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Health care in old age
Millions of senior citizens across the globe are not getting the
proper health care they need because governments and the
society are not aware enough of the problem. By 2025, there will about 1200 million people aged 65
years according to UN estimates. Failure to address oral health needs today could develop into a costly problem tomorrow. Seven per cent of the 1.1 billion Indian population is today over the age of 60.
They too wish to have a better access to health care, look forward to fun, health, dignity, economic independence and a peaceful
death. They cannot afford to be ill as sickness is expensive.
Some health problem and common ailments that generally affect senior
citizens are blood pressure, cardiac problems, diabetes, joint pains, kidney infections, cancer, tuberculosis
etc. Once they occur, these disease may take a long time to
heal due to old age. So it is important to get medical checkups regularly to prevent
the onset of any of these health conditions. | |
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Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disorder and a slow and gradual disease that begins in the part of the brain that controls the memory. As it spreads to other parts of the brain, it affects a greater number of intellectual, emotional and
behavioral abilities. There is no known cause for this disease. As
a person grows older, he is at greater risk of developing Alzheimer’s. After 60, the risk is one in 20, but after 80 it
is one in five.” No one knows why it happens, but it occurs when
cells in the brain start dying. It is degenerative and leads to progressive mental deterioration.
The best way to prevent these conditions from occurring is to keep yourself mentally busy. Take part in activities such as dancing, yoga and meditation. Read books, play board games and interact with other people to enhance the quality of your life. Eat a balanced nutritious
diet and avoid alcohol and smoking. Consult your doctor about mineral and vitamin supplements that could be of help. In some cases you may be prescribed medicines.
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Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disorder and a slow and gradual disease that begins in the part of the brain that controls the memory.
Read more about Alzheimer's Disease
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Mental Illnesses
According to World Health Organization, 25% of the world population is suffering from mental illnesses. But
only 40% of these cases are diagnosed and treated. One million
annual suicides are the result of these undiagnosed or missed
cases. Most common causes for these suicides are depression, dementia, anxiety and Schizophrenia.
Senior Citizens are susceptible to a variety of mental illnesses. Depression is the most common
of these. Symptoms of depression include- Lack of interest in
activities you enjoyed doing. Sadness or unexplained crying spells, jumpiness or irritability,
Loss of memory, inability to concentrate, confusion or disorientation, Thoughts of death or suicide,
Change in appetite and sleep patterns. Persistent fatigue, lethargy, aches and other unexplainable physical problems, Dementias and Pseudo/dementias.
These health issues are characterized by confusion, memory loss and
disorientation. Diseases such as Parkinson's and Huntington's as well as high blood pressure and strokes may
cause it. When organs such as the heart, lungs, thyroid, pituitary and other glands do not function well, mental processes are affected. |
Senior Citizens are susceptible to a variety of mental illnesses.
Depression is the most common of these. Yoga is the best cure.
Read more about
Mental Health |
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Arthritis and Osteoporosis
Arthritis simply means ‘inflammation of the joints’. The word rheumatism is even more general, and is used to describe aches and pains in joints, bones and muscles. There are more than 200 types of arthritis and
rheumatic disease. The symptoms include pain, swelling and stiffness with limitation of joint movement.
Rheumatoid Arthritis: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is caused by inflammation of the joint lining in synovial (free moving) joints. It can affect any joint, but is more common in peripheral joints,
such as the hands, fingers and toes RA can cause functional disability, significant pain and joint destruction, leading to deformity and premature mortality. It usually affects people between 25 years and 55 years of age..
Prevention: Musculo-skeletal diseases are among the most common diseases in
old age Approximately 70% of these conditions are minor, self-limiting conditions related to trauma, injuries, sprains, wrong use or over-use of the musculo-skeletal system including sudden unaccustomed physical work and habitual bad posture. Another common cause of ‘rheumatism’ is the aging of the joints called osteoarthritis. Although painful and often disabling, this problem is fortunately not a life threatening serious systemic disease.
