Seniors Site

One of the many signs of aging is hearing loss. Actually, hearing loss can be experienced even by younger adults but unfortunately, almost all seniors get them since they come packaged with all the other age-related afflictions known to us therefore hearing loss is most associated with older adults.

Hearing loss is not an immediate health risk per se. There is no reported case of someone dying from deafness but many are having accidents which some lead to dying due to hearing problems. Due to this fact, it is only safe to consider hearing loss as an immediate threat to senior lives. The intensity of hearing problems can go from mild to severe—the latter being totally deaf. Hearing loss is a very serious condition and can be very embarrassing at times resulting to diminished self-esteem for seniors.

When you feel something is amiss with your hearing, it is best to see a doctor at once so he can better help your with the problem at hand. Seniors should know that hearing loss has different types and extent. These will be considered by your doctor prior to advising seniors of what to do with their hearing problems. Here are some signs that you might want to watch out for:

·    Having trouble with telephone calls and would shout when inquiring assuming that this is the right “loudness” for the receiving party.
·    It gets hard to follow spontaneous conversation especially when there are 3 individuals involved.
·    When you’re watching TV, others are complaining about its loudness which puzzles you since it seemed fine.
·    Too much mumbling from other people especially when kids are talking to you.
·    Words are harder to understand especially when there is an ongoing background sound.
·    You find yourself leaning towards the person you are talking to just to catch whatever he is saying.
·    You find yourself reading the words directly from the mouth of the person you are talking to and associating them with the little sound you hear instead of relying with the sounds alone

Hearing problems are best handled by otolaryngologist. Otolaryngologists are doctors specializing in ears, nose and throat. These doctors will assess the damage, extent and type of hearing problem the patient has and will then send the patient to an audiologist, if needed. An audiologist is needed if you’re prescribed to wear hearing aids for your hearing problems.

Aside from aging, some of the known causes of hearing loss are:  exposure to loud noises, infections, earwax buildup, medications, hereditary factors and even lifestyle diseases.

Man boobs in general is an embarrassing condition. However, the causes of man boobs differ from one age bracket to another. When you notice your grandchild to possess man boobs, there’s nothing to worry about yet—given that he is 12 years old or below. This is because a boy going through puberty is expected to have a very confused hormone running through his body and man boobs, almost always come from high levels of girlie hormones in contrast with lowered man hormones. In time, it will eventually go on its own.

On the other hand, man boobs in older adults usually indicate obesity, if not your body is leaning towards roundness and sports a little fat here and there which is okay, if only it kept away from settling around your chest area. But did you know that aside from hormones and fats, there are other causes of man boobs? It seems that in order for you to get rid of your man boobs, you must skim down where it is really coming from or else, it will just go on and on.

Some of the known causes of this very embarrassing condition are hormone, diet, medication and health. Man boobs or medically termed as gynecomastia can be avoided if you know what you are up against. First and foremost, gynecomastia is a reaction of the body no matter what causes it. Second, it is not an immediate health risk but if the cause is not remedied at once, it could lead to other health complications. Most heath care providers don’t recommend surgical removal unless it’s a last resort for the patient.

For seniors with man boobs, try to assess your current health status first before deciding which route to take in getting rid of your man boobs. If it’s your diet and weight, try to lose weight and manage it within an adequate number. Proper diet coupled with chest exercises will eliminate your man boobs faster than you expect. Still, if you suspect that it is your medication reacting with your hormones then consult your doctor at once, preferably the one who prescribed the man-boob inducing drug and ask the good doctor if he or she could perhaps change the prescription. One word of advice though, some doctor would listen to your concerns but a couple of them won’t especially if the prescribed medication is used to treat other illnesses you may have that proved to be more fatal than your man boobs.

However, if a senior is not too fat nor in medication but still suffers man boobs then maybe it’s time to submit yourself to overall health evaluation since it could signify a disease yet to be discovered. Some of serious health conditions that may trigger the development of man boobs are testicular cancer, kidney, thyroid and liver diseases.

Again, it is critical to know the underlying cause of your man boobs since it cannot be completely eliminated if you will just have it removed surgically. Moreover, seniors are not encouraged to undergo unnecessary surgeries especially if it is not life threatening at all since it can aggravate other diseases that you may have.

