higher Income Seniors to Pay Higher Medicare Premiums
Beginning in 2007 Medicare beneficiaries who earn more money will pay higher premiums for their Medicare Part B coverage. A provision of the 2003 Medicare Modernization Act calls for a change in the formula for assessing Part B premiums. The Part B premium has been based on Medicare covering 75% of the premium costs and the beneficiary paying for 25%. With the changes, higher income beneficiaries will pay a higher percentage of premium costs. For those making more than $80,000 (single) or $160,00 for couples the percentage of the premium will increase to 28.3 % in 2007, 31.6% in 2008 and 35% in 2009. Those beneficiaries with even higher incomes will see large percentage increases.
Memory Loss May Predict Alzheimer's Disease
A study being reported in the September 12, 2006, issue of Neurology, finds that adults over the age of 60 who complain of severe memory problems may actually be losing brain tissue. Despite scoring well on standard memory tests, the adults in the study who complained of significant memory loss were found to have loss of grey matter of about 3% on MRI brain scans. Patients diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (early Alzheimer's ) show about 4% loss of brain tissue in the same areas of the brain - the areas where memory is stored.
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