Seniors Site

It is extremely important for seniors to find the right doctor to care for them. I believe that when you reach a certain age, a senior is most likely to see his or her doctor more often than their own children! Also, it is important for the senior and their doctor to establish that connection—and of course, more importantly, trust—before they can work together in fighting diseases and illnesses.
I, for one, swear that finding the right doctor can be tough—even tougher than one may think! I have done it not only for myself but for my parents, children and even grandchildren! Finding the right doctor involves awareness, a little research and a lot of gut feel. In my many doctor-searching years, I already developed a plan which I find useful when the need be, but of course, it’s not at all fool-proof, sometimes I still fell into the hands of wrong ones no matter how careful I was in choosing them. Let me share them with you:
·    Referrals are a great start. This should be your starting point. Call friends and relatives who have personal experiences with these doctors. Try to limit calls to only those who are reliable enough to provide information such as a friend who underwent the same situation. If the potential doctor is to work with your physician, it is best to seek referral from your doctor himself so he will be comfortable working with this other doctor. Get a maximum of 3 doctors in your list for your “screening process”.
·    Do your research. Nowadays, most doctors can be found online, even their clinics, if they have one. Just by using local search engines like Google, you will be able to see their credentials, the work they do, services they offer and most of all, feedbacks and complaints from past clients, if there’s any. In your spare time, join online discussions so you get a better idea of how things work.
·    On your first visit, bring all your necessary docs, lab results, recommendations and whatnot. Don’t be afraid to ask questions as this is the only way you can get to know this new doctor. This is when your gut feel must be on its most effective. By now you must have an idea of what your condition is all about, express your concern directly to the doctor. If he is not interested in making you feel comfortable then it’s time to get up and leave.
·    Consider accessibility. This includes the proximity of the doctor’s location and how “reachable” he is if and when an emergency happens.
·    As much as possible, choose a doctor whose clinic is sort of “one-stop shop” where everything you need is there or at the very least, in close distance with the clinic.

The spotlight may be on women but men sure do have them too! Male menopause or andropause—as called within medical community—is a phase in a man’s life when his testosterone levels gradually decrease resulting to symptoms similar to that of a woman’s menopause. However, unlike that of a woman’s, male menopause occurs at a very gradual pace. Due to this, male menopause can go undetected for years. Also, decrease in testosterone level varies from one male to another which means some men may experience them early in their lives while other may not have them at all.
Andropause has its own set of symptoms. Again, symptoms vary from one male to another—in fact, some older males with low testosterone levels haven’t had symptoms at all. Here are known symptoms of andropause:
·    Changes in your sexual drive. A man undergoing andropause may experience reduced sexual drive and encounter erection problems during the act itself. Then there’s the issue of infertility.
·    Insomnia and other sleeping disorders. Are you having a hard time falling asleep? Or perhaps waking several times during the night for no apparent reason.
·    Physical changes. Muscle mass are beginning to shrink, lesser energy throughout the day, and hair loss. Most hated of them all, notice how easy it is now to grow fats, no matter how hard you diet.
·    Mood swings. Depression, confusion, lack of motivation and self-confidence.
Please take note that these symptoms are also the exact same things you may experience when aging. Also, other illnesses and diseases may cause one or two of these symptoms too like hair loss and mood swings–even your medications can do that! With that said, you need to consider these things first before concluding you’re having an andropause. Also, a man can never be certain if he is indeed having one up until he gets himself tested for it.
If you feel you’re having an andropause, the best option for you is to consult your healthcare provider to assess your situation and arrive to the best possible treatment for you. Do know that like menopause, there are treatments available for andropause too. A strong support system can help you tremendously so seek them whenever possible. This can be your closest friend who is also undergoing the same things or perhaps your partner, so she’ll know what’s going on with you. Andropause is a lot to handle, never try to conquer it alone. Get as much help as possible and be honest with what you feel, especially with your doctor.