As health-conscious seniors, we know that the best possible solution to beating cancer is through prevention or even early detection. Although there is no known cause of cancer to prevent as of the moment, health care providers aim for early detection as much as possible since cancer, in early stages has higher survival rate and it is easier to manage and defeat.

We can detect cancer; that is if we know exactly what we are looking for and if we are conscious enough of how our own body works. By staying alert and vigilant of whatever changes that are occurring to our body, we have better chances of surviving the said disease. Actually, doctors worldwide recommend seniors to undergo preventive health measures such as screenings and tests since seniors tend to succumb to the disease at a faster rate than younger ones. Here are some cancer signs that you might want to know about:

·    Chronic stomach problems should be addressed at once, no matter how trivial it seemed. Frequent stomach ache could signify something more fatal than a regular digestive disorder. A normal digestive disorder is a reaction therefore it should have a preceding event that would trigger it while in a chronic stomachache, it just goes on and off in random times and intensity. When you experience constant or chronic stomach pain, it is best to seek help from a doctor at once just so you would know what’s happening in there. Some types of cancer with noted symptom of stomach pains are colon cancer, liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, and leukemia. Stomach pains vary from acid stomach, dull aches, stomach cramps, and abdominal pains.
·    Take note of your bowel movements as well. Abnormalities in such areas could signify a cancer among your internal organs. This includes rectal bleeding, diarrhea, constipation and irregular bowel movements. On the other hand, difficulties in urinating could be a symptom of prostate cancer.
·    Unexplained weight loss and loss of appetite; although this is one of the most common attributes of a disease, it could also signify cancer most likely spreading all throughout the body and in return, affects your appetite. Difficulty in swallowing could sometimes be more than just a sore throat so it pays to have it checked especially if it’s already giving you a hard time. If you are experiencing this, note the color of your stool and urine as well before consulting a doctor.
·    One of the most apparent signs of liver cancer is yellowing of the skin, also referred to as jaundice. The same goes for pancreatic cancer in later stages.
·    Aside from lung cancer, a cancer that manifests itself first in other internal organs could also affect your lungs causing you to have difficulties in breathing such as shortness of breath. Try to take note of your usual energy level and consult a doctor at once if it changes abruptly and without an apparent cause.
·    Take some time to study your nails. Usually, when something is upsetting your system, your nails are the first ones to bear signs.

At some point in our lives, we will suffer tremendous stress or may have been going through a lot of transition which could be very hard to keep up. Sadly, these are the moments when depression sets in and seniors are no exception to the rule; in fact, the most vulnerable to depression among all age groups are seniors since mostly their transitions are life-changing and some of them are unexpected by the person himself.

Some of the known factors that contribute to seniors’ stress and depression are:  careers, jobs, forced retirement, lifestyle downgrading, medical bills, health issues, mobility, chronic pain, financial stability, death of a loved-one, caretaking and even inability to drive could all lead to depression and may worsen if left untreated.

The problem with depression is that it became a household name thus people now assume that it’s a common, normal occurrence to a person when it is not. Depression is never normal, no matter what age you are in and it should be treated at once since it can cause other health complications if not. Although depression is not a life-threatening condition during early stages, treatments are highly recommended by healthcare providers since it contributes to low quality of life among seniors. Aside from that, studies have shown that seniors, as compared to younger people, tend to have a hard time bouncing back when depression attacks; even if they do, traces of depression are still apparent especially if they didn’t seek therapy or medical help.

Before introducing any other treatments to a patient suffering from depression, healthcare providers usually go for psychotherapy first and see how it goes from there. Psychotherapy is another term for counseling. In psychotherapy, seniors are encouraged to speak their minds and bring out everything that bothers them at the moment. These are supposedly done with psychotherapists but some support groups perform group therapies free of charge.

Psychotherapy works well against depression especially for older adults. A good therapist will help you identify the root cause of your depression and will also guide you in finding the perfect solution for your problem. Its main goal is to assist you in adjusting to your current lifestyle and help you understand your situation better. Medications can also make you feel good temporarily but it never solves the problem; the sooner you face your demons, the better your chances of winning the battle against anxiety and depression.

