Hindustan Times (Jalandhar)

Health tips for well-being of senior citizens

- Dr SKS Marya, chairman, orthopaedi­cs, Max Healthcare Hospitals

The Covid-19 pandemic has turned our lives upside down, and the virus poses even greater risk for the elderly, many of whom are self-isolating while also dealing with different age-related health issues. To sail through this crisis, it becomes all the more important for them to keep certain precaution­s in mind:

EXERCISE REGULARLY

Exercise at home with innovative workout methods to avoid boredom. Develop your core strength by lying down on your stomach, with hands behind your neck and try to raise your head and legs, two inches above the ground.

PRACTISE YOGA

Yoga and deep breathing exercises can work like magic in these stressful times. As this virus attacks the respirator­y system, these exercises can help strengthen the lungs.

FOCUS ON MENTAL AS WELL AS PHYSICAL HEALTH

Our mental and emotional health is connected to physical well-being, and a mentally healthy individual can fight far more diseases. KEEP FIRST AID READY

Everyone must keep a strip of paracetamo­l tablets handy. Contrary to popular opinion, advanced paracetamo­l can come in handy not only when suffering from fever. DON’T PANIC IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT

If one suffers an accident at home, immediatel­y connect with a hospital. If it comes to hospitalis­ation, ensure that the ambulance is sanitised and only the people in the house are accompanyi­ng the patient, to avoid risk of exposing the elderly to the virus.

DEALING WITH A BONE INJURY

If the person is not able n to move his limbs and attempt to do so invites pain, seek immediate advice from a doctor. If after a fall, the patient n feels pain on his side, it could be the hip or the spine. Common among octogenari­ans, the soft bones in their spine can break easily when they fall down. It is extremely important to differenti­ate between the two as the latter is more dangerous. One should lay the person n as he or she is and make sure that they’re comfortabl­e.

Avoid giving the patient n something to eat and drink, unless completely necessary. This is to ensure that the evaluation­s that one has to undergo at the hospital go smoothly as they may require a fasting process.

 ??  ??

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from India