Popularly known as alternative treatments, practitioners now refused to be called as such, instead they would rather call their practices as complementary therapies to go with regular, medical-based cancer treatments. Patients who were able to receive both types of treatment swore than they indeed feel better now and are glad they gave it a shot!
Of course, we are not new to the horrors of undergoing cancer treatments. We heard them, even encountered one, at some point of our lives. The first time I personally saw a close friend having a bout, hours after her chemotherapy, I stood frozen—not really knowing what to do. It was such a confusing moment for me as I would like to reach out to her and help her but at the same time, my mind just kept on refusing these things are happening right in front of me. I fear for my friend, I fear for my own life—I fear cancer in general.
This is why I try to keep up with cancer related news, especially its milestones and cure. I hope someday I would be able to write an article announcing its cure or at the very least, an exact, 100%, pinpointed cause of cancer so we can prevent it once and for all, and not just second-guess it.
While the medical community is busy developing the strongest weapon for fighting cancer, complementary treatment practitioners are working hard keeping the person with cancer strong and surviving. Cancer treatments such as radiation and chemotherapy are known to destroy not only the cancer cells living inside a person’s body but the body in general. That is why it is very important for the person to be able to cope with the onslaught of the treatment, emotionally and physically. Here are some complementary treatments approved and recommended by health care providers for cancer treatment program:
·    Acupuncture. Acupuncture is known to alleviate or relieve side effects of standard cancer treatments making it more bearable for patients. For chemotherapy, acupuncture has proven to be an effective solution to combat nausea and vomiting—some of chemotherapy’s well-known side effects.
·    Meditation. Meditation helps tremendously in calming your mind and body, before during and after standard treatments. It may not directly help you physically but it handles the emotional part of it perfectly.
·    Yoga. Yet another reason why senior should engage in Yoga! While Yoga does not cure your cancer, it improves the patient’s quality of life—something that is really, really important when undergoing treatments.
·    Hypnosis. Hypnosis is actually used for chronic pain sufferers. Hypnotized patients experience reduced degree of pain and discomfort, allowing them to move freely without any additional medication required.
·    Massage. It releases tension, stress and fatigue which the body acquires during treatments plus it promotes relaxation. However, not all massage techniques work for cancer patients so you need to seek one from a professional.

While the root cause of cancer remains unknown, due to its aggressive nature and its ability to take lives, experts in the field have been working round the clock to somehow find a cure, if not, a way to prevent breast cancer. Women are clearly rooting for them to succeed since statistics have shown that the rate of fatalities of the said disease just keep getting higher and higher every year, despite new methods and treatments available in the market today. What makes it scarier though is that breast cancer is no longer bound by age, it can strike at any age. It can be your mom, your daughter or your grand daughter.
Like I stated earlier, there is no telling if someday you will get breast cancer or worse, die from it. Good news is, studies have shown that there are certain lifestyle factors contributing to breast cancer. This statement is especially true for seniors whose hormones have gone haywire and those who lead a lifestyle that is prone to the disease. These findings may not save you from the disease but at the very least, it can lessen your chances of having one.
Just for a quick recap, there are many factors in your body which lead to breast cancer—two of them, apparently, you cannot control. Your age and genetic composition still remain as the most deciding factors of the said disease. If your doctor ever suspect of breast cancer, these are the two things he or she is most likely to inquire about. Other than these two, you have your lifestyle to blame.
It is also important to take note that if you are dead set in preventing breast cancer, start lifestyle changes as early as possible. Seniors can also encourage younger generations to start making a conscious effort in avoiding these health hazards. For me, breast cancer is only a matter of how much abuse your body can take. Some may have it earlier while others could experience the said disease later in life, just because they have reached their body’s “abuse limit”. On the other hand, lifestyle factors tend to trigger the said disease making it strike the body.
·    Stress. Psychological and emotional stress, specifically, can alter your immune system. Your body’s immune system, being your best defense against cancer, is largely weakened when a body undergoes stressful situations.   Stress hormones, when released in large amounts can certainly harm the body as it should never be a normal, daily occurrence.
·    Weight. Weight is always an issue as we get older. In terms of breast cancer, fat tissues raise estrogen levels. Estrogen, being a hormone closely associated with breast cancer, strives in our body’s fats—your breasts included.
·    Drink less alcohol. For reasons unknown, alcohol increases your chances of having the disease—and this is according to several studies and testings done by experts. And by drinking less alcohol means you should only engage in drinking sessions occasionally, if not none at all.

