Adults in Later Life With Mental Health Problems
diane walker asked:
Most older people do not develop mental health problems, but a significant minority have dementia or experience problems such as depression.
Introduction
It is estimated that 18% of the general population in the UK are of pensionable age and that this figure will grow to 20% by 2025. As a society, we tend to assume that older people will develop mental health problems as a ‘normal’ aspect of ageing. Most older people do not develop mental health problems, although a significant minority does. For example:
about 25% of people over 85 have dementia.
between 10-15% of people over 65 have depression
between 4-23% of older adults seen by medical staff have an alcohol problem.
In addition to those older people who have an identifiable mental illness such as dementia, there are many who experience psychological or emotional distress associated with isolation, loneliness or loss. These problems are not recorded by the health or medical care system.
What problems affect people in later life?
Dementia
Dementia is a decline in mental ability which affects memory, thinking, problem solving, concentration, perception and behaviour. Some forms of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease, are degenerative. That is, they get worse over time. Other forms of dementia, such as vascular dementia, may be non-degenerative. That is, they may not get worse over time.
People with dementia can become confused. Some people also become restless or display repetitive behaviour. They may also seem irritable, tearful or agitated. This can be very distressing for both the person with dementia and their family and friends. Some people with dementia also develop other problems such as depression, disturbed sleep, aggression, inappropriate sexual behaviour and incontinence, although the latter issues tend to be associated with more advanced dementia.
About one in 20 people over the age of 65 are affected by dementia and this figure rises to one in four people over the age of 85 (Audit Commission, 2000). People under the age of 65 can develop dementia but this is rare and is known as early onset or pre-senile dementia.
What causes dementia?
Dementia occurs as a result of the death of brain cells or damage in parts of the brain that deal with our thought processes and functioning. The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease. We do not know what causes Alzheimer’s disease but we do know that ageing is the biggest risk factor. The second most common type of dementia is vascular or multi-infarct dementia. This occurs as a result of a series of mini-strokes which constrict blood flow and oxygen to the brain.
Can dementia be prevented and is there a cure?
Most types of dementia cannot be cured but a number of psychological treatments and anti-dementia drugs can be very effective for those in the early stages of dementia. It is therefore very important to get a proper assessment of cognitive function from a medical practitioner as early as possible.
There are no guaranteed ways of preventing dementia, but you may find it helpful to follow a sensible diet and pursue a healthy lifestyle. Regular physical exercise and supplements like Gingko Biloba can help to ensure that there is always a good supply of blood to the brain. Please consult your GP before taking such medication. You can also help yourself by keeping your mind active, for example by doing crosswords or puzzles.
Depression
Depression describes a range of moods, from feeling a bit low to a severe problem, which interferes with everyday life and normal functioning. People with severe depression may experience a range of symptoms including low mood, loss of interest and pleasure as well as feelings of worthlessness or guilt.
Depression can affect anyone, of any culture, age or background but it affects proportionally more older people than any other age group. It is estimated that around 10-15% of elderly people in the community exhibit depressive symptoms, with this proportion rising to about 40% of care home residents. That said, you will not necessarily become depressed just because you are getting older.
What causes depression?
There are a number of risk factors that play a role in increasing older people’s vulnerability to depression including:
being widowed, divorced or retired
neurobiological changes associated with ageing
use of medication for other conditions
greater physical impairment and disease
loneliness and isolation
genetic susceptibility, which increases with age.
Can depression be prevented and is there a cure?
Depression in later life is a widely under recognised and under treated medical condition. Up until recently many health professionals – including GP’s – failed to offer the treatments and supports available to other age groups. Most forms of depression can be treated, using medication, talking treatments or other strategies.
It is can be difficult to diagnose depression in older people because it often occurs alongside other mental and physical illnesses, such as dementia, stroke, diabetes and cancer. In addition many older people do not seek help from their GP until they have a number of symptoms. As with dementia, it is important to seek help as early as possible.
Self-help strategies that can help reduce the risk of depression include:
taking regular exercise
planning for critical transitions such as retirement
seeking support from family and friends following the loss of a long-term partner
ensuring that you pursue a range of interests in later life.
Dementia and depression
The relationship between dementia and depression is complex. The symptoms of dementia and depression – including withdrawal from social activities and general apathy – are very similar. An elderly person with severe depression may occasionally be misdiagnosed as having dementia. A person with dementia may also become depressed.
Alcohol abuse
It is estimated that between 4%-23% of older adults seen by medical staff experience problems with alcohol. Figures also show that older men are currently between two and six times more likely than older women to be at risk of abusing alcohol.
Although alcohol abuse is a problem for people of all ages, it is more likely to go unrecognised among older people. Many older people use alcohol to deal with loss or loneliness. Approximately 10-30% of older people who abuse alcohol become depressed. They are also at greater risk of *******.
Medication
Prescribed medications can cause mental health difficulties among older people. A 2001 Department of Health survey found that 79% of older people take prescribed medicines. Many older people take four or more medications at the same time. There are risks associated with taking multiple medications, including confusion.
More detailed information about medication and mental health problems can be found at the following sites:
Other mental health problems
There are a number of rarer mental health problems that affect older people, including delirium, anxiety and late-onset schizophrenia. The prevalence, nature, and course of these disorders are different in older people, as are the treatments that may be offered.
Capacity and older people with mental illness
People with dementia or severe mental illness may have difficulty in making and communicating decisions. Very few people are unable to be involved in making choices at all but some may have partial or fluctuating mental capacity and may need help with communication. Different approaches are also required to engage a person with dementia. They often need longer to make decisions, may need an advocate to speak on their behalf and their mental functioning may also vary by day, and time of day. Family members or carers are often useful sources of information but it is important to take account of the views of the person with dementia alongside those of their carer.
Help for carers
Caring for an older person with mental health problems can be very stressful, time consuming and emotionally and physically challenging. Caring for an older person with dementia is associated with higher levels of stress, with a third of carers suffering from depression.
For free advice on depression or a free consultation visit http://www.clairehegarty.co.uk or ring 0151 678 3358 or 07714853524
Visit http://www.in2town.co.uk for all the latest health news and advice
Most older people do not develop mental health problems, but a significant minority have dementia or experience problems such as depression.
