Emergency rooms and medical clinics are facing new challenges as the baby boomer population is aging. By 2030, studies have shown that 6 out of 10 people in this age group will develop various medical issues. Here are some of the leading medical conditions that senior citizens are dealing with.
Falls:
Falls are one of the most common accidents that senior citizens encounter leading to other problems. If you or someone in your family falls, chances are there will be other issues from broken bones to a head injury. It’s really important you get to a urgent care in San Diego as soon as possible to get a thorough examination. Falls are actually preventable unlike certain health issues so make sure your home or apartment is fitted with devices to prevent falls such as hand rails in the shower or tub. Senior citizens can lose their balance due to a weakened back or unsteady legs or suddenly become dizzy, with some safety measures installed, falls can be preventable.
Chest Pain:
Chest pains can be caused by a number of reasons but are quite alarming when it happens to older people. Pains can be caused by anything as minor as acid reflux to a high-alert heart attack. If you or a loved one is experiencing chest pains it’s extremely important to get to your doctor or hospital in a timely manner. There are many other issues that can cause chest pain so it’s important a doctor diagnoses what has happened and hopefully give you some peace of mind or understand you have a serious situation that must be treated immediately.
Pneumonia:
Pneumonia or other upper respiratory infections are common and can be very serious in older adults. Some symptoms are coughing, shortness of breath and even confusion. In most cases, it’s advisable you get yourself or family member to the emergency room as soon as possible.
Abdominal Pain:
In older people, abdominal pain can be caused by a number of issues such as an infection, dehydration, digestive problems, or more serious conditions. It’s always wise to visit your doctor for an examination to determine what’s going on.
Strokes:
If a senior family member has a stroke, there is no time to waste. You must act very quickly and call for an ambulance. Strokes can prevent the flow of oxygen to the brain and further damage to the body. Symptoms to watch out for include slurring of speech, loss of motor skills, a loss of vision, weakness, and paralysis.
It is very important that if you or a family member suffers from any of these symptoms you should get to a walk in clinic or an emergency room before contacting your family doctor. Once there has been an examination and diagnosis, the doctor will be able to recommend the next step or what treatments will be applied.
As baby boomers continue to age, they are facing more physical challenges and must be aware if their body is trying to tell them something. No one enjoys aging, but it’s a fact of life and in order to live a long and happy one, medical treatments are going to pop up from time to time. You should know your medical options when your doctor is not available, such as local urgent care clinics vs emergency rooms.