Revision as of 00:45, 14 October 2023 (edit)104.223.149.220 (talk)← Older edit Latest revision as of 12:01, 29 May 2024 (edit) (undo)166.88.235.73 (talk) (6 intermediate revisions by 6 users not shown)Line 1: Line 1: −Healthy aging involves avoiding health problems and correctly treating the ones that do occur. Yet some issues routinely slip through the cracks of usual medical care.<br /><br />Many of these are age related, such as high blood pressure or urinary incontinence. Others are due to illness such as diabetes or a stroke.<br /><br />1. Joint Pain<br /><br />Injuries and overuse can lead to joint pain as people age. This is often referred to as 'wear and tear' arthritis, although new symptoms should prompt professionals for assessment.<br /><br />During a physical exam, doctors look at the joints and listen for sounds (such as creaking) when they move. They also test for swelling, redness and tenderness.<br /><br />Treatment options include nonprescription acetaminophen or ibuprofen to control pain and inflammation. In some cases, joint replacement is a good option.<br /><br />Keeping active is another prescription for reducing joint pain. Exercise can decrease pain and stiffness, strengthen muscles around the joints and improve range of motion. Drinking enough water can help as well. This will help keep the synovial fluid that lubricates joints hydrated. Try to eat a balanced diet and maintain a healthy weight, which will take pressure off the joints.<br /><br />2. Headaches<br /><br />Headaches are very common in geriatric patients. They can be caused by eye diseases, stress or a lack of sleep. They may also be a sign of a health problem such as a stroke or a brain hemorrhage.<br /><br />A new headache in an elderly patient should be considered a red flag. The onset of a new headache in an older adult should prompt a thorough neurological examination including a neck examination and noncontrast CT scan.<br /><br />Several headache disorders such as migraine and tension-type headaches are found more commonly in the older age group. Diseases such as giant cell arteritis, ischemic cerebrovascular disease, intracranial mass lesion and obstructive sleep apnea are often associated with headache in the elderly. Secondary headaches such as hypnic and medication overuse headache are more frequent in this age group.<br /><br />3. Muscle Pain<br /><br />Almost everyone experiences sore, aching muscles at some time. These may involve a single area or the entire body. [https://personalmedicalalarms.com.au/ Personal medical alarms] The pain is usually mild to moderate and often gets better within a few days.<br /><br />However, if the pain is severe or lasts for more than 3 days, you should see your doctor. They may recommend ice packs, warm baths, or heat pads. You should also drink lots of fluids to keep your muscles well hydrated.<br /><br />As you get older, bones and joints become less dense, which can make them more likely to fracture. Your muscles can also lose strength, flexibility, and endurance with age. This can lead to a loss of balance and coordination. Your digestive system may also change, causing you to have more frequent, unsatisfactory bowel movements.<br /><br />4. Bone Pain<br /><br />Bone pain can be caused by many injuries and health conditions. Some of them are very serious and require immediate medical attention. They include osteoporosis (a disease that decreases bone density), a fracture of a bone, and cancer metastasis (cancer that spreads to the bones).<br /><br />Bone and bone joint pain typically feels dull and achy. It may get worse at night and hurt when you move the affected area of your body.<br /><br />Bone pain can occur in any bone in the body. But it’s most common in the spine and hip. It can also affect your ribs, ankles, knees, and shoulders. This type of pain is hard to treat with current analgesics. It’s also difficult to distinguish from other types of pain. This can make it difficult to know when the pain isn’t normal.<br /><br />5. Dementia<br /><br />Dementia is the most serious physical problem people experience in old age. It is a disease caused by diseases that destroy nerve cells in the brain, leading to decline in memory and thinking skills. The symptoms vary by person, and they get worse over time.<br /><br />Symptoms include forgetting names and having trouble performing daily tasks, such as eating or using the toilet. It can also lead to uncoordinated movements and tremors, known as parkinsonism.<br /><br />It is important to know the signs of dementia so you can act quickly. Some people don’t realise or deny that they are getting dementia, so it is a good idea to encourage them to visit their doctor for a check up if you notice any changes. Familiar music can also trigger memories, and it’s a good idea to limit medicines that can make dementia worse, such as sedatives.+As you age, you may develop chronic health problems that can be difficult to manage. These include high blood pressure, diabetes, respiratory conditions such as bronchial asthma and gout, arthritis and depression.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />It’s normal to have some forgetfulness as you age, but if your memory problems become severe, see your doctor.<br /><br />1. Loss of mobility<br /><br />Whether it’s due to injury or simply the natural aging process, loss of mobility has profound physical, emotional and social consequences. It’s an under-recognized health problem that can often be prevented with better medical care.<br /><br />In older people, the nerves conduct signals more slowly, and the cartilage that lines joints thinning makes them less flexible. In some cases, this can cause arthritis, a condition that causes the surfaces of joints to rub together and damage bone tissue.<br /><br />The biggest risk for seniors is falls, which can lead to broken bones and a debilitating fear of falling again in the future. Injuries such as fractured hips can require use of a cane, walker or wheelchair permanently. Getting enough exercise helps keep muscles strong, balance and coordination stable, and can help prevent falls.<br /><br />2. Joint pain<br /><br />People often experience joint pain and swelling in their old age. These symptoms can interfere with their day-to-day activities and lead to fatigue. It is important to get these problems diagnosed and treated. A geriatrician (here's how to find one) or a doctor with expertise in aging can help.<br /><br />The most common cause of stiff and painful joints is arthritis. This can occur in middle age or older, when cartilage, which cushions joints, wears down. Common types of arthritis include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout.<br /><br />A regular exercise program can help ease joint pain and stiffness. So can reducing your weight and taking anti-inflammatory medication, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen. Dietary supplements can also help, such as glucosamine. A good night's sleep may also help reduce pain and stiffness.