Introduction
It is estimated that 18% of the general population in the UK are of pensionable age and that this figure will grow to 20% by 2025. As a society, we tend to assume that older people will develop mental health problems as a ‘normal’ aspect of ageing. Most older people do not develop mental health problems, although a significant minority does. For example:
about 25% of people over 85 have dementia.
between 10-15% of people over 65 have depression
between 4-23% of older adults seen by medical staff have an alcohol problem.
In addition to those older people who have an identifiable mental illness such as dementia, there are many who experience psychological or emotional distress associated with isolation, loneliness or loss. These problems are not recorded by the health or medical care system.
What problems affect people in later life?
Dementia
Dementia is a decline in mental ability which affects memory, thinking, problem solving, concentration, perception and behaviour. Some forms of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease, are degenerative. That is, they get worse over time. Other forms of dementia, such as vascular dementia, may be non-degenerative. That is, they may not get worse over time.
People with dementia can become confused. Some people also become restless or display repetitive behaviour. They may also seem irritable, tearful or agitated. This can be very distressing for both the person with dementia and their family and friends. Some people with dementia also develop other problems such as depression, disturbed sleep, aggression, inappropriate sexual behaviour and incontinence, although the latter issues tend to be associated with more advanced dementia.
About one in 20 people over the age of 65 are affected by dementia and this figure rises to one in four people over the age of 85 (Audit Commission, 2000). People under the age of 65 can develop dementia but this is rare and is known as early onset or pre-senile dementia.
What causes dementia?
Dementia occurs as a result of the death of brain cells or damage in parts of the brain that deal with our thought processes and functioning. The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease. We do not know what causes Alzheimer’s disease but we do know that ageing is the biggest risk factor. The second most common type of dementia is vascular or multi-infarct dementia. This occurs as a result of a series of mini-strokes which constrict blood flow and oxygen to the brain.
Can dementia be prevented and is there a cure?
Most types of dementia cannot be cured but a number of psychological treatments and anti-dementia drugs can be very effective for those in the early stages of dementia. It is therefore very important to get a proper assessment of cognitive function from a medical practitioner as early as possible.
There are no guaranteed ways of preventing dementia, but you may find it helpful to follow a sensible diet and pursue a healthy lifestyle. Regular physical exercise and supplements like Gingko Biloba can help to ensure that there is always a good supply of blood to the brain. Please consult your GP before taking such medication. You can also help yourself by keeping your mind active, for example by doing crosswords or puzzles.
Depression
Depression describes a range of moods, from feeling a bit low to a severe problem, which interferes with everyday life and normal functioning. People with severe depression may experience a range of symptoms including low mood, loss of interest and pleasure as well as feelings of worthlessness or guilt.
Depression can affect anyone, of any culture, age or background but it affects proportionally more older people than any other age group. It is estimated that around 10-15% of elderly people in the community exhibit depressive symptoms, with this proportion rising to about 40% of care home residents. That said, you will not necessarily become depressed just because you are getting older.
What causes depression?
There are a number of risk factors that play a role in increasing older people’s vulnerability to depression including:
being widowed, divorced or retired
neurobiological changes associated with ageing
use of medication for other conditions
greater physical impairment and disease
loneliness and isolation
genetic susceptibility, which increases with age.
Can depression be prevented and is there a cure?
Depression in later life is a widely under recognised and under treated medical condition. Up until recently many health professionals – including GP’s – failed to offer the treatments and supports available to other age groups. Most forms of depression can be treated, using medication, talking treatments or other strategies.
It is can be difficult to diagnose depression in older people because it often occurs alongside other mental and physical illnesses, such as dementia, stroke, diabetes and cancer. In addition many older people do not seek help from their GP until they have a number of symptoms. As with dementia, it is important to seek help as early as possible.
Self-help strategies that can help reduce the risk of depression include:
taking regular exercise
planning for critical transitions such as retirement
seeking support from family and friends following the loss of a long-term partner
ensuring that you pursue a range of interests in later life.
Dementia and depression
The relationship between dementia and depression is complex. The symptoms of dementia and depression – including withdrawal from social activities and general apathy – are very similar. An elderly person with severe depression may occasionally be misdiagnosed as having dementia. A person with dementia may also become depressed.
Alcohol abuse
It is estimated that between 4%-23% of older adults seen by medical staff experience problems with alcohol. Figures also show that older men are currently between two and six times more likely than older women to be at risk of abusing alcohol.
Although alcohol abuse is a problem for people of all ages, it is more likely to go unrecognised among older people. Many older people use alcohol to deal with loss or loneliness. Approximately 10-30% of older people who abuse alcohol become depressed. They are also at greater risk of *******.
Medication
Prescribed medications can cause mental health difficulties among older people. A 2001 Department of Health survey found that 79% of older people take prescribed medicines. Many older people take four or more medications at the same time. There are risks associated with taking multiple medications, including confusion.
More detailed information about medication and mental health problems can be found at the following sites:
Other mental health problems
There are a number of rarer mental health problems that affect older people, including delirium, anxiety and late-onset schizophrenia. The prevalence, nature, and course of these disorders are different in older people, as are the treatments that may be offered.
Capacity and older people with mental illness
People with dementia or severe mental illness may have difficulty in making and communicating decisions. Very few people are unable to be involved in making choices at all but some may have partial or fluctuating mental capacity and may need help with communication. Different approaches are also required to engage a person with dementia. They often need longer to make decisions, may need an advocate to speak on their behalf and their mental functioning may also vary by day, and time of day. Family members or carers are often useful sources of information but it is important to take account of the views of the person with dementia alongside those of their carer.
Help for carers
Caring for an older person with mental health problems can be very stressful, time consuming and emotionally and physically challenging. Caring for an older person with dementia is associated with higher levels of stress, with a third of carers suffering from depression.
For free advice on depression or a free consultation visit http://www.clairehegarty.co.uk or ring 0151 678 3358 or 07714853524
Visit http://www.in2town.co.uk for all the latest health news and advice
Try A Quick Health Tip
Jane Thurnell-read asked:
Here are some quick health tips and information. Choose one and put it into practice straight away. When that’s part of your life, add another one. Small steps lead to big changes:
Reduce the number of times you go to the supermarket. The more often you go the more you are likely to buy unhealthy food. Eat something before you go to – research shows you buy more when you’re hungry.
