Ischemic Heart Disease

Ischemic Heart Disease, also known as Coronary Artery Disease, is a condition that affects the supply of blood to the heart. The blood vessels are narrowed or blocked due to the deposition of cholesterol on their walls. This reduces the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the heart muscles, which is essential for proper functioning of the heart. This may eventually result in a portion of the heart being suddenly deprived of its blood supply leading to the death of that area of heart tissue, resulting in a heart attack.

The most important determinant of cardiovascular health is a person's age. By 2030, approximately 20% of the population will be aged 65 or older. In this age group, cardiovascular diseases (CVD) will result in 40% of all deaths and rank as the leading cause. Furthermore, the cost to treat cardiovascular disease will triple in that time. The most frequent manifestations of IHD are angina (chest pain associated with physical activity) and acute myocardial infarction (heart attack). Heart attack results from sudden stoppage of blood flow in the arteries that supply blood to the heart (coronary artery). As a result parts of the heart muscles die out or are lost permanently. Angina is a milder and reversible form of heart attack. Ischaemic heart disease is the result of a process of narrowing of blood vessels (atherosclerosis), a disease in which cholesterol (fat in blood) gets deposited inside the walls. This process of atherosclerosis affects the blood vessels of the brain leading to stroke and the limb vessels leading to gangrene.

CAUSES OF ISCHEMIC HEART DISEASE

• The major risk factors are smoking, diabetes mellitus and cholesterol levels.
• Those with Hypercholesterolemia have a much higher tendency to develop the disease.
• Hypertension is also a risk factor in the development of Ischemic Heart Disease
• Genetic and hereditary factors may also be responsible for the disease.
• Stress is also thought to be a risk factor.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES:

• Avoiding foods rich in saturated fats is important to reduce lipid levels in the blood and to prevent arteriosclerosis.
• Adequate regular exercise is also essential.
• Cholesterol and hypertension should be kept under good control with proper treatment.
• Quit smoking
• Reduce alcohol consumption
• Keep blood pressure under control
• Keep diabetes under control
• Be regular in taking medicines

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Take care!!

Oral Care!!

It’s a myth that as we age we lose all our natural teeth. With proper care, one can preserve its natural teeth and beautiful smile even after the age of 60. Common problems faced as we age related to our oral health are:

• Cavity: cavity in old age is commonly because of dry mouth, however, side effect of various medicines is another cause.
• Gum diseases: This is another very common problem among older adults. This is caused by the bacteria in plaque. This bacteria causes gums to swell because of irritation, makes them red and may also cause bleeding. Regular Dental cleaning can prevent such kind of a disease.
• Mouth cancer: Mouth cancer is detected mostly in older adults and regular doctor check-ups are essential after the age of 60 as the symptoms of mouth cancer are difficult to detect in the early stages.
• Darkening of teeth: this can be cause by the consumption of stain-causing food over a lifetime and sometimes because of change in dentin.
• Decrease in the sense of taste: aging generally causes reduced sense of taste. Other reasons for the same could be various diseases, medications and dentures.
• Decaying of roots: This can be cause by decaying acids.
• Gum related diseases: Use of tobacco, improper care, cancer, diabetes, poor diet, etc. are various reasons of gum related diseases. These diseases lead to tooth loss and uneven jawbone.
• Denture-induced stomatitis: problem caused because of an improper denture.
• Thrush: various diseases affect the immune system that can cause overgrowth of the fungus in mouth.

To maintain good oral health it’s important for all individuals, irrespective of age to:

• Brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste
• Floss between teeth once a day
• Clean dentures daily with a cleanser made specifically for dentures
• Visit the dentist regularly for cleanings and check-ups

For more Information about the oral care problems and their solutions visit our website Old Age Solutions, or follow us at Google+, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube Take care!

Foot Care!!

Foot problems are common in old age and usually result from long years of wear and tear, ill-fitting shoes, poor circulation to the feet, untrimmed toenails and sometimes diseases. You can help prevent foot problems by checking your feet regularly or having them checked by a member of the family and a foot hygiene specialist.

Common foot problems that occur with age are:

• Fungal infection
• Dry skin
• Corns
• Warts
• Ingrown toenails
• Spurs
• Sores and infections
• Calluses

Exposure to cold temperatures, pressure on the feet from shoes, long periods of sitting or resting, and smoking can reduce blood flow to the feet. On the other hand, elevating the feet, standing up and stretching, walking and other forms of exercise promote good circulation. Gentle massage and warm foot baths can also help increase blood flow to the feet. Following a routine to take care of your foot could be very beneficial. This may include:

• Cutting and filing toenails and keeping them at a comfortable length. If u cannot reach your toe nails ask for help.
• Smoothing and moisturising dry and rough skin regularly.
• Checking for cracks and breaks in the skin and inflammation such as blisters
• Looking for signs of infection like nail fungus or other obvious early problems, and seeking professional advice
• Wearing suitable socks and footwear
• Keeping feet clean, dry, mobile, comfortable and warm.
• Keeping blood sugar in a check
• Regularly expose the feet to sunlight.

