The Spine

Image is from the 20th U.S. Edition of Gray's Anatomy

The elderly are at a high risk for falling due to balance problems, loss of muscle strength, poor eyesight, lightheadedness or dizziness brought on by medications and  blood pressure problems .

Common injuries are fractures of the ribs and compression fractures of the spine – often times multiple fractures.

Fractures of the ribs are quite painful and just breathing causes pain.  Frequently the patient will spend a day or two in the hospital while narcotics such as morphine are given to get them over the initial high level of pain.  Oftentimes a nurse is needed to help them in and out of bed, and sometimes two nurses to just help move them up higher in the bed.  Years ago doctors would tape up the ribs because they thought it helped them heal better – now they don’t tape anymore because doctors have learned that taping of the ribs inhibits breathing and can actually cause pneumonia.  Even without taping the ribs, fluid can accumulate in the tissues of the lung (pleural effusion) causing the potential for pneumonia.

Compression fractures of the spine can cause the vertebrae to collapse – kind of like a shelf collapsing and falling down onto another shelf – it can be very painful and take quite a while to heal, leaving the patient with persistent pain and even disability.  It can also cause stooped posture, reduce the person’s height, cause blood clots and muscle weakness.  It is a good idea to see a good Interventional Radiologist as soon as possible after the fracture(s) occur to see if Kyphoplasty or Vertebroplasty) might be helpful to repair the fracture if it is in the vertebrae, Interventional Radiologists are the kind of doctors that typically do this procedure.  There may also be other options available, but don’t wait very long or the damage could become permanent, causing the Kyphotic spine (humped or stooped spine)

Kyphoplasty and Vertebroplasty are minimally invasive procedures usually performed on an out patient basis.  This procedure can stabilize fractures weakened by trauma such as a bad fall, tumors, or osteoporosis.   In the Kyphoplasty medical procedure a balloon is filled with a cement-like substance and inserted into the affected vertebrae.  The balloon helps open the area up  and then the substance is pumped in.  A cement-like substance is also used in Vertebroplasty, but no balloon – it is injected in another way.  Typically, patients leave the hospital only with a small bandage over the site, and the next day only need a bandaid.  Many patients find that they get almost immediate relief from their back pain.  No procedure is perfect, and of course is not 100% guaranteed.  Many people do not know about these procedures even though they are common place today, and your primary care doctor may not be familiar with it or just forget to tell you about it.

Kyphoplasty and Vertebroplasty are usually short, minimally invasive procedures.  Elderly persons will usually have their heart checked and a blood test to be sure their kidneys can handle the procedure.   Any surgery is an assault on the body and should be taken seriously.

The best way to prevent fractured ribs and vertebrae is not to fall in the first place.  Today’s senior has many more advantages than previous generations of seniors.  Modern senior products include walkers that fold up and can be put in a vehicle, and there are many mobility accessories too, such as trays that attach to walkers, allowing the senior/elderly to transport not only food and beverages from room to room, but also small amounts of folded laundry, even use it to help put groceries away.  Seniors who try to carry items in one hand while also trying to navigate the walker are more likely to become unbalanced and fall.  There are also walker baskets, walker bags and walker totes now available to help seniors carry around their necessities and become more productive and independent.

Falling in a bathroom is especially dangerous because of the hard surfaces, porcelain, tile, etc.  Today, we not only have the ordinary grab bars for the bathroom walls, but also stand assist grab bars that fold up against the wall providing extra support and assistance in standing up and sitting down, providing an additional measure of safety from falls.

Modern senior products for the bedroom have also changed.  Today there are small bed rails that also provide much needed assistance in standing up, but also fold to allow today’s senior/elderly to continue to live a full life and travel, using these stand assist safety rails in hotels.  This kind of assistance is important in helping to prevent falls for those with weak or shakey legs, or who become dizzy when standing up due to low blood pressure.  Some of these stand up assist safety rails include a type of a bag where the senior can store the things they want to keep near, like a cordless phone, glasses, emergency heart medicines.  Preventing falls is a major consideration when seniors/elderly live alone and every precaution should be taken to prevent falls, using the newer modern senior products available today.  Walkers with the extra accessories will be an incentive for the senior/elderly to continue walking around their home, providing much needed exercise, staying active rather than being afraid of falling and spending most of their time sitting, which will make them more prone to blood clots and weakened muscles leading to more falls and possibly depression.

Modern Senior Products http://www.modernseniorproducts.com offers senior products for today’s senior, independent living aids and gifts for seniors.  We also provide up-to-date health and medical information and help staying up to date with technology in our BLOG.

There are ways to help prevent this day from happening by using the modern senior products available today.  Often times an elderly person needs just a little help to remain in their home.  Perhaps getting up out of a chair by themselves has become a problem, arthritis, a stiff painful back, weak knees and legs, balance problems or Parkinson’s can make getting out of the chair difficult without help.

Today there is help for the person who lives alone.  There are stand assist products that will help the elderly get up by themselves.  For example, there are EasyUp Assist seats that automatically, yet gently, help them raise up to a standing position. This gives them about 70% assistance, allowing them to use some of their own muscles to keep their muscle strength.  Just place the seat in a chair, they are easy to use and transportable for going out so seniors and the elderly can still enjoy restaurants, travel, movies and more.  Other stand assist products called the CouchCane are used at the chair or sofa, they are larger, and some have trays that swivel, allowing the individual to eat, read or write comfortably at their seat.

