Common Problems of the Elderly
“Senior citizen” the term suggests those person, who need special care, love and affection. We need to deal with them like babies. Though they are relieved from major social attributes, but are not free from several known or unknown ailments. Most of the geriatric population suffer from diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hypothyroidism, ischaemic heart and brain diseases. But many things got unnoticed and undiagnosed. Parkinsonism, a common neurodegenerative disease demands early diagnosis to prevent sudden fall and fracture, but it’s too common. Other neurodegenerative diseases and subsequent dementia need special mention too. Osteoporosis, a very commonly overlooked entity often gets diagnosed late until a fracture happens. Calcium, vitamin D deficiency and long term use of over the counter antacids the leading causes. Besides, various carcinomas, like liver, gall bladder, prostate, colon, pancreatic and obviously lung carcinoma spread there kingdom silently, until advanced stages. Whereas all these are physiological disturbances, psychological factors are often not addressed by treating physicians. Insomnia, depression, anxiety, forgetfulness, obsessive compulsive disorders are so common and we, family members often get irritated. Constipation, a so common lingering symptom, often treated with over the counter laxatives, without knowing underlying causes. In a nutshell, caring geriatric body and minds means not only “sugar and pressure” but also inevitably demands taking care of their psychological, cognitive and spiritual aspects with utmost love, tenderness, affection, communication and rehabilitation. Dr Soumik Mandal, General Physician, MBBS, MD