Osteoarthritis : Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis. It is a chronic, irreversible and degenerative condition ranging from very mild to very severe. It is characterised by the breakdown of cartilage in joints, which causes affected bones to rub against each other leading to permanent damage.
Gout: Gout is caused by an excess of uric acid in the body, which then accumulates in certain joints. It causes sudden attacks of severe pain and tenderness, usually in a single joint and most often in the big toe. The extreme pain of gout is usually accompanied by warmth, redness, and swelling.
Osteoporosis is a silent disease in which bones become extremely fragile. If left untreated, it can progress painlessly until a bone breaks.
These broken bones, also known as fractures, typically occur in the hip, spine and wrist. They are
extremely painful and can take a long time to heal.
Prevention Steps: Regular physical exercise and walking, a balanced diet, a healthy life style can prevent this
disease. Take your recommended amounts of calcium and vitamin D daily.
Participate in regular weight-bearing exercise. Avoid smoking and
excessive alcohol. Take a bone density test to check the condition of your bones.
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Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is actually the
pressure of blood against the walls of your arteries. Blood pressure
is measured in mm Hg. Typical values for a healthy adult human are approximately 120/80.
But, if your blood pressure reading is equal to or above 140 over 90
mm Hg, then that means you are suffering from high blood pressure or
hypertension. Hypertension has been called the "silent
killer" because it usually produces no symptoms. Untreated
hypertension increases slowly over the years. Hypertension can cause
certain organs (called target organs), including the kidney, eyes,
and heart, to deteriorate over time. Malignant hypertension, an emergency condition resulting from untreated primary hypertension,
can be lethal. It is important, therefore, for anyone with risk factors to
have their blood pressure checked regularly and to make appropriate lifestyle changes.
Symptoms: The general symptoms may occur in high blood
pressure are: Drowsiness, Confusion, Headache, Nausea, Loss of vision.
Prevention Steps: Here are some basic steps that may be
followed to check High Blood Pressure or Hypertension:
1. Be physical active by regular exercise, walking, yoga etc.
2 Maintain a healthy body weight 3. Follow a healthy eating plan that emphasizes fruits, vegetables and low fat dairy foods.
4.Avoid alcoholic beverages 4. Quit smoking 5. Have a low salt intake. |
Your blood pressure
should be checked regularly by Manual cuffs and stethoscopes.
Know more about
Blood Pressure |
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Heart problems and Heart attack
With age the heart and blood vessels become less efficient even in the absence of obvious diseases. The heart tends to get enlarged and the pumping action decreases. The blood vessels become less pliable and elastic. This can result in the swelling of feet, high blood pressure and heart failure.
The WHO (World Health Organisation) estimates that in 2006, 3 millions people die of
cardiovascular (CVD) disease such as heart disease and stoke in
India. In India, heart disease is the single largest cause of death in the country.
A heart disease or heart attack occurs when the supply of oxygen-rich blood to the heart is disrupted, usually by a blood clot
in one of the coronary arteries that supply the heart with blood. This happens when there is a blockage in one or more coronary arteries.
Most heart problems are directly related to unhealthy eating habits, stress and lack of physical exercises.
To prevent heart attacks or other heart diseases, it is important to make changes in your lifestyle and live a healthy life. Undergoing medical check-ups regularly is equally vital.
Some of the basics of staying free from heart
diseases are: Eat a healthy diet to prevent or reduce high blood pressure and blood cholesterol
levels, Lose weight if you are overweight, Quit smoking, Reduce your
stress, Participate in a physical activity and do healthy exercises, walk, run and practice
yoga. Restricting salt consumption to 5gm (one teaspoon in 24 hours) and avoiding salty fried food, pickles and chutneys will help alleviate this problem.