Stand assist product helps prevent falls and stress on knees and back

The bathroom is another area of concern.  Again, getting up from the commode can be difficult but there are new, modern senior products that help with this also.  There are rails that can be installed on the wall next to the commode for the elderly person to hold onto for support and assistance when getting up, helping to prevent falls.  Some of these rails can be raised up against the wall to be out of the way, and make cleaning the bathroom easier.  They can also make the bathroom look less institutional. There are small stand assist rails that can be attached to the tub to help getting in and out of the shower/tub combination and/or help with assistance getting up from the commode.  Some of these products have the traditional institutional look, but there are also the newer senior products that look more attractive in the bathroom, making the senior feel like they still live in a home, and not an institution.

In the bedroom – again, getting out of bed can be quite an ordeal for someone with arthritis, bad knees or back, balance problems or Parkinson’s.  There are stand assist bed rails that are designed for those problems, and can help the senior/elderly person get out of bed themselves without help.

Hard of hearing – the amplified telephones are better than ever – not only do they make the voices louder, but also clearer and easier to understand.  Often times hard of hearing elderly persons make mistakes, whether it be directions for medicines, appointment scheduling, or hearing a telephone number incorrectly because of their hearing loss.  Perhaps all they need is an easy-to-use amplified phone for seniors to remedy the situation.  Also give them a small pad of paper and pen to keep next to the telephone for writing things down – that is better than writing something down on the first thing that is handy like an envelope that is easily lost.  It is important to know that those with hearing loss, even if they wear a hearing aid, should have an amplified phone next to the night stand because most people take their hearing aids out at night and need to be able to accurately hear a phone conversation with the 911 operator or doctor.

Easy to use phones, with or without amplification are great for those seniors/elderly people with memory problems.  The new high technology phones have left a lot of elderly persons behind, understanding the new high tech phones can be daunting – making or receiving calls can become a problem and safety issue.  Sometimes the combination telephone and answering machine can be too difficult for some to understand so in those instances, a simple, basic phone with a separate answering machine may be the best solution.

Mobility walkers can be a necessity in the home to prevent falls. Today there are trays that attach to the walker allowing the elderly to remain more independent.  They can carry their own food and beverages on the tray from room to room, use it to transport small amounts of laundry, put groceries away, and transport many other lightweight items from room to room without having to ask for help. Some trays also fold down, allowing them to be out of the way when needed.  Other modern senior products are mobility accessories like walker baskets, walker bags and walker totes that attach to walkers, scooters and wheelchairs.

Walker trays carry food, beverages, laundry and more from room to room to stay independent.

Canes – some elderly persons only require a cane for additional assistance – but today we have canes that actually light up around the bottom, putting a circle of light at their feet, helping to prevent falls in dim light.  These are especially good for steps where the lighting may be marginal.

Then there are the compression hose that some seniors need to wear because of swelling in the legs and feet due to heart failure or other causes.  These compression hose can be very difficult for seniors/elderly to put on themselves, impossible for those that can’t bend over easily, so they either need someone to put the hose on for them, or they don’t wear them at all.  Today there are compression stocking aids that help seniors/elderly put the stockings on themselves, giving greater independence.

Emergency SOS telephones and Emergency Alert Systems can help to keep the elderly safer in their own home with pendant styles worn around the neck, worn in a pocket, or wrist watch style remote transmitters.  With some emergency alert devices you just push a button and you are connected with 911 operators.  Or, with emergency phones you might wear a wrist watch style transmitter or pendant style transmitter around the neck – and you push a button when you need help and it cycles through pre-programmed phone numbers until someone picks up the phone.  These are great safety devices with no monthly fees or contracts that can keep the elderly connected in case of an emergency.

Low vision – as we age we can have a problem with depth perception – making it hard to see where the concrete step starts and ends, especially when the concrete is all the same color.  Put a red or yellow strip of tape at least 2 inches or more wide across the edge of the top of a step in the garage helping to prevent falls.  These tapes can usually be found in hardware stores.  Install a railing or a metal rail that can be angled next to those single or double steps going from garage to inside of house, helps prevent falls also.

Walk through the house looking for trip hazards – run the electric cords along the wall.  Take up throw rugs,  make sure there are no trip hazards. One common hazard is the ladies purse sitting on the floor next to a chair, or on a step.

Today there are lightweight transfer chairs which can be used instead of a wheelchair, they can be cheaper, easier to push and fold up smaller for putting in a car. The spouse or family member can easily push the elderly around a mall, doctor’s office, hospital, etc.

Hearing aid accessories – hearing aids can easily become clogged with earwax, preventing the person from hearing and misunderstanding directions from doctors, nurses, pharmacists, appointments, telephone numbers and more.  There are senior products such as hearing aid dryers that are available that will not only help get rid of the wax and moisture from the hearing aid, but also sanitize and prevent itchy ears and ear infections.

Vibrating watches (simple ones – may need to be set by the family in case directions are too difficult for the elderly family member) for medication reminders.

