Add comment May 8th, 2009 02:24pm Mitchell F. Davenport
Safety at Home for Seniors
1 comment May 7th, 2009 07:06am Donna Addison
Following simple safety tips in the home can help prevent injury or illness for seniors. Accidents don’t have anything to do with age: any of us can trip over a cord, slip in the tub or miss a stair due to distortion from wearing trifocals; but, accidents for seniors often increase potential for serious health threats or lead to injuries that might take longer to heal. Taking a few minutes to ensure the home is safe is one of the best ways to prevent accidents.
Keep hallways, stairways, exits and floors clear of obstacles. Slippery throw rugs, power cords, personal belongings and even pet toys often get in the way. Watch out for Fido; lots of injuries are caused by tripping over a beloved pet! At night, ensure you can see where you are going by using nightlights. In the shower or bath, consider installation of safety grab bars. Also, watch out for water on the bathroom floor, as it can easily lead to a fall. Check your smoke alarms at least twice a year. It’s a smart thing to have a carbon monoxide alarm, too. Take a look at all those medications. Make sure none are out-of-date (expired) or are not clearly labeled. It’s best to keep meds in the original container so all instructions and medication info is easily available. If you no longer take one of the meds hanging around in your med cabinet, you might want to consider proper disposal so you (or someone else) don’t accidently take the medication. Keep emergency numbers by the telephone; in an emergency, it’s often difficult to think clearly. If you live alone and have major health issues or have a fall risk, consider home health alerts. Good lighting, clear pathways and use of safety devices goes a long way in keeping seniors safe.
The National Pain Care Policy Act of 2009 is in the Senate–TAKE ACTION!
Add comment April 29th, 2009 08:38pm Leslie Aalund
Pain remains the number 1 reason that people seek medical attention.
More people are affected by pain than cancer, diabetes, and heart disease combined.
Most people would expect to have their pain managed by healthcare professionals, but there are many barriers that impede effective pain management; therefore, pain remains undertreated.
Barriers as listed by the American Pain Foundation:
Patients often do not tell their doctor about their suffering and may worry about using pain medicines based on misunderstandings about addiction and dependence.
Few health professionals are trained adequately in pain assessment and management. It is estimated that only 7% of physicians receive pain management education in their medical schooling.
Less than 1% of the National Institutes of Health research budget is dedicated to pain research.
Lack of understanding about regulatory policies, coupled with the perception that prescribing adequate amounts of pain medicines will result in unnecessary scrutiny by regulatory authorities, contributes to practioner’s reluctance to prescribe medicines for adequate pain management.
The good news is pain and all of these barriers are being addressed on the national level by the National Pain Care Policy Act of 2009. This has passed through the House of Representatives and now needs to be supported to pass in the Senate. Go to www.painfoundation.org and click on “Take Action Now” which is located on the right margin of the website. It is very simple to support this important policy. You will need to enter your name, email address and zip code and the appropriate Senator will be contacted. There is also information on this Policy at the website. You or someone you know will likely be affected by pain at some point in your life. Please, take a minute to improve pain management now.
The Vicious Cycles of Chronic Pain
Add comment April 14th, 2009 09:06pm Leslie Aalund
While reading the HealthyRockford.com section in Life&Syles of last Sundays paper (4/12/09), I began thinking of the vicious cycle chronic pain creates. “Staying healthy as a senior” discussed keeping active in body, mind, and spirit. Chronic pain can interupt all 3 of those living aspects. It is very difficult to exercise while experiencing pain. Many people equate pain during exercise with exercise causing physical harm. In reality, not exercising creates inflexibility and deconditioning of your body. This leads to deterioration and increased pain. And don’t forget the endorphins released during exercise. These are “feel good” chemicals (spirit). Exercise gets your heart pumping and the blood flow to your brain will increase (mind). It is important to exercise regularly. Ask your doctor for appropriate exercise recommendations for your individual needs. It is important to have your pain managed to a level where you are able to function and participate in some exercise activity. This will help your body, mind and spirit.
Pain very often creates isolation. Most people do not want to interact when not feeling well or fear that physical contact may cause more pain. Human beings are social creatures. Isolation does affect both mind and spirit. Pain and depression often go hand in hand. Depression has been shown to increase pain and chronic pain can cause depression. Depression may also have physical consequences.
