Herbal Remedies that May Do More Harm than Good in Older Adults

Nutritional supplements like herbal remedies are used by millions of older adults every day. After all, the ancient Chinese knew for centuries the power of herbs in enhancing health and immunity. Herbal nutritional supplements can also help you catch those zzzz's that have been eluding you as well as boost memory function and add those essential nutrients that you cannot always get in your diet.

There is one predicament with herbal remedies: not everyone is fully informed of the potential side effects that can occur, especially if you are taking prescribed medication for certain health conditions. Mixing herbal remedies and prescription drugs can cause dangerous problems. In addition, your herbal remedies can also cause problems when you have surgery or other medical procedures. The bottom line is that when you visit your doctor, be up front with all supplements that you take from vitamins and minerals to natural herbal remedies.

A few herbal remedies are more popular than others in the over age 50 crowds when it comes to boosting health. These popular remedies do have many positive benefits but they also have some serious side effects, depending on the person taking them. Therefore, read on for a short primer on some of the pros and cons of the more popular herbal remedies being consumed today:

1. Gingko Biloba - This is the most popular herb used to boost memory. It does so by increasing the circulation of the blood, thereby boosting oxygen levels to your brain.
* The side effects to gingko could have dangerous repercussions if you are on any type of anti-clotting medications; an increase in bleeding may occur.

2. Echinacea - Many people believe in the power of Echinacea in boosting the immune system making you less likely to catch the flu or even a cold. In fact, this herb is known to promote healing too.
* The side effect to Echinacea is swelling or inflammation of the liver. Usually this occurs if you are taking certain medications like anabolic steroids for arthritis.

3. Feverfew - Migraine sufferers often take feverfew to ease their tremendous migraine headaches. Feverfew is also known to ease the swelling and pain of arthritis, allergies and other rheumatic diseases.
* The major side effect to feverfew is bleeding, especially if you are on blood thinners for heart or stroke conditions.

4. Ginseng - Ginseng is a great herb for increasing your focus and concentration as well as boosts your stamina physically.
* Your prescribed blood thinners could lose effectiveness and you might experience bleeding. In addition, your high blood pressure may increase.

5. Garlic - A favorite in many foods, garlic also comes in a supplemental form. It's a popular herb in helping to lower cholesterol as well as blood pressure and triglycerides in the blood.
* Side effects most likely occur in hypertension patients who take blood thinners aka anti-clotting medications.

There is no need to totally discontinue the herbs you are taking. However, you will want to compare the potential side effects against the medications you are currently taking for health issues. You could prevent serious complications if you research first. In addition, be sure to speak with your doctor for advice on these herbal remedies as well.

Understanding the Impact of Depression in the Elderly

Those who work with the elderly on a regular basis will tell you, that they see the evidence of depression in these individuals routinely. The trouble with something that is observed on a routine basis is that it becomes normal to witness the occurrence of the event or condition in the case of depression; and it is often than ignored by medical personnel. Depression should never be viewed as a "normal part of aging". When caregivers and medical professionals assume that depression is normal, they ignore it. Ignoring depression is never a good thing for the individual experiencing it. Depressed individuals need immediate attention, diagnosis, treatment and support.

The very natural progression of years that an elderly person as experienced predisposes them to a higher incidence of disease and situations like loss, that are known to put them at risk for depression. This fact is the reason doctors often assume that it is normal for anyone over 65 to be depressed (they have more reasons to be depressed).

The facts are that:

Depression in the senior years does go hand in hand with other medical chronic or terminal illnesses.

Depression will tend to last longer in the elderly individual.

Depression compounds medical risk for cardiac disease.

Depression in the elderly is more likely to end in suicide than it will for someone who is depressed and much younger.

Risk:

Those at most risk for depression are the elderly population that are female, unmarried and especially those living alone, those who have experienced stressful life events such as natural disasters and loss of close loved ones, and also those who lack a support network.

Other factors that can put an elderly person at risk for depression include certain medications or medication combinations, a recent loss, chronic pain, damage to body image such as an amputation, having the fear of self death, a family history of depression or a history of any major depressive disorder, past suicidal attempts and any substance abuse.

Treatment:

The elderly and those caring for them should understand that not only is depression not normal but that it is common for them to experience it and also more importantly that there are several treatment options available for those who suffer from depression.

The treatment option for those over 65 include: medications, psychotherapy, electroconvulsive therapy, and also a combination of these treatments.

Medications - The medication class is known as antidepressants. Antidepressants have been shown to be very effective for the older individual. There are however risks associated with using these drugs including potential for adverse reactions from antidepressants and other medications that they may already be taking. It is important that both the doctor prescribing the antidepressant and the pharmacist filling the prescription be aware of any other medications that the individual is taking to avoid this risk factor.

Antidepressants are also known to take longer before the benefits can be felt by the individual taking them in those of advanced age. This prolonged effectiveness is due to elderly individuals being more sensitive to medications and the fact that doctors are prone to start them off at lower doses.