A bath made by adding 4 or 5 drops of chamomile oil, or several cups of chamomile tea is relaxing and can help dry, itching or sunburnt skin.
Eat garlic, leeks and onions for the probiotics they contain. These feed the healthy bacteria in our guts.
Watercress contains 12 times as much vitamin C as lettuce and more iron than spinach. Eat some today!
Most people take 3000-4000 steps a day. For the sake of your health (and your weight) you should be taking at least 10,000. Buy a pedometer and get walking.
Some migraine sufferers find that the supplement Coenzyme Q10 reduces the frequency of attacks.
Eating processed meat products such as bacon, sausages and smoked ham increases your risk of getting stomach cancer.
Research has shown that water plays a vital role in our immune systems ability to fight infection, making those who drink sufficient less likely to suffer from flu and colds. A cheap health tip – drink more water.
If you are giving up smoking or cutting down on alcohol, change the routines that are associated with these activities, just for a while.
If you suffer from stress incontinence, learn how to do pelvic floor exercises. They work for both men and women.
Johns Hopkins School of Medicine researchers have found that men carrying a few extra pounds in early adulthood nearly double their chance of developing painful knee and hip osteoarthritis later in life. Want to get fit, eat more healthily, lose weight? Find a buddy who wants to do the same things.
Drinking tea with meals increases your chances of suffering from anaemia as tea decreases the absorption of iron.
The American Chiropractic Association says: When standing, keep one foot slightly in front of the other, with your knees slightly bent. This position helps to take the pressure off your low back.
Try valerian tablets if you can’t sleep.
An Israeli study found that those who suffered from job ‘burn out’ were twice as likely to develop Type 2 diabetes. Your job is important, but so are you.
Eating pumpkin seeds has been shown to be good for the prostate. They’ve got a great taste too – add them to salads or just eat them as they are.
Don’t take health advice from unhealthy people. It has been estimated that between 44,000 and 98,000 patients in the USA die each year as the result of medical mistakes. Speak up if you are concerned. Be actively part of the process.
Gum disease has been linked to an increase in heart problems. Bizarre as it may seem, flossing your teeth and seeing a dental hygienist may help prevent heart disease.
Symptoms can be nature’s way of telling us something is wrong. When you just try to stop the symptoms, you may be killing the messenger?
Here are some quick health tips and information. Choose one and put it into practice straight away. When that’s part of your life, add another one. Small steps lead to big changes:
Reduce the number of times you go to the supermarket. The more often you go the more you are likely to buy unhealthy food. Eat something before you go to – research shows you buy more when you’re hungry.
A bath made by adding 4 or 5 drops of chamomile oil, or several cups of chamomile tea is relaxing and can help dry, itching or sunburnt skin.
Eat garlic, leeks and onions for the probiotics they contain. These feed the healthy bacteria in our guts.
Watercress contains 12 times as much vitamin C as lettuce and more iron than spinach. Eat some today!
Most people take 3000-4000 steps a day. For the sake of your health (and your weight) you should be taking at least 10,000. Buy a pedometer and get walking.
Some migraine sufferers find that the supplement Coenzyme Q10 reduces the frequency of attacks.
Eating processed meat products such as bacon, sausages and smoked ham increases your risk of getting stomach cancer.
Research has shown that water plays a vital role in our immune systems ability to fight infection, making those who drink sufficient less likely to suffer from flu and colds. A cheap health tip – drink more water.
If you are giving up smoking or cutting down on alcohol, change the routines that are associated with these activities, just for a while.
If you suffer from stress incontinence, learn how to do pelvic floor exercises. They work for both men and women.
Johns Hopkins School of Medicine researchers have found that men carrying a few extra pounds in early adulthood nearly double their chance of developing painful knee and hip osteoarthritis later in life. Want to get fit, eat more healthily, lose weight? Find a buddy who wants to do the same things.
Drinking tea with meals increases your chances of suffering from anaemia as tea decreases the absorption of iron.
The American Chiropractic Association says: When standing, keep one foot slightly in front of the other, with your knees slightly bent. This position helps to take the pressure off your low back.
Try valerian tablets if you can’t sleep.
An Israeli study found that those who suffered from job ‘burn out’ were twice as likely to develop Type 2 diabetes. Your job is important, but so are you.
Eating pumpkin seeds has been shown to be good for the prostate. They’ve got a great taste too – add them to salads or just eat them as they are.
Don’t take health advice from unhealthy people. It has been estimated that between 44,000 and 98,000 patients in the USA die each year as the result of medical mistakes. Speak up if you are concerned. Be actively part of the process.
Gum disease has been linked to an increase in heart problems. Bizarre as it may seem, flossing your teeth and seeing a dental hygienist may help prevent heart disease.
Symptoms can be nature’s way of telling us something is wrong. When you just try to stop the symptoms, you may be killing the messenger?
Cooperating In Our Health Care
May 10, 2011 by admin
Filed under Health Risk
HBF Health Funds asked:
Funny thing pain, if you’ve never had a severe pain then the suggestion of taking simple analgesia and resting the affected area all seems quite reasonable. I was reminded of this when I read recently of a doctor’s advice to someone who was suffering from sciatica. Having personally experienced sciatica, it’s a condition I would not recommend to anyone who wishes to walk, sit, laugh, sleep, or to just simply pull up your trousers. It’s a bit like a dentist drilling your teeth without an anaesthetic, but it affects your whole leg. In other words the pain is consuming, exhausting and without respite. Clinical studies do show that in the majority of cases the pain will eventually subside and surgery may not be necessary, but in the meantime the patient has to deal with the pain or deal with the medication required to dull the pain. Remember, pain-killers are not selective to the area affected. They affect the whole of the nervous system and elsewhere so there may be significant side-effects from these medications.
