As the rain continues to pour and the weather turns chilly, geriatricians in the city are seeing a spate in the number of patients.
At Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, the Department of Geriatric Medicine is seeing 30 to 40 more cases a day this month, said its head, S. Sivakumar.
“A majority of patients have urinary tract infections, upper and lower respiratory tract infections, sinusitis and fevers,” he said.
The department was now seeing between 220 and 250 patients a day, and the 40-bed ward was generally full, said Dr. Sivakumar.
“We are stressing personal hygiene, especially hand hygiene, to all of our patients. We are also telling them to cut their finger nails and toe nails regularly as dirt under these could lead to gastrointestinal problems,” he said. Senior geriatrician V.S. Natarajan has seen a 20 per cent increase in the number of his patients.
“What I am most worried about is pneumonia. It can be a killer in old age. I am advising all my patients above the age of 60 to get a pneumonia vaccine and, for those with conditions such as asthma, to get the influenza vaccine too,” he said.
Another common ailment affecting the elderly during the rain is joint pain for those with rheumatoid or osteoarthritis.
“Exercise is a must. Seniors can go for short walks, and those who can afford it, can go for physiotherapy. Conditions such as Parkinson’s and stroke also get aggravated this season, making exercise crucial,” he said.
Constipation and dry, itchy skin can be combated with plenty of fluids and mild soaps and lotions, said Dr. Natarajan.
One important thing to keep in mind, said Lakshmipathy Ramesh, geriatrician at Kauvery Hospital, was temperature control. “If an elderly person at your home is sleeping more than usual or not eating properly, check their temperature. And caregivers must remember that in the elderly, there are subtle rises in temperature during an infection — even 99 or 100 Fahrenheit is high and must be brought down immediately,” he said.
Administration of Paracetamol, cooling the body with a damp cloth and hydration are all necessary, he added.
So this season, try and beat back the sniffles and stay healthy.
What can you do:
Wash your hands frequently, especially before a meal
Drink plenty of fluids
Get vaccinated for pneumonia and influenza
Try and exercise every day
Remember to take your medicines with you when heading out
Avoid crowded areas and try to eat at home as much as possible

Source : The Hindu