Pain interferes with sleep. It has been shown that REM sleep is often not reached when experiencing pain. Sleep deprivation may increase the pain experience. Sleep deprivation may have physical, mental and emotional consequences.
The vicious cycle of pain must be broken. Pain is a very complex and individual experience. Find a physician that is willing to work with you to manage your pain so you can function physicially, mentally and emotionally to your fullest potential.
The Kelly Epperson blog spoke to music being good for you. A study done with chronic pain patients confirmed this. It showed that listening to music for 1 hour every day caused a reduction in pain levels. This doesn’t mean “easy listening” music (easy listening music for my stepson would be like scratching nails on a chalkboard), but whatever music you enjoy. So grab your favorite CD, put on those headphones and let the music take you away. While listening it may feel good to sway your arms, your hips or do some fancy footwork (get some physical activity in there) or close your eyes and let the music take you to your favorite place. This may aid in breaking the cycle of chronic pain.
Acetaminophen Can Cause Liver and Kidney Damage
1 comment April 11th, 2009 07:16pm Dr. John C. Maynard
Acetaminophen, a common over-the-counter pain medication, is safe when used properly. But it is not completely harmless. Acetaminophen is the most common cause of acute liver failure. This can happen if a person takes just 10 grams over 24 hours, an amount which can be found in 20 tablets of 500 mg each. This is called acute toxicity. Acetaminophen can also be harmful to the kidneys when used regularly over years. The risk of developing end-stage kidney failure is doubled in people taking more than 1000 tablets of acetaminophen (325 mg each) in their lifetime. The chance of kidney damage is further increased when acetaminophen is used along with asprin. As with all medications, only use as much as you really need. And never exceed the recommended dosage. John C Maynard, MD Rockford Nephrology Associates
Senior Citizens and Vitamin B-12
1 comment April 6th, 2009 01:01pm Donna Addison
When talking to my mom a few weeks ago, she complained of feeling overwhelmingly tired, irritated, weak and depressed. As she has thyroid problems her entire adult life, we both mistakenly assumed her thyroid medication needed to be adjusted. A trip to the doctor and lab revealed a surprise to both of us: her thyroid level was fine. Thankfully, the lab results did not surprise her doctor. He figured it out right away: my mother was Vitamin B-12 deficient.
From what we’ve learned, it appears Vitamin B-12 deficiency is quite common in persons over 60 years old. Symptoms include but are not limited to fatigue, weakness, poor memory, increased dementia, feeling depressed, tingling in extremities, problems with balance and even soreness in the mouth. Seniors with digestive problems and anemia are often at a higher risk for Vitamin B-12 deficiency than their peers. In addition, prescribed medications can also interfere with the body’s ability to absorb Vitamin B-12. As a vegetarian, I was surprised to learn that I am at a higher risk than the general population to have B-12 deficiency. Take note, senior citizen vegetarians!
My mom’s doctor suggested she receive bi-monthly B-12 injections to address her deficiency. Oral pills, under-the-tongue capsules and nasal sprays are also means to supplement the need for B-12. Eating fortified and healthy foods such as fish, meat, poultry and dairy products will be part of my mom’s daily meals.
Since the symptoms of Vitamin B-12 deficiency are very similar or the same as other serious medical problems, seniors should make sure to work with their physician to rule out other medical conditions.
Add comment April 3rd, 2009 02:44pm Mitchell F. Davenport
Warning Signs of Childhood Mental Illness
Mikey’s mother realized there was something different about Mikey very early on. He was fussier that her first child, and began having severe temper tantrums at age 2. He was not comforted easily and whined and cried easier than most 2 year olds. The older he got the more extreme these behaviors became. In addition, he became extremely rigid and inflexible, any change in routine could set off a temper tantrum that could last an hour.
While Mikey’s problems were noticed at an early age, seeing the warning signs of mental illness is not always that clear cut. If you remember in my first article I said that mental illness is a disorder in thought, mood or behavior that is abnormal for the developmental stage of the person and causes distress in her life and those around her. In order to see warning signs, we need to know what is developmentally appropriate for a given child in terms of their behavior, cognitions, and moods. For example, it is normal for a 3 or 4 year old to have an imaginary friend whom he talks to and plays with. It is not normal for a 11 year old to have an imaginary friend whom he talks to and plays with. In an 11 year old, this would be a cause for concern.
