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"Old Han, the results of your follow-up show that the heart function is quite stable, but we have to talk about the importance of preventing common geriatric diseases. ”
The doctor took the notebook and said to Han Zixuan seriously.
Han Zixuan, a retired history professor, has become a frequent visitor to the hospital in recent years due to health problems.
Han Zixuan sat on a bench in the hospital, listening to the doctor's explanation.
He had always thought that as he grew older, his body would naturally usher in various "wear and tear", but the doctor's words today seem to have a new revelation.
"Several of the most common diseases in older adults include cardiovascular disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, and Alzheimer's disease," the doctor continues.
These diseases may seem unrelated to ordinary life, but they are actually closely related to our daily habits. ”
Cardiovascular disease is one of the most common health threats in the elderly.
Cardiovascular diseases include hypertension, coronary heart disease and heart failure, and Han Zixuan has been treated for coronary artery disease.
The doctor explained that the occurrence of this type of disease is not only related to genetic factors, but also closely related to eating habits, exercise frequency and psychological stress.
For example, a high-salt, high-fat diet is a major cause of high blood pressure, and long-term psychological stress can also increase the risk of heart disease.
Next, the doctor talked about diabetes. Diabetes is a global health problem, especially among older adults.
Unhealthy eating habits, lack of exercise, and poor weight control are all significant factors contributing to diabetes.
Although Han Zixuan does not have diabetes, the doctor especially reminded him to pay attention to his diet and weight management, because prevention is better than cure.
When talking about osteoporosis, doctors specifically mention the importance of calcium and vitamin D.
He explained that the elderly are prone to osteoporosis due to the reduced intestinal absorption capacity and accelerated bone loss.
He advised Han to increase sun exposure and proper vitamin D supplementation, as well as engage in moderate physical activity, such as walking and yoga, to enhance bone health.
Finally, the doctor mentioned Alzheimer's disease, a neurodegenerative disease that affects the elderly, for which there is currently no cure.
The doctor reminded Han Zixuan that maintaining mental activities, such as reading, playing chess or other hobbies, can effectively delay the progression of the disease.
In addition to discussing these diseases, the doctor also shared some specific cases, such as an elderly woman who unfortunately developed cardiovascular disease and diabetes because she neglected daily exercise and diet control, and eventually her quality of life was greatly reduced.
Through these true stories, Han Zixuan is deeply aware of the importance of prevention.
Then, the doctor put forward a point that made Han Zixuan quite novel: he said that although we cannot avoid aging, through scientific lifestyle adjustments, the development speed and severity of the disease can be significantly slowed.
He even provided some relevant research data, showing that through a reasonable diet, regular exercise and psychological adjustment, the above common diseases of the elderly can be effectively controlled or prevented.
In the end, the doctor left Han Zixuan with a question: "If modern medicine emphasizes prevention over cure, then why is the prevalence of the elderly still high in modern society?"
In response to this problem, we can analyze it in detail.
First, although the importance of prevention is widely publicized, in reality many older people do not develop good lifestyle habits at a young age, and these habits are difficult to change in old age.
In addition, social and healthcare systems may focus more on the treatment of diseases than on prevention, and there may be skewed resource allocation.
Finally, for the elderly, the natural decline of bodily functions is also an irreversible process, and even with all the precautions, the onset of the disease cannot be completely avoided.
Therefore, the combined efforts of society, the health care system and individuals are key to improving this situation.
What do you think about this? Welcome to discuss in the comment area!