Foot problems should not be ignored and be considered as a part of old age. Most foot problems can be treated with medication or surgeries and hence are not permanent.

For more such tips visit our website Old Age Solutions, or follow us at Google+, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube Take care!

Falls!!

Falls and accidents do not “just happen”. Most of the times the situation for an accident waits to happen and thus can be prevented. Falls have disastrous consequences in old age. They cause injury, fracture and limit one’s ability to lead an active, independent life. Thousands of older men and women are disabled, often permanently, due to falls that lead to fractures. Even the fear of fall can be equally disabling psychologically. However, it is possible to prevent falls and injuries by undertaking simple changes in the surrounding environment and following safe practices. Understanding the causes of fall is the first step towards the prevention of falls.

Muscle weakness has been shown to be the biggest risk factor for falls (whether measured by leg strength or by grip strength), even more than history of falls, poor balance, or impaired gait.

Changes in vision, hearing, muscle strength, co-ordination and reflexes make older people vulnerable to falls. In addition, diseases of the heart, brain, bones and joints, thyroid and diabetes may affect the balance and gait. Multiple drugs for these illnesses can also result in dizziness, blackouts and falls. However the reasons can be categorised into two:

• "intrinsic" (e.g., muscle weakness, visual impairment, cognitive impairment) and
• "extrinsic" (e.g., taking multiple medications and environmental hazards like throw rugs and lamp cords).

There are several simple steps which can reduce the likelihood of falls and accidents and make our home and environment safe.
Tips to reduce falls:

1. Make an appointment with your doctor
2. Remove home hazards
3. A version of Tai Chi C’uan, modified for seniors, has been shown to be a promising method of reducing fall risk in seniors.
4. Light up your living space
5. Discuss with your doctor regarding the side-effects of the medicines you are taking and whether they affect your co-ordination or balance. Ask him to suggest ways to reduce the possibilities of falling.
6. Alcohol can affect the balance and reflexes; therefore limit alcohol intake especially before driving.
7. Be careful while getting up too quickly after eating, waking up from sleep, lying down, or resting for long periods. The blood pressure may decline rapidly and cause dizziness and fall
8. Use a cane, walking stick, or walker to help maintain balance on uneven or unfamiliar ground or if you sometimes feel dizzy. Use special caution in walking outdoors on wet pavement.
9. Wear supportive, rubber-soled, low-heeled shoes. Avoid wearing smooth-soled shoes or slippers on stairs or slippery floors.
10. Maintain a regular programme of exercise. Regular physical activity improves strength and muscle tone, which will help in moving about more easily by keeping the joints, tendons and ligaments more flexible. Mild weight-bearing activities may even reduce the loss of bone due to osteoporosis.

For more such tips visit our website Old Age Solutions, or follow us at Google+, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube

Benefits of physical activities to senior citizens

There's strong scientific evidence that people who are active have a lower risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, some cancers, depression and dementia.

Not only does exercise improve health and reduce the risk of death, but it also improves one’s ability to keep up with everyday activities like housework, grocery shopping, and basic activities like getting up from a low seat or getting out of your car. The older you get, the more you can lower your risk of death or disability by being physically active, compared to sedentary individuals in your age group. Even moderate physical activity has been shown to help seniors retain their ability to do recreational and household activity.

Seniors, 65 and older, who added exercise to their lives had lower mortality and fewer hospitalizations than people who remained inactive. Regular exercise also increases circulation and oxygen intake which are important for our eye health. Exercise increases the supply of blood to the brain, spurs the development of new neurons, and forges more connections between them. This leads to prevention of memory loss.

One study found that the effect of exercise can be exponential: sedentary, frail seniors who began exercise routines built their muscle mass by less than 2%. But their knee extension strength increased by 8%, suggesting that even little changes in muscle mass can have significant changes in muscle performance.

A version of Tai Chi C’uan, modified for seniors, has been shown to be a promising method of reducing fall risk in seniors Studies have shown that the majority of diabetic patients in exercise programs can often actually reduce their dose of medication after a period of time.