Some general guidelines around things to watch for include the following:
- Sad or hopeless for no reason
- Angry most of the time and over-reactive
- Feelings of worthlessness or guilt, anxiety or worry
- Unable to get over the loss of an important person
- Fears out of proportion to the threat
- Feeling that her mind is being controlled or out of control
- Declining performance in school
- Losing interest in things once enjoyed
- Unexplained changes in sleeping or eating habits
- Avoiding friends and family, wishing to be alone most of the time
- Hearing voices that cannot be explained.
- Experiencing suicidal thoughts
- Poor concentration or decision making
- Inability to sit still, be quiet, or focus attention
- Obsessive or compulsive behaviors
- Racing thoughts
- Persistent Nightmares
- Using alcohol or drugs
- Anxiety upon being separated from a parent or caregiver
- Dieting or exercising excessively
- Violating the rights of others
- Firesetting
- Harming animals
- Harming self through cutting or other damage causing behaviors
- Extreme risk taking behaviors
While not exhaustive, this list is a sample of the types of things to watch for. If your child has some of these behaviors, you may want to find mental health services for your child—at least an assessment. The best way to find appropriate mental health services is to:
- Get accurate information from hotlines, libraries, or other sources
- Seek referrals from professionals
- Talk to other families in your community
- Find family network organizations
- Ask questions about treatments and services
- Find out if there is a local NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) chapter near you.
You may also call the
Health
Information
Center of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) at 1-800-789-2647.
In our next blog, we will take a look at the most frequently diagnoses behavior disorder / mental illness in kids: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Staying young and healthy as a Senior Citizen
Add comment March 24th, 2009 06:22am Donna Addison
With so many baby boomers joining the “senior citizen” age group, it begs the question: just who IS a senior citizen? When I hear that term, I immediately think of my elderly grandparents, sitting on the couch in the 1970’s. When I think of my current friends who are over 50, I envision a totally different version of my grandparents’ senior population: today’s senior seems so much more active, vibrant and youthful. While most dictionaries define a senior is someone who is “of relatively advanced age,” the label more often refers to people who are over a certain age to qualify for services or discounts. AARP serves anyone over 50; locally, Northwestern Illinois Area Agency on Aging (NIAAA) serves adults age 60 and older; restaurants and movies usually provide discounts to those who are over 55 years old.
People are living longer, with a higher quality of life. The average life span now averages almost 80 years old. What to do with all that time? Keep active: body, mind and spirit. After the okay from the doctor, engage in physical activites, whether it be running a marathon or gardening in the back yard. Do creative things such as making art, playing an instrument or writing a story. Learn something new: build computer skills, take up golf, figure out how to do Suduko puzzles, go back to school. Do something social, such as joining a club, volunteering in the community, enjoying the company of good friends, attending a local play or concert, going to church. Eating a balanced diet can maintain or even improve overall functioning, so eat those veggies and dark chocolate! Managing the level of stress can make a big difference in overall health; try yoga, meditation or any healthy activity that helps you relax. Work with your doctor to address medical concerns. Seek help when digging through all the paperwork involved with Medicare, Medicaid, taxes, utilities and all those other stressful things in life. Many services exist for the taking: Lifescape Community Services, NIAAA, Alzheimer’s Association, Visiting Nurses Association are just a few of the providers in the community who are waiting to serve you, often for free or minimal cost. Believe it or not, brushing and flossing your teeth is a great way to maintain overall health. Don’t forget enjoy yourself. There’s no time like the present to take advantage of being a senior citizen. Put those senior discounts to use! From a discounted cup of coffee at the Golden Arches to money saved on a vacation, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the perks of being defined as a senior in today’s community.
Prevention: Oversold and Undersold…
Add comment March 19th, 2009 02:55pm Dr. Martin Lipsky
After listening to President Obama’s speech to Congress, it appears that we will all be hearing more about prevention as a way of improving health and lowering health care costs. As a primary care physician, I embrace prevention but do wonder if both physicians and patient expectations are realistic? In some ways prevention may be both oversold and undersold. Dr. Alfred Berg, a former head of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, says, “We need to look at the data carefully so we do things that make sense and use our resources wisely.”