Good news for seniors across America, this is your chance to avail of a much-needed eye checkup free of charge! All you need to do is call EyeCare America and if you meet all qualifications for this public service program then you will be referred to one of 7,000 volunteer eye doctors who will see you at once. These doctors accept Medicare for full payment which means you don’t have to shell out cash anymore. They also accept other forms of insurances that you might have—just be sure to ask during the phone interview. On the other hand, for seniors who don’t have any insurance at hand, you will also be seen by these good doctors for free.

Interested senior citizens should call now since the program runs until August 31, 2009 only. Call them now:  1-800-222-EYES (3937)

Seniors EyeCare Program is just one of the many eyecare programs brought to us by EyeCare America. A program developed and maintained by the Foundation of American Academy of Ophthalmology. Aside from eyecare program for seniors, EyeCare America also provides help for those with glaucoma, diabetes, age-related macular diseases and even for your grandkids.

The “Don’t Lose Sight of Your Independence” program for seniors is intended to promote healthy eyes for the aging population. Its main mission is to provide seniors of the right information on how to take care of their eyes especially since they are more susceptible to age-related eye diseases and degeneration. Unfortunately, most seniors tend to submit themselves to these diseases when it can be very well prevented if attended to at once. Lack of information, almost always, produces disastrous results; these results are what the program is trying to resolve so that seniors would be able to enjoy their lives once more.

This referral program is open for you and your loved-ones. You can also inquire in behalf of your friend or family who won’t be able to make the call as of the moment. However, you’ll be ask of several questions regarding the patient so make sure you know everything you need to know before inquiring about the program. Some of the basic qualifications are:

·    Legal resident of United States.
·    65 years and above
·    Have not received any eye examination from an ophthalmologist for the past three years.
·    Not a member of an HMO or VA

To know more about this program, visit their website today: EyeCare America

When we speak of fitness for seniors, it need not be too rigorous, harsh and overly demanding for the body. Even experts will agree that a youth’s exercise is far different from an older man or woman. Actually, exercises differ from one person to another depending on their health level, endurance and resistance but it can certainly be improved overtime. That is exactly why there are fitness instructors who specialize in geriatric fitness; these people are highly trained to assist seniors who want—or need—to improve their physical health while nursing medical concerns.

It was said that seniors are now living better, longer lives than those preceding them and the quality of life they are enjoying right now has improved tremendously. Although aging and dying are two inevitable occurrences in our lives, medical concerns that are usually brought about by aging are delayed, if not prevented all together. Partly, we have preventive health care measures to thank for that; these preventive measures are now highly encouraged by health care providers to seniors worldwide and it seems to be helping a great deal on seniors’ survival rates on common age-related illnesses.

Of course, staying physically fit completes this picture. Together, preventive care and fitness will keep all seniors alive and happy. However, these are the same two things that are the hardest to maintain and keep up with. According to a survey conducted to people ages 60 and above who experience medical maladies—left and right, these people have never had proper exercise nor submitted themselves to screenings and vaccinations in the past while those who are conscious of their health feel and look youthful than their aging contemporaries. Curiously enough, when asked why these seniors never even tried adjusting their lifestyle, the resounding answers are:  lack of time and motivation—as if keeping themselves healthy and beautiful are not reason enough to alter their lifestyles even for a little bit!

If you’re quite concerned about your safety when engaging in exercises, these are some tips to help you get by:

·    First and foremost, consult your doctor before doing any kind of exercise no matter how mild it seems. Different health concerns require different sets of exercise a body could do.
·    Don’t jump in too soon especially if you’ve never been into sports ever in your life. When starting out, you will need to do it slow and give yourself sometime to adjust. Don’t force yourself to match those people who put too much of themselves into a particular sport, they might be doing it for some time now and their bodies are well adjusted to its demands.
·    Join exercises, activities, classes etc that you will actually enjoy. This way, you’ll have better chances of sticking with the program rather than not going through it anymore.
·    Exercise is something that will require you to set time for it. Some people find it easier to exercise in mornings while some are better after work; if you already know what works for you, set your exercise schedule accordingly.
·    You should find comfort in everything you do. If you’ve decided to join classes in studios and gyms, the facility as well as the staff should make you feel comfortable and at-ease. If not, you move on to the next.

