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Diseases/Conditions
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Diseases and Conditions You May Want to Know More About
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The Elderly Alcoholic
You can't legally force anyone with a drinking problem to accept treatment for alcohol abuse unless there has been a medical emergency that limits access to alcohol, or unless a court has ordered mandatory treatment. But there are several things you can do that will often result in an elderly alcoholic eventually accepting help and treatment . . . keep reading
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Diabetes and Dehydration
Especially in the warmer months when heat increases the need for fluid, it is very easy for a diabetic to become dehydrated and experience a rise in the amount of sugar in the blood. Older diabetics can be even more susceptible to dangerous dehydration than younger people with diabetes . . . keep reading
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Lewy Body Dementia: Dementia With Lewy Bodies
Although Alzheimer's Disease is the most commonly known cause of dementia in the elderly, accounting for about 50% of all dementias, Dementia With Lewy Bodies accounts for somewhere between 20 and 35% of dementias worldwide. Treatment options are sometimes wildly different, and what works for one can cause serious problems in the other, so it's very important to know what's causing dementia symptoms . . . keep reading
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Uncontrollable Laughing or Crying
Derek cries all the time. When entertainers visit his nursing home, Derek weeps while other residents are laughing and clapping. Offer Derek a delicious dessert and he will cry. Congratulate him on the success of his grandchild, who he dearly loves, and Derek will burst into tears. Others don't know how to respond to Derek, so they tend to avoid him whenever possible . . . keep reading
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NPH: Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus
Johnnie Walker has made great strides since he was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease four years ago. Two years ago he was also diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease. Johnnie's wife was never satisfied. For four years she pushed for more information as Johnnie's condition deteriorated. Finally, her "pushiness" paid off. Johnnie's problems actually stemmed primarily from Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus, or NPH, not Alzheimer's or Parkinson's. . . . keep reading
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Osteopenia: An Early Osteoporosis Warning For You and Your Elders
Osteopenia refers to a condition where the density and strength of our bones (the bone mineral density, or BMD) is lower than normal, but not low enough to be classified as full blown osteoporosis. Having osteopenia means there is a greater risk that, as time passes, someone may develop osteoporosis, which is a very low bone mineral density . . . keep reading
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MRI and Pacemaker: A Possibly Dangerous Combo
It's something else for seniors and caregivers to remember: If someone has a pacemaker, newly released research indicates that an MRI might not be a safe procedure. With potentially one of every four people receiving an MRI also having an implanted pacemaker, this raises some serious concerns . . . keep reading
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Feeding Tubes For End Stage Dementia
Patients with Alzheimer's Disease who live to the end stages will almost certainly lose the ability to eat normally. They may become unable to mentally process the mechanics of what to do with food. The reflexes that enable them to swallow safely may be lost. In these cases, many have their lives extended with feeding tubes, whether or not that may have been what they wished . . . keep reading
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Medications and Conditions That Increase the Risk of Frostbite
When the body is exposed to cold, the blood vessels close to the skin begin to narrow in order to preserve core body temperature. While this is perfectly normal, people with the following medical conditions, or who are taking the following medications, have a much higher risk of frostbite. You should be particularly alert to the signs of frostbite in seniors who . . . keep reading
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Watch For Cellulitis: It's More Than Just a Rash
Cellulitis, a potentially very serious skin infection that frequently plagues older individuals, is something that we all need to watch for. Because the bacteria that cause it are everywhere, and it can spread rapidly into the bloodstream if not vigorously treated, cellulitis can even be life-threatening if not caught and treated promptly . . . keep reading
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Pressure Sores - A Caregiver's Nightmare
Christopher Reeve reportedly died from complications resulting from pressure sores, also known as bed sores or decubitus ulcers. If Mr. Reeve, with all his resources and private care developed pressure ulcers, then anyone who can't turn easily and frequently is certainly at risk . . . keep reading
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Cold or Flu: When to Call The Doctor
Because it is sometimes difficult to tell the difference between a cold and the flu, here are some warning signs to watch for, courtesy of the Centers For Disease Control (CDC). If someone with bad cold or flu-like symptoms develops any of these signs, it's time to get medical advice right away . . . keep reading
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Chemo, Nausea and Nutrition
Weight and fluid loss are our enemies when we care for someone with cancer. Our impulse is to focus much of our energy on food: preparing nutritious meals, offering food frequently, and bulking up our menus with rich and tempting offerings. Often this will backfire for someone experiencing nausea . . . keep reading
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Clinical Trials
At any particular moment there are over 80,000 clinical trials occurring across the country and around the world. Choosing whether or not to participate in a clinical trial is an important personal decision. The following information may be helpful when deciding whether to look into participating as a volunteer in a clinical trial . . . keep reading
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The Alzheimer's Eye Sees Things Differently
The changes in the brain caused by Alzheimer's Disease can also cause changes in how the affected person sees things. Although an opthalmologist may not be able to detect any actual changes in the eyes, the ability of the brain with Alzheimer's to interpret what it sees can be reduced. The inability to "see" clearly can make coping with the disease even more difficult, both the the affected person and for caregivers . . . keep reading
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Constipation, A Big Problem For Some Seniors
You can't watch television for more than 5 minutes these days without hearing a commercial for something to cure your "irregularity." No wonder our elderlies are fixated on the issue. As a group they watch more television than anyone. As a group the ones we care for also have more time to think about their aches and pains, too, which doesn't help . . . keep reading
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Alzheimers Disease
