{"id":2691,"date":"2020-05-27T13:39:44","date_gmt":"2020-05-27T13:39:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kauveryhospital.com\/blog\/?p=2691"},"modified":"2023-04-28T06:22:08","modified_gmt":"2023-04-28T06:22:08","slug":"senior-citizens-medical-emergencies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kauveryhospital.com\/blog\/geriatrics\/senior-citizens-medical-emergencies\/","title":{"rendered":"Senior citizens \u2013 Medical emergencies"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are more than 13 crore senior citizens in India \u2013 60 years and above. Their healthcare needs are very different.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here is a list of common <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kauveryhospital.com\/Patients-Visitors\/Preventive-Health-Care\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">healthcare<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> issues faced by them:<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Senior citizens are prone to falls, injuries, accidents, cuts and bruises due to<\/b><\/p>\n<ul style=\"text-align: left;\">\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Poor vision,\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Poor hand- eye coordination<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wasting of muscles<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Weakening of bones and joints<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: circle; text-align: left;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>They are vulnerable to slips and falls frequently on\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul style=\"text-align: left;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wet floors\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Slippery surfaces and\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">in bathrooms<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: circle; text-align: left;\">\n<li><strong>They also fall due to\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul style=\"text-align: left;\">\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Giddiness\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fainting\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Disorientation\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Low sugar\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">High &amp; low blood pressure\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: circle; text-align: left;\">\n<li><strong>Older women are prone to accidents\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul style=\"text-align: left;\">\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While doing household chores<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Heart disease is common in older age<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"text-align: left;\">\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kauveryhospital.com\/blog\/k-way-health\/causes-and-types-of-congestive-heart-failure\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Heart-failure<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Coronary artery disease and\u00a0 heart attacks\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Irregular heart-beat\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">valvular and other cardiovascular ailments.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If the elders complain of chest pain, shortness of breath or fatigue, rush to a hospital for cardiac health check-up.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"also-read\"><strong>Also Read:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kauveryhospital.com\/blog\/k-way-health\/geriatric-health-care\/\">Geriatric Health Care<\/a><\/div>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2702 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kauveryhospital.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Cerebral-stroke-1.jpg\" alt=\"Cerebral stroke\" width=\"400\" height=\"267\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kauveryhospital.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Cerebral-stroke-1.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.kauveryhospital.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Cerebral-stroke-1-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/b><\/h2>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>They are also prone to develop Cerebral stroke <\/b><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"text-align: left;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stroke needs immediate attention and the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kauveryhospital.com\/blog\/k-way-health\/cardiology\/the-golden-hour-why-the-first-hour-is-the-most-important-after-a-heart-attack\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">golden hour<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is critical to save patients.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stroke may lead to death or permanent or mental or physical disability.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Signs of stroke include<\/span>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: circle;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sudden weakness in the arms and legs\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Weakness on one side of the body\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Confusion and slurred speech.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0If you see any of these in the elders, rush them to the hospital immediately.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Abdominal pain or Indigestion is yet another chronic problem amongst senior citizens.<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"text-align: left;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Elders may have abdominal pain because of\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: circle;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Weakened digestive system<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Infection<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dehydration<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Food poisoning<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They may also have stomach pain due to other health issues such\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: circle;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cholecystitis<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bowel obstruction due to many causes\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Strangulation of hernias\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Appendicitis, Colitis, Diverticulitis<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Interruption of blood flow to the bowels<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Constipation and Irritable Bowel Syndrome also cause discomfort in the abdomen<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Elders are prone to infections because of weak immune systems.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bacterial, fungal, urinary tract infections are top of the list<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Respiratory problems, pneumonia and pulmonary infections are also serious cause of concern<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They are prone to develop side effects to medications\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On an average the elderly in India, consume a minimum of 4 to 5 categories of drugs. While each drug category may cause side effects a combination of these categories and titrations lead to an explosion in the number of drug induced side effects.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2693 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kauveryhospital.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/blog-1-1.png\" alt=\"Senior citizens and Medical emergencies\" width=\"369\" height=\"226\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kauveryhospital.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/blog-1-1.png 369w, https:\/\/www.kauveryhospital.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/blog-1-1-300x184.