Dealing with severe pain can be a complex issue, but I suggest that you have to treat this sort of pain fairly aggressively as acute severe pain is relatively easier to treat than chronic severe pain. In the early stages of an injury or insult to an area of the body, most of the pathological processes are happening at the site of the injury or insult. Throughout time the brain begins to modulate this pain and so no only do you have the injured area to deal with, but you also have complex neural pathways within the brain to deal with as well. This often means a far more complex management plan and a far more protracted recovery time. Specialists are very skilled at dealing with these issues but they do rely heavily on the stories their patients give them. That means being honest in answering their questions and not being heroic with a grin and bear it grimace! Often the use of a pain scale is helpful with zero being no pain at all and a 10 being the worse pain you have ever experienced.
Another health issue we commonly down play is influenza. Over the years I have frequently heard people say that they would not have the flu vaccine because either they never get the flu or that they had it last week for a couple of days and then it was all over! Influenza is a serious debilitating disease that will usually last from 10 days to two weeks and often leave you flat on your back exhausted. It’s not a happy 10 days either as patients do not have the energy to read a magazine or even watch a DVD. You will literally feel ancient with every movement being a real challenge and that doesn’t include the aching all over or the fevers and sleepless nights. The influenza virus is also extremely contagious and most people are unaware that if you spread it to someone who is more frail than yourself that you may actually be putting their life at risk.
With the ‘flu the big challenge is to vaccinate as many people in the community as possible, including children, those employed and unemployed, the elderly and the infirm, to reduce the chance of an epidemic occurring. Recent research has also showed that vaccinating pregnant women in the last trimester of their pregnancy will help protect their new born infants born during the ‘flu season.
Medicine has evolved over the last 40 years, but the change has been fairly slow with doctors by nature being very cautious and conservative people. But we can’t leave the doctors to take all the initiatives. As patients we need to be good listeners in our approach to health by heeding all the great health messages that keep being given to us about vaccinations, smoking, alcohol, exercise and healthy eating. We also need to be good communicators and tell our doctors how we are feeling with conditions such as pain. If the team treating you doesn’t have the best information then it may be that you will not end up getting the best treatment!
Funny thing pain, if you’ve never had a severe pain then the suggestion of taking simple analgesia and resting the affected area all seems quite reasonable. I was reminded of this when I read recently of a doctor’s advice to someone who was suffering from sciatica. Having personally experienced sciatica, it’s a condition I would not recommend to anyone who wishes to walk, sit, laugh, sleep, or to just simply pull up your trousers. It’s a bit like a dentist drilling your teeth without an anaesthetic, but it affects your whole leg. In other words the pain is consuming, exhausting and without respite. Clinical studies do show that in the majority of cases the pain will eventually subside and surgery may not be necessary, but in the meantime the patient has to deal with the pain or deal with the medication required to dull the pain. Remember, pain-killers are not selective to the area affected. They affect the whole of the nervous system and elsewhere so there may be significant side-effects from these medications.
Dealing with severe pain can be a complex issue, but I suggest that you have to treat this sort of pain fairly aggressively as acute severe pain is relatively easier to treat than chronic severe pain. In the early stages of an injury or insult to an area of the body, most of the pathological processes are happening at the site of the injury or insult. Throughout time the brain begins to modulate this pain and so no only do you have the injured area to deal with, but you also have complex neural pathways within the brain to deal with as well. This often means a far more complex management plan and a far more protracted recovery time. Specialists are very skilled at dealing with these issues but they do rely heavily on the stories their patients give them. That means being honest in answering their questions and not being heroic with a grin and bear it grimace! Often the use of a pain scale is helpful with zero being no pain at all and a 10 being the worse pain you have ever experienced.
Another health issue we commonly down play is influenza. Over the years I have frequently heard people say that they would not have the flu vaccine because either they never get the flu or that they had it last week for a couple of days and then it was all over! Influenza is a serious debilitating disease that will usually last from 10 days to two weeks and often leave you flat on your back exhausted. It’s not a happy 10 days either as patients do not have the energy to read a magazine or even watch a DVD. You will literally feel ancient with every movement being a real challenge and that doesn’t include the aching all over or the fevers and sleepless nights. The influenza virus is also extremely contagious and most people are unaware that if you spread it to someone who is more frail than yourself that you may actually be putting their life at risk.
With the ‘flu the big challenge is to vaccinate as many people in the community as possible, including children, those employed and unemployed, the elderly and the infirm, to reduce the chance of an epidemic occurring. Recent research has also showed that vaccinating pregnant women in the last trimester of their pregnancy will help protect their new born infants born during the ‘flu season.
Medicine has evolved over the last 40 years, but the change has been fairly slow with doctors by nature being very cautious and conservative people. But we can’t leave the doctors to take all the initiatives. As patients we need to be good listeners in our approach to health by heeding all the great health messages that keep being given to us about vaccinations, smoking, alcohol, exercise and healthy eating. We also need to be good communicators and tell our doctors how we are feeling with conditions such as pain. If the team treating you doesn’t have the best information then it may be that you will not end up getting the best treatment!
Health Promotion In Hospitals
Alex Smith asked:
With pressures from the outside world and the deterioration of environment, more and more people advocate living harmoniously and healthily. At the beginning, most health promotion (Defined as the process of enabling people to increase control over, and improve their health.) activities were driven by individuals. But with the initiation of health promoting hospitals, the effectiveness of health promotion activities in hospitals become vivid.
The International Network of Health Promoting Hospitals (HPH) was initiated more than 10 years ago with the aim to reorient health care institutions to integrate health promotion and education, disease prevention and rehabilitation services in the curative care.
Through evidence, hospitals can have a lasting impact on influencing the behavior of patients and relatives, who are more responsive to health advice in situations of experienced ill-health. Health promotion in hospitals includes interventions directed at structures and processes, as well as interventions directed at individuals (patients and staff).
Below are some objectives for health promotion in hospitals:
To change the culture of hospital care towards interdisciplinary working, transparent decision-making and with active involvement of patients and partners. Toevaluate health promotion activities in the health care setting and build an evidence-base in this area. Toincorporate standards and indicators for health promotion in existing quality management systems at hospital and at national levels.
With a growing international awareness and development of health promotion in hospitals, the number of hospitals and countries joining the International Network of Health Promoting Hospitals has increased steadily over time. In the near future, I believe, more and more people will benefit from them.
If you are further interested in knowing how to make health promotion video for broadcasting in hospitals, you can click here, another article written by me on how to make it with PowerPoint.
