Healthcare for Seniors
Senior adults face a unique set of medical challenges as they grow older. Here's Dr. Firstname M. Lastname, a Family Practice physician with Medical Center/Hospital, to tell us more.
What are the most common medical problems facing seniors?
Two of the most common concerns I see are high blood pressure and, of course, cancer.
Let's start with the first. What is high blood pressure?
Blood pressure is the force of the blood pushing against the walls of the arteries. High blood pressure occurs when the arteries become constricted and the pressure exceeds 140/90 for an extended period of time. Untreated, high blood pressure can cause a number of long standing complications, including congestive heart failure, heart attacks, kidney failure, and strokes.
How do you know if you have high blood pressure?
Some of the symptoms include headaches, visual disturbances, leathery and fatigue. However, often there are no symptoms and a diagnosis is unfortunately made after a stroke or heart attack occurs. That's why it is so important to have your blood pressure checked regularly.
Cancer must be a big concern among seniors.
Definitely. There are many different types of cancer. Breast, colon and prostate are three of the most common. Each can be screened by routine evaluation. Screening for breast cancer starts with monthly self-breast exams, even as early as in your twenties. For women 40 and over, yearly mammograms and physician exams become part of routine screening. Colon cancer affects both men and women. Routine screening generally starts at age 50. Prostate cancer is a tumor within the prostate gland. Men over the age of 50 are at greatest risk. Screening normally starts at age 50.