Pharmacodynamics describes the course of action of a drugs and aging at the effector organ level, in terms of duration and magnitude of action, and amplitude of and time to reach the peak action, for both therapeutic and adverse actions. Alterations in the number and affinity of drug receptors, postreceptor signaling processes, biochemical responses, homeostatic mechanisms, and body composition, in addition to higher likelihood of polypharmacy and concurrent pathological processes in older age, make elders more susceptible to adverse drug reactions, drug–drug interactions, or decreased/ increased sensitivity to some drug action. (more…)

Rheumatoid Arthritis affects approximately 1% of the world’s population. Rheumatoid Arthritis
is a chronic, multisystem, autoimmune, and inflammatory disorder that involves peripheral joints in a symmetric distribution. The potential of the synovial inflammation to cause cartilage damage and bone erosions and subsequent changes in joint integrity is the feature of the disease. (more…)

There are intrinsic changes in the cardiac pacemaker cells and the cardiac conduction system associated with aging, which increase the propensity of the elderly population to develop chronotropic incompetence, conduction block, and bradycardia overall. Moreover, the already-at-risk elderly population is more likely to receive and is more sensitive to a variety of cardiovascular agents that may cause further bradycardia through suppression of the pacemaker activity or AV block. (more…)

It is always important in the treatment of dementia to have clear therapeutic goals established in partnership with the patient and family. Often, the concept of quality of life is an important guide to therapy, as this reflects the values of the individual and his or her family. This section discusses both non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatments of dementia. Remember that non-pharmacological approaches are always appropriate. (more…)

Complications of Adverse Drug Reactions may include hospitalization, increased hospital stays and health care expenditures, morbidity, and death. The incidence of Adverse Drug Reactions varies by type of health care setting (e.g., ambulatory clinic, hospital, nursing home). In a cohort of older Medicare enrollees, the rate of Adverse Drug Reactions was 50.1 per 1,000 person years. In long-term care facilities, the rates of Adverse Drug Reactions were reported as 1.9 to 9.8 per 100 resident-months. Adverse Drug Reactions are a common cause of hospital admission of older adults and were responsible for 6% to 24% of all hospital admissions. Of all Adverse Drug Reactions, 23% to 28% were categorized as serious.

Approximately one quarter to one half of Adverse Drug Reactions are considered to be preventable. Errors are most likely to occur at the time of prescribing a medication or during monitoring of therapy. Prescribing errors include choosing an inappropriate medication, prescribing a medication that interacts with another medication in the individual’s regimen, and prescribing a drug in the face of an established drug allergy. Errors in monitoring of therapy may include failing to obtain necessary laboratory values to monitor drug therapy and not responding promptly to signs, symptoms, or laboratory evidence of drug toxicity.

Many researchers have attempted to identify risk factors for Adverse Drug Reactions, an endeavor that has been disappointing. The most persistent risk factor for Adverse Drug Reactions is use of multiple medications; thus, it is important that patients be maintained on the fewest number of medications needed to manage their health conditions. Researchers have not found Adverse Drug Reactions to vary substantially according to age or sex. Several factors are important to keep in consideration to minimize Adverse Drug Reactions, even though they have not been identified as independent risk factors. (more…)

Australia’s health policy is funded and delivered by several levels of government and is supported by private health insurance arrangements. In place are systems for the delivery of health, income support, and housing and community services to support aging people. Medicare, the national health insurance scheme, is funded and administered by the Australian (commonwealth) government and provides coverage for a range of primary care services, including visits to medical practitioners. (more…)

Recent studies have shown that most anti-wrinkle creams do not produce more than 10% improvement in the appearance of a person. However, some compounds are more efficient compare to other common anti wrinkle products. We will highlight and look further at these specific products. (more…)

It is estimated that about 6 million Americans over 65 suffer from depression in late life. The sad reality is that 10% are looking for and get treatment of late life depression. It is common that many illness and disabilities are accompanying late-life depression. When people reach certain age in this age, your support system begins to collapse. Family and friends, Spouses, siblings and friends die. You are about to retire or move. People with depression are likely to see a decline in quality of life. This can deprive them personal joy and productivity and he hope for the future. (more…)

Alzheimer’s disease is a concept in evolution; it is considered by most to be a degenerative brain disease that was first described in 1906 and is the most common cause of dementia. Over the past 100 years, we have learned that many biological and clinical phenomena are included under the rubric of Alzheimer’s disease and that perhaps the term can best be considered a two-word eponym that reveals as much about our ignorance as about our knowledge. (more…)

There are several dominant theories as to the underlying causes of physiologic vulnerability
and compromised homeostasis of frailty. The causes can be related or in some circumstances are separated from each other.

Frailty aging comes from accumulation of potentially unrelated diseases, subclinical dysfunctions, and disability across organs, parts, and systems of the body. (more…)