The expert called the factors that protect against premature aging
The main topic of the traditional meeting of the Union of Journalists of Moscow, timed to coincide with the International Day of the Elderly Person, was active longevity, and in its context - issues of geriatric care and safe use of medicines
Since 2018, geriatrics has been actively developing in Russia, a medical discipline that deals with the health of the elderly and requires long-term support, not a single treatment, said Vadim Samorodov, head of the public projects department of the Russian Gerontological Scientific and Clinical Center of the Pirogov University of the Ministry of Health of Russia. “In the treatment of a child or a young person, medicine is often result-oriented: surgery, therapy or elimination of the disease. In old age, constant interaction of medical and social services is required, Vadim Yurievich said.
The expert called the attitude to the elderly part of the image of the future of the country: caring for a person in a weak or disabled state shows young people what their own future will be.
What is the most important thing for a healthy old age? The contribution of medicine, according to studies, is not so great – no more than 9-10%. Employment, socialization and participation in society are much more important for older people. “Loneliness is one of the most serious diseases. Just one day of loneliness is comparable to a pack of cigarettes. The appearance of friends, communication and participation in a common cause can be compared with quitting smoking, the expert said.
Education is also very important. Studies show that educated people live longer and healthier, because they are more aware of life and easier to find classes with physical limitations.
Today, geriatricians conduct a comprehensive geriatric assessment of the elderly. This isn't your usual medical checkup with tests. A geriatrician evaluates physical condition, mobility, cognitive impairment, signs of depression and social circumstances of life. Take, for example, a person with hypertension. The reason for the deterioration of his condition can be not only the disease, but also the fact that it is difficult for a person to descend from the third floor without an elevator due to pain in the leg. Urinary incontinence or other problems can also make him stay at home. Then mobility decreases, nutrition deteriorates and a vicious circle occurs. In such a situation, the geriatrician may primarily recommend walking, staying active, and engaging in meaningful activities, rather than just taking medication. According to him, a comprehensive geriatric assessment requires at least an hour, while the therapist is given only 12 minutes, and the specialist - up to 20 minutes. Unfortunately, not all clinics are ready to provide their patients with a geriatrician, which lasts 40 minutes - after all, during this time the therapist will take several patients. And this system, according to the expert, needs to be changed.
A comprehensive geriatric evaluation should be performed approximately once a year. It can give a plan of action and prognosis for cognitive, motor or pain disorders. For example, high blood pressure is considered an unfavorable factor, but a sharp drop in pressure after 70 years can be especially dangerous. This change requires immediate attention.
Unfortunately, today a Russian man has a chance to live to 60 years is about 50%, but after this age, the chances of living to 70-80 years increase. There are certain professions that increase the chances of longevity. And in the first place among them is the conductor. Creativity, constant intellectual work and music also have a positive effect on life expectancy. High levels of education, engagement, project work, teaching and audience also contribute to longevity. But poverty is called prolonged negative stress, which accelerates aging.
The chief freelance specialist - clinical pharmacologist of the Department of Health of Moscow Marina Zhuravleva - told about the rules for the consumption of medicines by the elderly. According to her, today about 90% of the appointments of attending doctors are medicines, and 10% are surgical and other methods. Therefore, medicines are given special attention around the world.
The main danger Zhuravleva called the simultaneous reception of a large number of funds (in the world this phenomenon is called the term “polypragmacy”). There is a clear relationship between the number of prescribed drugs and the risk of adverse reactions. So, when taking five drugs, the risk of adverse reactions increases from about 25-30% to 50%. With nine drugs at the same time, the risk reaches 90-100%.
Today, the so-called deprescraybing is gaining popularity - an approach that allows doctors to assess which drugs can be canceled. Otherwise, you have to treat the side effects of already prescribed therapy.
