Caring For the Aging Skin

As we grow older, our skin naturally changes. The severity of these changes can be influenced by lifestyle choices, diet and heredity. Elderly skin must be treated and handled differently when compared to youthful or even middle aged skin. It is vital for the elderly and their caregivers to understand the common problems faced by the elderly and how to identify, prevent and treat them.

Below is a list of common skin problems most likely encountered by the elderly today.

1. Dry Skin 

As we age, our skin becomes thinner and is less able to retain moisture. Hence, dry and thin skin is more prone to cracking, itching and pain. This condition will probably cause the skin to tear more easily as well, which can lead to the introduction of bacteria. The elderly has a weaker immune system, and we won’t want to introduce any infection through torn skin to the elderly. Dry skin is also contributed partly from the loss of oil glands.

Solution:

•  Over the counter lotions and moisturizers are readily available at pharmacy outlets, which one can use to rehydrate elderly skin.
•  For severely dry skin or eczema, these conditions may need to be treated with prescription medicated creams. Kindly check with your doctor or your pharmacist today.
•  Humidifiers can also be used to put more moisture in the air, as a dry environment can also hasten the drying of elderly skin. 
• Elderly individuals should limit bathing times and avoid hot baths (use warm water instead of hot water, if possible) and avoid using bubbly products. These individuals should always bathe after being in a pool or spa containing chlorine.
•  They should drink more liquids, avoid alcohol, spicy foods and caffeine.

2. Bed Sores

Also known as pressure ulcers or pressure sores, this skin problem forms when the elderly sit in a chair or lie in bed for extended periods of time without proper movement. Sitting or lying down for a continuous period of time cuts off blood supply to the skin, causing a painful red sore that can eventually turn purple, break open and become infected. Bed sores can progress quickly and be slow to heal, especially given the thinned nature of elderly skin.

Solution:

• Prevention includes frequent position changes, inspecting elderly skin for signs of bed sores, proper nutrition, quitting smoking, daily exercise, applying vitamin E to the skin, avoiding meat, including fiber in the diet, and enhancing circulation through massage.
• Treatments include changing positions often, using specialized cushions, pads, and beds, keeping wounds clean, removing damaged tissue, dressing the sores, hydrotherapy, oral antibiotics, eating a healthy diet, and surgical repair, though this is rare.

 3. Statis Dermatitis

Stasis Dermatitis is a skin condition characterized by redness, swelling, tenderness, and dry scaly skin. It usually occurs after age 50. More common in women, this skin condition is caused by poor circulation in the lower legs. Intense itching and scratching can result in bruising, skin ulcers, and extensive damage to the leg.

Solution:

• Treatments include raising the affected leg, wrapping the leg tightly in an elastic bandage and medication.

Vitamin C Reduces the Risk of Stroke

A study done in France recently suggests that the risk of haemorrhagic stroke is lower among people with normal vitamin C blood levels compared to those with low or deficient levels. Haemorrhagic stroke is less common than ischemic stroke. However, the former is the deadlier one of the two.

The study involved testing vitamin C blood levels in 65 individuals who has suffered an intracerebral haemorrhagic stroke, and 65 people who had never had a stroke. Research showed that 45% had normal vitamin C levels and 45% had very low levels. Those who had not experienced strokes were the ones with high levels of the vitamin.

“More research is needed to explore specifically how vitamin C may help to reduce stroke risk. However, the study suggest that vitamin C deficiency should be considered as a risk factor for haemorrhagic stroke; as well as other factors that include high blood pressure, drinking alcohol and being overweight."

-Dr Stephane Vannier

Recommended doses of vitamin C for adult men are 90mg per day and women 75mg.

Using Peanuts to Treat Nut Allergy

Peanut allergy affects about 1 in 50 children, and is the most common cause of fatal food allergy reactions. Symptoms may vary from mild to severe, from swollen lips or shortness of breath to anaphylactic shock, which can be fatal.

Doctors are now working on using nuts to treat children with peanut allergy, and so building tolerance that can a safe a life in case of accidental ingestion.

Small doses of peanut powder taken over several months seemed to induce tolerance in children with the potentially deadly allergy (The Lancet Medical Journal).

In the research done, treatment allowed children with all severities of peanut allergy to eat large quantities of peanuts, well above the levels found in contaminated snacks and meals. After 6 months of treatment, 84-91% of children in the trial could safely tolerate daily doses of 800mg peanut powder – the equivalent of about 5 peanuts.

Although ‘exceptionally promising’, this method remains experimental, mentioned Matthew Greenhawt from the University of Michigan Food Allergy Centre.

Extract from The Sun

All in the mood for New Year!

Happy Chinese New Year 2014 readers!

There's just something about Chinese New Year (CNY ) and RED.......
RED has always been the colour and participation of all CNY festivities. Why RED?
The Chinese believes that red is the emblem of joy and symbolises good values like sincerity, truth and virtue. It is also believed that this colour welcomes luck, success, prosperity and good health.

In this festive season, why not start incorporating some RED-coloured superfoods into our daily diet?

1. Grapes

This fruit is oval or round in shape, sweet and full of texture. Latest research have shown grapes to be associated with longevity. The key phytonutrient, Resveratrol can be found present mostly in grape skins, but also in grape seeds and grape flesh. Resveratrol has been shown to increase expression of all three genes associated with longevity.

2. Beet Root

This vegetable has got a distinct red/pink colour to it. It is rich in vitamins A, B, C, beta-carotene, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron and fiber. It is very beneficial for pregnant women as it is rich in folic acid, which is essential for normal tissue growth. . Folic acid is crucial for the development of the baby’s spinal cord during the first 3 months of pregnancy, and can help prevent spinal cord defects such as spina bifida. This vegetable has very high contents of nitrates as well, which is able to help reduce high blood pressure and its associated risks of strokes and heart attacks.

3. Tomatoes

Tomatoes have been well-known to be rich in Lycopenes;  a strong antioxidant which also contributes to the RED colour of tomatoes. A research done among post-menopausal women has now shown the important role of lycopenes (as an antioxidant) in tomatoes in helping with bone health as well! Research (Journal of National Cancer Institute) have also shown that tomatoes and tomatoes-linked products are associated with a decreased risk of prostate cancer.