Difference between revisions of "Physical Problems of Old Age"

From EECH Central
Jump to: navigation, search
m
m
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. 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 /> [https://www.personalmedicalalarms.co.nz/ medical alarm] 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 people age, many of them experience physical problems that can interfere with their quality of life. These include hearing loss, loss of mobility and the risk of falls.<br /><br />Getting regular health screenings can help catch these issues before they become serious and affect your quality of life. Addressing these issues is important for healthy aging.<br /><br />1. Osteoporosis<br /><br />Generally, people lose bone mass faster than they build it as they age. This is due to a combination of factors including genetics, lifestyle and the environment they live in as children and even as fetuses.<br /><br />The inside of healthy bone looks like a sponge, and it's wrapped in a hard outer shell of dense bone. With osteoporosis, the holes in this "sponge" get bigger and the bones become weaker. This puts older adults at risk of fractures, especially of the hip and spine. These are often debilitating.<br /><br />2. Arthritis<br /><br />Arthritis is inflammation of the joints, which are where 2 or more bones meet. It can be caused by a reduction in the normal amount of cartilage tissue that protects your joints or because of an infection or injury.<br /><br />It also can be caused by rheumatoid arthritis, which is an autoimmune disease where your immune system attacks its own tissues. Other types of arthritis include osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis and gout.<br /><br />There are no cures for most types of arthritis, but treatment can help reduce pain and stiffness. Your doctor may recommend physiotherapy and medication.<br /><br />3. Diabetes<br /><br />Many older people find it hard to follow a diet that can help control blood sugar levels. They may not have a good understanding of the dietary recommendations for diabetes and they may also have other conditions that need a special diet, such as heart disease or stomach (digestive) problems. Too much sugar in the blood can damage the tiny blood vessels that supply nerve-endings, particularly in the legs and feet (diabetic neuropathy). This can cause tingling, burning or pain in these areas.<br /><br />4. Glaucoma<br /><br />Glaucoma causes vision loss by damaging the optic nerve. It occurs when fluid pressure in the eye rises and presses hard on the optic nerve, which carries signals from the retina to the brain so we can see.<br /><br />Patchy blind spots develop in peripheral (side) vision and get worse over time. It is important for your loved one to get regular eye exams.<br /><br /> [https://www.personalmedicalalarms.co.nz/medical-alert/ emergency medical alarm] Treatment includes medication, either pills or eye drops, that lowers pressure by making the eyes make less fluid or by allowing more fluid to drain out of the eye.<br /><br />5. Osteoporosis-related fractures<br /><br />Over 54 million people age 50 and older have low bone density, a condition called osteoporosis. Osteoporosis leads to broken bones, mainly in the hip, spine and wrist. These fractures often cause a hunched back posture called stooped spine syndrome.<br /><br />Until age 25, bone formation (synthesis) usually outpaces bone breakdown (resorption). After that, bone loss accelerates, especially in postmenopausal women.<br /><br />Most fractures occur without any symptoms. They typically develop after a fall or during routine activities. Fractures are most common in the spine, where they can lead to significant pain and disability.<br /><br />6. Diabetes-related fractures<br /><br />Diabetes mellitus (DM) has a harmful effect on bone health and is associated with lower BMD, accelerated skeletal ageing and increased risk of fracture. This may be due to hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress, which results in advanced glycation end products and inhibits osteoblasts and stimulates osteoclasts.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Diabetes is also associated with lower lean body mass and medications such as thiazolidinediones that increase fracture risk.<br /><br />Frailty is a dynamic aging state that predicts adverse health outcomes and has a strong interaction with diabetes. Exploring the trajectories of frailty in diabetes could help further quantify this effect modification and improve fracture risk assessment in patients with diabetes.<br /><br />7. Osteoporosis-related infections<br /><br />Symptoms of osteoporosis are subtle, and some people never experience them. However, if a vertebra collapses (fractures) in the spine, it can cause pain and deformity.<br /><br />Treatment for osteoporosis involves managing risk factors, ensuring adequate calcium and vitamin D intake, and taking medications such as bisphosphonates. Exercise, weight-bearing activities, and surgery to increase bone density also help.<br /><br />These problems routinely fall through the cracks of usual medical care, but correct evaluation and treatment can enable healthier aging. [https://www.personalmedicalalarms.co.nz/fall-detection-alarms/ elderly fall alert] Talk with a geriatrician or make sure your regular doctor thinks like one.<br /><br />8. Arthritis-related infections<br /><br />Infectious arthritis is caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungus. It often occurs in the knee, but can affect other joints. Bacterial infections spread through the bloodstream into the joint, which causes inflammation and pain. The condition is diagnosed by drawing a sample of the joint fluid (called synovial fluid) and testing it for white cells and other markers of infection.<br /><br />Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections, and the type of antibiotic will depend on which bacteria is causing the infection. Viral infections usually go away on their own, and fungus infections are treated with antifungal medications.<br /><br />9. Osteoporosis-related fractures<br /><br />Osteoporosis causes bones to weaken and break. This is most common in the hip and spine (vertebrae). This leads to a stooped or hunched posture. It can also cause back pain.<br /><br />Most osteoporotic fractures go unnoticed until they cause symptoms such as back pain or a crooked spine (kyphosis). Doctors can diagnose these by taking X-rays. They can also use CT scans for better imaging of the bone and to assess height loss, fragment retropulsion or canal compromise. Treatment can help reduce the risk of these fractures.<br /><br />10. Osteoporosis-related infections<br /><br />Symptoms of osteoporosis are often overlooked. They include back pain, especially in the spine (vertebral compression fractures), that starts suddenly or develops over time and gets worse when people stand or walk.<br /><br />Osteoporosis is when the quality, quantity and strength of your bones decrease, making them more likely to break (fracture). Ageing, low calcium intake, gastrointestinal disorders, some medicines, excessive alcohol use and cigarette smoking can cause osteoporosis. Treatment includes ensuring adequate intake of calcium, weight-bearing exercise and drugs such as bisphosphonates. Early diagnosis means that treatments can be more effective.<br /><br />

Revision as of 10:19, 5 April 2024

As people age, many of them experience physical problems that can interfere with their quality of life. These include hearing loss, loss of mobility and the risk of falls.

