NUTRITION AND AGING

 

Good nutrition plays a crucial role in keeping older people healthy and functioning .The most vulnerable population groups for malnutrition are children and elderly.

Mr.Ramaswamy and his wife are senior citizens living in Bangalore. They feel insecure since their children are abroad. They often get lazy to buy grocery for them selves and do not get motivated to cook food. Luckily they have no problem with finances.

Guess what could happen when there is added financial problem in old age?

• The following could be the reasons for malnutrition in elderly.

They eat less since they have little money, too many medicines to consume for different aliments, cannot go to the grocery shop independently, or have no natural teeth to chew.

• Eating well over 50

The motto should be “you are what you eat.” Whole some meals give you more energy and help you look better, boosting the self esteem. Key nutrients are essential for the brain to do its job, thus sharpening the mind. 

And finally good nutrition boosts immunity and fights illness causing toxins. Eating healthy does not have to be about dieting and sacrifice. It means fresh, colorful food full of nutrients, preferably in the company someone you are fond of. 

Certain vitamins and minerals have to be supplemented in old age through fortified serials, juice or medicines since they are prone for deficiencies. Highly reactive free radicals generated during metabolic process, contribute to the tissue deterioration of aging. Consuming anti oxidants, high dietary fiber judiciously can help maintaining health in elderly. 

Regular physical exercises, preferably observed by the trainers can preserve physical strength.

  

Who does not want to look forty at severely years !!

 

Key to staying fit in older age is to eat nutritious food, keep active by exercises focusing on strength, flexibility and balance.    

Dr.Sudha Prasad Can be Contacted on: 9448848973,  

Jaya Pain Clinic & Diagnostic Center, Blog:http://jayapainclinicanddiagnostics.blogspot.in/

Address: 1063, 11th Main Rd, Stage 2, Nagapura, Bangalore, KA 560086

PSYCHOSOCIAL AND FAMILIAL ASPECTS IN EVALUATING PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC PAIN

The chronic pain experience is the result of interaction of many factions including biological Social, psychosocial, environmental and familial.  Presence of chronic pain can impact the family  System with significant negative  consequences . The family  may also be responsible in part for maintaining and perpetuating pain problems! 

A 65 year old Mrs Lakshmi underwent bilateral knee replacement surgery for osteo  arthritis. She could not avail the rehabilitation facilities in the same hospital, but followed all exercises illustrated in her discharge summery at home. At the end of one month after surgery, still she used the high chair, piled up mattresses for sleeping and was unable to walk without walker or holding on to someone. Fear of imbalance and probable pain made her confined to bed. The family sensed some problem and seeked help from our clinic .With the help of an  expert, she could walk without support within a week. A couple of weeks  later she could walk on her own without fear and by the end of one month, could climb the steps, get in to the car and lead a normal life. If the patient was not brought out of psychological aspect of pain (fear of falling and pain) she could have suffered from chronic pain and disability even after  corrective surgery. More the patients avoid activity with the sympathy of undergoing major surgery, specially with the family members supporting them unknowingly, can harm the recovery process.

WHAT ARE PSYCHO SOMATIC FAMILIES?

Existence of a particular behavior patterns in the family such as over protection, ego boundaries between the family members, rigid rules and regulations etc predispose chronic pain/dis ability patterns in the afflicted member. For instance a mother may feel neglected by her grown children. Focusing on somatic pain can allow her to ask for nurturance and  caring that she is unable to ask for otherwise.

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       LET US CONSIDER PAIN IN CHILDREN 

A 15 years old Ramesh complains of migraine headaches which compel him missing the school .The cause could be due to his adolescent age and less supportive parenting  during family interactions .

   On the other hand , a 6 years old Krishna bunks classes due to recurrent abdominal pain . All the tests for the course turned out to be negative. Here, we may be dealing with a child who gets frequent attention  to his symptoms from the family and they even  grant him permission for not attending the school. 

    SOCIO ECONOMIC FACTORS

Housing, motivation and adjustment at workplace ,income, legal issues, liabilities, litigation or compensation can reflect as disability and absenteeism from work.  Diversion, self analysis by counseling can solve this problem.

       Injury or disease produces pain where by the patient with draws from work and social activities. This act instead of reducing pain, could aggravate it.

THE WHOLISTIC APPROACH FOR PAIN MANAGEMENT

Aim  of such management to include  physical,  psychosocial, emotional and familial  aspects  of pain.

Dr.Sudha Prasad Can be Contacted on: 9448848973,  

Jaya Pain Clinic & Diagnostic Center, Blog:http://jayapainclinicanddiagnostics.blogspot.in/

Address: 1063, 11th Main Rd, Stage 2, Nagapura, Bangalore, KA 560086