Long term effects of Covid 19 on senior citizens

With Covid 19 cases being on the upswing in India once again we felt necessary to re-visit an article published by Mayo Clinic some time back on appreciation of long-term impact of Covid 19 on senior citizens in particular. So, her goes the article:

‘Most people who get coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) recover within a few weeks. But some people — even those who had mild versions of the disease — might have symptoms that last a long time afterward. These ongoing health problems are sometimes called post-COVID-19 syndrome, post-COVID conditions, long COVID-19, long-haul COVID-19, and post acute sequelae of SARS COV-2 infection (PASC).

What is post-COVID-19 syndrome and how common is it?

Post-COVID-19 syndrome involves a variety of new, returning or ongoing symptoms that people experience more than four weeks after getting COVID-19. In some people, post-COVID-19 syndrome lasts months or years or causes disability.

Research suggests that between one month and one year after having COVID-19, 1 in 5 people ages 18 to 64 has at least one medical condition that might be due to COVID-19. Among people age 65 and older, 1 in 4 has at least one medical condition that might be due to COVID-19.

What are the symptoms of post-COVID-19 syndrome?

The most commonly reported symptoms of post-COVID-19 syndrome include:

• Fatigue

• Symptoms that get worse after physical or mental effort

• Fever

• Lung (respiratory) symptoms, including difficulty breathing or shortness of breath and cough

Other possible symptoms include:

• Neurological symptoms or mental health conditions, including difficulty thinking or concentrating, headache, sleep problems, dizziness when you stand, pins-and-needles feeling, loss of smell or taste, and depression or anxiety

• Joint or muscle pain

• Heart symptoms or conditions, including chest pain and fast or pounding heartbeat

• Digestive symptoms, including diarrhoea and stomach pain

• Blood clots and blood vessel (vascular) issues, including a blood clot that travels to the lungs from deep veins in the legs and blocks blood flow to the lungs (pulmonary embolism)

• Other symptoms, such as a rash and changes in the menstrual cycle

Keep in mind that it can be hard to tell if you are having symptoms due to COVID-19 or another cause, such as a pre-existing medical condition.

It is also not clear if post-COVID-19 syndrome is new and unique to COVID-19. Some symptoms are similar to those caused by chronic fatigue syndrome and other chronic illnesses that develop after infections. Chronic fatigue syndrome involves extreme fatigue that worsens with physical or mental activity but does not improve with rest.

Why does COVID-19 cause ongoing health problems?

Organ damage could play a role. People who had severe illness with COVID-19 might experience organ damage affecting the heart, kidneys, skin and brain. Inflammation and problems with the immune system can also happen. It is not clear how long these effects might last. The effects also could lead to the development of new conditions, such as diabetes or a heart or nervous system condition.

The experience of having severe COVID-19 might be another factor. People with severe symptoms of COVID-19 often need to be treated in a hospital intensive care unit. This can result in extreme weakness and post-traumatic stress disorder, a mental health condition triggered by a terrifying event.

What are the risk factors for post-COVID-19 syndrome?

• You might be more likely to have post-COVID-19 syndrome if:

• You had severe illness with COVID-19, especially if you were hospitalized or needed intensive care.

• You had certain medical conditions before getting the COVID-19 virus.

• You had a condition affecting your organs and tissues (multisystem inflammatory syndrome) while sick with COVID-19 or afterward.

Post-COVID-19 syndrome also appears to be more common in adults than in children and teens. However, anyone who gets COVID-19 can have long-term effects, including people with no symptoms or mild illness with COVID-19.

What should you do if you have post-COVID-19 syndrome symptoms?

• If you're having symptoms of post-COVID-19 syndrome, talk to your health care provider. To prepare for your appointment, write down:

• When your symptoms started

• What makes your symptoms worse

• How often you experience symptoms

• How your symptoms affect your activities

Your health care provider might do lab tests, such as a complete blood count or liver function test. You might have other tests or procedures, such as chest X-rays, based on your symptoms. The information you provide and any test results will help your health care provider come up with a treatment plan.

In addition, you might benefit from connecting with others in a support group and sharing resources.’

We hope our dear readers have found this article relevant and also relatable.

Source:https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/coronavirus-long-term-effects/art-20490351

Porosh Eldercare Private Limited

After four years of hard work and dedicated service to its members Porosh has now progressed from being a partnership firm to Porosh Eldercare Private Limited. The journey so-far has been eventful, full of challenges and thus, exciting. In the initial days when we had started offering medical and non-medical services to the members (i.e. senior citizens) staying alone at home we were not backed by much experience. But what we had was application of mind at every step, taking quick decisions and prompt action. In the process we realized that running a venture has a lot to do with common sense and courage. And of course, hard work and discipline.

Our grit and resilience were particularly tested during the Covid times. Instead of discontinuing services, our team put their lives at stake, quite literally, to ensure that none of the members felt vulnerable and had access to food, medicine and care giving. It paid us rich dividends. Porosh could make its presence felt in the city of Kolkata. Kolkata Police acknowledged our contributions and referred several elderly people to us to assist them in distress.

After the fear and impact of Covid subsided aided by easing of restrictions, Porosh kept on adding valued-added services under its umbrella and also different types of packages to meet varied requirements of its members. As a result, there has never been a single case, by the grace of God, where a member discontinued availing Porosh’s services due to not receiving services as per commitment. We sincerely believe in under promising and over delivering.

