What Causes Pericarditis?

Posted in Caregiver in Headland AL, Homecare in Headland AL, Senior Health |

January 8, 2019

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Pericarditis is a heart condition that occurs when the sac that surrounds the heart, called the pericardium, becomes inflamed. The inflammation may cause chest pain as well as other symptoms. It can be acute, with symptoms coming on suddenly, or chronic, coming on gradually and lasting for a long time. Many times, pericarditis is mild and does not require treatment. However, it can be more severe and require medication or even surgery.

 

Homecare in Headland AL: What Causes Pericarditis?

Homecare in Headland AL: What Causes Pericarditis?

 

About Pericarditis

The pericardium is comprised of a few layers. Pericarditis occurs when the layers become swollen. The swelling of the layers leaves less room for movement between them, so they may rub together. When they do, the person may experience sharp chest pain. The pain can be so severe that the person may think they are having a heart attack.

 

Pericarditis Causes

Many times, doctors aren’t able to find the cause of pericarditis. They may refer to the condition as idiopathic (having an unknown cause) pericarditis. They may also call it viral pericarditis, assuming that it is caused by a virus attacking the body. However, pericarditis can also occur because of other conditions.

Some other possible causes of pericarditis are:

 

Heart Attack or Surgery: The layers of the pericardium can become irritated because of damage to the heart caused by a heart attack. Having heart surgery may also cause the pericardium to become inflamed.

Inflammatory Disorders: Conditions that cause systemic inflammation, like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, may also cause inflammation in the pericardium.

Medications: Rarely, certain medications may cause pericarditis as a side effect.

Trauma: If the chest or heart have been injured, such as in a car accident, pericarditis may occur.

Other Conditions: Some other medical conditions can cause pericarditis, too, including cancer, AIDS, kidney failure, and tuberculosis.

 

Pericarditis Symptoms

Not everyone with pericarditis will experience the same symptoms. Some possible symptoms are:

  • Sharp chest pain that occurs in the center of the chest or off to the left side. The pain is often worse when the person breathes in.
  • Trouble breathing while laying down or reclining.
  • Heart palpitations.
  • A low fever.
  • Feeling weak, tired, or ill.
  • Coughing.
  • Swelling in the abdomen or legs.

If your aging relative develops pericarditis, elderly care can help them while they recover. An elderly care provider can remind the older adult to take medications prescribed to relieve symptoms and treat the underlying cause. An elderly care provider can also allow the senior to rest while they manage household chores, such as cleaning, doing dishes, and preparing meals. Elderly care providers can also monitor the older adult for changes in symptoms that may indicate a need for additional medical care.

 

If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Homecare in Headland, AL, please contact the caring staff at Wiregrass HomeCare today. Call us at 334-539-5900.

Sources

http://www.heart.org/

https://www.mayoclinic.org/

https://www.webmd.com/

Considering a Pet for Your Senior During Adopt-a-Cat Month?

Posted in Caregiver in Headland AL, Elderly Care in Headland AL, Senior Care in Headland AL |

June 6, 2018

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June is adopt a cat month. As a family caregiver, this is an ideal opportunity for you to learn more about how pet ownership can benefit your parents, and consider bringing a new furry best friend into your parent’s life. This can make a tremendous difference in their life, health, and well-being. Studies have shown that regularly interacting with animals can be a powerful way to improve physical health and well-being, as well as mental and emotional health and well-being. This is not only valuable to your senior, but also to you as their caregiver.

 

Elderly Care in Headland AL: Adopt-a-Cat Month

Elderly Care in Headland AL: Adopt-a-Cat Month

 

Some of the potential benefits your aging parent could experience by bringing a pet into their life include:

● More companionship. Many elderly adults deal with loneliness and isolation as they get older. The loss of friends and family members, moving away from where they have always lived, and mobility and other issues that keep them from participating in activities can leave your parent without the companionship and social interaction they need. Having a pet can offer companionship that reduces the sense of loneliness, and offers a boost in mental stimulation.

● Creating structure and routine in their day. Predictability and routine are very valuable for older adults. These create structure in the day, increase motivation, and reduce a sense of disconnection. A pet provides this structure and routine for your loved one. They must remember to care for the pet by feeding and watering, cleaning up behind them, playing, grooming, and more.

● Increased opportunity for exercise. Getting enough physical activity is very important for your older adult. They may not find as many ways in their daily routine to get this activity, however. With a pet, they are presented with more opportunity to exercise in a way that’s fun and enjoyable for them. With a cat, this can mean rolling a ball for them to chase, playing with a laser pointer or feather toy, and other playful activities.

● Reduced stress. Regularly interacting with a pet has been shown to reduce stress, and protect against the potential dangers of this condition. Lowering blood pressure, improving cardiovascular health, and preventing mental-emotional health consequences can all be achieved through this reduction in stress.

Starting home care for your aging parents can be a fantastic way to enhance their quality of life and support them and living the lifestyle they desire as they age in place.

There is a common misconception that care such as this is only appropriate or beneficial for those who are at a very advanced age, or who experience extensive challenges and limitations. This, however, is not the case. Even those seniors with only mild or moderate care needs can benefit greatly from the highly personalized services of an in-home care provider. This care can help your parent manage their basic daily needs while also supporting a more fulfilling life through encouraging them to stay active, enjoy activities, and enrich their lives through such things as owning a pet.

If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Elderly Care in Headland, AL, please contact the caring staff at Wiregrass HomeCare today. Call us at 334-539-5900.

https://money.usnews.com/

February is Low Vision Awareness Month: Ways to Help a Senior with Low Vision

Posted in Caregiver in Headland AL, Low Vision, Senior Care in Headland AL, Senior Eye care, Senior Health |

February 21, 2018

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There are 4.2 million Americans over the age of 40 who have low vision. A person who has low vision cannot regain their eyesight with surgery, medication, contact lenses, or eyeglasses. The loss is permanent and affects their ability to do everyday things like reading, driving, cooking, and shopping. Being unable to do these things causes them to lose some of their independence and may lead to anxiety and depression. Understanding vision loss and how to help your aging relative can improve their quality of life and reduce the psychological impact.

