Aging Information & Discounts

How can I manage age-related diseases?

Lifestyle

Research on many age-related diseases including Alzheimer’s and osteoporosis, as well as research on other chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease, has indicated that lifestyle is a hugely important factor contributing to the development of these diseases. The best known methods for preventing these diseases include stopping smoking, limiting alcohol intake, doing regular exercise, and eating a healthy diet. Most research indicates that a Mediterranean-style diet is healthy and preventative. This diet includes lots of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, a moderate intake of fish, dairy, and healthy fats, and a low consumption of meat with little to no processed foods.

Hormone Therapy & Natural Treatments

Hormone therapy or hormonal medications are used to treat menopause and low testosterone. Low-dose contraceptives like Ortho Tricyclen Lo and Alesse may be used as menopause medication during perimenopause, while hormones like estrogen and progestin can be taken orally or topically during or after menopause. There are both synthetic and natural sources of hormones. Some women also consider holistic solutions such as black cohosh, red clover, or dong quai to treat symptoms like hot flashes. Talk to your doctor about which is the best option for you. Some herbs and supplements may interfere with medications so be sure to mention these to your doctor. Aging men may experience signs of low testosterone which include erectile dysfunction, low sex drive, hair loss, fatigue, and a decrease in muscle mass. Recent research indicates that low testosterone isn’t necessarily a result of age, but the result of other health conditions. Low testosterone drugs such as Androderm are usually administered topically using a gel or patch to transdermally deliver testosterone. Discuss the cardiovascular risks of taking low testosterone medication with your doctor.

Medications for Age-Related Diseases

Age-related diseases can also be managed with medication. Read about drugs for osteoporosis, Alzheimer medication, and fibromyalgia drugs in the types of medication section.

What are the different types of medications for age-related disease?

Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors

There currently is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease but cholinesterase inhibitors are used to control symptoms of the disease. It is believed that Alzheimer’s disease results in a decrease in the production of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. These Alzheimer medications enhance the transmission of acetylcholine and have also been shown to reduce the atrophy of the cortical and hippocampal regions of the brain that occurs with Alzheimer’s.

Bisphosphonates

Bisphosphonates are a class of drugs for osteoporosis. They prevent the loss of bone mass by reducing the breakdown of bone tissue by osteoclasts, allowing the body to retain more bone density.  These osteoporosis medications slow down the process of bone resorption, as those with osteoporosis are unable to rebuild the bone tissue that the body is resorbing.

Anticonvulsants

These medications are used for fibromyalgia as well as seizures and other mental conditions.  The exact mechanism of action that anticonvulsants have as a fibromyalgia medication is not completely understood but they are thought to work to treat nerve pain by acting as GABA neurotransmitters in the central nervous system. GABA has a calming effect and causes the central nervous system to slow down, thereby desensitizing the body to pain.

What are the symptoms of age-related disease?

Symptoms of osteoporosis don’t often appear until a fracture occurs, but sometimes a gradual loss of weight and back pain can occur. Symptoms of Alzheimer’s include memory loss that affects daily life, trouble planning events or solving problems, difficulty completing a familiar task, confusing times and places, verbal confusion, and changes in mood or personality. If you think you have developed an age-related illness, schedule an appointment for a test with your doctor and get multiple opinions if you have any doubts.