Old age comes to all of us; This is a fact. Unfortunately, not everyone is adequately preparing for this inevitable process. While maintaining a positive attitude toward aging has been shown to have many health benefits (take… 96-year-old June Squibb’s advice on agingFor example), it is important that you are prepared as well. On top of that, life is full of aches and pains – and unfortunately, the aging process almost always raises the stakes, simply because of the tremendous wear and tear it takes on our bodies and… What happens to our joints as we age.
Enter: the medicine cabinet that every baby boomer should already own. “Maintaining your medicine cabinet is one of the easiest things you can do for your family,” said Dr. Andrew Wong, a primary care physician at Hartford Healthcare Medical Group. “It saves you a lot of unnecessary stress and gives you a strong first step before you need professional care.”
From painkillers to over-the-counter heartburn medications and even special wound care bandages, there’s a laundry list of things baby boomers should stock up on.
Pain relievers
Dr. R. said. Acetaminophen (eg, Tylenol) is “an effective and useful medication for fever and mild pain syndromes in older adults,” says Sean Morrison, MD, professor and chief of the Brookdale Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. AARP.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil) and naproxen (Aleve) are also OK, but they carry an increased risk of bleeding. “[NSAIDs]can be safe, but only if you have talked with your doctor or pharmacist about whether there are reasons they may not be safe for you,” advised Dr. Catherine Bennett, assistant professor of medicine in the Department of Geriatrics and Geriatrics at the University of Washington (via AARP).
Topical pain relievers
It’s also great to take topical pain relievers (such as Bengay and Icy Hot, which contain methyl salicylate or menthol). They can be especially helpful when dealing with nagging arthritis pain. “A lot of times for my older adult patients, I’ll choose those first,” said Stephanie Ferreri, pharmacist and chair of the Department of Practice Development and Clinical Education at the UNC Eshelman College of Pharmacy. AARP.
Heartburn medication
Boomers tend to be more prone to heartburn, and should consider stocking up on over-the-counter antacids, H2 blockers like Pepcid, and even proton pump inhibitors like Prilosec OTC and Nexium.
According to Dr. Katherine Bennett of the Department of Geriatrics and Geriatrics at the University of Washington, the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) tends to weaken with age (via AARP). “It can make you more likely for the acid to end up in your esophagus instead of staying where it’s supposed to be in your stomach.”
Allergy medications
“As we age, our immune systems become weaker, putting older Americans at risk for diseases, including allergies,” said Dr. Tiffany Owens, an allergist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. AARP.
However, not all over-the-counter allergy relievers are created equal. “Older adults should keep in mind that some over-the-counter (OTC) allergy medications can increase the risk of falls or oversedation, especially medications like diphenhydramine and other allergy medications that have not been identified as non-drowsy,” warns Lee Somerfield, MD, a family physician who specializes in family medicine. Validity of the flag.
Bandages for sensitive skin
As we age, our skin tends to become thinner – which is another thing The amazing way your body changes as you get older – So make sure that the type of bandage you use will not also tear your skin during this process. Wounds generally take longer to heal as well.
Stock your medicine cabinet with silicone pads designed for sensitive skin, as well as high-quality emollients (like Vaseline). “In the elderly, I choose a[wound cover]that has a little more pressure than just a loose bandage (…) Just put a little extra piece of tissue or a clean tissue or medical gauze under the bandage,” shared dermatologist Danilo del Campo of the Chicago Skin Clinic (via AARP).
