Old age

Under the term Old age the doctor describes age-related exhaustion. The word frailty is popularly used. The fact is: old age is not a disease, but a state of appearance of the person that occurs in old age.

What is old age

The medical professional uses the term old age to describe age-related exhaustion. The word frailty is popularly used.

Old age is a complex phenomenon which - as the name suggests - occurs in old age. However, it is not considered an independent disease. As a result of the aging process, the patient suffers from memory and functional disorders.

In the case of advanced old age, nursing support and measures are also necessary. The consequences of old age are osteoporosis, muscle breakdown and muscle weakness. However, old age can also develop into Frailty Syndrome. The patient complains to other people of his age group of significantly increased symptoms of the body as well as weight loss, states of exhaustion and increased gait insecurity.

causes

The cause of old age is, as the name suggests, old age. From a certain age the onset of old age or frailty is a natural change in physical condition. For this reason, medical professionals only deal with Frailty Syndrome. This syndrome is considered to require treatment and is medically relevant.

There are definitely different development processes and risk factors that favor Frailty Syndrome. People who suffer from hypertension, diabetes mellitus and chronic inflammation are often affected. Likewise, people who have a weak immune system, suffer from anemia or have significantly changed hormone levels are more likely to be affected by the syndrome than other people in their age group.

Doctors repeatedly describe that it is "typical" that the CRP level is significantly increased in a frailty syndrome. In addition, the doctors repeatedly find a reduced testosterone level. This, too, probably leads to the said syndrome in connection with a low vitamin D level. Doctors were also able to determine an age-dependent prevalence; the symptoms of the syndrome become significantly more severe from the age of 65.

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Symptoms, ailments & signs

A typical sign of old age is a decrease in memory, such as names and dates of birth. The affected people are also often stubborn and often feel exhausted and tired. Accompanying this can lead to unwanted weight loss, immune deficiency and sleep disorders as well as problems falling and staying asleep.

Physiological changes include a decrease in hearing or even complete loss of hearing. The sense of sight can also be impaired - there is a weakening of color perception and other visual disturbances. The development of a lens opacification or other eye disease such as cataract or glaucoma is also typical.

The sense of smell and taste can also deteriorate with old age, which can lead to a lack of appetite. In addition, senility is also expressed by disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Those affected can usually only move to a limited extent and much more slowly than before. There is a decrease in bone mass, often accompanied by bone pain.

Externally, a weakness of old age shows through the typical age spots and the age skin. Beginning or advanced senility can be recognized primarily by the decrease in physical and mental performance.

Diagnosis & course

If the patient complains of relatively severe symptoms of old age that are significantly greater than those of people in the same age group, it is advisable that a doctor be consulted. This must clarify whether it is a pronounced old age or frailty syndrome. The physician uses Fried's examination and classification. If the patient has more than three symptoms, he has frailty syndrome.

With this syndrome there is a strong, uncontrollable weight loss. Muscle weakness can also be seen, which is associated with a loss of strength. The patient complains of a state of exhaustion, shows an unsteady gait and still image and has a higher risk of falling. The patient also has symptoms in the area of ​​physical instability; many sufferers also have significantly slowed reactions. The performance is also significantly reduced. If the person concerned has more than three symptoms, he is probably affected by Frailty Syndrome.

However, if the doctor diagnoses only one or two symptoms, one must assume an age-related deterioration in the general condition. Frailty syndrome, however, must be clearly distinguished from other age-related diseases. Neither Alzheimer's nor dementia have anything to do with the syndrome. Although there is a possibility that these diseases - together with the syndrome - occur, therapy and treatment are strictly separated here.

The extent to which the syndrome changes over time is not yet clear. However, medical professionals assume that the syndrome - like classic old age - gets stronger over the years and thus a general deterioration of the condition occurs. Neither Frailty Syndrome nor natural old age are curable. However, there are treatment methods that slow the progression or the course of symptoms.

Complications

Old age is a perfectly common symptom and occurs in all people. However, some are more affected than others, which is due to a different diet, mental and physical lifestyle. The extent to which old age affects the patient also depends heavily on the progression of the disease and the impairment of body functions.

Usually there is no treatment for old age. Although it can be stopped or restricted with medication, a complete cure is not possible. The old age often leads to memory loss or memory disorders in patients. Various other organs can no longer perform their function properly.

In the worst case, old age can lead to the failure of an organ and thus to death. Whether and when this will occur cannot, however, be universally predicted. In many cases, old age also means that patients can no longer cope with their everyday lives on their own.

They are then dependent on the help of the family or on the help of carers in order to be able to carry out everyday activities. In some cases an inpatient stay in the hospital is necessary due to old age.