There’s an existing notion that a senior’s life is mainly composed of trooping back and forth in hospitals and several doctors’ clinics for appointments and endless checkups. Well, the truth in this notion seems to be depending on how you have been taking care of yourself all along. If you have been nice to your body which includes daily checkups even if you feel as healthy as a horse and you’ve been conscious enough of your health then chances are, your senior friends will never see the day you come into some doctor’s waiting room!

Yes, it is possible for older adults not to be bound by health concerns during their golden years; if only they would plan ahead and be alert for signs that usually signify both minor and major health problems, they could prevent it from happening now and even later. It was said that prevention is always better than cure but sometimes it is hard to prevent something that we don’t know for certain right? AND, even if we get a hint, we usually put it off to a later date because we’re to busy to deal with it. Apparently, studies have shown that the earliest we deal with potentially fatal health problems, the better our chances of living a stress-free senior life—this is something that all seniors dream of.

By submitting ourselves to preventive health care, we are giving ourselves a chance to enjoy life even at a very advanced age. This means more quality time to do the things we missed doing when we were younger; more time with our grandchildren and of course with our kids and enjoying our “me” time free of health-related stress and concerns. Although preventive health care still includes visiting your doctor quite regularly and submitting yourself to lab tests from time to time, it eases so much weight out of your chest just by knowing that you’re there not for treatments but for prevention.

Preventive health care doesn’t only exist within the confines of a doctor’s clinic; it should start from you. Be very vigilant of your body’s responses to everyday stress and when you feel something is above normal or not a common reaction of your body, it pays to consult your doctor at once. Also included in a preventive health care routine is lifestyle adjustment which means you need to lead a healthy, clean life by regular exercise and right diet.

There are a couple of screenings which are very important for seniors such as cancer screenings. Vaccinations are also important if a senior wants to prevent viruses from infecting his or her body. Some seniors opt to undergo complementary therapies which can be used together with standard medical care you are currently receiving. Some of the popular alternative therapies known to us are acupuncture, massage, and herbal medicines.

Sparked by health concerns surrounding the King of Pop Michael Jackson’s death, the analgesic Demerol is once again, under close scrutiny by the media and various health sectors worldwide. This is something that seniors should also take note since Demerol is a staple for many seniors’ medicine cabinets worldwide.

Actually, Demerol should be taken in lower doses if the patient is already a senior but it seems that the largest market of the said drug belongs to this age group.

For those seniors who are not familiar with the drug Demerol, this drug is usually prescribed by healthcare providers for seniors experiencing severe pain—enough to interfere with lives and daily activities. They are painkillers, also referred to as narcotic analgesics. Their common uses are for surgeries, birthing, and major dental procedures. Demerol usually interferes with pain signals from the brain therefore making the body pain-free even if the cause of pain is still there. Relatively, it works like anesthetics which numb the body of any pain it could possibly feel up until the drug wears off. By interfering with the central nervous system, it clearly puts every internal organ of the body at risk, most especially the heart.

Due to its very sensitive nature, doctors are very careful in prescribing Demerol. They will explain extensively why this drug is being prescribed to the patient and for how long it should be taken. Demerol is strictly prescribed drug therefore it should not be given to just about anyone especially if you’re not a doctor, no matter what the urgency is. This drug reacts with other medications you may have been taking and it is noted that some individuals develop allergic reactions with narcotic analgesics such as Demerol.

Generally, Demerol has less side effects than most prescription drugs in the market today, but the problem with this drug is that it’s habit forming, partly because of its effectivity of completely easing the pain. Like any other addicting substances, a person who decides to stop using them will immediately experience withdrawal symptoms. It was also noted that seniors are more sensitive to these side effects when Demerol is taken for a longer period of time making them prone and vulnerable to complications. It is not also safe for pregnant women to take Demerol during term and labor unless it’s medically necessary and pros and cons are weighted carefully by attending physicians—even after pregnancy or during breastfeeding stage.

Demerol is not, in any way, a maintenance drug therefore it should not be considered as one; its main role is to support medical procedures that have to be done with less pain as possible. Prescribed doses depend on your doctor’s discretion and it should not be adjusted nor stopped abruptly without your good doctor’s advice.