With pressures from the outside world and the deterioration of environment, more and more people advocate living harmoniously and healthily. At the beginning, most health promotion (Defined as the process of enabling people to increase control over, and improve their health.) activities were driven by individuals. But with the initiation of health promoting hospitals, the effectiveness of health promotion activities in hospitals become vivid.
The International Network of Health Promoting Hospitals (HPH) was initiated more than 10 years ago with the aim to reorient health care institutions to integrate health promotion and education, disease prevention and rehabilitation services in the curative care.
Through evidence, hospitals can have a lasting impact on influencing the behavior of patients and relatives, who are more responsive to health advice in situations of experienced ill-health. Health promotion in hospitals includes interventions directed at structures and processes, as well as interventions directed at individuals (patients and staff).
Below are some objectives for health promotion in hospitals:
To change the culture of hospital care towards interdisciplinary working, transparent decision-making and with active involvement of patients and partners. Toevaluate health promotion activities in the health care setting and build an evidence-base in this area. Toincorporate standards and indicators for health promotion in existing quality management systems at hospital and at national levels.
With a growing international awareness and development of health promotion in hospitals, the number of hospitals and countries joining the International Network of Health Promoting Hospitals has increased steadily over time. In the near future, I believe, more and more people will benefit from them.
If you are further interested in knowing how to make health promotion video for broadcasting in hospitals, you can click here, another article written by me on how to make it with PowerPoint.
Natural Health Tips and Advice For Greater Well Being
Carlito Johnsons asked:
Taking good care of your physical and mental health can be a great challenge for anyone. There are certain things you must consider if you want to maintain good health long term and live with more energy and vitality. Proper diet and exercise are the first things to consider however one must not forget the importance of learning to manage mental stress. Here are some simple tips anyone can follow to attain better levels of health and fitness:
Tip 1: Eat more whole foods
It can be very difficult for most people to completely avoid processed and junk foods however do your best to minimize your consumption of these. Also most restaurants and fast food places have a healthy choices menu option so go for that once in a while as it is usually better in nutritional value than the other items on the menu. Bring a packed lunch to work whenever you can and use whole food ingredients that you cooked yourself that are free from preservatives and other chemicals that most processed foods come with.
Tip 2: Exercise properly
There is no doubt that exercise is critical in order to maintain optimal health. You need both cardiovascular and aerobic exercise in order to burn calories effectively and keep good muscle mass which is essential to maintain strength levels. Aerobic exercise can be done many ways including joining a gym, taking a one hour walk or using a treadmill or bike at home. It is always a good idea to have some fitness equipment at home as this will make it very easy and convenient to exercise which makes it more likely you will stick with it and see better results.
Weight training helps to build and maintain muscle mass, keep in mind that muscles are very effective at burning calories constantly so even women should weight train to add some muscle so that they can maintain a healthy weight for as long as possible. If you have never trained with weights before then it is important that you consider taking a few personal training sessions at a local gym to familiarize yourself with the exercises and the equipment so as to avoid unnecessary injury.
Tip 3: Manage Stress
Mental stress can also affect your overall health in a very negative way. Your mind can release chemicals into your body based on how you think and if you constantly worry or are always angry then your mind will release potentially harmful chemicals into your system.
Learn to control your mind through meditation and calm your thoughts as this will provide you with great stress relief and will also help you solve problems in your life faster as a calm mind can often see solutions more quickly than if you are worrying too much and have a ton of thoughts racing through your head. There are many ways to learn meditation, the simplest approach is to just get a book or take a local yoga class. Make it a habit to spend some time each day doing some meditation and apply the principles you learn even when you are not meditating. Consider applying some of these natural health tips to help you become healthier and stronger.
Taking good care of your physical and mental health can be a great challenge for anyone. There are certain things you must consider if you want to maintain good health long term and live with more energy and vitality. Proper diet and exercise are the first things to consider however one must not forget the importance of learning to manage mental stress. Here are some simple tips anyone can follow to attain better levels of health and fitness:
Tip 1: Eat more whole foods
It can be very difficult for most people to completely avoid processed and junk foods however do your best to minimize your consumption of these. Also most restaurants and fast food places have a healthy choices menu option so go for that once in a while as it is usually better in nutritional value than the other items on the menu. Bring a packed lunch to work whenever you can and use whole food ingredients that you cooked yourself that are free from preservatives and other chemicals that most processed foods come with.
Tip 2: Exercise properly
There is no doubt that exercise is critical in order to maintain optimal health. You need both cardiovascular and aerobic exercise in order to burn calories effectively and keep good muscle mass which is essential to maintain strength levels. Aerobic exercise can be done many ways including joining a gym, taking a one hour walk or using a treadmill or bike at home. It is always a good idea to have some fitness equipment at home as this will make it very easy and convenient to exercise which makes it more likely you will stick with it and see better results.
Weight training helps to build and maintain muscle mass, keep in mind that muscles are very effective at burning calories constantly so even women should weight train to add some muscle so that they can maintain a healthy weight for as long as possible. If you have never trained with weights before then it is important that you consider taking a few personal training sessions at a local gym to familiarize yourself with the exercises and the equipment so as to avoid unnecessary injury.
Tip 3: Manage Stress
Mental stress can also affect your overall health in a very negative way. Your mind can release chemicals into your body based on how you think and if you constantly worry or are always angry then your mind will release potentially harmful chemicals into your system.
Learn to control your mind through meditation and calm your thoughts as this will provide you with great stress relief and will also help you solve problems in your life faster as a calm mind can often see solutions more quickly than if you are worrying too much and have a ton of thoughts racing through your head. There are many ways to learn meditation, the simplest approach is to just get a book or take a local yoga class. Make it a habit to spend some time each day doing some meditation and apply the principles you learn even when you are not meditating. Consider applying some of these natural health tips to help you become healthier and stronger.
Ways of Acquiring Good Health
Jim Brown asked:
Many people are turning to the internet to find out how to live well and add years to their life cycle. Some go to health experts on various health sites on the internet and ask pertinent questions about how to reach certain fitness goals. The health experts are thrilled to offer health advice at no charge and are happier to know that people are beginning to realize the importance of eating healthy. Setting goals for living healthy that are reachable will depend on how serious the person is on getting healthy.