Getting regular health screenings can help catch these issues before they become serious and affect your quality of life. Addressing these issues is important for healthy aging.

1. Osteoporosis

Generally, people lose bone mass faster than they build it as they age. This is due to a combination of factors including genetics, lifestyle and the environment they live in as children and even as fetuses.

The inside of healthy bone looks like a sponge, and it's wrapped in a hard outer shell of dense bone. With osteoporosis, the holes in this "sponge" get bigger and the bones become weaker. This puts older adults at risk of fractures, especially of the hip and spine. These are often debilitating.

2. Arthritis

Arthritis is inflammation of the joints, which are where 2 or more bones meet. It can be caused by a reduction in the normal amount of cartilage tissue that protects your joints or because of an infection or injury.

It also can be caused by rheumatoid arthritis, which is an autoimmune disease where your immune system attacks its own tissues. Other types of arthritis include osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis and gout.

There are no cures for most types of arthritis, but treatment can help reduce pain and stiffness. Your doctor may recommend physiotherapy and medication.

3. Diabetes

Many older people find it hard to follow a diet that can help control blood sugar levels. They may not have a good understanding of the dietary recommendations for diabetes and they may also have other conditions that need a special diet, such as heart disease or stomach (digestive) problems. Too much sugar in the blood can damage the tiny blood vessels that supply nerve-endings, particularly in the legs and feet (diabetic neuropathy). This can cause tingling, burning or pain in these areas.

4. Glaucoma

Glaucoma causes vision loss by damaging the optic nerve. It occurs when fluid pressure in the eye rises and presses hard on the optic nerve, which carries signals from the retina to the brain so we can see.

Patchy blind spots develop in peripheral (side) vision and get worse over time. It is important for your loved one to get regular eye exams.

emergency medical alarm Treatment includes medication, either pills or eye drops, that lowers pressure by making the eyes make less fluid or by allowing more fluid to drain out of the eye.

5. Osteoporosis-related fractures

Over 54 million people age 50 and older have low bone density, a condition called osteoporosis. Osteoporosis leads to broken bones, mainly in the hip, spine and wrist. These fractures often cause a hunched back posture called stooped spine syndrome.

Until age 25, bone formation (synthesis) usually outpaces bone breakdown (resorption). After that, bone loss accelerates, especially in postmenopausal women.

Most fractures occur without any symptoms. They typically develop after a fall or during routine activities. Fractures are most common in the spine, where they can lead to significant pain and disability.

6. Diabetes-related fractures

Diabetes mellitus (DM) has a harmful effect on bone health and is associated with lower BMD, accelerated skeletal ageing and increased risk of fracture. This may be due to hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress, which results in advanced glycation end products and inhibits osteoblasts and stimulates osteoclasts.





Diabetes is also associated with lower lean body mass and medications such as thiazolidinediones that increase fracture risk.

Frailty is a dynamic aging state that predicts adverse health outcomes and has a strong interaction with diabetes. Exploring the trajectories of frailty in diabetes could help further quantify this effect modification and improve fracture risk assessment in patients with diabetes.

7. Osteoporosis-related infections

Symptoms of osteoporosis are subtle, and some people never experience them. However, if a vertebra collapses (fractures) in the spine, it can cause pain and deformity.

Treatment for osteoporosis involves managing risk factors, ensuring adequate calcium and vitamin D intake, and taking medications such as bisphosphonates. Exercise, weight-bearing activities, and surgery to increase bone density also help.

These problems routinely fall through the cracks of usual medical care, but correct evaluation and treatment can enable healthier aging. elderly fall alert Talk with a geriatrician or make sure your regular doctor thinks like one.

8. Arthritis-related infections

Infectious arthritis is caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungus. It often occurs in the knee, but can affect other joints. Bacterial infections spread through the bloodstream into the joint, which causes inflammation and pain. The condition is diagnosed by drawing a sample of the joint fluid (called synovial fluid) and testing it for white cells and other markers of infection.

Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections, and the type of antibiotic will depend on which bacteria is causing the infection. Viral infections usually go away on their own, and fungus infections are treated with antifungal medications.

9. Osteoporosis-related fractures

Osteoporosis causes bones to weaken and break. This is most common in the hip and spine (vertebrae). This leads to a stooped or hunched posture. It can also cause back pain.

Most osteoporotic fractures go unnoticed until they cause symptoms such as back pain or a crooked spine (kyphosis). Doctors can diagnose these by taking X-rays. They can also use CT scans for better imaging of the bone and to assess height loss, fragment retropulsion or canal compromise. Treatment can help reduce the risk of these fractures.

10. Osteoporosis-related infections

Symptoms of osteoporosis are often overlooked. They include back pain, especially in the spine (vertebral compression fractures), that starts suddenly or develops over time and gets worse when people stand or walk.

Osteoporosis is when the quality, quantity and strength of your bones decrease, making them more likely to break (fracture). Ageing, low calcium intake, gastrointestinal disorders, some medicines, excessive alcohol use and cigarette smoking can cause osteoporosis. Treatment includes ensuring adequate intake of calcium, weight-bearing exercise and drugs such as bisphosphonates. Early diagnosis means that treatments can be more effective.

Retrieved from "http://eechcentral.simhq.com/index.php?title=Physical_Problems_of_Old_Age&oldid=1439698"