Generally, fibromyalgia is characterized as chronic, severe pain that spreads throughout the body. A person with this kind of disorder tends to have a heightened, painful reaction to even the slightest of touch. Aside from this major manifestation of fibromyalgia into one’s body, a person suffering from this disorder often finds himself experiencing constant fatigue, has trouble sleeping and always nursing joint stiffness and pain (similar to arthritis). Fibromyalgia can also trigger other bodily responses depending on one’s degree of fitness which include difficulty in swallowing and breathing, motor and cognitive abnormalities, irritable bowel syndrome and overall dysfunction of the central nervous system; all of which lead to severe, emotional depression. There are no established criteria for fibromyalgia yet; doctors make assessments based on symptoms that are brought up by the patient together with certain lab tests to rule out other disorders and illnesses.

BUT, if you’re a senior age 60 and above then that’s another story. Apparently, younger adults experience these familiar pains of fibromyalgia while seniors are most likely to suffer from fatigue and tissue swelling. This, in fact, leads to many misdiagnosed cases of fibromyalgia among older adults. Overall, a person suffering Fibromyalgia at age 60 would find fatigue as the most bothersome symptom of the said disorder. Complaints include headaches, anxiety, irritability and discomfort when doing common physical activities.

Causes of fibromyalgia are yet to be determined but experts suspect that it has genetic factor to it thus the disorder could be passed from one generation to another. As pointed out by these experts, stress is a major trigger of the said disorder. As of the moment, there are no generally accepted medications for fibromyalgia. Prescribed medications are given to sufferers to alleviate pain and help subside the swelling, if there’s any. Self-care is also recommended to avoid pain attacks from happening; both methods are advised by physicians to seniors for two reasons:  one is to avoid pain as much as possible and two, is to improve overall quality of life. Other techniques that may help you with your condition are:  exercise, physical therapies, meditation and stress reduction.

This puzzling—almost baffling—disorder indeed affect our way of lives but rest assured that many healthcare providers are working on fibromyalgia and hopefully soon, they would be able to come up with something that will take away the disease forever. As for now, right diet, adequate exercise and natural therapies can help us get through with fibromyalgia.

Hair loss is normal for seniors—even younger adults experience them especially if they fit the criteria for hair loss perfectly such as hereditary factors and misuse of hair products. Many diseases that affect older adults also trigger hair loss; for one, popular treatments for cancer cause baldness to patients, men and women alike. While it is but natural to lose hair when we get old, the number one contributing factor to hair loss is poor hair grooming practices seniors have been applying over the years. As experts have warned, common hair products destroy the natural cycle of hairs which in return cause damage to the follicle and ultimately, result to hair loss.

In general, anything that stresses your hair can cause hair fall. Depending on the degree and intensity of the stress, your hair will react accordingly which means, hair fall could be anywhere between mild to severe. It could also manifest as attacks in which it could stop anytime only to begin again sometime after. Since hair loss is a reaction or response of the body, it is important to know what triggers these attacks and prevent it as much as possible. By improving your hair care regimen, you can protect your scalp from untimely hair loss. Here are some tips on how to take care of your hair and scalp properly:

·    Even if your scalp is so itchy, don’t scratch it to take away the itch. Instead, find a way to take out the source of itchiness. If it’s dandruff, try remedies you can do at home. There are also natural home remedies for dandruff that you must check out. If it’s scalp dryness, switch shampoo at once.
·    As much as possible, try to avoid hair coloring treatments, perming, curling or straightening the hair. Anything that will alter its natural composition could damage your hair and scalp as well. The healthiest part of the hair is the one nearest to the root and the most damaged is the farthest end from the root; cut your hair short if it’s already damaged to make way for healthier ones.
·    Never comb your hair when it’s wet. Let it dry a little before doing so because when the hair is wet, the pores on your scalp is wide open and the hair is a little loose from its sac therefore a little tug could take the hair out of it. Choose a brush that has bristles with rounded ends, and it should be bendable preferably a wide tooth comb.
·    Don’t be fooled by any hair treatments offered by your favorite salon; there is nothing to save your hair once it’s damaged. The reason why it glows after every session is that the chemicals they use coat your hair like a plastic wrap. After it’s shed, the glow disappears as well.

While hair loss is inevitable since its progress depends on many varying factors, one can definitely delay it. Remember that your hair is your crowning glory therefore we should take care of it while we can.