When should you go to the doctor?

Because of old age, those affected usually only go to the doctor when the weakness or exhaustion has reached a certain level. For some people, fitness and vitality are maintained well into old age. Others "weaken" at a relatively young age. It depends on many circumstances when and how old age will take effect.

Increasing frailty is normal with age. A visit to a doctor is nevertheless advisable. The increasing old age can have sequelae that can be treated. In some cases, nursing measures are also necessary in order to offer more support to people who are becoming frail. In the case of excessive frailty and accompanying illnesses such as high blood pressure, diabetes or anemia, doctors speak of frailty syndrome.

Older people should go to the doctor regularly in order to discuss suitable measures as early as the onset of old age. Vitamin D3 or calcium may be necessary. The doctor can initiate the use of antihypertensive drugs or the better control of diabetes. The first point of contact in the event of old age should be the family doctor. If necessary, he or she can refer you to an internist or another specialist.

In the case of advanced old age and declining independence, a degree of care or the application for domestic help are also possible. Here the doctor can advise on possible measures.

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Treatment & Therapy

First and foremost, a balanced diet is important. The person concerned should receive all the necessary nutrients and ensure that they are drinking enough fluids. If the person concerned is already too weak or if he forgets to take enough food or drink, it is necessary that relatives or professional carers take care of him.

In extreme cases, intravenous feeding can even be used. Furthermore, it should be ensured that the muscles are built up further and thus the loss of strength is stopped. The person concerned should therefore carry out an individual fitness program or fight against the symptoms of old age with physical therapy and physiotherapy.

Ultimately, a combination of coordination tasks and strength training not only improves muscles and the brain, but also reduces the risk of falling.

Outlook & forecast

As a rule, old age is a common symptom that doesn't need treatment. It occurs in old age and cannot be avoided.Those affected feel relatively tired, exhausted and weak due to their old age. There is also a greatly reduced load capacity. Ordinary activities in everyday life can thus appear difficult for the person concerned, so that the patient may be dependent on the help of other people in his everyday life.

Old age also has a negative impact on the patient's memory and concentration. Orientation disorders, balance disorders and increased frailty also occur. This increases the risk of infection, inflammation and bone fractures. The quality of life of the person affected decreases significantly due to old age and there are restrictions in everyday life. Dementia can also develop due to old age.

It is not possible to treat the old age causally. However, those affected can limit most ailments and symptoms relatively well through a healthy and active lifestyle, so that everyday life becomes bearable.

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➔ Medicines against memory disorders and forgetfulness

prevention

Everyone can take preventive action against old age if they - throughout their life - avoid various risk factors, enjoy a balanced diet and ensure adequate exercise.

Aftercare

With follow-up care, a doctor would like to prevent a new outbreak of a disease, among other things. However, this is not possible with old age. It is incurable and inevitably occurs as a result of the aging process. However, pain or a deterioration in quality of life do not necessarily have to be accepted.

The typical symptoms of old age are becoming more and more intense. Therefore, aftercare has the task of preventing possible complications. Doctors support older people in this. A presentation every six months is not uncommon for patients. Those affected should definitely take part in check-ups and preventive medical examinations.

After a diagnosis, it is also important to learn how to deal with old age. Suitable measures can be conveyed in therapy. Those affected then have to use them independently at home. Anti-aging measures primarily include exercise, memory training and a healthy diet. They minimize the symptoms.

Doctors can only accompany the old age. Drug treatments are rarely used. Follow-up care can be provided by the family doctor, an internist or specific specialists. If the old age leads to severe discomfort and further ailments occur, help can also be approved through the long-term care insurance.

You can do that yourself

Since old age is a natural process, any self-treatment measures will only help to a limited extent. However, they are suitable for maintaining the functions that are still available and can hinder the progression of complaints.

Programmed cell death is always involved in old age. A healthy diet with lots of vitamins, healthy fats and minerals helps to protect existing cell structures. This means that existing cells can be retained for longer. Antioxidants also help because they protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. Areas in the body that have already been structurally damaged cannot be restored in this way.

It is also important to maintain the functions of the muscles. As far as possible, older people should do gymnastics. Sports activities should also be integrated into everyday life. Every muscle that is maintained or expanded slows the onset of age-related restrictions on movement. The boundary between moderate exertion and exhausting remaining opportunities should be explored in slow sports practices.

The deteriorated cognitive performance can be counteracted by targeted brain training. Games that require memory are just as useful as active participation in social events and targeted stimulation with stimuli that are perceived with pleasure. An abundance of activities improves the feeling of life and thus also the perception of old age.