Some Specialised heart hospitals in India:
All India Institute of Medical Sciences
Escorts Heart Institute and Research Centre
Apollo Hospitals, Narayana Hrudayalaya
Wockhardt Heart Hospitals
Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiology in Bangalore
BM Birla Heart Research Centre |
The majority of people
who suffer a heart attack experience symptoms that are often severe
and frightening. Some of the symptoms of a heart attack are: (i)
Chest pain that is unrelieved by rest and often spreads or radiates through the upper body to the arms, neck, shoulders or jaw. (ii)
Chest-area pressure, discomfort or squeezing sensation. (iii)Shortness of breath or shallow breathing. (iv) Heart palpitations,
in which the heartbeat is fast, strong or obviously irregular. (v)Abnormally weak and/or fast pulse. (vi) Fainting or loss of
consciousness. (vii) Feeling tired or fatigued, sweating, often heavy and often cold, etc.
To know more about
Heart Disease
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Cancer
Cancer is a leading cause of death globally: an estimated 7.6 million people
died of cancer in 2005 and 84 million people will die in the next 10
years if action is not taken. Cancer is a generic term for a group of more than a hundred diseases that affect different parts of the body. Among elderly men, cancers of the prostrate and colon are the most common while for women it is breast cancer. Other cancers found in
geriatric patients are skin, lung, pancreas, bladder, rectum and stomach cancer. A major initiative taken by the Government against Cancer was the launch of the
National Cancer Control Programme. This programme aims for primary prevention and early detection of the disease. To improve availability of cancer treatment facilities, various Regional Cancer Centres have been established across the country.
Here are some tips that help prevent cancer: 1.Quit
smoking, 2. Moderate your diet, Diets high in fruits and vegetables may have a protective effect against many cancers.
3. Regular physical activity and maintain a healthy body weight.
4. Avoid excessive exposure to ionizing radiation.
Some Specialized Cancer Hospitals in India:
Jawaharlal Nehru Cancer Hospital and Research Centre
The Gujarat Cancer and Research Institute
Indian Cancer Society
Kailash Cancer Hospital and Research Centre
MNJ Institute of Oncology
Apollo Cancer Hospital
Bangalore Institute of Oncology
Tata Memorial Hospital etc |
The main risk factors such as tobacco use, junk food, declining consumption of fruit and
vegetables, life style and obesity are contributing to the rise in cancer rates, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Cancer
may affect people at all ages, but risk tends to increase with age.Know more about
Cancer |
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Diabetes
Diabetes is a metabolic disorder characterized by high blood sugar.
Diabetes is a disease that affects the body's ability to produce or respond to insulin, a hormone that allows blood
glucose (blood sugar) to enter the cells of the body and be used for
energy. The government has established a National Diabetes Control Programme to reign in the disease. The main problem with diabetes is that it cannot be cured, it can only be managed.
The common symptoms includes: excessive
thirst, excessive urination, infections, extreme hunger, unusual weight loss, extreme
fatigue, irritability, nausea, vomiting, sweet smelling breath etc.
To control diabetes: Exercise daily: Morning walk, yoga, running and
aerobics all help.Make healthy food choices: Choose foods with lower fat, calories and salt. Try fresh vegetables and fresh fruits. Replace soft drinks with fresh juices and water. Eat sensible meals and snacks at regular times throughout the day.
Know more about
Diabetes |
Diabetes is one of the leading causes of death and disability.
About 65 percent of deaths among those with diabetes are attributed to heart disease and stroke.
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Kidney disease
Kidney disease is disorder that affects the functioning of the kidneys.
It can be characterized as hereditary, congenital or acquired. Chronic kidney disease is known to affect the elderly
and is associated with a high risk of kidney failure, cardiovascular disease and death.
In India a large number of people go into terminal kidney failure every year, while millions of others suffer from lesser forms of kidney diseases.
Keeping in mind the level of kidney problems in India a voluntary organization called the
National Kidney Foundation (India) has been formed by concerned individuals.
