Ulcerative Colitis in the Elderly
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the large intestine, also known as the colon. Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease comprise Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). While most people with ulcerative colitis first have symptoms in their 20s, the second most common time to be diagnosed is between the ages of 50 and…
Read MoreThe Dangers of Polypharmacy
Polypharmacy is the use of five or more medications, and is associated with a number of health risks, including adverse drug reactions, falls, and poor compliance with medical advice. Polypharmacy is a special risk in the older population, since seniors account for a disproportionate use 3of prescription and over-the-counter medication. As people live longer, they…
Read MoreHeart Rate and Blood Pressure: What’s the Difference?
Your heart rate, also known as your pulse, refers to the number of times your heart beats per minute. Your blood pressure, on the other hand, is a measure of how forcefully your blood flows through your veins. If you think these two measures are the same, you’re not alone. But you’re not correct, either.…
Read MoreJudging the Quality of Life in Nursing Homes
An international group of researchers has recently discovered what care and services residents of long-term care facilities value most, as well as what makes them feel most at home. The results published as “Hearing the Voice of the Resident in Long-Term Care Facilities — An Internationally Based Approach to Assessing Quality of Life,” in The…
Read More6 Reasons for Swollen Legs
The medical term for swelling caused by fluid retention is edema. Other symptoms of edema include: Discomfort in the swollen area Reduced mobility of the swollen area Shiny, stretched skin over the swollen area Skin that does not quickly return to normal after it has been pressed (see picture) If your feet or legs are…
Read MoreIf you have a chronic health condition, you need these vaccines.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all seniors receive the following four vaccines: The seasonal flu vaccine (all ages, every year) The pneumococcal vaccine (adults 65 and older, every year) The shingles vaccine (adults 60 and older, every five years) A Td booster shot (all ages, every ten years) These vaccines…
Read MoreFDA Warns about Unapproved Genetic Testing
The fruit fly, drosophila melanogaster, is primarily known as a kitchen pest. But its short lifecycle and prodigious rate of reproduction have made it a favorite for genetic research, including the massive Human Genome Project (HGP). The fly’s genes were studied and mapped back in the early 1900s, but it was not until the 1990s that international…
Read MoreCaregiving through the Stages of Alzheimer’s
A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s can be devastating, both for the patient and for their caregiver. Both will need time to adjust to the reality of the diagnosis. It is important for everyone to know that the illness will not diminish the importance of the person with Alzheimer’s in lives of their loved ones. In order…
Read MoreThese 7 Conditions Can Make Your Fingers or Toes Turn Blue
Do your hands or feet sometimes look like they’re turning blue? You may have Peripheral Cyanosis, which is caused by inadequate circulation of oxygenated blood. Peripheral Cyanosis may be caused by such easily remedied issues as tight jewelry or cold temperature, but it might also be a sign of one of the following 7 medical…
Read More5 Controllable Risk Factors for Dementia
A large-scale study found 5 risk factors that can cut dementia risk by as much as one-third.
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