Locked pill containers – electronic – a family member should fill pill containers for those elderly persons with memory problems so there are no mistakes which can be life threatening.  There are electronic pill containers that are suitable for those elderly persons with memory issues or Alzheimer’s.

Garden tools designed for people with arthritis.  Many elderly people grew up with vegetable plants and roses in their back yards and they would still like to putter around in the yard – there is nothing like feeling useful and productive.  You can help!  There are specially designed yard tools with the Arthritis Seal of Commendation, which take less strength and are easy on arthritic hands.  In the spring time, plant a few tomato plants, strawberry or green been plants close to the house – they will enjoy tending to their plants and will feel useful and needed as well.

Low vision products may also be a necessity to continue to use the computer, phones or TV remotes.  Also, many elderly persons have quite a lot of trouble with the newer high-tech TV remotes, causing themselves a lot of frustration, and calling family members to help them to get the TV to work.  Today we have some simple, easy to understand and operate TV remotes that are suitable for people with memory or low vision problems, or just hate high technology things and yearn for simple.

Just the basics - thank you.

Assistive clothing – for those that have had shoulder surgery – or those with painful arthritis in their shoulders and back there is assistive clothing available that uses velcro instead of buttons and is senior friendly.

Many modern senior products also are available foldable for travel so seniors/elderly can continue to live a full life.  Canes, stand assist bed rails, walkers, transfer chairs just to name a few – all have foldable versions for travel.

Modern Senior Products LLC, at www.modernseniorproducts.com offers senior products and independent living aids to help your senior/elderly family member remain independent and productive in their own home and are great gifts for seniors that are truly useful and practical.

Arthritis in the hands ranging from mild to severe

Arthritis can be – well a pain! Arthritis pain can be an intermittant ache or a stabbing pain.  Since arthritis isn’t like having an ear infection, take an antibiotic for a week or so, and it is gone – arthritis once you have it, is here to stay.  Seniors, even children with arthritis, can be miserable enough with painful arthritis that they resort to numerous kinds of pain medications, physical therapy, even surgery.

There are a number of pain medications for arthritis – they won’t cure it – just relieve some of the pain for awhile.  The main type of OTC (over the counter) arthritis medications are the NSAIDS.  This is a class of anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Naproxen, Naprosyn, Aleve, aspirin and others.  These drugs are also associated with a risk of cardiovascular complications such as high blood pressure and upper GI (gastrointestinal) stomach bleeding.  More recent research now also implicates slow release and enteric coated NSAIDS when used regularly and the entire GI system, meaning the intestines. It is also now known that they can interfere with the low-dose aspirin (which is cardio protective) that you take to help prevent heart attacks.  The National Institutes of Health indicates that there is a higher risk of having a heart attack or stroke with long term use of the other NSAIDS, which can increase blood pressure, worsen congestive heart failure and cause cardiac events.  Even though aspirin is an NSAID, it is considered protective of the heart.

The NSAIDS can cause an increase in the risk of bleeding in the stomach, and intestines and also increase the amount of bleeding in those people that take aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), or warfarin (Coumadin).  NSAIDS can also cause fluid retention, something that people with heart failure need to avoid.

Frequently, especially in seniors/elderly, there will be chronic use of an NSAID for  arthritis, then perhaps a fall that causes substantial pain, such as a fracture of the ribs or fracture of vertebrae.  The hospitalist at the emergency room may prescribe a high dose of Ibuprofen to get over the hump of the initial pain and reduce inflammation.  Be sure your prescribing doctor knows if you are already taking aspirin, Coumadin, or Plavix.  Also be sure to tell the doctor if you have ever had a bleeding ulcer or gastritis with bleeding, or a pre-existing bowel disease such as diverticulitis or inflammatory bowel disease.  If you have had or now have these conditions you will probably have to be more closely monitored for both upper and lower GI complications, and they will have to be taken into consideration when the doctor prescribes the appropriate pain reliever.

Monitor your blood pressure and if it increases, or you start with stomach pain, or pain in the intestinal area then call your primary care doctor right away, explain your symptoms and that you are taking Ibuprofen or another NSAID. Your primary care doctor may then prescribe something gentler on the gastrointestinal system and or less of a cardiac risk.

The triple threat is the use of Iboprofen, aspirin and alcohol at the same time, this increases the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding.  When taking Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs be sure to eat food when you take the medicine, it helps protect the lining of the stomach.

If you have been on chronic NSAID use or recent high dose NSAIDs and you have undiagnosed blood loss, ask your doctor to consider whether the blood loss could be related to the NSAIDs and blood loss in the intestines.  There are many people who have iron deficiency anemia due to blood loss caused by the chronic use of NSAIDS for arthritis pain, back pain or sports injuries.

Another drug commonly prescribed for Osteoarthritis is Diclofenac.  Brand names include Voltaren, Cambia, Cataflam, Voltarol, Zipsor.  These may be available as slow release or enteric.  Be aware that these drugs are also NSAIDS and that any of these NSAIDS taken long term, or at high dosages, can cause ulcers, bleeding, or holes in the stomach or intestines.

