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Health & Fitness

Yesterday's Remedy Is Today's Overdose!

Yesterday's Remedy IS Today's Overdose ! For More Information on Seniors' falls issues, visit: http://www.FallPreventionClinics.com

When patients come to us, our physicians ask for a complete listing of medications.  We ask…How long have you been on the medication?  Do you know why you’re taking the medication?  Many times, the responses are very vague OR the patient simply states that they do not know the “when” or “why”.  All too often we find that the patient has been taking a pain medication for a condition (like a sprain or a surgery) that occurred months or years earlier…the prescriptions continue to be refilled, so the patient doesn’t question whether or not they should still be taking them.

Then we move on to the non-prescription/over-the-counter medications and supplements. While we Americans enjoy a wide availability of medication for colds-allergies-flu-pain relievers-ointments-dietary supplements-and more…we also are not well educated about their purpose or side effects. Often, we have patients who are taking a prescription for pain which includes acetaminophen (Tylenol)…only to find that they also take other cold or flu medicines which also have acetaminophen (Tylenol). This is VERY bad…since the patient doesn’t realize that they are taking too much…and that the side effects could be significant. 

OK! That means we should all read those labels!  But to be fair…even physicians stumble when using medications for different age groups.  A 35 year old can process a pain pill and not have a problem if they take another dose after 8 hours.  A senior, however, may not be able to follow the bottle instructions…since our bodies process medications more slowly as weage…causing a buildup of medication when that next dose is swallowed.  A recent study cited in the Journal of The American Geriatric Society (Posted: 12/25/2011; J Am Geriatr Soc. 2011;59(11):2139-2144.©2011 Blackwell Publishing)  tell us that even specialty surgeons prescribe post-operative medications that are fine for many people, but can have dangerous side-effects for older adults.

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Because of the way our bodies react to medications, the American Geriatric Society and most all public health organizations recommend that:

  1.  If you take 4 or more medications, you should review them with your primary care physician EVERY 6 months.
  2. If you have a hospital or rehabilitation stay, have a friend or family member write down the medication and the schedule of doses. Have that person hold a copy and keep one copy by the bedside for your reference. Always ask the nurse to verify why you’re taking the meds and what the dosage is.
  3. If you think you need an over-the-counter medicine, take your medication list AND the medication you are thinking of buying to the pharmacy window…then…ask the pharmacist if they see a potential problem.
  4. Lastly…if you’re taking a prescription…follow the schedule that the doctor gave you.

Remember, the pills you took for headache over the past 20 years will treat you differently over the next 20.  Doctors are learning more about seniors and medications every day…so ask questions and learn right along with them.

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Happy New Year!

Mike Bearce

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