For example, many women regularly see their physicians to get an annual mammogram. While recommended, women tend to overate their risk from breast cancer and vastly underrate their risk from heart disease, which is by far the leading cause of death among woman, or from the flu, which kills many women each year. The point is that sometimes very effective interventions such as influenza vaccinations and smoking cessation can be overlooked. This is one reason that I feel it is so important to have a personal doctor who can discuss these issues with you and to tailor preventive recommendations. In addition, by taking a good medical history, learning about your family history and conducting a thorough examination, your doctor might make recommendations for you that would not be suitable for someone else.
A common preventive visit for a woman is for a pap smear. During that visit, I strongly encourage a woman to ask her doctor what other type of preventive measures he or she can recommend and what is their philosophy about prevention. I asked one of our obstetrician/gynecologist specialists, Dr. Teddy Bachawaty how he approaches prevention during an annual exam.
He said, “While most women are coming to see me for a cancer check up, I feel that the visit is a valuable opportunity for me to discuss other recommended preventive measures for someone in the patient’s age group. To guide me in this discussion, I use recommendations from the United States Preventive Services Task Force (www.ahrq.gov/clinic/uspstfix.htm) and those made by my specialty society, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. If the patient has her own primary care physician it gives me a chance to either reinforce their recommendations or to encourage the patient to make an appointment. For a woman who wants comprehensive care from me, I consider four general areas including immunizations, cancer prevention, cardiovascular disease and chemoprophylaxis. Chemoprophylaxis is the use of medication to prevent disease or infection.
For example, during a preventive health care visit, I make sure that my patients are up to date on their vaccinations – including an annual flu shot. For cancer screening, in addition to a Pap smear, I arrange for a mammogram or colon cancer screening if indicated. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for woman so I check blood pressure, see if the patient has had a recent lipid profile, check the body mass index and counsel about maintaining a health lifestyle. Many people may overlook chemoprevention, but making sure that a patient is getting adequate calcium and supplementation, if needed, is critically important. However, the thing I really like to do is work with my patients to tailor their recommendations to their personal health, their personal risk factors and to partner with them if they need to make life style changes. Like all of us, I know how hard it is to always eat right and get plenty of exercise, especially since I have a new baby at home.”
I think Teddy has an approach similar to mine and one that I think builds better health in the long run. If any woman has questions about preventive issues, please feel free to e-mail Dr. Bachawaty at bachawat@uic.edu or contact Women’s and Children’s Health Center at 815.637.0000 to schedule an appointment.
Act FAST During Signs of a Stroke
1 comment March 17th, 2009 07:40am Donna Addison
You’re sitting with your dad during dinner. He’s been complaining about a headache throughout the meal but keeps eating. He puts down his fork, mumbling about having trouble seeing and feeling a bit numb on one side. Suddenly, he seems very confused and you can’t understand what he’s trying to say to you. Time to act FAST!
FAST stands for: Face, Arms, Speech and Time. Signs of a stroke can include numbness of face, arms, legs (usually on one side of the body); confusion and trouble speaking; trouble seeing; sudden dizziness or trouble walking; and, severe headache. Someone having a stroke may not present with any or all warning signs. Use the acronym FAST to remember the classic warning signs of a stroke. FACE: Ask the person to smile. See if the person is unable to smile or one side of the smile droops. You can also ask the person to stick out the tongue to see if the person can control the tongue. ARMS: Ask the person to raise both arms at the same time; notice if the person can raise both arms. SPEECH: Ask the person to say a simple sentence. The person should be able to say the sentence clearly and without difficulty. TIME: Note the time the symptoms begin.
Time is of the essence. Even if you’re not sure the person has signs of a stroke, call 9-1-1. There’s no need to repeatedly check the signs–let the professionals figure it out. Seek medical attention even if the symptoms go away, as a stroke is indeed a very serious medical emergency.
You don’t have to be elderly to have a stroke. Factors that might lead to a stroke include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, age, diabetes, history of blod clots, illicit drug use and even smoking. Taking care of medical issues is a good way to lower risk of having a stroke.