Prevention of kidney disease:Keep blood pressure under control; Maintain a healthy weight; Maintain healthy levels of fats;
Do not smoke or use any tobacco products. Some Specialised Hospitals
that treat kidney problems in India are:
Wockhardt Hospital and Kidney Institute
National Kidney Foundation
Indian Renal Foundation
To know more about World Kidney Day |
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Prostate Enlargement
Prostate
Enlargement is common disease in old age.Generally the prostate gland
become enlarged as a man ages. Doctors call this condition benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or benign prostatic
hypertrophy.
The symptoms of BPH vary, but the most common ones involve changes or problems with urination, such as a hesitant, interrupted, weak stream urgency and leaking or dribbling more frequent urination, especially at night
Some men with greatly enlarged glands have little obstruction and few symptoms while others, whose glands are less enlarged, have more blockage
and greater problems. Sometimes a man may not know he has any
obstruction until he suddenly finds himself unable to urinate at all. This condition, called acute urinary retention, may be triggered by taking over-the-counter cold or allergy medicines.
Severe BPH can cause serious problems in long run. Urine retention and strain on the bladder can lead to urinary tract infections, bladder
or kidney damage, bladder stones, and incontinence—the inability to control urination. If the bladder is permanently damaged, treatment for BPH may be ineffective. When BPH is found in its earlier stages, there is a lower risk of developing such complications.
The diagnosis of BPH requires several tests to help the doctor to identify the problem and decide whether surgery is needed.
More information ...Prostate
Enlargement
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Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis (TB) is a leading cause of deaths in India. These deaths can be prevented through modern
anti-TB treatment such as Directly Observed Treatment Short Term or DOTS. This medication needs to be undertaken for a prescribed
duration. The government has established the National Tuberculosis Programme to create the infrastructure for the control of the disease.
Precaution to prevent Tuberculosis: Wash your hands frequently, especially after being around people with chronic coughs. Take an annual TB test. They are available at minimal costs at community clinics.
Chest X-ray cab be undertaken to detect clinical signs of TB in lungs.
Avoid standing close to people when they are coughing. A lot of fresh air should be inhaled to keep lungs healthy.
A healthy diet that is rich in vitamins, minerals, calcium, protein and fibre should be consumed.
Treatment for Tuberculosis is provided at all government hospitals and health care centres.
To know more about World TB Day |
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Eyes Diseases
Eye diseases like cataracts and age related macular degeneration,
loss of vision etc. are major eye problems in old age. The Government has launched the National Programme for Control of Blindness to treat various eye problems and control blindness.
Care to avoid eye problems: While reading or doing concentrated activity, rest your eyes for five to
30-minute intervals. Look away from your work, close your eyes, or simply stare off into space. Blink regularly.
Palm your eyes. Sit comfortably, breathe deeply and cover your eyes with the palms of your hands. Protect your eyes from direct sunrays and any kind of dangerous
substances.
Some Specialised Eye Hospitals in India:
AIIMS; Wockhardt Eye Hospital, Mumbai Sankara Nethralaya; Chaithanya Eye Hospital and Research Institute
;Guru Nanak Eye Centre Aravind Eye Hospital. |
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Skin Care
The skin loses its elasticity with age, becoming dry and wrinkled. Itching and scratching cause mechanical injury and secondary bacterial infection. Apply a small quantity of a
mixture of 500ml of coconut oil, 500ml of sesame oil and 100ml of olive oil half an hour before bath. Add a teaspoon of coconut oil to the bath water. Use a moisturising soap. Apply body lotion or baby oil after bath.
Suggestions to remain healthy
To remain healthy in old age, control your weight, blood pressure and diabetes, eat four to six portions of fruit or
vegetables daily, do not smoke, avoid salt, drink alcohol in moderation, walk daily, maintain muscle strength and flexibility with exercise and sleep for six or seven hours a night. |
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