On the occasion of Father’s Day, Seniority organized a live WhatsApp chat with two doctors, Col. (Dr.) A K Mehta, General Medicine Physician & Col. (Dr.) R K Chhibber, Organisational Psychologist to address the common health issues one faces as an adult. Apart from discussing health issues faced by elderly men, the doctors also answered common questions that were raised during the live sessions. Below is the live chat conversation. If you have been facing related health issues.
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Q- Dr. Mehta- My father is 65 years old and he has type 1 diabetes and blood pressure issues (medicines have been prescribed). What is the normal BP for such a person? He likes sweets, can he eat sugar-free sweets at times? Also, is there any relation between BP and sugar intake in such cases? Please let me know.
Dr. Mehta: Your dad is 65 years old and he has got both diabetes and hypertension. Normal systolic BP is 140/90 can go up to 150. The strict control of BP and sugar is mandatory because both contribute to heart disease, so prevention of heart disease should be taken care of. As far as the diet goes he should have less salt and sugar. Dinner should be the lightest meal of the day. Rather than taking sugar-free he should abstain from sugar. Keep monitoring his blood sugar and since he is a type 1 diabetic, must be taking insulin so the fall in sugar level should also be prevented.
Q- Dr. Chibber- I want to know. My father is 75 years. He forgets things almost and is moody sometimes, a little weird as either he is extremely happy or sad! Is this a sign of a normal brain of 75-year-old or should I be concerned? please tell me I am worried
Ans - Dr. Chhiber-" Forgetfulness is common with increasing age and mood swings, apart from an underlying condition, could also be a method of communication (relating to any kind of discomfort) with other members. There is no harm in visiting a mental health practitioner to ascertain the real cause of mood swings. Meanwhile, it will help to maintain a regular routine with respect to all actions of your father i.e his sleeping and waking times, food, exercise and medication timings. In addition, certain aids could be used to help him remember things. The caregivers have to exercise a lot of patience while dealing with seniors.
Q-What is the best diet for a vegetarian? What can I have in the morning to drink? I don't have sugar or BP problem and can I consume milk on a regular basis?
Ans - Dr. Ashwini Mehta: 1. You must take milk & dairy products daily. I assume that you don't even take eggs. You should take enough of veg proteins like nuts, pulses, etc as well or else take protein powder.
Q- Hi doctor, I am a female with irregular BP and I have been taking Aten 50 tablet twice a day. I don’t have a sugar problem, any advice for diet?
Ans - Dr. Ashwini Mehta: 2. Monitor your BP, make a BP chart, you may require the addition of an anti-Hypertensive. Have a salt-restricted diet, light dinner. If overweight, must shed extra fat, exercise regularly
Q- Dr. Mehta, -I have been experiencing pain in the back and shoulders while playing sports. Due to this, I can't play basketball. I also have asthma issues, could there be any relationship between these two problems? doctors are not telling me anything even after tests and I have only been advised painkillers.
Ans- Dr. Ashwini Mehta: There is no relation between these problems with Bronchial Asthma but it can be an anti-inflammatory reaction. It is not possible for me to comment on your back and shoulder problem without examining you. Consult a specialist if needed. Also, you can play sports in spite of your asthma problem.
Q- Dr. Mehta -My father is 63 years old and he has spondylitis. He refuses to wear any support and says he is not in pain but I think otherwise. Is it possible that he is telling the truth? Tests have been done previously and it has been confirmed by doctors that the condition is painful.
Ans - 4. At 65, half the people have visible spondylotic changes on X-Ray. He must be aware & has maybe accepted it. It is advisable for him to do neck posture and other neck exercises. To say anything for sure, he should be examined by doctors.
Q- Dr. Mehta -My mom has gastrointestinal issues, she is 62 and she doesn't take any medication for it but experiences stomach ache every day. She eats normal home food like dal rice etc. Should we change her food habits?
Ans - Dr. Ashwini Mehta- GIT issue must be investigated by a Gastroenterologist. A USG Abdomen may be required, consult the specialist for this issue.
Q- Dr. Mehta - My hands and legs go cold at times and I don’t know why it happens. It happens anytime and anywhere and goes away in 10 minutes. What should I do about it?
Ans - Dr. Ashwini Mehta- You have not mentioned your age, sex & habits, whether you are a smoker or non-smoker. You need to be examined for blood circulation and all. Please get yourself examined.
Q - I cry a lot. I cry every day and there is no reason for it as such. anything can make me cry and I don't like it. I am not a depressed person, I haven't tried talking to anyone about this because I am afraid of what my parents or friends will think, is this normal?
Ans - Dr. Chhibber - Crying for no reason at all could be a symptom of some underlying issue, sometimes we cannot ascertain ourselves what that issue could be because of our confused emotions. It is always better to talk to somebody you trust (best friend, mom, dad, brother, or anyone you can confide in) about what could be bothering you. The best option under the circumstances is to see a psychologist/counselor and talk about this issue, its periodicity and how long have you been experiencing this. Crying in itself is not a problem but crying too often without any cause could be a symptom of an underlying issue. So please do communicate your concerns at the earliest and I am sure you will find an appropriate solution for this issue.
Q - Dr. Chibber - I work in events. I have to travel across the country for my job. I meet many people and we get close but then I have to leave because of my job, hence I feel alone and sometimes very depressed. Should I change my job? I am very good at what I do but I can't bear this loneliness. I need advice.
Ans - Dr. Chhibber says " You appear to be doing well as an event manager which is a good thing. It means you are a people person and readily meet with a plethora of personalities in the course of your job. If you still feel lonely, it may have something to do with your own sense of self-concept. I recommend that you have a few good friends rather than a large number of associations. Please believe in your own self and do not seek approval of others, sometimes this need for approval from others also contributes to our feelings of loneliness. You are enough.
Q - Dr. Chibber - I don't know how to deal with negative vibes in my workplace. The rest don't feel it but I feel negative there all the time, as soon as I get out I am fine. what could be the issue?
Ans - Dr. Chhibber says " Your question is very sketchy and does not have enough information to address the issue. You have not clarified what exactly does a negative vibe mean to you. Is it an issue with your manager, co-worker or workplace ergonomics? I would recommend that you maintain a level of emotional detachments from other people's opinion of you. Secondly, engage in positive self-talk realizing that nothing is negative or positive only your thinking makes it so. If there is a real issue, talk about it to the right people otherwise carry on with your job with mindfulness.
Q - Dr. Chibber - How to function with less sleep? I have a stressful schedule and I don't get time to sleep. People function with less sleep and I have seen it, I need to be more productive. Is that right to assume?
Ans - Dr. Chhibber says " Dear Shaunak, if you are concerned about your productivity, I would strongly recommend 7-8 hours of sleep on a regular basis. Human body and mind cannot function optimally with reduced sleep. some people do manage with 4-5 hours of sleep for 2-3 days at a stretch but any longer than 2-3 days will have a detrimental effect on your health and productivity like burnout.
Q - Any definitive non-invasive treatment for an enlarged prostate?
Ans - If prostate cancer has been ruled out by the examination by a Urologist and a PSA test then you can try the medication like Tamsulosin 0.4 Mg or other medications that are available. If your problems like nocturia, free passage of urine are taken care of, you can continue with conservative treatment, annually checking for PSA till you decide to get it operated.