Alongside visual impairment comes hearing loss. I would like to think that it comes in package—like a bad, annoying gift you receive when you reach a certain age. Some say that it can be delayed or denied, I say, they are just plain lucky, they don’t get it earlier! I must admit, there are some aspects of aging which you can really delay. For me, as long as the problem can be solved by the eat right-exercise-healthy habits combo, then it’s all up to the owner of the body in question. However, there are age-related nuisances that really come no matter how hard we dodge them. It’s fate, no use hiding from it!
Hearing loss is far more than just hearing aids, assistive devices and support systems. Some of my senior friends who are already showing signs of gradual hearing loss can attest to this: somehow it manages to steal a piece of your identity away; a part of who you are and what you’ve become. Like our visual capabilities, we tend to take it for granted only to realize its true importance when it’s gone forever.
Hearing loss, depending on its level can be assisted—to some extent, even treatable. However, as I’ve observed, people who delay going to a specialist only aggravates their situation. A person with hearing problem but refuses to be treated—or assisted—can only worsen his situation. The problem with hearing loss is that without proper care—given that the hearing problem is already established—the problem tends to get severe at a faster rate than normal. Furthermore, people who experience hearing difficulties either deny their situation or are not bothered at all. Even statistics say that it’s really difficult to provide an exact number of sufferers as many opted not to report it at all therefore not receiving the proper care they need.
In actuality, it’s quite hard to really determine if you, indeed, have a hearing problem. Most of the time, people around you are the first ones to suspect, unfortunately, they may not talk about it openly as they wish not to offend you in anyway. Here are some signs that you might be experiencing hearing loss:
·    You cannot cope with two or more people talking at the same time. Everything seems to just blend into one unintelligible sound.
·    Demanding the person holding the TV’s remote control to turn the volume level up as you cannot hear what’s being said.
·    People throw you confused looks when you respond to a question.
·    Pesky little children suddenly making funny faces at you without you even knowing why.
·    Suddenly everyone speaks in hushed tones like they have a secret to tell.
·    Angry looks are thrown at you by passing drivers while driving on a major highway.

As much as possible, I go for natural remedies and methods for pain management. Take note of the words “as much as possible”, since there are situations which will really call for medical assistance whether we like it or not. We all know that as we age, we become more and more dependent on medications and other medical methods which most of the time, considered by the body as foreign—and we know what the word “foreign” means to our bodies right? In an effort to somehow lessen these undesirable side effects, I seek refuge from alternative and natural ways. They may be less convenient and would even require a little effort to make it work but at the very least, you don’t harm your body the way “foreign” objects are capable of doing.
Back pains are fairly normal to an aging body but it differs in intensity. Some may experience mild and manageable back pains while others can have sharp, stabbing back pains which can sometimes be crippling enough to put sufferer in bed for days. It is because, back pains are a result of many varying factors, such that, recommended treatments also vary depending on the root cause. With that said, it is important to note that before you try any natural and alternative remedies to ease pain, a senior should consult a doctor to know what triggers the attack. For mild cases, natural back pain remedies can work but for severe ones, alternative pain remedies should only be considered as an aid to your pain management program.
Here are some popular natural back pain remedies for seniors:
·    Go for natural formulas that help strengthen your bones, joints and most importantly, your ligaments or the connective tissues supporting your bones. When I say “natural”, it should mean herbal formulas and those naturally generated by the body under normal circumstances. Capsaicin creams, for one, are good for relieving arthritis-related pains. Capsaicin, by the way, is the active component of chili.
·     Acupuncture. It may be a little freaky to think of, especially if you’re new to the idea but this ancient technique sure does ease back pains and with regular treatments, it can even help you with other bodily problems.
·    Acupressure. For those with lifelong fear of needles, this may be the best solution for you. Acupressure is applying pressure to acupoints. The technique is also proven to alleviate back pains with regular sessions.
·    Get enough sunlight! Seniors who have vitamin D deficiencies usually suffer from persistent musculoskeletal pains—including back pain. Just don’t over-expose and stay away from the sun when it’s at its shiniest!
·    Do stretching exercises everyday, preferably in the morning to give you an extra boost! Better yet, do yoga exercises for an hour everyday to encourage activity within the body.
·    Therapies to help promote activity within the body. This can be very helpful for those who have limited range of motion thus preventing them to participate in any kind of physical activities. Hydrotherapy, chiropractic therapy and massage therapy are only a few to mention.

