We live in a world full of drugs whose primary objective
is to relieve symptoms instead of heal. Most of these drugs come with side
effects, some of which may be quite dangerous. That is especially true when it
comes to drugs prescribed for the elderly who are the largest consumers of
prescription and over the counter drugs.
When waiting to see a doctor, it is common to share the
waiting room with prescription drug salespeople with suitcases full of the
latest "drugs of choice." Too many doctors get their drug education
from these salespeople who often have no medical background. The end result is
that when we go to the doctor, whether to address a specific condition or for a
routine check-up, more often than not, we come out of the office with one or
more prescriptions.
Prescribing medications to treat several health
conditions can actually result in side effects that can make problems worse. A
side effect doesn't necessarily have to make itself known when first taking a
medication. There is a greater chance of experiencing side effects the longer a
drug is taken.
Drug side effects and the elderly
Researchers in Britain have found that commonly used
drugs prescribed to half of those that are 65 or older lead to an increased
incidence of death and mental health decline, especially when the drugs are
prescribed in combination. The researchers' findings, which was published in
the August 2011 Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, suggest that these
types of drugs negatively affect the brain and increase the risk of decline and
death. The study found that patients taking a combination of prescription drugs
were at greater risk.
Elderly people take approximately three times the amount
of medications that younger people do. Although the elderly are prescribed a
wide array of drugs, the most common drugs are heart medications, statins,
benzodiazepines, and antidepressants.
Drugs that treat the cardiovascular system can result in
nausea, vomiting, weight loss, anorexia, and bleeding problems. Statins' side
effects include muscle weakness and pain (the most serious that can be life
threatening), headaches, nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, skin rash,
and general weakness.
Benzodiazepines can result in sedation, confusion, and
falls. The side effects of antidepressants include sedation, confusion, falls,
low blood pressure, and urinary retention. Antidepressants also thin the blood.
They decrease blood clotting capacity, increasing the risk for stomach and
uterine bleeding. Add over the counter NSAID's taken at the same time and the
risk doubles.
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