 

Caregiver in Headland AL: Pancreatic Cancer Awareness

Caregiver in Headland AL: Pancreatic Cancer Awareness

 

Causes of Low Vision

There are several conditions that can cause low vision in older adults. Some of them are:

 

Macular Degeneration: This condition affects a part of the retina called the macula, which is the part of the eye that allows for clear, sharp central vision. Macular degeneration makes vision blurry. Some people also experience a blind spot in their vision.

 

Diabetic Retinopathy: When a person has diabetes, it can cause extra tiny blood vessels to develop in the retina. These blood vessels can leak and interfere with vision.

 

Cataracts: Cataracts occur when the lens of the eye becomes cloudy, which means that light doesn’t reach the retina as easily, causing a general loss of vision.

 

Glaucoma: Glaucoma damages the optic nerve. It happens when pressure builds up in the eye because of problems with fluids draining or when the optic nerve isn’t receiving enough blood.

 

Helping a Senior with Low Vision

One way to help a senior with low vision to live a better life and continue to be as independent as possible is to hire senior care. There are many things a senior care provider can do to assist with daily activities, such as:

 

Ensuring the House is Well Lit: Keeping the house brightly lit can help a senior to better use the vision they have left. A senior care provider can help with this by turning on lamps and lights. They can also change light bulbs that have burned out.

 

Keeping the House Clutter-Free: A person with low vision is more likely to trip over items that are in the way. A senior care provider can keep the house tidy by picking up things left lying around and organizing messy areas.

 

Helping Them Stay Active: Being unable to see may cause a senior to become less active than they once were. A senior care provider can help them to continue being active by accompanying them on walks or driving them to fitness classes.

Reading: A senior care provider can read to the older adult. They can read mail, medication instructions, newspapers, and books to your aging relative.

Even with vision loss, your loved one can lead a full and happy life. A senior care provider can be an important part of their daily care. Senior care providers can ensure the older adult is able to remain safely at home, even when you cannot be there to help.

 

If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Caregiver in Headland, AL, please contact the caring staff at Wiregrass HomeCare today. Call us at 334-539-5900.

 

Sources

https://nei.nih.gov

http://www.allaboutvision.com

https://www.enhancedvision.com

https://www.aoa.org

Signs that Your Parent May Have Pancreatic Cancer

Posted in Senior Care in Headland AL |

August 4, 2017

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Senior Care in Headland AL: Signs that Your Parent May Have Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the pancreas, an abdominal organ that is responsible for producing enzymes related to digestion as well as hormones for controlling blood sugar. The American Cancer Society estimates that around 53,670 people in the United States will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer this year. Pancreatic cancer is a serious form of cancer and is projected to be responsible for 43,090 deaths in America this year. Knowing the signs of pancreatic cancer could help your parent to receive care sooner.

Pancreatic Cancer Symptoms

Generally, the beginning stages of pancreatic cancer are painless and have no noticeable symptoms. For this reason, it is often not diagnosed until the cancer has spread to other areas of the body. Most pancreatic cancer starts in the cells lining the pancreatic ducts. These types of pancreatic cancers are called adenocarcinomas. The symptoms a person experiences will depend on what area of the pancreas the cancer began in.

Cancer that starts in the head of the pancreas may cause the following symptoms:

  • Yellow colored skin, called jaundice.
  • Unexplained weight loss.
  • Nausea
  • Light colored stool.
  • Dark colored urine.
  • Vomiting
  • Back pain.
  • Itchiness
  • Swollen lymph nodes in the neck.

Cancer that starts in the tail of the pancreas may cause:

  • Weight loss.
  • Back pain.
  • Belly pain.

In rare cases, pancreatic cancer can start in the islet cells. Only 1.5% of pancreatic cancers start in the islet cells. Symptoms of this type of pancreatic cancer include:

  • Sweating
  • Lightheadedness and/or fainting
  • Anxiety
  • Diarrhea
  • Pain in the abdomen
  • Weight loss
  • Reflux
  • Stomach ulcers that do not heal.
  • Flushing in the face

Know Your Parent’s Risks

In addition to recognizing the symptoms of pancreatic cancer, recognizing whether your parent is at risk is important. Risk factors for pancreatic cancer are:

  • Age. Pancreatic cancer is most often diagnosed after the age of 65
  • Smoking
  • Diabetes.
  • Obesity
  • Pancreatitis
  • A relative with pancreatic cancer.

Scientific evidence indicates that those at the greatest risk for pancreatic cancer are those who have had diabetes for a while, are obese, and who eat a poor diet.

Senior Care Providers Can Help Reduce Risks

If your parent is at risk for pancreatic cancer, a senior care provider can help your parent to reduce controllable risk factors, like obesity and smoking. A senior care provider can assist your parent in preparing healthy meals. A senior care provider can also encourage your parent to exercise and be present when they do so to reassure your parent that they can exercise safely. Senior care providers can also help your parent to follow a smoking cessation plan.

If you or an aging loved-one are considering in-home senior care in Headland AL, please contact the caring staff at Wiregrass HomeCare today. Call us at 334-539-5900.

Sources

http://www.webmd.com/cancer/pancreatic-cancer/pancreatic-cancer-symptoms#1

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pancreatic-cancer/home/ovc-20268502

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pancreatic-cancer/symptoms-causes/dxc-20268506

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/pancreatic-cancer/about/key-statistics.html