Common Illnesses for Seniors
What Seniors Need to Know about Coronavirus
With the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, you may be wondering how you can protect yourself. The virus has spread from China and is considered a worldwide pandemic. There are hundreds of reported cases of the infection every day.
This may sound scary, but there are ways […]
Memory Loss
What is Memory Loss?
Memory loss becomes serious when it is more than typical age-related memory loss. When your loved one is no longer able to remember new events or recall memories, it’s time to look into memory care as it is typically associated with dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease.
Read our Ultimate Guide to Memory Care
Symptoms of Memory Loss
Memory loss is typically one of the first signs of dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease. Some of the early signs of memory loss include:
- Asking the same question multiple times
- Forgetting common words when talking
- Mixing up everyday words and saying “cup” when you meant to say “plate” for example
- Taking longer to complete familiar tasks, like following a recipe, or getting ready in the morning
- Misplacing items in random places, like placing your wallet in the freezer, or your phone in a kitchen drawer
- Getting lost while walking or driving to a familiar place
- Walking into a room and forgetting why you are supposed to be there
- Having radical changes in your mood or behavior for no apparent reason
Memory loss can increase gradually, or it can drastically change, very quickly. If you notice that you are having memory problems, talk to your doctor right away to receive a diagnosis and treatment.
Symptoms of Memory Loss
Memory loss is typically one of the first signs of dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease. Some of the early signs of memory loss include:
- Asking the same question multiple times
- Forgetting common words when talking
- Mixing up everyday words and saying “cup” when you meant to say “plate” for example
- Taking longer to complete familiar tasks, like following a recipe, or getting ready in the morning
- Misplacing items in random places, like placing your wallet in the freezer, or your phone in a kitchen drawer
- Getting lost while walking or driving to a familiar place
- Walking into a room and forgetting why you are supposed to be there
- Having radical changes in your mood or behavior for no apparent reason
Memory loss can increase gradually, or it can drastically change, very quickly. If you notice that you are having memory problems, talk to your doctor right away to receive a diagnosis and treatment.
Arthritis
What is Arthritis?
Arthritis is swelling and tenderness in one or more of your joints. There are many different forms of arthritis. The most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis causes the cartilage, which is the hard, slippery tissue that covers the bones where they form a joint to break down. Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease where the immune system attacks the joints, beginning with the lining of the joints, causing them to become inflamed and swollen. Arthritis can affect anyone, and any part of the body, depending on the kind of arthritis and the cause of it. Arthritis can eventually destroy your cartilage, bones, and joints, causing you extreme pain.
Read our Ultimate Guide to Arthritis
Symptoms of Arthritis
Depending on the type of arthritis you have, your symptoms may include:
- Pain
- Stiffness
- Swelling in the joints
- Redness of the skin around the pained joint
- Decreased range of motion
If you have rheumatoid arthritis, you may also feel tired or have a loss of appetite. You could also become anemic or have a slight fever.
Many people that suffer from arthritis report that their symptoms are worse in the morning. The symptoms of arthritis typically develop over time, but they also can appear quite suddenly. Arthritis is usually seen in adults over the age of 65, but it can occur in younger people as well.
Treatment for Arthritis
The main goal of arthritis treatment is to reduce the amount of pain you’re in, as well as prevent additional pain and damage to your joints. The type of arthritis you have will determine the kind of treatment you receive. Some people have found heat pads or ice packs to relieve pain. Others use a cane or walker to help take the pressure off of sore joints. A doctor may prescribe an anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressant medication. They may also recommend physical therapy or weight loss, exercise, or eating a healthy diet, depending on the cause of your arthritis. In severe cases, your doctor may need to perform surgery to relieve your pain.
Joint Replacement Surgery for Seniors & Hospital-to-Home Transition
Joint replacement surgery is fairly common as people age. The surgeon removes a damaged or arthritic joint and replaces it with one made of metal or plastic. Ideally, it replicates the joint that is in good physical condition. Traditional surgery requires a larger incision to remove the damaged joint, or you may choose a minimally-invasive […]
10 Things to Bring to Every Doctor’s Appointment | Preparing to See Your Doctor
Learn more about how you can help your loved ones with in home care. Some people have difficulty remembering everything that they need to bring to their scheduled doctor visits. Many individuals become nervous as a result, and this makes it even more likely that the patient will forget important details about their health and treatment […]
Cancer
What is Cancer?