Don’t feel completely safe because the NSAID taken is a slow-release or enteric coated formulation.  These may be considered safer for the stomach, but can cause problems in the lower GI (intestines).  Enteric coated formulations are designed to dissolve in the intestines, and it is now known that the “small intestine is a main site of NSAID induced chronic blood loss.” (Neal M. Davies, Univ. of Sydney, Journal of Pharmaceutical Science)

Seniors/elderly may be taking multiple medications for complicated medical conditions and may not be aware of the dangers lurking in the drugs they take, so it is always a good idea for their family members to keep an up-dated listed of their current medications.  Keep this list with you (I recommend in your wallet), then if you have to make a trip to the doctor’s office or emergency room for your elderly parent, you will have important information needed by the doctors and staff.  It is also a good idea to keep a typed list of current medications with primary care doctor’s name and phone number prominently display on the refrigerator door so emergency medical personnel will have access to it.  Also put an (ICE) In Case of Emergency telephone number on this list.  If your senior/elderly family member has a cell phone put an ICE  contact number in there also – police and medical personnel look for this information.

Ask your doctor if you need to stop taking NSAIDS before surgery.  Always ask your doctor what is right for you and your individual medical condition.  Only your doctor can balance the risk with the benefits these medications may provide.

Modern Senior Products LLC, at www.modernseniorproducts.com offers senior products, and independent living aids to help your elderly family member remain independent and productive in their own home, and are great gifts for seniors that are truly useful and practical.

Family Toothbrushes Making Contact in A Cup

What is going on in that family toothbrush cup that you set your toothbrush in everyday?   The toothbrush goes into your mouth where there are millions of bacteria and viruses (microorganisms) that could make you or others sick.  Let’s say for example your 6 year old son has strep throat and not on antibiotics yet and you have a cup on the sink or in the medicine cabinet that you keep all the family tooth brushes in.  Now lets say the toothbrush heads and bristles sometimes make contact – what happens now is what I like to call “germ creep”.  The son’s toothbrush bristles with Streptococcus bacteria on it touches another sibling’s toothbrush bristles and those Streptococcus bacteria just cross over (creep) from one toothbrush to the other with the ability to make you sick.  Bacteria just don’t sit there – they breed – they multiply!  Now you may have two children sick with strep throat.

The solution is simple.  Buy a toothbrush holder that has enough separation space between the toothbrush heads so that they won’t touch one another.  Perhaps buy two, one for adults, one for children.

Now for something else that happens in the bathroom – unnoticed.  There is something called “toilet spray” – yes that sounds really, really gross, but something you should think about.  When a toilet is flushed there is a very fine “toilet spray” that goes into the surrounding air – so keep those toothbrushes as far away from the toilet as possible.  It may also help deter some of the spray if you put the lid down before flushing.  There is also toilet water evaporation – so make sure everyone flushes the toilets and you aren’t left with any surprises – young children are good at this.  You might think that the solution to this problem is putting the toothbrushes in sealed containers – nope – bacteria and viruses love darkness and dampness, so enclosing the toothbrush in a sealed container just gives these nasty germs and perhaps even mold, a perfect environment to grow.  A good place to keep your family toothbrushes is in a toothbrush holder – in an upright position with the toothbrush head up and with plenty of space between the heads and let it air-dry.  Among the many types of bacteria found on toothbrushes are Strep, Staph and E. Coli (think toilet spray & toilet water evaporation).  The flu virus and herpes simplex l  (the type that cause cold sores) are just a sampling of viruses found on toothbrushes.

If you have strep or other bacterial infection that lives in the mouth, get a new toothbrush after you are no longer contagious, usually 24-48 hours after you start antibiotics and the fever is gone and BEFORE the antibiotics are gone.

Toothbrushes should always be thoroughly rinsed after use by holding them under running water.  There are food particles, toothpaste, saliva, bacteria, viruses and sometimes even blood on the bristles.  The water does not kill the germs.  There has been long running discussions about whether or not to disinfect your toothbrush. Research in Pubmed.gov, (US National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health) suggests that there are ways to help disinfect your toothbrush if you wish to do so once or twice a week.  You can put a toothbrush in a microwave for 1 minute, no longer or it could melt. (“microwave irradiation proved to be an effective alternate method to the disinfection of…toothbrushes”. Int J Dent Hyg, 2/20/11) or you can soak your toothbrush in a product called Periogard Oral Rinse (Colgate Palmolive) for  2 hours which is considered effective, safe and cost effective, (I would rinse the toothbrush after soaking).  This is a product that contains Chlorhexidine which is an antimicrobial.  Studies have shown that children’s toothbrushes can have a high concentration of Streptococcus bacteria, so make sure children never share toothbrushes.  Also, if your child is in a daycare facility and they allow toothbrushes check to be sure they are stored properly so there is no cross-contamination.

