Dr. Luis Fandos, MD - NY Pain Management Physician

If they are not taken regularly, they will fail to provide any therapeutic results. Medications like beta-blockers help to stop a heart attack. If the patient does not take this medication, they will likely have chest pains, palpitations and other complications.

Taking medication is a part of most seniors’ lives. As the human body begins to age, the wear and tear does damage that is painful. While not every illness can be treated with prescriptions, many conditions are treated effectively with their use. However, one of the greatest problems with a senior is their non-adherence to the therapeutic regimen prescribed. Not taking medication properly will cause devastating outcomes for senior citizens. In a patient that has multiple morbidities, it can be a compound issue with seriously negative outcomes.

Seniors Need Their Medications

Millions of people receive prescription medications for a condition diagnosed by a physician. The doctor weighs the side-effect profile of the medication and sees benefit in its use. However, many people do not take their medications correctly. They either take them sporadically or refuse to take them at all. Some medications build up in the system and if they are not taken regularly, they will fail to provide any therapeutic results.

Poor disease control is one of the biggest problems from non-adherence to medications. For some seniors, they forget to take their pills. Other seniors just do not like the effects that they cause. Side-effects are one of the biggest reasons why people start and stop medications. When there is memory problems with the elderly this only further complicated things. Many strategies have been used to try to improve the adherence to medicine.

Non-Adherence is A National Crisis

This non-adherence to medication is a national crisis, and the government is stepping in. They want doctors to implement more programs that encourage taking their pills regularly. Why does the government care so much about this? Well, many of the seniors are on health care programs that are paid for by government agencies. The government is paying for the medications and they are not being taken. A person who does not take their prescription as prescribed is at a greater risk for heart attacks, strokes, and many other consequences. One way to help the problem is to facilitate a lapse in drugs, or a drug holiday.

A holiday from medication is a specific time period that is supervised and allows the patient to go pill free. Drug free days have been used in patients with Parkinson’s disease to try to lessen the adverse side-effects of the drugs. Another option is the use of forgiving drugs. This cuts the dosage interval at half the duration, which helps to lessen the effects. In some patients this helps to facilitate the occasional lapse in taking meds.

The Key Is Finding A Method That Works

Medical treatments

One of the best treatments for Charcot's foot is immobilization. Immobilizing the affected foot allows your foot time to heal. Usually the foot immobilized via cast. The cast is checked on a weekly basis to ensure that the cast is fitting properly. If your foot has ulcers related to Charcot's foot, then you will have to change the cast weekly in order to prevent further infection. Usually, your foot will remain in a cast for as long as six months, during this time your foot should fully heal.

Another important step to take is to reduce the amount of stress placed on the affected area. While usually this is accomplished via cast, in more minor cases this can be accomplished by simply walking less for a short period of time. Occasionally, the problem can be solved by wearing therapeutic footwear. In cases where medical treatment is effective, Charcot's foot tends to heal over the course of three to six months. Medical treatment sometimes is not enough, and patients have to look into surgical treatment options.

Surgical treatment options

Depending on the severity of the condition, as well as the location on your foot, there are a variety of different surgical options. These options are typically reserved for extreme circumstances. Surgical procedures used include osteotomy, reconstructive surgery, bone grafting, and other techniques. While the type of surgery may vary based on what part of the foot is affected these techniques have usually been quite effective.

Surgery is especially effective when it comes to preventing long term deformity of the foot. Often surgery is a preferred option when the patient is looking at many years wearing braces or casts in order to fully recover. For example, minimally invasive arthrodesis has been shown to be an extremely effective treatment.

Why seek treatment?

While there are numerous treatment options, one may be wondering why they even need to bother seeking treatment. The reasons for treatment are numerous. Charcot's foot can at best lead to permanent discomfort in the foot. Worst case scenarios are especially grim. Diabetic patients often lose their feet to Charcot's foot. Charcot's foot can also lead to shortening of the foot or even a foot becoming deformed. While these possibilities are upsetting, they can all be avoided by contacting a medical professional.

Your doctor will be able to examine your foot and tell you exactly what treatment your foot needs. They will be able to make a high quality recommendation that will allow you to maintain a high quality of life for years to come. If you suspect that you have Charcot's foot, then you absolutely must contact a medical professional today, and get the treatment that you deserve.

1. Look for Alternative Therapies

Research shows that acupuncture therapy treatments during pregnancy may sometimes relieve some of the aches you are feeling. Chiropractic treatment also provides comfort to most women as well, even though it is a common misconception that you cannot visit the chiropractor when you are expecting. Discuss the options with your family doctor or health care provider.

2. Try Massage, Heating Pads, and Ice Packs

In some cases, mild back pain can be alleviated during pregnancy with gentle massage, as the pressure can help loosen and relieve tensed muscles. You can also try heating pads or ice packs to dull the aches you are experiencing.

3. Stay Active Throughout Your Pregnancy

Even though you may not feel like moving around as much, it is crucial that you try to stay active during the entirety of your pregnancy unless otherwise directed by your OBGYN. The more active you are, the more likely it will be that you only gain a healthy amount of weight and keep your muscles strong, including those in your back.

4. Choose the Right Footwear

Believe it or not, a lot of lower back stress can be caused by wearing the wrong type of shoe. This is especially true if you gain extra weight because the way you stand counteracts with the spinal column and muscles. Choose low-heeled shoes that offer plenty of support.

5. Practicing Posture

The way you stand and sit can contribute to the pain felt in the lower back while pregnant. make sure you keep good posture habits even though your growing belly may make you feel like slumping forward. Keep your shoulders back, chest high, and be careful to not stoop forward when you walk, stand or sit. When you start to feel tired, from either standing or sitting for long periods, change your position or take a break. If sitting is causing lower back strain, make sure you use a chair that offers lumbar support.

6. Take Caution While Lifting

Most doctors advise pregnant women not to lift anything heavy during their pregnancy, but if you must lift even small items, use appropriate lifting techniques. You must bear in mind that the extra stress already on your back could make an injury much more likely to happen. Extra aches and pains during your pregnancy do come along with the territory, but you back pain should not be excruciatingly severe. extreme lower back pain could actually be a sign of early labor and should be addressed by a physician right away. However, if you are only noticing a little extra strain and pain, try these tips to help you find some relief.