Cancer is the name given to a collection of related diseases that can occur in any part of your body. Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body. It develops when the body’s normal process stops working. Old cells that should die, instead, grow out of control, forming abnormal cells. These cells usually form a mass of tissues called a tumor.
There are five main types of cancer, that can occur anywhere in your body:
- Carcinomas start to develop in the skin or tissues that line your internal organs.
- Sarcomas grow in the bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, or other connective tissues.
- Leukemia starts in the bone marrow and blood.
- Lymphomas begin in the immune system.
- Central nervous system cancers will develop in the brain and spinal cord.
Symptoms of Cancer
Symptoms Of Cancer
The symptoms of cancer can vary widely, depending on the type of cancer. However, there are some general symptoms to be aware of that are common among all kinds of cancer:
- Unexplained weight loss
- Frequent fevers
- Constant fatigue
- Persistent pain
- Skin changes
- Changes in bowel habits or bladder function
- Sores that don’t heal
- White patches inside
- Unusual bleeding or discharge
- Thickening or lumps in the breast or other parts of the body
- Indigestion or trouble swallowing
- Recent changes in a wart or mole or any new, odd skin changes
- Nagging cough or hoarseness that does not go away
Make sure you see a doctor as soon as you start to suspect any form of cancer, so they can diagnosis you and begin treatment right away.
Treatment for Cancer
The goal of cancer treatment is to kill as many of the cancerous cells while reducing the damage to normal, healthy cells nearby. Your treatment option will depend on the type of cancer you have, what stage it is in, and the state of your general health. The three main kinds of treatments are:
- Surgery to directly remove the tumor
- Chemotherapy, where you use chemicals to kill the cancer cells
- Radiation therapy, where you use X-rays to kill the cancer cells
Cancer is unique, and one cancer type in an individual can be very different from that same type of cancer in another individual. With cancer, you have the best shot at recovery when it is treated early. Make sure you see a doctor regularly so that cancer can be caught as soon as possible, and treatments can begin.
Health Benefits of Walking for People Over Age 50
If you are over the age of 50, you need to really start thinking more about your health. It is important to realize that regular exercise is a great way to help you with your health issues. However, there are many exercises that will be too intense when you are at an older age. It […]
Importance of Taking Medications Correctly for Seniors
As people age, most of them start to develop health problems. Those health problems accumulate and many of those conditions are treated with medications. The majority of elderly people take more than five different drugs. They take pills for high blood pressure, heart problems, diabetes, gout, urinary incontinence, arthritis and a multitude of other diseases […]
Diabetes
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a condition that impairs the body’s ability to process blood glucose, commonly know as blood sugar. Diabetes leads to a buildup of sugars in the blood, which can then increase the risk of dangerous complications, such as stroke or heart disease. In the United States alone, the estimated number of people with diabetes, diagnosed or otherwise, is between 27.9% and 32.7% of the population.
There are three main types of diabetes: Type 1, Type 2, and gestational diabetes.
Type 1 Diabetes: This type of diabetes develops when your body fails to produce enough insulin. People with type 1 diabetes are insulin-dependent, which means they must take some form of artificial insulin daily to stay alive.
Type 2 Diabetes: Type 2 diabetes affects the way your body uses insulin. While your body still makes insulin, unlike with type 1 diabetes, the cells in your body don’t respond to it as effectively as before. This type of diabetes is the most common form of diabetes and is linked strongly with obesity.
Gestational Diabetes: This type of diabetes occurs in women during pregnancy. During that time, the body can become less sensitive to insulin. Gestational diabetes doesn’t happen in every pregnant woman, and it usually resolves itself after giving birth.
Read our Ultimate Guide to Diabetes
Symptoms of Diabetes
Diabetes symptoms can vary based on how elevated your blood sugar is. Some of the signs and symptoms of diabetes include:
- Increased thirst
- Frequent urination
- Extreme hunger
- Unexplained and sudden weight changes
- Consistent fatigue
- Irritability
- Blurred vision
- Sores that heal very slowly
- Frequent infection, such as gum, skin, or vaginal infections
- Presence of ketones in the urine (ketones are what happens when there’s not enough available insulin)
If you suspect that you have diabetes, see a doctor right away so they can help you before it gets worse.