Today, we will take a closer look at the diagnoses that most commonly affect seniors. We will individually and thoroughly address how to care for patients suffering from these conditions in future editions of our blog. We would be delighted if you could share your valuable advice in the field of patient care with various illnesses. Please send your tips to blog@alses.sk , and we will publish the best ones in one of the upcoming editions.
Dementia
Dementia is most commonly caused by a degenerative brain disease, which leads to the weakening of cognitive abilities. According to the World Health Organization, this disease affects up to 47 million people worldwide and is ranked among the ten leading fatal diseases of humanity. It usually manifests as impaired memory and orientation, whether spatial or temporal. A person affected by this disease may exhibit distracted behavior, emotional stability deteriorates, and sometimes this disease may also be accompanied by aggression. We will cover dementia in detail in the next issue.
Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia. It typically involves the loss of short-term memory, and later, long-term memory, along with changes in overall personality. For patients with dementia and Alzheimer's disease, support from family and close surroundings is very important. A loving, understanding, patient, and safe environment is exactly what patients with this condition need the most.
Osteoporosis
This disease arises as a result of bone wear, leading to a loss of bone mass, which often results in unsightly fractures. When diagnosing osteoporosis, it is important to move cautiously and prevent fractures that occur under much less pressure than in healthy individuals, and they heal significantly slower. A suitable diet and appropriate exercise can slow the progression of the disease, and in more severe cases, medication treatment is necessary.
Incontinence
This term refers to the involuntary leakage of stool or urine, where the affected individual is unable to control the pelvic floor muscles. This issue not only affects seniors but increasingly younger individuals as well. The earlier the problem is diagnosed, the greater the chance for successful treatment. Currently, the treatment is very gentle, and surgery is chosen as one of the last options and only rarely.
Cataract
Cataracts often accompany advanced age and currently affect nearly half of people over 70 years. Even in this area, medicine has significantly advanced, and today it is possible to successfully operate on cataracts in most cases when the disease is detected early. The surgery, in which the cloudy lens is replaced with an artificial one, can simultaneously free you from wearing glasses.
Hypertension
If the body produces too little of the hormone insulin, or if it produces enough but the body cannot process it, blood sugar levels increase. This condition is known as diabetes. There are several types of this disease, with type II diabetes mellitus, commonly referred to as adult-onset diabetes, most frequently affecting seniors. Treatment is usually medicinal, with the patient taking tablets or using an insulin pen or pump. Adjusting lifestyle and maintaining a regular diet are very important.