First off, memory problems are normal at any age. Ask an average toddler what he or she did, say 6 or 7 hours ago and I bet you, not an iota of idea, unless it’s something significant he or she will remember for the rest of their lives, but any other day, it’s na-da.
There are many reasons why a person may experience memory problems every now and then. Pregnant women are known to have mild memory loss which is closely associated to stress and anxiety or simply “too much to think of” during pregnancy. Like any other mild memory problem, the condition improves over time, especially if given enough attention. So does age-related memory loss. Like I have always said, senior moments can be delayed, no matter what researchers say, it can even be improved, albeit a little struggle than usual. It just needs regular brain exercises and a stress-free environment.
On the other hand, it is important to consult your healthcare provider if you suspect that your memory problem seems severe than normal, or if you feel it is progressive in nature. Progressive, in a way that, it seems more and more of your “stored” memory escapes you, even your most recent ones. Memory loss is a symptom of an underlying disease, do not forget that. With that said, you must be very vigilant on how your brain behaves. Contrary to popular notion, memory loss is not limited to dementia and Alzheimer’s disease only. In fact, it can be caused by many varying factors such as your medications and common age-related diseases.
Common–but marked–characteristics of Dementia are impaired verbal fluency and inability to complete or accomplish simple, everyday tasks. Certainly you don’t get that if you’re having a normal “senior moment”! To further assess your memory problem, here are some questions you might want to ask yourself:
·    Your age. Self explanatory.
·    Your level of forgetfulness. Like I said earlier, if you fail to remember how to take a bath, then it’s time to consult your doctor! If it’s just your keys then all you need is a key finder!
·    For how long? Usually, a bothering case of forgetfulness starts from an exact cause such as head injury or heart attack.
·    Time of attacks. How frequent? Is there any particular time of the day when it’s most persistent?
·    Your current mental and emotional state. These things indeed interfere with the way you remember things.

Aside from the basic and generally known fact that organic is good for your health, going organic really has many great benefits for an aging body like ours—and I am not only talking about market-bought organic foods and whatnot—it includes your backyard, homegrown produce which your hands have personally tended and cared for.
I have heard complaints from my penny-pinching friends when it comes to going organic. Seniors who are very conscious of their money-spending activities have expressed the same thoughts—that going organic is indeed expensive—and I have to agree with that. Although I really couldn’t see the reason why organic products cost more—like it discourages us to finally make the switch, sellers tell me that it is actually the demand/care combo it requires just to be able to arrive safely on our tables. Apparently, it is much easier and cheaper for traditional farmers to deliver in bulk than organic farmers hence the stiff price.
However, seniors should know that you don’t have to buy organic produce each and everytime as you can yield your own especially if you are a good gardener. If lucky, you can even earn money from it by selling some of your produce to your neighbors. You can also keep free ranging animals as long as your local authorities permit it. When aiming for all-organic produce, make sure that you are farming right. Some of the basic guidelines are:
·    Make sure that the soil is free from any chemical i.e not treated in any way with pesticides and chemical-based solutions.
·    Must be “fed” with organic fertilizers only.
·    Should maintain an all organic diet through its different stages of growth.
So why is organic good for you? First of all, anything that is chemical will have a reaction the moment it touches your blood. This reaction can never be good for you as chemicals are not a natural substance for the body to recognize. Most of the time, it considers these substances as a foreign object and will try to fight it. Problem is, these chemicals are a lot stronger than our immune system which only creates havoc inside of us. Most chemical byproducts found in the blood causes diseases and illnesses and can sometimes make underlying ones resistant to treatments. By avoiding products that are drenched with harmful chemicals, you are saving yourself from these life threatening diseases or at the very least, boost your immune system to fight them off.