<br /><br />3. Dementia<br /><br />A person can develop dementia when their brain cells die. This is caused by many conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, Lewy body disease (unusual round clusters of protein) and vascular dementia (damage to blood vessels in the brain).<br /><br />A gradual loss of thinking skills is the main symptom. This includes difficulty making decisions, getting lost or confused and forgetting recent events. It can also lead to problems with speech and writing and changes in mood or behaviour.<br /><br />Some medicines can help delay the onset of dementia. Talk to your doctor about this. Keeping active, eating healthily and not smoking can also decrease your risk of dementia. However, there's no cure for most types of dementia. The symptoms can get worse over time, leading to choking and pneumonia if food or liquid enters the lungs.<br /><br />4. Heart disease<br /><br />A person's heart and blood vessels become stiffer with age. This can lead to conditions like high blood pressure and coronary artery disease. These problems can cause heart failure, aneurysms and other issues that can be very serious.<br /><br />Symptoms of heart disease often get worse with age, including shortness of breath, a lack of energy, nausea and bloating. It's important to tell a doctor about these symptoms and how they have changed over time.<br /><br />It's also important to take steps to lower your risk of heart disease. [https://atavi.com/share/wo4n6hz1ly1kw personal medical alarm] This includes eating a healthy diet, controlling your weight, avoiding smoking and following your doctor's recommendations for treating high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. This can help prevent a heart attack or stroke. This is especially important if you have a family history of these conditions.<br /><br />5. Stroke<br /><br />A stroke happens when the blood supply to the brain is cut off either by a bleed or a clot. Strokes in elderly people can cause serious, lasting health problems. If you notice your loved one acting strangely or having a hard time thinking clearly, it may be a sign of a stroke. If they have a sudden numbness on one side of their body or experience pain or tingling sensations, you can check their symptoms using the F.A.S.T test:<br /><br />Ask them to smile and look if one side of their face moves differently than the other. Test their arm strength by having them raise both arms above their head and see if one drifts downward, which could indicate weakness in the arm. You can also test their speech and listen for slurred words.<br /><br /> Latest revision as of 12:01, 29 May 2024 As you age, you may develop chronic health problems that can be difficult to manage. These include high blood pressure, diabetes, respiratory conditions such as bronchial asthma and gout, arthritis and depression.It’s normal to have some forgetfulness as you age, but if your memory problems become severe, see your doctor.1. Loss of mobilityWhether it’s due to injury or simply the natural aging process, loss of mobility has profound physical, emotional and social consequences. It’s an under-recognized health problem that can often be prevented with better medical care.In older people, the nerves conduct signals more slowly, and the cartilage that lines joints thinning makes them less flexible. In some cases, this can cause arthritis, a condition that causes the surfaces of joints to rub together and damage bone tissue.The biggest risk for seniors is falls, which can lead to broken bones and a debilitating fear of falling again in the future. Injuries such as fractured hips can require use of a cane, walker or wheelchair permanently. Getting enough exercise helps keep muscles strong, balance and coordination stable, and can help prevent falls.2. Joint painPeople often experience joint pain and swelling in their old age. These symptoms can interfere with their day-to-day activities and lead to fatigue. It is important to get these problems diagnosed and treated. A geriatrician (here's how to find one) or a doctor with expertise in aging can help.The most common cause of stiff and painful joints is arthritis. This can occur in middle age or older, when cartilage, which cushions joints, wears down. Common types of arthritis include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout.A regular exercise program can help ease joint pain and stiffness. So can reducing your weight and taking anti-inflammatory medication, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen. Dietary supplements can also help, such as glucosamine. A good night's sleep may also help reduce pain and stiffness.3. DementiaA person can develop dementia when their brain cells die. This is caused by many conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, Lewy body disease (unusual round clusters of protein) and vascular dementia (damage to blood vessels in the brain).A gradual loss of thinking skills is the main symptom. This includes difficulty making decisions, getting lost or confused and forgetting recent events. It can also lead to problems with speech and writing and changes in mood or behaviour.Some medicines can help delay the onset of dementia. Talk to your doctor about this. Keeping active, eating healthily and not smoking can also decrease your risk of dementia. However, there's no cure for most types of dementia. The symptoms can get worse over time, leading to choking and pneumonia if food or liquid enters the lungs.4. Heart diseaseA person's heart and blood vessels become stiffer with age. This can lead to conditions like high blood pressure and coronary artery disease. These problems can cause heart failure, aneurysms and other issues that can be very serious.Symptoms of heart disease often get worse with age, including shortness of breath, a lack of energy, nausea and bloating. It's important to tell a doctor about these symptoms and how they have changed over time.It's also important to take steps to lower your risk of heart disease. personal medical alarm This includes eating a healthy diet, controlling your weight, avoiding smoking and following your doctor's recommendations for treating high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. This can help prevent a heart attack or stroke. This is especially important if you have a family history of these conditions.5. StrokeA stroke happens when the blood supply to the brain is cut off either by a bleed or a clot. Strokes in elderly people can cause serious, lasting health problems. If you notice your loved one acting strangely or having a hard time thinking clearly, it may be a sign of a stroke. If they have a sudden numbness on one side of their body or experience pain or tingling sensations, you can check their symptoms using the F.A.S.T test:Ask them to smile and look if one side of their face moves differently than the other. Test their arm strength by having them raise both arms above their head and see if one drifts downward, which could indicate weakness in the arm. You can also test their speech and listen for slurred words.