Vancouver Senior Health | January 28, 2019
Seniors and Pneumonia | Heart disease, cancer, and other major diseases usually top the list for health concerns of aging adults, but pneumonia needs to be considered, as well. It’s especially life-threatening to older adults. Viruses, bacteria, or fungi can cause pneumonia, with more than a million people hospitalized.. Many of those are over 65 years of age. Seniors are predisposed to pneumonia as they age.
Our immunity weakens as we age, reducing natural defences to flu, infections, and even the common cold. This makes seniors more susceptible to health problems with slower recovery rates. People in weakened states, perhaps from illness or post-surgery, are even more vulnerable. It can become hard to cough and clear out the lungs. At that point, a common cold can lead to lung infection. COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), diabetes, HIV, cardiac disease, and other conditions create even bigger challenges for recovery.
Although pneumonia is commonplace for seniors, it’s not a normal part of aging and we can reduce the likelihood of pneumonia by taking precautions. Reduce your own risk as much as possible with the following precautions.
Talk with your doctor. Perhaps he or she will recommend vaccinations for flu and pneumonia before flu season.
Suds up your hands often with soap and water and keep sanitizer in your purse or pocket for those times when you can’t avoid touching germy surfaces.
Smoking takes its toll on the body. It reduces immunity even further, putting people at higher risk for illness.
Talk with your doctor. Ask for a recommended diet to strengthen your immune system.
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