People are asking serious questions about health sleep aids these days and people continue to wonder whether if they are safe to use. Most doctors would recommend that people exercise more to burn off excess amounts of energy that might be keeping them awake at night. Acquiring good health might be as simple as allowing nature to take its course in the pursuit of a good night sleep. The human body is equipped to deal with many health issues on its own without the need of any type of medication.
While an adequate amount of sleep is important to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, a good nights rest is a good way for people to live healthy and longer lives. When sleep is activated through normal channels people seem to have more energy to cope with life’s daily stressors and when chemicals are used to promote sleep, people have more cause to worry about whether the rest is invigorating or whether the sleeping aids will be the cause of them not waking up at all one day. Worrying about problems of this nature will keep people from acquiring good health.
People are constantly asking some medical professional for help in reaching a variety of health goals. Memberships at health spas soar because of the competent advice received by the professional trainers on staff. These health specialists can make healthy recommendations to people who are overweight as to how diet changes can improve their cardio health. They can also ensure that every workout is conducive to a persons health needs and a careful eye is placed on people who use steroids to build body mass on spa machines without being under the care of a physician.
Certain medical conditions might interfere with a vigorous workout schedule but some health benefits can be realized through exercise plans tailored to their health needs. Health club trainers can guide people with diabetes toward healthy living options that promote better circulation. Some health drinks are not suitable for people with diabetes and health club trainers will recommend those that are safe for diabetics to drink. With the proper understanding of medical disorders, acquiring good health practices is always possible.
In acquiring good health benefits through traditional medical treatments, people are learning to be upfront and honest with their medical practitioners. Otherwise, physicians cannot be expected to provide competent medical advice or treatments. Some people ask physicians for medications to treat anxiety problems when vitamins and mineral supplements will relieve the symptoms on a more natural scale. Once a physician learns about the symptoms a patient is experiencing, then there are a number of treatments that can be used to help patients acquire better health and live a more normal life.
Many people are turning to the internet to find out how to live well and add years to their life cycle. Some go to health experts on various health sites on the internet and ask pertinent questions about how to reach certain fitness goals. The health experts are thrilled to offer health advice at no charge and are happier to know that people are beginning to realize the importance of eating healthy. Setting goals for living healthy that are reachable will depend on how serious the person is on getting healthy.
People are asking serious questions about health sleep aids these days and people continue to wonder whether if they are safe to use. Most doctors would recommend that people exercise more to burn off excess amounts of energy that might be keeping them awake at night. Acquiring good health might be as simple as allowing nature to take its course in the pursuit of a good night sleep. The human body is equipped to deal with many health issues on its own without the need of any type of medication.
While an adequate amount of sleep is important to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, a good nights rest is a good way for people to live healthy and longer lives. When sleep is activated through normal channels people seem to have more energy to cope with life’s daily stressors and when chemicals are used to promote sleep, people have more cause to worry about whether the rest is invigorating or whether the sleeping aids will be the cause of them not waking up at all one day. Worrying about problems of this nature will keep people from acquiring good health.
People are constantly asking some medical professional for help in reaching a variety of health goals. Memberships at health spas soar because of the competent advice received by the professional trainers on staff. These health specialists can make healthy recommendations to people who are overweight as to how diet changes can improve their cardio health. They can also ensure that every workout is conducive to a persons health needs and a careful eye is placed on people who use steroids to build body mass on spa machines without being under the care of a physician.
Certain medical conditions might interfere with a vigorous workout schedule but some health benefits can be realized through exercise plans tailored to their health needs. Health club trainers can guide people with diabetes toward healthy living options that promote better circulation. Some health drinks are not suitable for people with diabetes and health club trainers will recommend those that are safe for diabetics to drink. With the proper understanding of medical disorders, acquiring good health practices is always possible.
In acquiring good health benefits through traditional medical treatments, people are learning to be upfront and honest with their medical practitioners. Otherwise, physicians cannot be expected to provide competent medical advice or treatments. Some people ask physicians for medications to treat anxiety problems when vitamins and mineral supplements will relieve the symptoms on a more natural scale. Once a physician learns about the symptoms a patient is experiencing, then there are a number of treatments that can be used to help patients acquire better health and live a more normal life.
Nutritional Supplements Enhance Health And Wellness
James Brown asked:
Since there are so many nutritional supplements on store shelves around the country, many consumers are turning to pharmacy technicians for advice on which nutritional supplements will provide the best benefits for the active lifestyle that most people lead. A store pharmacy has access to all the pertinent data for nutritional supplements and a pharmacy technician can explain the benefits of every ingredient in a pill, powder, or liquid nutritional supplement solution.
This information will be very beneficial to consumers who take nutritional supplements to enhance their quality of life. Some heart patients use nutritional supplements to improve blood circulation, and to clean the circulatory system of all impurities. The health advice of a local pharmacist will prove crucial because the information could keep the heart patient alive because they take these supplements along with heart medications that are designed to sustain life.
Some people want to ensure that they are getting enough nutrients into their bodies while they are dieting. Some nutritional supplements offered in powder form are designed to replace meals. Some dieters will use these nutritional supplement powders to reduce the number of calories in a diet plan and will know from the label on the nutritional supplement container exactly which vitamins and minerals they are getting for the money they spend.
Athletes might find nutritional benefits from a nutrition regimen that uses energy bars and drinks to sustain energy levels during all types of physical activity. A professional athlete must be careful about the nutritional supplements that are consumed because some additives could disqualify the athlete from competing in meets. Again, the product label will serve as a point of reference for every vitamin and mineral that is introduced into the body and the mixing agents that are used.
Bodybuilders use a variety of nutritional supplements during the year to achieve various goals. The health and wellness goals that are maintained through the use of nutritional supplements will be very important to bodybuilding champions. They know that judges will scrutinize every muscle in the body many times during the year and unhealthy eating habits will be very evident under the bright lights on the exhibition stage.