For normal, average person like me, it is when the lower extremities i.e ankles or feet appear to be abnormally big for the rest of the body. Edema, one of the most possible causes of swelling, normally occurs during pregnancy however, seniors tend to get swollen legs from time to time especially if they suffer from arthritis. Other age groups do get them although not as frequent as the two aforementioned. It is important to take note that when you get abnormal swelling, consult your doctor at once since 9 out of 10, it signifies health problems needing immediate attention.
Health care providers consider swelling as a symptom of a disease, both underlying and ongoing. This means, everybody can get it at any point of their lives, young or old, male or female. In an elderly person’s case, swelling can occur as a side effect of the medications you are currently taking in. Furthermore, Swelling will also occur when there’s an existing health problem bothering the senior as of the moment such as arthritis and gout. Swelling of the legs is treated by health care providers in the same way they treat inflammation and in minor cases, especially when there’s no immediate health risk to the swelling, is only given anti-inflammatory drugs. A patient who is suffering from mild swelling is almost always sent home and advised of proper home care such as elevating the feet when lying down, using support stockings and receiving mild massage to improve circulation. Application of hot and cold compress in an alternating manner can also improve your condition.
Edema is not a disease, not even heredity, and it is only one of the reasons why a person suffers swollen legs. Edema happens when extra fluid leaks out of their normal way and somehow accumulated in the lower extremities. When you stand or sit too long without moving, it is most likely to happen. It is also noted that when you consume too much salt, a person who is predisposed to such condition will certainly experience swelling of either the face or the person’s extremities. Liver and kidney diseases are known causes of edema. Please take note that edema can cause respiratory difficulties so it is important that you submit yourself to a doctor when you experience any kind of swelling to receive proper care.
Obesity can also cause swelling as the weight adds unnecessary pressure to lower extremities. If you suspect this is the cause of your swollen legs, you just have to take an extra effort in losing excess pounds and managing to stay within the ideal weight.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is mostly associated with younger adults than in the seniors’ group. It is a digestive condition that is not at all fatal but absolutely stressful for the sufferer. Also, Irritable Bowel Movement or IBM cannot, in any way, lead to any serious disease of the colon or even the digestive track for that matter. IBM can be controlled by diet and medication but you have to submit yourself to strict monitoring by your health care provider for them to be able to pinpoint the exact cause which triggers the condition.
This condition has many symptoms that can be associated with it; it can be abdominal cramping, bloating, constipation or diarrhea. Other times, it can be as inconspicuous as backache and chest pains. Serious manifestations of IBM can disable a sufferer but these serious cases are very rare. This digestive condition is considered by doctors as common and manageable. However, for seniors, IBM can go unnoticed therefore subjecting seniors to unnecessary aches and discomforts, even getting diagnoses and medications that are not at all related to IBM.
There is no specific cause for Irritable Bowel Syndrome discovered yet.  Some researchers say that it is the movement or non-movement of the colon, while others claim that it is the person’s digestive sensitivity to some types of food such as gluten or alcohol. Irritable Bowel Syndrome is pretty much the same no matter the age you are in. Lucky are those who belong in younger generations since they don’t have any other diseases interfering with their IBM diagnosis. Seniors, on the other hand, have the tendency to experience the exact same symptoms from entirely different illnesses, making it very hard for their doctors to make the right diagnosis. My advice is, if you suspect that you are suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome, have your doctor look at your symptoms closely and insist on tests before dismissing the condition all together. It is also important to take note of your own digestive responses such as your bowel movement and abdominal pains– when and how are you getting them. This way, it will be easier to convince your doctor that indeed it is an IBS. Also, take into consideration that IBS is never age-related. It is not something you just develop later in life. Chances are, you have had bouts of them during your younger years, only you don’t give it too much attention back then. Also, when it attacks, it usually takes months—3 consecutive months, the least—to clear up.