Inguinal hernias, hernias that occur in the groin, may become evident at any age. Elderly patients are not particularly susceptible to, nor are they particularly protected from, this problem. An inguinal hernia is the protrusion of a loop or more of the intestine through a weakened area in the abdominal wall. Increased intraabdominal pressure, usually a result of straining, causes this protrusion.
Insomnia is not exclusive to elderly patients, but it is a common accompaniment of the aging process.
Insomnia is unsatisfactory sleep. Some patients have trouble falling asleep. Others have difficulty remaining asleep, either frequently waking at night or waking early in the morning. The result is daytime fatigue and often daytime naps, which compound the problem. Often the insomnia is transient and seems related to an acute stressful circumstance. Under some circumstances, this insomnia can convert to a chronic problem.
The normal function of the digestive tract is marvelously coordinated. Food and fluids enter at the top for digestion and absorption. The waste moves smoothly down the digestive tract for timely elimination. Not surprisingly, in some people a certain amount of incoordination in this process occurs. These people do not have changes in their anatomy as a cause of this difficulty, nor do they have ulcer, tumor, or inflammation. This may involve the colon (the large intestine). The change is in function; hence it is called functional bowel disease. Other names are irritable colon syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, and mucous colitis.
Swelling of the lower legs is common at any age and even more so in older people. Edema of this sort, called dropsy, occurs with heart failure, but many other possible causes exist besides failing heart function. Many of these causes are temporary and are not life threatening. A few herald more serious health problems or can lead to complications that ca
The drugs called beta blockers are widely used in treatment of a variety of conditions that are common in the elderly. They have an effect on the heart rate and on the blood vessels. They are extensively used in the treatment of angina (heart pain), after heart attacks, in the treatment of high blood pressure, and for patients with heart failure. These drugs are also used in the prevention of migraine headaches, for the treatment of some kinds of anxiety, and for parkinsonism.
Nitroglycerin has long been used in the treatment of heart pain. It causes the arterial blood vessels to widen (dilate), increasing the blood flow through them to the organ that they supply. This permits increased blood flow to the heart muscle, which in turn eases the pain from the heart.
A tear or a crack that develops in the lining of the anus is called an anal fissure. It may happen after a bout of diarrhea when frequent urgent stools seem to be the cause. It also can be caused by the passage of hard bowel movements that are often associated with constipation.
Yeasts are not often a cause of infection. These organisms are not highly invasive. However, in patients who have some interference with defense mechanisms, yeast can gain a foothold and can cause disease. Aging changes in the skin, the vagina, and the oropharynx (the mouth and throat) offer opportunities for yeast to become infective. Diseases such as diabetes, HIV infection, and cancer may increase susceptibility to yeast infection. Treatment that interferes with immunity such as steroid therapy or cancer chemotherapy also increases susceptibility to this infection.
Varicose veins are dilated (enlarged) superficial veins. They can occur in any area of the body surface, but they are primarily a problem in the legs. There are several causes for the dilatation that occurs in superficial veins. Primary varicose veins are a result of gradual degeneration in the valves within the veins. These valves occur at regular intervals along the course of the veins. The valves permit blood to flow toward the heart and restrict the ability of blood to flow away from the heart and into the veins. These valves prevent the development of high pressure within leg veins even when one is standing.
Inflammation involving the vagina is a common complaint in elderly women. The normal vaginal discharge decreases in quantity with aging, and it becomes less acidic. This discharge normally provides for self-cleansing, and the acidic nature of the discharge inhibits the possible growth of infecting organisms.
Inguinal hernias, hernias that occur in the groin, may become evident at any age. Elderly patients are not particularly susceptible to, nor are they particularly protected from, this problem. An inguinal hernia is the protrusion of a loop or more of the intestine through a weakened area in the abdominal wall. Increased intraabdominal pressure, usually a result of straining, causes this protrusion.
Insomnia is not exclusive to elderly patients, but it is a common accompaniment of the aging process.
The normal function of the digestive tract is marvelously coordinated. Food and fluids enter at the top for digestion and absorption. The waste moves smoothly down the digestive tract for timely elimination. Not surprisingly, in some people a certain amount of incoordination in this process occurs. These people do not have changes in their anatomy as a cause of this difficulty, nor do they have ulcer, tumor, or inflammation. This may involve the colon (the large intestine). The change is in function; hence it is called functional bowel disease. Other names are irritable colon syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, and mucous colitis.
General Information Lactose is the sugar found in milk. Many people, as they grow older, are unable to digest this sugar because they lose the abil...
Swelling of the lower legs is common at any age and even more so in older people. Edema of this sort, called dropsy, occurs with heart failure, but many other possible causes exist besides failing heart function. Many of these causes are temporary and are not life threatening. A few herald more serious health problems or can lead to complications that ca
The drugs called beta blockers are widely used in treatment of a variety of conditions that are common in the elderly. They have an effect on the heart rate and on the blood vessels. They are extensively used in the treatment of angina (heart pain), after heart attacks, in the treatment of high blood pressure, and for patients with heart failure. These drugs are also used in the prevention of migraine headaches, for the treatment of some kinds of anxiety, and for parkinsonism.
General Information Few things are as disturbing to patients and caregivers alike as an inability to control bowel movements and remain continent. ...
Nitroglycerin has long been used in the treatment of heart pain. It causes the arterial blood vessels to widen (dilate), increasing the blood flow through them to the organ that they supply. This permits increased blood flow to the heart muscle, which in turn eases the pain from the heart.
A tear or a crack that develops in the lining of the anus is called an anal fissure. It may happen after a bout of diarrhea when frequent urgent stools seem to be the cause. It also can be caused by the passage of hard bowel movements that are often associated with constipation.