More physical activity has been linked to better cognitive skills and a lower prevalence of mild cognitive impairment, a precursor to dementia. Many studies have shown similar results that confirm the effectiveness of exercise interventions in reducing pain and disability scores in patients with knee OA.

Many large-scale studies have shown that higher levels of physical activity reduce the risk of Alzheimer disease, vascular dementia and all-cause dementia. Even in studies of people without dementia, more physical activity has been linked to better cognitive skills and a lower prevalence of mild cognitive impairment, a precursor to dementia.

Walking is the most common form of leisure-time physical activity for most seniors. As little as 28 blocks per week (roughly equivalent to 1.4 miles) have been shown to reduce the risk for mortality, dementia, depression and needing help with everyday activities.

The less time people spend sitting has also been linked to reduced heart risk.
There are so many benefits of physical activities and so many ways of staying fit. Just get started!

For more such tips visit our website Old Age Solutions, or follow us at Google+, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube

Benefits of physical activities to senior citizens!!

There's strong scientific evidence that people who are active have a lower risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, some cancers, depression and dementia.

Not only does exercise improve health and reduce the risk of death, but it also improves one’s ability to keep up with everyday activities like housework, grocery shopping, and basic activities like getting up from a low seat or getting out of your car. The older you get, the more you can lower your risk of death or disability by being physically active, compared to sedentary individuals in your age group. Even moderate physical activity has been shown to help seniors retain their ability to do recreational and household activity.

Seniors, 65 and older, who added exercise to their lives had lower mortality and fewer hospitalizations than people who remained inactive. Regular exercise also increases circulation and oxygen intake which are important for our eye health. Exercise increases the supply of blood to the brain, spurs the development of new neurons, and forges more connections between them. This leads to prevention of memory loss.

One study found that the effect of exercise can be exponential: sedentary, frail seniors who began exercise routines built their muscle mass by less than 2%. But their knee extension strength increased by 8%, suggesting that even little changes in muscle mass can have significant changes in muscle performance.

A version of Tai Chi C’uan, modified for seniors, has been shown to be a promising method of reducing fall risk in seniors Studies have shown that the majority of diabetic patients in exercise programs can often actually reduce their dose of medication after a period of time.

More physical activity has been linked to better cognitive skills and a lower prevalence of mild cognitive impairment, a precursor to dementia. Many studies have shown similar results that confirm the effectiveness of exercise interventions in reducing pain and disability scores in patients with knee OA.

Many large-scale studies have shown that higher levels of physical activity reduce the risk of Alzheimer disease, vascular dementia and all-cause dementia. Even in studies of people without dementia, more physical activity has been linked to better cognitive skills and a lower prevalence of mild cognitive impairment, a precursor to dementia.

Walking is the most common form of leisure-time physical activity for most seniors. As little as 28 blocks per week (roughly equivalent to 1.4 miles) have been shown to reduce the risk for mortality, dementia, depression and needing help with everyday activities. The less time people spend sitting has also been linked to reduced heart risk. There are so many benefits of physical activities and so many ways of staying fit. Just get started!

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Outdoor Recreation!!

Hello there Followers!
There are a number of ways you can pass your time and also get that daily dose of exercise. Indoor activities are not your last resort. There is a lot you can do outdoors as well but make sure you consult your doctor first. Here are a few outdoors recreational activities:

• Bird watching: A great activity for people who love nature but cannot go for nature walks, in the fields or forests because of physical constraints, lack of transport, companions or any other practical problem. You necessarily need not go to the forests for this. A park in the vicinity is a good idea to start this activity.
• Gardening: All you need is a small patch of land, or a few pots that you can keep in your balcony or just outside your house, and some bright coloured equipment.
• Letterboxing: Never heard of letterboxing? It's a fun outdoor activity that combines hiking and treasure hunting.
• Sports: If you have your doctor's approval to play sports, break out the golf clubs, soccer ball, or tennis racket and get playing. You could join a senior league or simply play with friends at the Local Park or recreation center.
• Exercise: This is one activity suggested by all doctors and health practitioners for all age groups. The seniors are no different. Different forms of exercise are now being practiced which are a great form of relaxation apart from helping physical and mental fitness. Try water aerobics, walking, yoga, or Tai Chi.
• Photography: All you need is a camera. A practical way is getting hold of a digital camera, and clicking whatever interests you, and capturing it in your camera, or computer. It could be a theme – like nature, or vehicles, or humans, anything that hold your attention
• Scavenger hunt: Set up a scavenger hunt with a friend or try geocaching.

For more activities and recreation centres log on to our website Old Age Solutions