Could you go pill free?
ALMOST half of over-65s are taking at least FIVE different medicines a day.
So we asked Dr Ron Mcculloch, a GP of more than 50 years who works at Pall Mall Medical in Manchester, to look at six of the most commonly prescribed medications for that age group.
He tells us how we can avoid them and if there’s anything we can do to come off them for GOOD.
Inhibitors block the production of a chemical that narrows vessels, making it harder for blood to move. Blockers decrease activity in the heart.
“BP rises as you age, 80% of 80-yearolds suffer. But it also rises as you get fatter, less active, drink more alcohol and eat more salt,” says Dr Mcculloch.
Official guidelines advise lowering your salt intake to less than 6g a day, eating healthily, limiting alcohol and caffeine, quitting smoking and getting at least six hours’ sleep a night to maintain and potentially reduce BP. Doing this can lower BP in just a few weeks.
“It’s very difficult because once you stop medication, BP generally creeps back up,” says Dr Mcculloch.
“If someone came to me having been prescribed inhibitors/beta blockers I’d put them on a portable blood pressure monitor for 24 hours. It reads BP many times to see if it’s consistently high (more than 130/80) or just when it is read in the surgery. Consistently high and it’s best to stay on the pills.” The health service believes if you haven’t had high BP readings for long there may be the chance of lowering it for good with the lifestyle changes mentioned.
Drugs such as Omeprazole, Lansoprazole and Ranitidine reduce acid that causes burning in the chest and throat. “A recent study shows taking Omeprazole for longer than a year increases the risk of osteoporosis,” Dr Mcculloch says.
Yes. Stress, smoking, spicy food and alcohol can all contribute to instances of acid reflux.
“Losing a few pounds can also cut your chances of needing anything other than over-the-counter antacids we’ve all taken. Being overweight exacerbates it,” Dr Mcculloch says.
“Yes, by taking those preventative measures, eating frequent smaller meals and raising your bedhead so your chest and head are above waist-level, preventing stomach acid travelling towards your throat,” he advises.
“Ensure your doctor checks for underlying issues too, such as a hiatus hernia (common in those 50+) where part of your stomach moves into the chest. It can be fixed surgically. And there’s a common bacteria called Helicobacter Pylori that will disappear in a fortnight with antibiotics.”
Anyone needing PPIS for more than a year should be referred to a specialist. overweight, inactive people,” Dr Mcculloch explains. “Half an hour’s brisk walk four to six times a week is great exercise for those who are a little older and keeps weight off.”
“There’s something called ‘anhedonia’ – the inability to feel pleasure in pleasurable activities,” Dr Mcculloch explains. “This can be a problem as we get older when we’ve perhaps achieved all our goals and no longer feel the need to be hedonistic. Couple that with more free time and a sense of boredom and loss of purpose can set in.”
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