Some bodybuilding competitors might score fewer points than normal because their muscle tone will be under-defined and less impressive as those competitors who ate a diet low in fat and supplemented that diet with vitamins and fiber. The ability to hold a pose might decrease because the energy levels in the body would have been depleted by the abstinence of eating a week before a week. If that same athlete had followed a good nutritional program, then energy levels would not have been affected.
People that lead busy lives can still find time to eat healthy and maintain wellness throughout the year. Nutritional supplements come in many forms and people can store nutritional meals in the form of a candy bar in the glove box of the car and eat when they are hungry and not just because they passed a fast food restaurant on the way to see a client. People that use nutritional supplements each day will find that they accomplish more each day. This is because the therapeutic qualities from the vitamins and minerals in one simple pill have improved the quality of life and have increased the amount of energy they have to draw on each day.
Since there are so many nutritional supplements on store shelves around the country, many consumers are turning to pharmacy technicians for advice on which nutritional supplements will provide the best benefits for the active lifestyle that most people lead. A store pharmacy has access to all the pertinent data for nutritional supplements and a pharmacy technician can explain the benefits of every ingredient in a pill, powder, or liquid nutritional supplement solution.
This information will be very beneficial to consumers who take nutritional supplements to enhance their quality of life. Some heart patients use nutritional supplements to improve blood circulation, and to clean the circulatory system of all impurities. The health advice of a local pharmacist will prove crucial because the information could keep the heart patient alive because they take these supplements along with heart medications that are designed to sustain life.
Some people want to ensure that they are getting enough nutrients into their bodies while they are dieting. Some nutritional supplements offered in powder form are designed to replace meals. Some dieters will use these nutritional supplement powders to reduce the number of calories in a diet plan and will know from the label on the nutritional supplement container exactly which vitamins and minerals they are getting for the money they spend.
Athletes might find nutritional benefits from a nutrition regimen that uses energy bars and drinks to sustain energy levels during all types of physical activity. A professional athlete must be careful about the nutritional supplements that are consumed because some additives could disqualify the athlete from competing in meets. Again, the product label will serve as a point of reference for every vitamin and mineral that is introduced into the body and the mixing agents that are used.
Bodybuilders use a variety of nutritional supplements during the year to achieve various goals. The health and wellness goals that are maintained through the use of nutritional supplements will be very important to bodybuilding champions. They know that judges will scrutinize every muscle in the body many times during the year and unhealthy eating habits will be very evident under the bright lights on the exhibition stage.
Some bodybuilding competitors might score fewer points than normal because their muscle tone will be under-defined and less impressive as those competitors who ate a diet low in fat and supplemented that diet with vitamins and fiber. The ability to hold a pose might decrease because the energy levels in the body would have been depleted by the abstinence of eating a week before a week. If that same athlete had followed a good nutritional program, then energy levels would not have been affected.
People that lead busy lives can still find time to eat healthy and maintain wellness throughout the year. Nutritional supplements come in many forms and people can store nutritional meals in the form of a candy bar in the glove box of the car and eat when they are hungry and not just because they passed a fast food restaurant on the way to see a client. People that use nutritional supplements each day will find that they accomplish more each day. This is because the therapeutic qualities from the vitamins and minerals in one simple pill have improved the quality of life and have increased the amount of energy they have to draw on each day.
Information on Sexual Health
peterhutch asked:
Sexuality is a big part of being human. Love, affection and sexual intimacy all play a role in healthy relationships. They also contribute to your sense of well-being. A number of disorders can affect the ability to have or enjoy sex, including erectile dysfunction and female sexual problems. Concerns about infertility or fear of unplanned pregnancy can also come into play.
Sexual disorders can sometimes be prevented from occurring in the first place. Parents who communicate openly and honestly with children about sexual issues may help prevent them from developing anxiety and guilt that may later lead to sexual disorders. Open communication between sexual partners is also helpful. People who have experienced abuse or other sexual violence may develop a sexual disorder as a result of their trauma.
As part of our comprehensive strategy to improve the sexual health of the population, the Department of Health is working to reduce the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections and HIV, reduce unintended pregnancies (particularly teenage pregnancies) and improve the range, access to and quality of service provision. On these pages you will find more information and guidance on sexual health including contraception, abortion and STIs and HIV.
Millions upon millions of men around the world are dissatisfied with some aspect of their male sexual health. Some are discontent with the size of their ***** while others are disappointed with the low volume of ***** they ejaculate during *********** and yet there are others who are disappointed with sub par ********* and lack of male libido. Not to worry! Our site is specifically designed to help men explore the various male enhancement options available for improving male sexual health.
Societal attitudes toward sexuality in later life are troubling. A great number believe that far fewer mature men and women have *** than actually do. Many feel that after a certain age, sexuality becomes an insignificant or indifferent part of life. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Most older people experience some interest in sexual intimacy. Many people are sexually intimate well into their 80s and beyond. We do not all of a sudden become asexual beings; our capacity for sexual intimacy will be with us our entire lives.
Penile ******** is sustained by holding back and trapping the blood in the *****. The enlarged ***** compresses the blood vessels that drain the blood out of ***** to the tunica albuginea. But when an enzyme called phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) becomes active, the cGMP level falls, followed by corpora cavernosa muscle contraction. As a result the blood in-flow is stopped and the veins drain the blood out of the ***** and the ******** goes away.
Contraception: Improving access to contraceptive services and to the full range of methods is one of the key aims of the Government’s White Paper – Choosing Health: making healthy choices easier. This section contains documents and guidance on contraception policy.
As we all approach later life, two of the things which brought us the greatest joy – our children and/or our careers – are no longer as prevalent in our every day. This means that our personal relationships take on an increased importance. It is a way of solidifying our relationship with our partner and taking refuge from the sometimes harsh reality of the world. *** is a way to affirm the love of life. It is an expression of the satisfaction gained from the present. It expresses the closeness of our deepest relationships and is an important measure of the quality of life.
Where To Find Reliable Health Information
Gabriel Adams asked:
Sometimes, health advice can seem like it’s a dime a dozen, but how reliable is all that over-the-fence talk? If you’re looking for health information that’s reputable and trustworthy, you need to approach it like research – check your facts and use multiple sources that you trust.
Consulting a trusted source could mean speaking with your family doctor, phoning a community health help line, looking in a health encyclopedia, or researching on reputable websites. A website should reference multiple health sources and be authored by or include quotes from certified medical professionals before you consider it to be a respected and responsible resource.
