Ageing is irreversible. It’s like a flow of river. As river can’t go backwards, age too. Brain too suffers from ageing. As we know after infancy there is a small chance of an increase in the neuron library in the brain.That’s why, the old brain is precious. It stores so many experiences, pieces of informations, stories etc. Thats why when an old person dies it’s equivalent to a library burnt. As ageing progresses, some diseases become common for an old person. Because as age increases the numbers of neurons decrease due to cell death. It causes brain atrophy. Along with it the fragility of neurovascular structures increase year by year. Unnecessary storage products get deposited and cause neuronal damage.
COMMON BRAIN DISEASES IN OLD AGE
STROKE
Hypertension (how hypertension causes stroke) and diabetes are very common issues in old age. it causes stroke very commonly. along with this old age itself is a non-modifiable risk factor for stroke. the blood vessels become fragile leading to early rupture and degeneration causing stroke. As age increases, the chance of stroke increases. Along with this the chance of good recovery decreases. Once stroke occurs there is high chance of life long morbidity. The patient becomes bed bound which leads to further damage causing bed sores and infections. Thats why its very important to prevent stroke by controlling blood pressure and blood sugars. Besides this everyone should remember the early signs of stroke so that they can be treated very early so that the damage should be limited substantially. (how to recognise stroke very early)
DEMENTIA
Memory loss is one of the biggest issues in old age. It is a very pathetic syndrome. Every type of dementia occurs in old age. Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most common diseases in this age group. It’s a very very common disease and in the next 30 years, it will be more common than heart disease. Around half of the old people across the world will suffer from it in the next 30 years. Along with dementia there lies huge morbidity. Along with the patients, the caregivers also suffer a lot. (What is AD and how to prevent it)
PARKINSONISM
Being slow is another problem in old age. Some amount of slowness is natural. But if slowness is associated with trembling and rigidity, its a very lethal disease, we term it as parkinsons. It starts with slowing down of the activities. The patient walks slowly, eats slowly, talks slowly. Sometimes it feels as if he is frozen. It is mixed with shaking of hands. The patient slowly become stooped forward. It feels body is in lockdown mode. As age increases the disease progress. Then the patient becomes bed bound. Some people have constipation, decrease in smell, decrease in sleep etc. (what is parkinson’s)
SLEEP PROBLEMS
Sleep is much essential part of our life. But as age increases sleep decreases. Adequate sleep is necessary for good physical and mental health. But nowadays lack of sleep has become a dangerous trend for every age group. Many old people are struggling to get a good sleep. The deficiency of good sleep is making life stressful. Along with physical morbidities cause more damage to sleep microstructure.Stress is one of the most common cause for sleeplessness. Good sleep is a great necessity in old age. It’s deficiency causes physical and cognitive problems. A good sleep hygiene is a great (How to have good sleep)
DELIRIUM
Old age people depend upon many drugs for vital diseases. They have some adverse reactions. One of them is hyponatremia. It’s very common. The patient suffers from behaviour issues and changes in the sleep pattern. In extreme conditions some suffer from seizures.
Old age is difficult. Unfortunately it’s the most neglected age group. They need special care and treatment. Those who are young today will be old one day. So let’s make a compassionate world for them.
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