TIPS TO KEEP YOUR FAMILY WELL:

• Wash the hands before  handling the toothpaste.  Everyone in the family touches the tube of toothpaste one or more times a day – if someone is coming down with an illness or is already sick those germs can be put on the tube of toothpaste and then transferred to the hands of the next person who brushes their teeth.
• Never use the toilet paper in the stalls of public restrooms to blow your nose – remember the toilet spray
• Ladies – don’t put your purse on the public restroom floor – remember the toilet spray
• Never put your purse on a kitchen counter, kitchen table or anywhere you would have food – remember the floors it has sat on – public restrooms, restaurants, doctor’s waiting room floors, etc. A microbiologist indicates 1 out of 4 purses have E.Coli on the bottom of them (we are back to those public restroom floors again)
• Wipe the bottom of your purse with a disinfectant wipe frequently
• Don’t let the kids put their shoes on the kitchen table or counters – remember where the bottom of those shoes have been i.e., public restrooms
• It would be helpful if you are a caregiver to an elderly member of your family to check out how they store their toothbrushes too – you could help them avoid a stay in the hospital.  Untreated Streptococcus can spread to the sinuses, tonsils, blood and middle ear.  It can damage the heart valves, cause kidney inflammation, Rheumatic Fever and Scarlet Fever.

A GOOD TO KNOW TIP for Hospitalization:  Research done by Washington University at St. Louis indicates that when ICU patients brush their teeth twice a day (or their nurses do it for them) and use a mouth rinse, that the rate of ventilator associated pneumonia can drop by almost 50 per cent.

Modern Senior Products LLC  http://www.modernseniorproducts.com offers products for seniors, independent living aids, and gifts for seniors.  We also provide health, medical and exercise information in our official BLOG.

A deep vein thrombosis in right leg -notice swelling and redness - Image via Wikipedia

Blood Clots In Your Legs – Are You At Risk?

Blood clots (medical term is thrombus) in the legs can be a risk we all have.  The body is meant to move, not be sedentary.  The calf muscle in our legs acts like a pump, pushing the blood up the legs, back to the heart.  When we sit still for long period of time – that pump isn’t actively working and the blood can just sit there and clot.

Who is at risk?  Anyone that is sitting for extended periods of time.  Office workers, surfing the internet, anyone sitting on an airplane, riding in a car, train, bus or even being a “gamer” – someone who sits for long periods playing games on their Xbox for example.  Some people might sit 10-12 hours  playing these games competitively.  Recently there was a young man only 20 years old that died from sitting and playing games too long without getting up and moving around from time to time.

During the Golf  War in 2003, David Bloom, a 39 year old journalist with NBC that had been sleeping with legs propped up close to him during the quick dash into Iraq died from a clot.  Doctors indicated that the legs propped up close to the body with the legs immobilized while sleeping was probably a risk factor for the clot in Bloom’s case, they ate and slept in the vehicles.  In Bloom’s case, he called doctors who suggested he might have a clot and to get medical attention – he didn’t – he chose to take aspirins thinking it would take care of the problem.  It didn’t – he died.

You might think that you won’t get a clot unless you are sitting for hours on end – think again – the U.S. Dept of Health & Human Services suggests you can get a clot from sitting for an hour or more.

If you know you are going to be sitting for a while, first of all try not to cross your legs – that cuts off circulation.  Do leg exercises by extending your legs and then flexing the foot back and forth – this pumps the calves.  If you are on a plane or train get up and walk around the plane’s cabin or train car for 5 minutes every hour.  Don’t worry that people will be looking at you, more people are taking this seriously than ever before and you are serving as a good example.  If you are traveling in a car for more than an hour do your leg exercises in the car and make frequent stops.  Even if you stop at a restaurant – many people get out of the car, walk into the restaurant and sit down again.  Then get up after their meal walk a brief distance back to the car and sit again.  That may not be enough, that brief walking may have taken all of 2 minutes total time. Try to walk around for approximately five minutes if you want to avoid “travelers thrombosis”.  A good way to help with this is to park farther away from the restaurant entrance – it forces you to walk longer.

Consider gradient compression hose for women and men – gradient simply means that it has more pressure (tighter) around the ankle area and the pressure decreases as it goes up the leg.  These stockings and Travel Socks actually squeeze  the leg muscles and help to move the blood back towards the heart.  They aren’t thick and ugly any more.  Women’s come in ultra sheer thigh high styles and men’s knee highs come in colors.  Gradient compression hose and compression knee high Travel Socks can be purchased over the internet and in some drug stores without a prescription, some name brands are Jobst, Mediven, Juzo, Sigvaris and Scholl.  For most people 15-20 mmHg gradient pressure is sufficient, but if you have a special medical problem ask your doctor.  You will probably find that they make tired, achy legs and venous and lymphatic conditions feel better as well.  Make sure they are knee high for men, women also have thigh high available.

Many people today take Aspirin 81 mg for the heart – don’t be fooled into thinking this will prevent a clot in your legs – it won’t.  If going on a long trip and you have special medical issues like clotting problems or heart problems for example, tell your doctor ahead of time, he may want to put you on Coumadin (Warfarin), especially for a long international flight.

When at home in bed avoid putting pillows under your knees – some doctors see that as a risk.  Also, when watching tv, prop those legs up on a hassock whenever possible, or sit in a recliner – and get up at least every hour during a commercial and walk.  When going to the bathroom, consider walking to the farthest bathroom to get extra walk time in.