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 369px) 100vw, 369px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Depression and Dementia<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: circle; text-align: left;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Depression in the elderly can be a result of\u00a0<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Living alone\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medication induced and\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A result of various ailments.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>When depression sets the elders may be seen\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul style=\"text-align: left;\">\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Withdrawn\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do not speak for long hours\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do not have interest in any activity<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do not interact with people<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Have suicidal thoughts or tendencies.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: circle; text-align: left;\">\n<li><strong>Elders with<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul style=\"text-align: left;\">\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Loss of memory and other cognitive abilities.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Problems with language, decision-making.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mood swings,<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Irritability, anxiety and depression can be a sign of Alzheimer\u2019s disease.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"also-read\"><strong>Also Read:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kauveryhospital.com\/blog\/k-way-health\/geriatric-depression-causes-symptoms-and-treatment\/\">Geriatric Depression: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment<\/a><\/div>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Oral Health<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: circle; text-align: left;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Dental problem in elders may include<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Darkened teeth\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dry mouth\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Diminished sense of taste\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Root decay\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gum disease\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tooth loss\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Uneven jawbone<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Denture-induced stomatitis, thrush etc.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2694 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kauveryhospital.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/diabetes-1-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"Senior citizens and Medical emergencies\" width=\"450\" height=\"299\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kauveryhospital.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/diabetes-1-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.kauveryhospital.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/diabetes-1-600x399.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.kauveryhospital.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/diabetes-1.jpg 752w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Diabetes and Blood pressure<\/b><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Older adults who have diabetes need to watch their sugar levels.\u00a0 Uncontrolled Diabetes puts them at high risk of heart disease, stroke, dehydration, wounds and ulcers, some of which can be dangerous.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"also-read\"><strong>Also Read:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kauveryhospital.com\/blog\/good-living\/vaccinations-for-adults-and-senior-citizens\/\">Vaccinations for adults and senior citizens<\/a><\/div>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Vision and Hearing problems<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"text-align: left;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As age advances vision and hearing may deteriorate.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Can be rectified immediately through visual or hearing aids, and surgery<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If ignored, may lead accidents, falls and injuries.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Leading hospitals have exclusive <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kauveryhospital.com\/Centers-of-Excellence-and-Specialties\/Geriatrics\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Geriatric departments<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and specialists to take care of the senior citizens.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Timely and empathetic care will help them lead good quality life for long years.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kauveryhospital.com\/Patients-Visitors\/Urgent-Care\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">emergency<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> needs of the senior citizens may present challenges to the caregivers.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Geriatricians are specialists who give 360-degree view of the elders, diagnose comorbidities and give a holistic treatment plan with a multi-disciplinary approach.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Geriatrists are the primary physicians of all the elders- senior citizens.<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p class=\"caps\">Kauvery Hospital is globally known for its multidisciplinary services at all its Centers of Excellence, and for its comprehensive, Avant-Grade technology, especially in diagnostics and remedial care in heart diseases, transplantation, vascular and neurosciences medicine. Located in the heart of Trichy (Tennur, Royal Road and Alexandria Road (Cantonment), Chennai, Hosur, Salem, Tirunelveli and Bengaluru, the hospital also renders adult and pediatric trauma care.<\/p>\n<p>Chennai \u2013 044 4000 6000 \u2022 Trichy \u2013 Cantonment \u2013 0431 4077777 \u2022 Trichy \u2013 Heartcity \u2013 0431 4077777 \u2022 Trichy \u2013 Tennur \u2013 0431 4022555 \u2022 Maa Kauvery Trichy \u2013 0431 4077777 \u2022 Kauvery Cancer Institute, Trichy \u2013 0431 4077777 \u2022 Hosur \u2013 04344 272727 \u2022 Salem \u2013 0427 2677777 \u2022 Tirunelveli &#8211; 0462 4006000 \u2022 Bengaluru &#8211; 080 6801 6801<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>There are more than 13 crore senior citizens in India \u2013 60 years and above. Their healthcare needs are very different. Here is a list of common healthcare issues faced<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":2692,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[66],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2691","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-geriatrics"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kauveryhospital.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2691","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kauveryhospital.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kauveryhospital.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kauveryhospital.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kauveryhospital.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2691"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.kauveryhospital.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2691\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9239,"href":"https:\/\/www.kauveryhospital.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2691\/revisions\/9239"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kauveryhospital.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2692"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kauveryhospital.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2691"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kauveryhospital.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2691"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kauveryhospital.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2691"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}