My mother is in her late 70s and is starting to act strangely – nothing dramatic, but not the way she would have behaved before. For example, she says hurtful things and doesn’t seem to care. Your memory seems fine, but could it be an early form of dementia?
Not all behavioral changes in older people are the result of an underlying pathological condition; They just get older, grumpier and more impatient.
Personalities evolve over time, and people can change their minds and lose inhibitions for no medical reason.
However, there is such a thing as frontotemporal dementia, a rare form of the disease that damages the area of the brain that controls personality, emotions and behavior.
The first noticeable features of a person with this form of dementia are often a change in personality or behaviour, including loss of inhibitions, loss of compassion for others, loss of emotion and/or difficulty carrying out tasks they once did has.
Memory is usually only affected later in the course of the disease.
Not all behavioral changes in older people are the result of an underlying pathological condition; They just get older, grumpier and more impatient
As with any form of dementia, it is usually noticed by family and friends rather than the patient. This makes it difficult to seek a diagnosis or treatment if something is not found to be wrong.
As with many other diseases, it is very difficult to detect in the early stages, so it is important to monitor the situation. The GP may be able to make a referral to a specialized dementia service, although of course the patient must agree to this.
READ MORE: WHY DIDN’T MY GP SAY I had chronic kidney disease? READER QUESTION DR.ELLIE CANNON
I would always recommend that families apply for a Lasting Power of Attorney via gov.uk prior to a dementia diagnosis, while their family member is still legally competent and able to do so. Having someone the patient trusts to make decisions for them can save them a lot of stress when it comes to important health matters.
After going to the doctor, I was diagnosed with kidney stones because I noticed blood in my urine. My doctor says he’s not worried but I’m still bleeding. I’m worried anyway. Can you help me calm down?
Blood in the urine is always a reason to go to the doctor, who can quickly arrange tests and a prostate examination.
The most common reason for blood in the urine is an infection of the bladder or kidneys. Therefore, tests should always be performed and antibiotics given if necessary.
But in every fifth case it can be a symptom of bladder cancer.
If there is no infection, an accelerated examination should be arranged in the hospital.
This will require a cystoscopy – a camera inserted into the urethra that can look into the bladder and detect tumors.
Other causes of blood in the urine often include kidney or bladder stones, prostate problems or as a side effect of other bleeding problems – such as taking blood thinners to reduce the risk of blood clots and heart attacks.
Once bladder cancer has been ruled out, specialists can carry out further tests and scans to determine the cause. If kidney stones are found, treatment depends on the size of the stones and the symptoms experienced. For some people they are removed, for others no treatment is entirely suitable and the stones are only checked by regular scans.
MY husband and I got the flu shot last weekend and have been feeling lethargic, nauseous and dizzy ever since. I called the doctor but he couldn’t give me any advice. Do you think we had an allergic reaction or could it have led to the flu? We are 87 and 89 years old.
It’s not uncommon for people to say they feel sick after getting a flu shot. In general, mild side effects may occur, including increased temperature, muscle pain, and a sharp pain in the arm at the injection site.
It’s actually a sign of the immune system kicking in and out – although the older we get, the longer these things last.
An allergic reaction will be very serious and will occur within minutes of the injection. It is important to note that this rarely occurs.
Some people who have had a severe reaction or are allergic to eggs in the past because of the protein residue in the medication usually avoid the flu shot.
It is important to know that the flu vaccine does not contain live viruses. Instead, your immune system can only respond to the inactive or “dead” parts of the virus without actually causing the disease to develop.
Lethargy, nausea and dizziness are common symptoms of a virus. There are many winter viruses circulating at this time of year, including flu and Covid, which can cause general malaise. The waiting room of a general practitioner’s office is naturally a place where infections are picked up. So getting sick after a visit is just an unfortunate coincidence.
But anyone with viral symptoms that persist after two weeks should talk to their doctor, especially someone who is older.
Anyone who has not yet been vaccinated should not be deterred by fear of side effects. This is a dangerous virus; Last year, around 15,000 people died, three-quarters of whom were over 80 years old.
It’s not just about HRT – therapy can also ease menopause
Last week, the NHS published new guidelines suggesting that talk therapy could be a treatment option for women going through menopause to help combat some of the symptoms.
This caused outrage – some said it alleviated the severity of menopause, while others claimed that the only appropriate treatment was hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
I do not agree. This is an essential step in the management of menopause. Talk therapy, also called cognitive behavioral therapy, is based on the concept that your negative thoughts can trap you in a negative cycle – both mentally and physically. Talking can help address overwhelming problems in a more positive way.
It is already used to relieve the painful symptoms of conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome and chronic pain. And most importantly, studies show that it helps combat menopausal symptoms, especially stress, low mood and sleep problems.
HRT is not the only treatment for menopause. I hope that talk therapy will soon be recognized as an effective option.
Hidden woes of male incontinence
Male incontinence is a problem that is rarely talked about, while women get TV commercials about it.
I find this surprising because about one in three men over 65 suffer from it and it can have a huge impact on their life.
Research from the group Dispose With Dignity, which campaigns for the installation of sanitary waste receptacles in men’s toilets nationwide, suggests that eight out of 10 men with urinary incontinence are afraid to leave the house.
A third said it was difficult for them to find a hygiene container in which to dispose of incontinence products such as sanitary napkins. I think it is difficult for us to discuss this topic openly, so I would like to know what you think.
Are you a man suffering from incontinence? And do you feel that your problems are taken seriously?
Email me at the address on the right.
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Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