Additional Risk Factors for DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) and “Economy Class Syndrome” in the legs

• Age 60 or older
• Smoker
• Have a pacemaker
• Take estrogen or birth control pills
• Recuperating from knee replacement or hip replacement.
• Broken bones in the leg that require the patient not to put any pressure on the affected leg (therefore no calf action) – many doctors put patients on blood thinners.
• Recuperating from a fractured hip
• Varicose Veins
• Lack of proper hydration – remember this in the dry southwest, and the air on airplanes is dry too!
• Confined to bed or chair – watch how much time you spend in bed from a sprained back too.
• Sit in a wheelchair, power chair or on a scooter for long periods

Seniors and the elderly particularly need to be aware of blood clots and their causes.  Seniors may be sitting much more because of arthritic knees, back pain, weak or shakey legs.  Seniors and elderly need to get up and walk and if they are a fall risk, they should use a walker. Using walkers with trays for transporting food and beverages from room to room, small items like folded laundry, putting groceries away, etc. can help the senior or elderly person to continue to have some exercise, help to ameliorate their fear of falling, help them to keep muscle strength in their legs and help prevent clots.  Why is a clot serious?  The clot can break away and travel to your lungs causing a life threatening condition called pulmonary embolism, or travel to other areas of the body such as the heart causing death.  There are other medically related factors such as clotting irregularities, cancer medications and more that may have an effect on clotting – always discuss with your doctor.

NOTE: Scholl Flight Socks 14-17 mmHg – “effective at significantly reducing the incidence of DVT in low-medium risk subjects, in long haul flights”   Angiology 2002, Nov-Dec; “Prevention of edema, flight microangiopathy and venous thrombosis in long flights with elastic stockings. A randomized trial

Modern Senior Products LLC  http://www.modernseniorproducts.com offers senior products, independent living aids and gifts for seniors.  Read our BLOG for health, medical and independent living information.

First Cold Pressing Extra Virgin Greek Olive Oil

Most people have heard of the Mediterranean Diet.  This diet is low in saturated fat and cholesterol and is high in plant-based foods that are full of antioxidants.  A major component of the Mediterranean Diet is olive oil.  The healthiest and best tasting olive oils are extra virgin and they should be the first cold pressing.  Most of the olive oils at grocery stores seem to come from Italy, but personally, I prefer olive oil from Greece – it is mild, delicate and smooth – great on salads – and can usually be found in specialty stores.

New research suggests that the Mediterranean Diet not only reduces low-density lipoprotein (LDL is the bad cholesterol) but also can help reduce the amount of unstable (oxidized) LDL cholesterol that is in your blood.  This is important because oxidized cholesterol is more dangerous – it can cause narrowing or clogging of the arteries.  We all know what that does – causes heart attacks, and if in the brain, stroke. In another new study presented in March of 2011 at the American Chemical Society, using 7,625 French people in the study, found that a high usage of olive oil resulted in 41% less likely to suffer a stroke compared to people who did not consume olive oil.  Researchers don’t know why this is true, but hypothesize that the oleic acid in olive oil may decrease the absorption of artery-clogging saturated fats (such as in meat) which can ultimately affect your chances of having a stroke.

Research  indicates that  areas of volatile, unstable plaque (unstable plaque has a large soft fatty core and a thin fibrous cap) deposits in the arteries are more prone to rupture -causing stenosis (narrowing) of the artery or the rupture can send the material downstream into smaller branches, causing the artery to clog, causing a heart attack.

Many of the unhealthy foods like boxed and fast foods in the western diet contain omega-6 or PUFA fatty acids.  These produce metabolic products that are pro inflammatory and can actually cause inflammatory diseases, known as chronic diseases.  Virgin, and extra virgin olive oil contain the healthy omega-3 fatty acids, which may help reduce the incidence of chronic diseases by inhibiting inflammation processes that result in chronic diseases like coronary artery disease, rheumatoid arthritis, high blood pressure and perhaps even cancer.  Our western diets have an unhealthy ratio of omega-6 fatty acids to omega-3 fatty acids and we need to balance these better with more omega-3 fatty acids.

The healthiest components of olive oil have the highest levels in virgin, and extra virgin olive oil.  Consuming olive oil has benefits like colon and breast cancer prevention, reduction of LDL cholesterol, and reduction of blood pressure.

This healthy diet includes nuts, herbs and lots of vegetables and fish.  White meat should be used instead of red meat whenever possible to reduce saturated fats.  This diet also allows RED wine in moderation (red wine is healthiest because it contains antioxidants and resveratrol which is good for your heart) .

Another study included 372 older adults divided into three groups.  Two groups ate the Mediterranean Diet, the third group went on a fat-restricted diet.  The result was that the Mediterranean Groups experienced a SIGNIFICANT decline in their levels of oxidized LDL cholesterol.  The fat restricted group had a much smaller reduction of oxidized LDL.

It is important to note that you should closely watch the expiration date on the oils in your pantry.  All oils can become rancid and oxidized, not only affecting taste, but also having negative consequences on health.  Keep your oils in a dark place such as a cabinet or pantry away from ultra-violet light (sunlight) and away from heat – don’t keep them right next to the stove.  Buy your olive in smaller bottles unless you use it up quickly – this way you will be more likely to be using fresh olive oil.

