The appropriate drugs for each disease
Especially in younger years of life, the human organism is perfectly capable of blocking bacteria, viruses and other harmful influences and protecting the body from damage. Also a positive lifestyle, sports and various other parameters are responsible for the fact that man is armed against many things and can lay a foundation for a healthy life. With advancing age, however, this hitherto foolhardy and reliable organism undergoes a change. This change bears the word aging and none of us can ignore this quite normal passage of time. The physical and also psychological load capacity can experience a clear downward trend in old age. If one analyzes this downward spiral more exactly, one can observe meanwhile that frequently the same clinical pictures appear. Also a medicamentous guideline is to be registered thereby. But what exactly do these diseases look like and what helps best in overcoming this unsightly hurdle?
The age-related depression
Statistically, one speaks of age-related depression mainly in those patients who have passed the age of 65 and express typical signals. Only about 5 percent of the entire population display depressive traits, but 20 percent of these are attributable to age-related depression alone. This comparison clearly shows that a depressive development is closely linked to aging. The risk of slipping into a depressive phase increases the older we get. According to statistics, there is even a distribution of up to 40% in old people's homes. Physical and also mental impairments play a major role as triggers. Often not taken seriously by relatives, the situation of this group of people can often even worsen from time to time.
Medication at a glance: Antidepressants are often the first choice to get depression under control. Although psychotherapies and other supportive measures are also among the popular therapeutic approaches, the promising effects of medication are very much trusted here. It should be noted, however, that the dosage of antidepressant medication for age-related depression is slower. The body is no longer able to break down the active ingredients as quickly in old age. Gradually, one increases the dosage to allow the older patient to adjust gently. Many elderly patients require higher dosages than younger patients. This is mainly due to the poorer blood supply to the brain and the reduced absorption capacity of the intestines.
Rheumatic disease in old age
Rheumatism is summarized as a collective term for about 100 inflammatory and sometimes very painful diseases. Although this disease appears in all age groups, however, very many older patients suffer from this clinical picture, whereby the following body parts can be affected:
- Bone
- cartilage
- Muscles
- Tissues
- Tendons
- Ligaments
Rheumatism not only restricts the movement of the affected person, but can also spread to other organs. Eye and heart muscle inflammation, for example, can be caused by rheumatic restriction. Chronic polyarthritis, also called arthritis, is the most common chronic inflammation of the joints. 500,000 people suffer from the disease in Germany. It mainly appears in the later stages of life.
Medications at a glance: The drug Arcoxia is often highly popular in the treatment of rheumatic diseases. Inflammatory diseases of the spine and joints can be treated well with this painkiller. Belonging to the coxibe group of active ingredients, the high anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties are particularly effective during use.
Lung diseases in old age
Lung diseases are also more frequently the focus of attention with increasing age. Along with the new widespread disease COPD, pneumonia is clearly one of the most dangerous diseases. Symptoms here are.
- Confusion
- Shortness of breath
- Hasty breathing
- Palpitations
- Circulatory problems
- High fever
The risk of more serious complications is enormous. In older age, one should therefore consult a doctor immediately at the first signs. The body, which is more restricted and weaker in old age, is often overwhelmed by the additional stresses. A first-class treatment and complication-free recovery is thus only possible under the supervision of a physician.
Medication at a glance: In most cases, pneumonia is treated with antibiotics. Although the choice of the exact antibiotic can be very important for the success of the therapy, the exact determination of the pathogen usually takes too much time. Especially in the case of pneumonia in old age, therapy must be fast, so that an aggravation can be excluded. Due to this fact, treatment is usually started on the basis of a clinical picture. Beta-lactam antibiotics are among the most promising antibiotic agents for pneumonia. These include amoxicillin, among others. Bacterial enzymes are inhibited thanks to the drug. The growth and spread of the bacteria are effectively stopped by the irreversible blockage. The harmful bacterium dies as a result of these processes. Amoxicillin is very well tolerated and also holds its own well against gastric acid. In elderly patients, kidney values should always be checked if the drug is taken for a longer period of time, as age-related weakening of the organs cannot be ruled out.
Cardiovascular diseases in old age
Already from the age of 30, the strength of the heart muscle, as well as the elasticity of the vessels, begins to deteriorate. This does not at all mean that from the age of 30 one has to take special care during any strenuous activity. However, a downward trend is clearly recognizable. This mentioned, steadily progressing negative development, often makes itself felt at an older age through problems of the cardiovascular system. High blood pressure becomes a frequent companion. Syncope, i.e. dizziness and also fainting spells, become noticeable for those affected, especially when they quickly straighten up into a straight posture. Other diseases, such as diabetes, have an additional effect on the body and put a strain on it. Decades of smoking also take their toll on the cardiovascular system. Various factors come together, especially in the 2nd phase of life, in such a way that the system can no longer cope with this load. Various measures must then be taken on the medical side to ensure that the problems become fewer or, at best, completely disappear into thin air.
Medications at a glance: In order to lower the increased and threatening blood pressure again, medications are usually used. These promise a rapid improvement. Of course, a change in lifestyle is also recommended by doctors for older sufferers, but this is often difficult to implement. Sporting activities cannot be effectively implemented due to the sluggish musculoskeletal system.
ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers efficiently manage to lower high blood pressure and create a better quality of life. The function of ACE inhibitors is to block blood pressure-promoting hormones in the body and in this way provide for an improvement. Beta blockers, on the other hand, are used to slow down the heartbeat. Slowing down the heartbeat has the effect of significantly relieving the heart and also shielding it from stress. Depending on the clinical picture, various beta-blocker groups are available to the treating physician. They can therefore be specifically adapted to the particular form of the disease.
