Aging is an inevitable part of human life. It is called second childhood. It further impairs physical function and increases stress and diseases in old age. As a result the death rate in old age is high.
Important points of aging
Biological Process
* Genes determine lifespan. So genes play an important role in maturation.
* Body organs are affected due to continuous activity.
* Toxic substances such as cholesterol and amyloid accumulate in the main organs of the body such as the heart and brain and affect them.
* When DNA is repaired, some important genetic material is lost.
* Relaxation in the production of deficient key hormones. Eg: growth hormone, androgen, estrogen and thyroid hormones.
* Lifetime stressors and their consequences.
* Long-term exposure to environmental toxins and disturbances).
Evolutionary Basis of Aging
Age is also linked to evolution. A long life after reproductive age (a) period is ineffective. Otherwise there will be population growth and economic competition for survival.
Psycho-social aspects of aging
Older people experience certain changes in appearance, behavior, memory and mental status. Older people should give way to the younger generation. They may develop feelings of being insecure, unwanted and dependent on others.
Diseases of the elderly
Doctors say that the following diseases are common in the elderly:
* High blood pressure, Cataract, Deterioration of bones and joints, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Cardiovascular disease, Diabetes, Prostate gland swelling, Indigestion and constipation, Depression are the common causes of death in the elderly.
* Bronchitis and pneumonia
* Heart disease
* Strokes (a) Paralysis
* Cancer
* Tuberculosis.
Health issues to watch out for in the elderly
* Different nutrition, too much nutrition, too little nutrition.
* Eating less fiber food and fruits
* Lack of physical activity, sedentary life style (Sedantary Life style),
* Smoking
* Drinking too much alcohol
* Drug side effects
* Accidents and injuries.
Over Nutrition
Overnutrition can lead to obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes. These are common health problems in the elderly.
Under-nutrition
This is equally harmful. As a result, one is unable to do one’s work physically, dependent on others, early death due to reduced immunity, more infections and slow healing of wounds.
Some moods are social causes
Factors affecting food intake. (eg). Economic status. Food restrictions (hot and cold), religious beliefs, social restrictions, caregiver reluctance and reprimand, stress, loneliness.
Common nutritional deficiencies
This includes total calories, iron, fiber, folic acid, vitamin C, calcium, zinc, and vitamin A.
Exercise
Strength, strength, bone and heart muscle properties gradually decrease with aging. Inactivity and reduced physical activity are major causes of morbidity and mortality.
Smoking
Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of fatal diseases in the elderly. Smoking causes the following.
* Respiratory problems in the elderly
* Lung and gastrointestinal tract cancer
* Cardiovascular disease
* Stroke.
Alcohol
Excessive alcohol consumption can cause heart attacks, liver inflammation, nerve damage, memory loss, falls and accidents, malnutrition, decreased immunity and social isolation.
The effect or action of analgesics and central nervous system depressants such as hypnotics, tricyclic antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and benzodiazepines may be affected by excessive alcohol consumption.
Alcohol addiction, memory loss, impaired balance, frequent falls, and poor health are mistakenly assumed to be diseases of old age.
Preventing accidents
Accidents include pain, injury, organ failure, long periods of immobility and complications, fear of future accidents, isolation and loss of independence.
Older people have more accidents than people of average age. This is due to changes in the emotional and musculoskeletal system. These changes include the following.
* Impairment of sense organs – sight, hearing, pain touch, temperature.
* Decline in body balance
* Impairment of standing posture and gait
* Muscle weakness and balance impairment There are other reasons why elderly people fall and fall. They are
* Damage to memory
* Depression
* Long days of physical infirmity
* Use of medicines for heart diseases.
mental stress
Elderly people should be aware of the causes of accidents and environmental disturbances. And to know the simple and modern methods to fix them. They are
* Use of walking aids
* Use of vision aids
* Use of flat shoes
* Proper flooring inside and outside the home.
Prevention of side effects caused by drug actions. Commonly side effects against drugs are antibiotics, drugs that increase urine output, drugs that regulate heart rhythms, anti-inflammatory drugs such as digoxin, hypnotics, antidepressants, anti-hypertensive drugs, anti-coagulant drugs, and psychiatric drugs.
Common adverse reactions include confusion, confusion, low blood pressure, falls, palpitations, depression, insomnia, constipation, urinary incontinence, and urinary retention.
These effects should be minimized
* Frequently consulting the doctor about medicines
* Note about possible side effects
* Minimizing the number of medicines used
* Using medicines without excessive side effects.
Immunization
Prophylactic medicine is recommended for the following three factors: Pneumococcus, influenza virus and tetanus pneumococcus, vaccine should be given only once. Influenza vaccination is recommended every year.
mental health
Common environmental problems in older adults
* Bereavement of spouse and death of close relatives
* Stress on elderly caregivers and fear of illness, death of siblings, relatives
* Financial problems and disinheritance
* Isolation and isolation in society Old age and its segments
* Depression due to the following problems
* Fatigue, fear, loneliness , life without meaning and purpose. Anxiety, anger, incompetence or impotence and stress.
Mental illnesses in old age
Physical impairments exacerbate mental impairment.
* Depression
* Palpitations
* Attitudes
* Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
* Personality Disorder
* Feeling Insecure
* Alcoholism
* Drug Addiction
* Speech Disorders and Forgetfulness
Depression
Common symptoms include malaise, sleep problems, and restlessness. Other symptoms include loss of appetite, recollection of death, inattention and excessive sweating. Causes of stress in the elderly – heredity, long periods of illness and immobility, pain, frustration due to lack of activity in daily life, change in management, side effects of life events and lack of social cooperation.
Stress destroys happiness and quality of life.
Progression of the disease can be worse if stress and functional capacity are affected. The patient and his family need more education about the nature of the disease, treatment, disease progression and suicide attempts. About one-third of patients may recover after treatment. A portion will remain intact and a portion will deteriorate.
Sensory System
Skin Age-related changes cause thickening of the epidermis, loss of moisture in the skin, making the skin dry and rough. Due to the decrease in the number of melanin pigments, the skin’s protection from sunlight decreases and colorless spots appear on the skin. The number of fibroplasts in the dermis and the production of cellular mesmatrix Cellular matrix are reduced, causing wrinkles on the surface of the skin. Due to the lack of melanin pigment, the hair becomes discolored, hair falls out, and the growth of nails decreases.