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Tuesday 20 October 2015

Ischemic Heart Disease


Ischemic Heart Disease, also known as Coronary Artery Disease, is a condition that affects the supply of blood to the heart. The blood vessels are narrowed or blocked due to the deposition of cholesterol on their walls. This reduces the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the heart muscles, which is essential for proper functioning of the heart. This may eventually result in a portion of the heart being suddenly deprived of its blood supply leading to the death of that area of heart tissue, resulting in a heart attack.

The most important determinant of cardiovascular health is a person's age. By 2030, approximately 20% of the population will be aged 65 or older. In this age group, cardiovascular diseases (CVD) will result in 40% of all deaths and rank as the leading cause. Furthermore, the cost to treat cardiovascular disease will triple in that time. The most frequent manifestations of IHD are angina (chest pain associated with physical activity) and acute myocardial infarction (heart attack). Heart attack results from sudden stoppage of blood flow in the arteries that supply blood to the heart (coronary artery). As a result parts of the heart muscles die out or are lost permanently. Angina is a milder and reversible form of heart attack. Ischaemic heart disease is the result of a process of narrowing of blood vessels (atherosclerosis), a disease in which cholesterol (fat in blood) gets deposited inside the walls. This process of atherosclerosis affects the blood vessels of the brain leading to stroke and the limb vessels leading to gangrene.

CAUSES OF ISCHEMIC HEART DISEASE

  • The major risk factors are smoking, diabetes mellitus and cholesterol levels.
  • Those with Hypercholesterolemia have a much higher tendency to develop the disease.
  • Hypertension is also a risk factor in the development of Ischemic Heart Disease
  • Genetic and hereditary factors may also be responsible for the disease.
  • Stress is also thought to be a risk factor.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES:

  • Avoiding foods rich in saturated fats is important to reduce lipid levels in the blood and to prevent arteriosclerosis.
  • Adequate regular exercise is also essential.
  • Cholesterol and hypertension should be kept under good control with proper treatment.
  • Quit smoking
  • Reduce alcohol consumption
  • Keep blood pressure under control
  • Keep diabetes under control
  • Be regular in taking medicines
For more information visit our website Old Age Solutions, or follow us at Google+, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube
Take care!!

Monday 19 October 2015

Oral Care!!


It’s a myth that as we age we lose all our natural teeth. With proper care, one can preserve its natural teeth and beautiful smile even after the age of 60. Common problems faced as we age related to our oral health are:
  • Cavity: cavity in old age is commonly because of dry mouth, however, side effect of various medicines is another cause.
  • Gum diseases: This is another very common problem among older adults. This is caused by the bacteria in plaque. This bacteria causes gums to swell because of irritation, makes them red and may also cause bleeding. Regular Dental cleaning can prevent such kind of a disease.
  • Mouth cancer: Mouth cancer is detected mostly in older adults and regular doctor check-ups are essential after the age of 60 as the symptoms of mouth cancer are difficult to detect in the early stages.
  • Darkening of teeth: this can be cause by the consumption of stain-causing food over a lifetime and sometimes because of change in dentin.
  • Decrease in the sense of taste: aging generally causes reduced sense of taste. Other reasons for the same could be various diseases, medications and dentures.
  • Decaying of roots: This can be cause by decaying acids.
  • Gum related diseases: Use of tobacco, improper care, cancer, diabetes, poor diet, etc. are various reasons of gum related diseases. These diseases lead to tooth loss and uneven jawbone.
  • Denture-induced stomatitis: problem caused because of an improper denture.
  • Thrush: various diseases affect the immune system that can cause overgrowth of the fungus in mouth.

To maintain good oral health it’s important for all individuals, irrespective of age to:
  • Brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste
  • Floss between teeth once a day
  • Clean dentures daily with a cleanser made specifically for dentures
  • Visit the dentist regularly for cleanings and check-ups
For more Information about the oral care problems and their solutions visit our website Old Age Solutions, or follow us at Google+, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube Take care!