The above points in addition to a few other factors made us realize the need to form a professional entity with a long term perspective and durability. Hence, the formation of Porosh Eldercare Private Limited.

The path traversed so-far has been possible with the blessings of our members and good wishes showered on Porosh by the clients (i.e. children of the members). We now have bigger plans. But more of that some time later.

What Is Osteoporosis and How Does It Impact Older Adults?

This week we are going to share with you an edited article on a topic as relevant as osteoporosis and how it impacts elderly people whom Porosh serves to the best of its ability. We hope that you shall not only be enriched in terms of knowledge thus gained but also adopt a few of the recommended practices as part of preventive health maintenance. So, here it goes:

Bones are made up of living tissue that is constantly changing. During our lifetime, our body relies on the minerals calcium and phosphate to keep our bones strong and healthy. As we age, however, our bodies tend to reabsorb these minerals instead of keeping them in our bones.

When more old bone is reabsorbed and not enough new bone is generated, bone loss occurs. And if there is too much loss of bone, it can lead to a disease called osteoporosis.

The word "osteoporosis" literally means "bone" Under a microscope,healthy bone resembles a honeycomb. But with osteoporosis, the bone has much larger holes and spaces. This makes bones less dense, more brittle, and more prone to fracture. 

Osteoporosis is often called a “silent” disease because many people have no symptoms at all. The disease may progress for many years undetected—until a broken bone occurs. Osteoporosis can cause painful and debilitating broken bones called fragility fractures. These fractures can compromise a person’s ability to walk, cause deformities and loss of height and significantly lower quality of life. Osteoporitic fractures may even indirectly lead to death, since complications related to a fracture can cause an older person’s health to go downhill quickly. 

Who is most likely to get osteoporosis? 

Although this disease happens in both men and women, women are four times more likely to develop it than men. Osteoporosis risk climbs with age; many women begin to develop it following menopause.  

Non-Hispanic white women and Asian women are most likely to get osteoporosis. Black and Hispanic women are less likely to develop this disease, but they are still at significant risk.

What is the cause of osteoporosis?

There’s no single, specific cause of osteoporosis but there are many known risk factors. Some of these are beyond our control, such as our gender and age—women experience rapid bone loss during the first 10 years after entering menopause.

Other risk factors include:

• Family history: Is osteoporosis hereditary? Maybe. Having a close family member (e.g., your mother) with osteoporosis or a history of broken bones can increase your risk.

• Body weight and frame: Thin, small-framed people are at greater risk for developing osteoporosis. This is because they have less bone to lose than people who have larger frames and carry more body weight.

• Certain medical conditions: Some health conditions and medical procedures may make you more susceptible to osteoporosis, such as:

• Thyroid disorders

• Rheumatoid arthritis

• HIV/AIDS

• Anorexia nervosa

• Celiac disease

• Some medications: In certain cases, medications can cause damage to your bones and increase your osteoporosis risk. These include:

• Hormone treatments for breast or prostate cancer

• Steroids

• Anti-seizure medicine (e.g., Phenobarbital)

• Aluminum-containing antacids

• Cancer chemotherapeutic drugs

• Smoking and alcohol use: Smoking cigarettes can prevent your body from utilizing dietary calcium. Excessive drinking can also increase osteoporosis risk. 

• Lack of exercise: Physical activity helps bones stay strong. Leading a sedentary lifestyle can compromise your bone health.

• Nutritional deficiencies: A lack of calcium in your diet can raise your risk for osteoporosis. This is also true for vitamin D, since it helps your body use the calcium you get from food.

What are some signs and symptoms of osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis typically does not produce any symptoms until a bone fracture occurs. But you should tell your doctor if you notice any of the following: 

• Lower back pain

• Loss of height by 1” or more

• Shortness of breath

• Posture changes (e.g. hunching over)

How is osteoporosis diagnosed?

Osteoporosis diagnosis involves getting a bone density test that yields more insight about your bone health. This test is a quick, inexpensive, and painless way to determine your risk for osteoporitic fractures. It is performed using a DXA scan,which is short for dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. The DXA scan uses low levels of x-rays to measure the mineral content of your bones.

One should also get a bone density test if you break a bone after the age of 50 following a minor fall or injury.

Dietary supplements

If one has been diagnosed with osteoporosis or is trying to prevent it, doctor may advise one to increase intake of calcium and vitamin Taking a multivitamin or supplements can help one get a sufficient amount of these nutrients if one is not getting them from food or diet alone.

Keep in mind that over-the-counter dietary supplements are not regulated like prescription medications. Before taking any supplements, discuss it with one’s

doctor.

Lifestyle changes

If one has osteoporosis, it is important to limit alcohol and caffeine and avoid the use of tobacco products. Regular exercise can help slow or prevent bone loss as well as boost muscle strength, improve balance and posture, and relieve pain.

Stick to weight-bearing activities such as walking, jogging, dancing, and weight-lifting. Be sure to ask one’s doctor before beginning an exercise regimen. 

Another important part of treatment for osteoporosis is preventing falls inside and

outside home. This may involve steps such as: 

• Installing grab bars in the bathroom and railings on stairways

• Making sure you have sufficient lighting throughout your home

• Keeping outdoor areas free of clutter and in good repair

• Wearing flat shoes with non-slip bottoms when you leave the

• house

If one feels one might benefit from assistive devices (e.g., cane, raised toilet seat, stair lift), one’s health care provider can connect with resources that can help.

Source: https://ncoa.org/article/what-is-osteoporosis-and-how-does-it-impact-

older-adults