The elderly tend to have multiple chronic disorders, often with cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, malnutrition, and cognitive, functional or social problems. All of these reduce the quality of life, even endangering the lives of them. That’s why taking care of the health of the elderly is so important.

Part 1: Health problems of the elderly should not be ignored

• 👉Immune system

A weakened immune system is the biggest cause of infection in the elderly, most commonly lung infections. The accelerated aging process leads to a severe decline in T cells – destroy damaged cells in the body, while alerting other white blood cells. The decrease in T-cell production may be due to impaired function of the thymus or because the bone marrow is no longer producing stem cells, which are the cells that produce immune cells.

• 👉Cardiovascular system

Due to the decline in function of parts of the cardiovascular system such as: decrease in the elasticity of the heart muscle, blood vessels; impaired liver and kidney function; metabolic disorder; asthenia; stress; pollution; … leads to cell destruction, changes in physiological functions of organs, thereby increasing or decreasing heart rate, affecting normal contraction of heart muscle and blood vessels. The symptoms that the elderly have to face are: hypertension, myocardial infarction, heart failure, atherosclerosis, heart valve disease, arrhythmia, stroke, …

• 👉Respiratory system

In old age, the shape of the ribcage changes much, the body’s ability to absorb oxygen and arterial blood decreases, leading to organizational hypoxia. This is the source that causes the elderly to suffer from a variety of sore throats, chronic bronchitis, bronchiectasis, chronic bronchiectasis, bronchial asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, …

• 👉Digestive system

A weakened immune system makes other systems in the body vulnerable to pathogens, especially the digestive system. Bacteria enter the body, disrupting the digestive system and a variety of diseases such as mouth ulcers, indigestion, flatulence, bloating, constipation or loose stools. Other common conditions include peptic ulcer disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease, or chronic colitis.

• 👉Nervous system

Aging is the main cause of poor functioning of the nervous system, leading to a decrease in nerve impulse conduction, causing a series of neurological diseases in the elderly such as impaired sensory function. depression, sleep disturbances, irritability, emotionality, sensitivity to changes in surroundings and weather… Worse, depression, memory and cognitive disorders can lead to dementia, brain atrophy leading to death.

• 👉Musculoskeletal system

In old age, the motor apparatus becomes weak, vulnerable and difficult to resist the harmful factors of the environment such as injury, accident, disease. As a result, the elderly often encounter problems. Osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, lumbar spine pain, gout, bone cancer, …

• 👉Nutritional problems

With age, the function of the organs decreases, the metabolic rate also decreases, leading to a lack of nutrients absorbed into the body. Elderly people often have difficulty eating due to reduced gastric juice, loss of teeth, weakness and fatigue, etc., so they are more deficient in nutrients. That greatly affects the general health status and is a prerequisite for many diseases in the elderly.

 

Part 2: Common diseases in the elderly and how to prevent them

➤ Stiff joints, difficulty in movement

Waking up and suddenly unable to move wrist joints, difficult to move finger –  knee joints, ankles. It is difficult for the elderly to perform small movements such as walking, holding bowls and chopsticks. This is a phenomenon of stiffness, a sign of degenerative joint disease. To reduce the pain level, the elderly should regularly exercise, walk, distribute time lying down and move properly. Moving slowly in the morning, the synovial membranes will be reactivated and secrete more lubricating fluid.

➤ Respiratory tract infections

The respiratory tract of the elderly is very sensitive to hot, dry or humid weather and easily has diseases such as nasopharyngitis, tracheobronchitis, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease… Cough, fever, phlegm, shortness of breath, wheezing… are the basic signs. Keeping the bedroom with warm air in the winter and cool, not humid in the summer are measures to avoid respiratory diseases for the elderly.

➤ Brain stroke

Aging is a common risk factor for cerebrovascular diseases such as stroke. The time when the disease is most likely to occur is in the evening and at night. The patient suddenly becomes dizzy, loses consciousness, and loses weakness on one side of the body. In severe cases, the patient suddenly collapses and loses consciousness, it is necessary to immediately transfer to the hospital as soon as possible. To prevent stroke, elderly people need to build a healthy lifestyle and have a balanced diet, rich in fresh vegetables and fruits, and limit fat and alcohol. At the same time, the elderly must also proactively prevent diseases from afar, well control existing diseases such as blood pressure, blood fat test, blood sugar… Adhere to the doctor’s treatment, do not quit or arbitrarily buy medicine or use old prescriptions or prescriptions of other people to treat their illnesses.

➤ Knee arthritis

This disease occurs most often in the elderly. The telltale signs are knee pain, swelling, difficulty in moving the knee joint, especially the movement of flexing and stretching the legs, stepping on the stairs, … Can use some types of medicinal alcohol and massage to increase the volume of blood circulation. Along with medication and exercise, the right nutrition will help ease joint pain caused by inflammation and osteoarthritis.

➤ Backache

In the elderly, back pain is common on normal days, but in the changing seasons, back pain becomes more obvious. The main cause is spinal degeneration, the spine is no longer straight but “curved”. Backache causes difficulty lying down, difficulty sleeping, pain when lying down, and hurts when sitting. Massage into the center of the spine and the muscles on either side of the lower back because it will increase blood circulation to this damaged area, helping to reduce pain and make it more comfortable.

 

Part 3. Notes when taking care of the elderly’s health

➤ Regularly participate in social activities

Creating conditions for the elderly to participate in sports and social activities, to be exposed to many people, to be heard will help their spirit to feel comfortable and relaxed. From there, the elderly will reduce feelings of depression, negative thoughts, and daily fatigue.

➤ Divide the big meals into several mini meals

Dietary issues of the elderly need more attention. Elderly people shouldn’t eat a meal that is too full, which should be divided into 5 or 6 mini meals a day to make nutrients easier to absorb. Everyday foods need to be fresh, varied, changed frequently to create cravings.

➤ Low-fat diet with rich in plants

Always ensure that the meal must have 4 groups of substances such as protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals

The daily diet should have more vegetables, roots, fruits, fresh fruits and less meat

Reduce the amount of fat in each meal

Do not eat a lot of sweets, salty and too sour

Other essential nutrients can be added as directed by doctor

➤ Regularly encourage, visit and talk

The elderly often feel lonely and sad when they have to be alone at home, with no time to  travel and communicate with others. The fact that family members often visit, talk and encourage the elderly is the best medicine to help them be happier and love life more.

➤ Periodic health check-ups

Elderly people often have reduced resistance and more risk of respiratory diseases, bones, joints, cardiovascular, chronic diseases. Periodic health check-ups are extremely important detect and treat diseases early for the elderly.

Reference: vinmec.com & moh.gov.vn & vfa.gov.vn

 

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