Eating the Mediterranean Diet can help reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.  It may also help you to lose weight and it is delicious, what more could you ask for!

updated 10/10/11

Modern Senior Products LLC, at www.modernseniorproducts.com offers senior products, and independent living aids to help your elderly family member remain independent and productive in their own home, and are thoughtful gifts for seniors that are truly useful and practical.

Take Medications On Board the Plane

Many people look forward to retirement because they finally have the time to travel. Active seniors and the elderly that travel have additional concerns when they board the airplane, train or start the engine of their car. Many older people have arthritis or other degenerative conditions – they have to be careful when lifting things – and sometimes a large suitcase can be quite heavy.

Buy lightweight luggage with wheels, remember that faux leather is usually lighter than real leather.   Instead of using a travel tote bag on your shoulder – which if heavy can actually cause significant pain from shoulder strain – buy a wheeled travel tote that can easily be pulled  through the airport, plane aisle, easily stored in the plane’s luggage compartment and easy to pull in a hotel lobby and long hotel hallways.

When purchasing luggage – consider the weight of that extra large suitcase you have perhaps for the two of you.  Remember how hard it is to swing up onto the bed in the hotel room?  Many a traveler has pulled a muscle, wrenched their back or gotten sciatica in a leg and ruined their trip because of lifting large and heavy luggage (writing from personal experience).  Sometimes it is better to have two medium size suitcases rather than one large.  Also, getting that extra large suitcase into and out of the car trunk can pull a muscle or two also.

Tip 1. Pack light. Buy the small travel size containers of necessities like shampoo, conditioner, body soap, toothpaste and mouthwash and throw away as they are used up.

Tip 2. Pack Extra Medication. Many seniors and elderly require daily medications for things like blood pressure, heart problems, high cholesterol and diabetes.  So make sure there is enough in case of an emergency. For example, if traveling during the winter you might not be able to leave on time – there could be a snowstorm that closes roads, and also cause flight delays and even flight cancellations. Then during the summer there is always the unpredictable weather like tornados, tropical storms and hurricanes that could cause additional stays of 1 or more days.  Or, what if an illness strikes and there is the need to reschedule the date of departure – there should always be extra medicine just in case.  And, remember Murphy’s Law “Anything that can go wrong will go wrong.”  What if some of the pills are dropped in a bathroom and they go down the sink?  One just never knows.  What if you would like to extend your trip – but can’t because you don’t have enough medication with you for additional days?  I recommend taking 5 – 7 days extra medication with you if you pack your meds in a weekly container. Or if taking the medicine bottle, count out the pills before you leave and make sure you have enough for an additional 5-7 days.  Always pre-check this a couple of weeks before departure in case there is a need to get medicine refilled before leaving.  If a medicine is critical – have the doctor write an extra prescription to be used in case of an emergency – and keep it with you.

Tip 3. DON’T PACK MEDS IN CHECKED LUGGAGE!  If your luggage gets lost – your medicine may be gone a matter of days or gone for good.  Pack in your carry on luggage or purse.

Tip 4. Liquid or Gel Medications.  If you have a liquid or gel medication such as prescription cough medicine or insulin – check ahead of time with the commercial airlines so you know what the requirements are for taking it on board a plane. You may need to have your doctor write a letter for you.

Tip 5. Take Your Doctor’s Info With You. If you end up at a doctor’s office or hospital while traveling, you will need your primary care doctor’s name, address & telephone number with you. You should also have the information for important specialists, such as cardiologist with you.

Tip 6. Carry A list Of Your Medicines.  Always carry with you a list of your medicines, including dosage information. Typed is best for readability and accuracy.  Type or print it on paper in a manner that it is narrow enough to cut and fold – putting it in a wallet or billfold for convenience and safety.

Tip 7. Take Sunscreen. If traveling to a sunny climate be sure to take a sunscreen of at least 15 – and read the sides of your pill containers – some medications cause a hypersensitivity to the sun – so be prepared, especially when going to tropical locations.

Tip 8. Medications That Need to be Kept Cool.  Insulin or other medications may have requirements to be kept cool.  Some gelled capsules can melt in high heat.  One convenient option is to purchase an insulated lunch bag to take your meds that have special requirements on board a plane or kept in a hot car.  There are very attractive insulated lunch bags for ladies available today that are handy for taking special meds on board a plane, or wherever you need to go, whether sightseeing at an amusement park or riding on a sightseeing boat.  Many look like a purse and do double duty.

Tip 9.  Take Care Of That Hearing Aid. Many seniors need to take care of their hearing aids when traveling.  Hearing aids used in a humid climate can especially cause problems – like itchy ears from bacteria and humidity build up.  If concerned, take a hearing aid dryer with you on the trip – there are also smaller travel sized hearing aid maintenance models available for those who travel often.

Tip 10. Exercise Those Legs.  Sitting for prolonged periods whether on a plane, train, or auto can cause blood clots in the legs.  The calf muscle acts like a pump – it pumps the blood up the leg – so get up and walk on the plane and train every hour or so – if in a car stop as often as possible, or do leg exercises in the car.  Stretch the leg out and move your foot forwards and backwards – this helps move the blood and prevent clots.  If you have a particular problem with blood clots or are concerned, ask your doctor about pressure gradient hose.  For the ladies, there are thigh high pressure gradient hose that look like regular stockings.  Men have colored varieties available.