There’s also an abundance of health information available on government and public health sites that you should consider both trustworthy and current. Many of these sites can also point you towards local health providers or community centers in your area if you need a face-to-face and one-on-one consultation.
The second key to finding reliable information is to use multiple sources. If you find a website that addresses your particular health issue or question, but you’re not sure about the quality of the information – try double checking that information by searching on other sites. For example, if you are researching cold remedies and you come across a snippet that says ‘Echinacea’ is a herbal remedy that is taken at the first sign of a cold as a form of prevention, you may want to do a simple search engine search for ‘Echinacea,’ or check on your other sites. Much like consulting another doctor, cross checking your courses is like getting a second opinion.
Finding reliable information is about finding sources that you trust. For some that means only consulting their family physician, while others prefer to devour health books and consult on-line resources to reach their own diagnosis. The choice is up to you, but always remember to verify your sources and double-check their information. Remember, it’s your health.
Teen Health Advice to Stay Healthy and Fit
Sushil Kumar Singh Raghav asked:
Did you know that 17.4 percent of teenagers in the U.S. in the ages 12 to 19 are overweight? Adult Type 2 diabetes and heart disease are now being reported among teenagers, all the more reason for teenagers to be vigilant with their health. Moreover, sexually active teenagers face even more health risks than those that do not engage in sexual activity yet. Alcohol and substance abuse and smoking, eating disorders, depression, and sexually transmitted diseases are some of the most common health issues among teenagers.
To stay healthy, a teenager should avoid smoking any type of tobacco product. Another health advice is to avoid second hand cigarette smoke. A tobacco user teen is more likely to get heart disease, cancer or stroke in his/her adult age compared to nonuser. Avert alcohol and substance abuse. It usually starts with experimentation until the drug grabs hold of your mind and you become addicted.
Perhaps more common to teenage girls, a teen wants skinny body like ones she sees on the media. This ********* addiction to media leads to eating disorder, anorexia (intense fear of being fat) and bulimia (vomiting to abort the digestion of food ingested), which poses serious health problem among 1% of American teens; it can kill. If you have symptoms of anorexia and bulimia, don’t ignore it. Ask help from your parents or any authority you trust to help you quit this potentially deadly habit. Although support groups can help; however, kicking this deadly habit may require seeing a trained therapist.
Another teen health problem to watch is depression. It can be triggered by something as simple as not making the football team or the cheer leading squad. If you feel lazy, sad, and sometimes hopeless; or worse, if you feel suicidal, then you might be suffering from depression. This is a serious problem that you need to address immediately by talking to your parents or your guidance councilor. Talking to your peers about it may not be as good a solution because they may not know on how to handle depression, worse if they themselves are suffering depression too. Talk to your parents, teachers, or any authority you feel comfortable confiding with.
Sexually transmitted disease (STD) is a problem among sexually active teenagers. Some STDs such as Hepatitis can even be contracted by mere kissing. Teenagers already active in *** must visit their school nurse’s office and ask him/her the repercussions of sexual ***********. If your parents are open to this discussion, you should talk to them about it too. Obtain brochures and pamphlets on safe *** to educate yourself everything you need to know about the health issues of ***. Teenage pregnancy, which in itself has emotional, social, and health ramifications, is a great possibility among sexually active teenagers.
Perhaps the best way to stay healthy and fit is to maintain a habit of good, well balanced diet, and exercise. Stay at bay from eating fatty foods and trans-fatty acids to avoid problems such as diabetes and obesity leading to heart problems. Joining sports and other outdoor activity is a fun way to exercise and to stay fit.
Did you know that 17.4 percent of teenagers in the U.S. in the ages 12 to 19 are overweight? Adult Type 2 diabetes and heart disease are now being reported among teenagers, all the more reason for teenagers to be vigilant with their health. Moreover, sexually active teenagers face even more health risks than those that do not engage in sexual activity yet. Alcohol and substance abuse and smoking, eating disorders, depression, and sexually transmitted diseases are some of the most common health issues among teenagers.
To stay healthy, a teenager should avoid smoking any type of tobacco product. Another health advice is to avoid second hand cigarette smoke. A tobacco user teen is more likely to get heart disease, cancer or stroke in his/her adult age compared to nonuser. Avert alcohol and substance abuse. It usually starts with experimentation until the drug grabs hold of your mind and you become addicted.
Perhaps more common to teenage girls, a teen wants skinny body like ones she sees on the media. This ********* addiction to media leads to eating disorder, anorexia (intense fear of being fat) and bulimia (vomiting to abort the digestion of food ingested), which poses serious health problem among 1% of American teens; it can kill. If you have symptoms of anorexia and bulimia, don’t ignore it. Ask help from your parents or any authority you trust to help you quit this potentially deadly habit. Although support groups can help; however, kicking this deadly habit may require seeing a trained therapist.
Another teen health problem to watch is depression. It can be triggered by something as simple as not making the football team or the cheer leading squad. If you feel lazy, sad, and sometimes hopeless; or worse, if you feel suicidal, then you might be suffering from depression. This is a serious problem that you need to address immediately by talking to your parents or your guidance councilor. Talking to your peers about it may not be as good a solution because they may not know on how to handle depression, worse if they themselves are suffering depression too. Talk to your parents, teachers, or any authority you feel comfortable confiding with.
Sexually transmitted disease (STD) is a problem among sexually active teenagers. Some STDs such as Hepatitis can even be contracted by mere kissing. Teenagers already active in *** must visit their school nurse’s office and ask him/her the repercussions of sexual ***********. If your parents are open to this discussion, you should talk to them about it too. Obtain brochures and pamphlets on safe *** to educate yourself everything you need to know about the health issues of ***. Teenage pregnancy, which in itself has emotional, social, and health ramifications, is a great possibility among sexually active teenagers.
Perhaps the best way to stay healthy and fit is to maintain a habit of good, well balanced diet, and exercise. Stay at bay from eating fatty foods and trans-fatty acids to avoid problems such as diabetes and obesity leading to heart problems. Joining sports and other outdoor activity is a fun way to exercise and to stay fit.
