Treating Elderly Depression with Electroconvulsive Therapy

One of the most feared terms in connection with the treatment of elderly depression is electroconvulsive therapy (often abbreviated as ECT). Much of the bad reputation this treatment form has received rests of course on movie depictions and on the actual misuse of the procedure at the hands of untrained individuals.

To be honest, ECT is a drastic treatment and it is used sparingly and only for cases that are considered extreme in their symptoms for elderly depression. Treating elderly depression with electroconvulsive therapy is indeed a rare occurrence because of the side effects the treatment has, and because the advanced age of the geriatric patient does not make them a good candidate for this form of attention.

Yet at the same time, in patients that evidence no only severe depression but possibly may have been classified as suicidal and may present with more than just one diagnosed mental illness and also when other attempts at treatment have proven to be futile, ECT is sometimes the only methodology open to the psychiatrist who is seeking to improve the affected senior's life and mental health. The application of the process is usually done during general anesthesia.

The patient will have electrodes hooked up to certain locations on the scalp where the hair will have been removed. A meticulously calibrated electrical current is then sent through the electrodes, mimicking a brain seizure. The most commonly noted side effect associated with this treatment is a temporary memory loss and a sense of confusion surrounding not only the patient's current whereabouts but also the treatment itself.

ECT treatments are not one time only events but instead are administered up to three times per week for two weeks at a time; sometimes the quantity of treatments may have to be increased so as to span four weeks. Truthfully, the results of ECT are astounding and many have actually chosen to undergo the treatment because it offers radical, almost instantaneous betterment of symptoms.

At the same time, psychiatrists are warning those suffering from elderly depression to remember that ECT is not a silver bullet in the fight against the illness, but instead it is a treatment option which, when combined with psychotherapy and psychotropic drugs yields a good opportunity for improvement.

Like any other treatment, it is wise to seek a second opinion if you are not entirely certain that you are a good candidate for this treatment option or if you do not feel comfortable signing on the dotted line giving your consent to the treatment. Even if all those involved agree that this is the most promising avenue open for your feeling better for a prolonged period of time, remember that you still have the legal right to refuse this kind of treatment if you have decided in your heart to do so. It might be an unwise move on your part, but an important aspect of seeking mental health help rests on the fact that you are the ultimate decision maker and thus empowered to give or withhold your consent at will.

Retiree Travel - How to Avoid DVT

Traveling is one of life's little pleasures once you retire. But did you know that there are certain risks with travel? Whether you fly on an airplane or sit for hours in a car, you could be at risk for deep vein thrombosis or DVT. You might have heard some horror stories of so and so's uncle who got it and died on the airplane or someone's Great Aunt Alice who died on a Greyhound bus traveling on another casino trip.

This DVT condition occurs when a blood clot suddenly develops and breaks off traveling to a crucial organ and impeding its function. A blood clot in the heart, lungs or brain can kill you before you can even get medical help. That is why DVT can strike fear in many older adults who travel. Of course, it can happen to younger people as well.

You've probably heard of the blood clots that can form while you are in an airplane. You think that these can be attributed to as much the cabin pressure as immobility. However, this same life-threatening blood clot can occur on a car trip, bus trip, train trip or any other mode of transportation where you do not have room to stretch out and move around. Heck, even sitting for hours knitting, watching television or sitting at the computer could put you at risk.

Deep vein thrombosis occurs when blood clots form in deep veins. These are the large blood vessels that run along the middle of an arm or leg and surrounded by muscles. Deep vein thrombosis occurs when a clot blocks a vein, even partially, to hinder blood circulation. A blood clot can also break off and travel through your blood stream as mentioned above lodging in a vital organ, effectively hindering its normal function.

Part of preventing deep vein thrombosis is educating you on ways to prevent it. There is great news however in reducing your chances of deep vein thrombosis. First of all, get exercise and staying physical is important. When possible, walk around the airplane cabin or stop your car and take a walk. This will keep your circulation in check. Keep hydrated by drinking water and avoiding dehydrating drinks like alcohol and sodas.

If you have recently had surgery or have heart disease or diabetes, you should talk with your doctor about your risks of travel in terms of developing deep vein thrombosis. At the very least, you will be prescribed support stockings which helps promote better blood circulation. Blood thinner medication may be another possibility depending on your illness or physical condition.

It is important that before you go on any trip where you may be sitting for any length of time, visit with your doctor. Explain your concerns and get some advice on how to prevent deep vein thrombosis from happening to you, especially if you have any pre-existing medical conditions. It is great that you want to travel during your retirement. However, you need to take the proper precautions to ensure your safety.