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…)

Some researches on relation between exercise and body human health results indicate that in addition to increasing muscle capacity, physical activity can help improve strength, balance, joint mobility, flexibility, agility, the speed with which one walks and physical coordination as a whole. In addition, physical activity has effects favorably on metabolism, blood pressure regulation, and prevention of an excessive increase in weight. (more…)

Something you and your doctor should appreciate is that getting older influences the way you react to drugs. Elderly patients are twice as susceptible to drug reactions as younger adults are. The aging kidneys and liver contribute to the problem. The relative quantity of water in the body decreases and thus is not as available to dilute the medication, and the kidneys are less capable of excreting drugs. The liver is also less able to metabolize drugs. (more…)

Anti-aging and age skin care products added with Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) are flooding cosmetic market. Alpha hydroxy acids are supposed to smoothen fine lines and surface wrinkles, improve skin texture and tone, unblock and cleanse pores. They also improve oily skin or acne, and improve skin condition in general. AHA or Alpha Hydroxy Acids are not new for skin care world. AHA skin care and AHA skin products became popular in the early 1990s and in the 2000s are found in an increasing number of cosmetic products, including lotions, sun blocks, peels, masks, and toners. (more…)