Tip 11. Special Diets.  If the doctor has recently put you on a special diet – perhaps for kidney disease, or heart disease, take a copy of the diet with you to refresh your memory when at a restaurant.

Tip 12. Insurance Cards  & Identification- double check you have them with you before you leave home.  Can’t get on a plane or rent a car without a driver’s license or state id.

Stevia Comes From The Stevia Plant - Photograph by Ethel Aardvark

photograph

Artificial sweeteners are generally much sweeter tasting than table sugar.  Consider this: Nutra Sweet (Aspartame) also marketed as Equal and Spoonful is 150 – 200X sweeter than sugar.  Splenda (Sucralose) is 488 – 800X as sweet, Sweet ‘n’ Low (Saccharin) is 300 – 500 X as sweet and Stevia – pronounced (STEE-vee-uh) (Stevicoside) is 300 times sweeter.  Many people use artificial sweeteners because they are diabetic or watching their waistline.  There have been many articles written and internet emails sent around the world that these sweeteners are not safe, but the US FDA has approved them for general consumption.

If you or someone you know has recently started having memory problems, forgetting basic things they shouldn’t like what to do when they come to a red light – whether it means go or stop for example then you should look into their Nutra Sweet consumption in addition to looking into medical issues.  Some people for some reason – it isn’t an allergic reaction – can’t seem to handle Nutra Sweet (Aspartame).  It affects their brain.  Perhaps they just started using Nutra Sweet (Aspartame) or they have increased their consumption because they are dieting.  Try going off the Nutra Sweet for several weeks to see if that was causing the problem, in addition to talking to a doctor.  If you are diabetic and can’t eat sugar then switch to another artificial sweetener during the trial period.

NOTE: If you have a rare genetic disorder called Phenylketonuria you should never use Nutra Sweet (Aspartame). Phenylketonuria is usually discovered at birth when the baby is given a blood test to detect the genetic disorder.  The person with this problem can’t break down the amino acid Phenylalanine which is in Nutra Sweet and certain foods.

Some people develop headaches or rashes from artificial sweeteners – again – in addition to seeking medical advice, try cutting back on the artificial sweeteners to see if it helps.

You  may also find that after awhile natural foods don’t taste sweet to you anymore.  That apple or grapes that used to taste sweet no longer taste sweet to you – that may be caused from the highly sweetened taste of the artificial sweeteners you now consume and have now become accustomed.

The Elderly Are At High Risk For Falls

Falls can be very serious for the elderly – they have more fragile bones and what might be a minor fall to someone younger, can be life threatening for an elderly person.  My 89 year old mother fell recently and fractured 5 ribs.  The cause?  Getting her feet tangled up in a bath mat.

Older people may have vision problems, balance problems, or problems just plain raising their feet up enough not to trip over things like a bathroom throw rug.  As people age they sometimes start to shuffle – not really raising the feet up very far – and  this is dangerous.  Often times, adding an exercise bike to their daily routine can help retrain the legs to lift up higher again when they walk.  They don’t have to ride the exercise bike fast – just keep moving – muscles have memory – and it helps retrain the leg muscles.

Another problem is proprioception.  This is a big word that means that the feet are losing connection with the brain and some good balance training with a physical therapist can help.  A good physical therapist that specializes in balance training can help them retrain themselves to catch themselves as they become off balance, preventing a fall.  Sometimes, proprioception is caused by arthritis in the spine, but should be diagnosed.

What can you do to help prevent falls in your elderly family members?

• Take up those bathroom throw rugs – and instead carpet the bathroom.
• Take up throw rugs anywhere they may be in the house.
• Walk through the house or apartment and look for electric cords that they might get their feet tangled up in.
• Make sure they don’t sit their purse by their chair or on steps – anywhere that they could get their feet tangled up in the purse straps.
• Are there any steps in the garage?  If so go to your local hardware store and purchase some bright red or yellow tape 3 inches or more wide that can be put at the edge of the step.  Make it plenty long enough at least 2ft or more and stretch it along the edge of the step.  Often times, as the eye ages, it can’t see contrast as well – and can’t see a difference from where the edge of the step leaves off.
• If they have balance problems or are a fall risk and they have been told to use a walker – make sure they USE it, they might not want to.
• Check out the porch, steps and walkways for any kind of raised areas in the concrete or stonework that could trip them.
• If low vision is a problem, or they shuffle when they walk it may be necessary to put the red or yellow tape across interior thresholds so it becomes more noticeable.
• Look for loose carpeting on steps.
• While you are at it, if they come to visit you at your home – take up your throw rugs too – it doesn’t take too much time – you can put them back after they leave.
• Many times elderly people have been used to doing all of their own housework and yard work all their lives and may not understand that they shouldn’t be trying to lift or move heavy things anymore.  They may THINK they can still do it, and WANT to do it to feel useful, but shouldn’t.  Sometimes just lifting something too heavy for them could cause them to fall or even cause a bone to fracture.
• Plug in lights that automatically sense movement so that when they walk around at night, especially in the bathroom they have some light as soon as they walk in.

So basically, slowly walk through their living quarters and LOOK.  This could save someone you love a trip to the hospital, nursing home, or worse.