Managing Delirium in Older Adults
Delirium is a sudden change in mental status that may occur in older adults at any time but especially during hospitalizations, after surgery, or anytime the environment around them changes. [...]
To Be or Not to Be: On Vitamins?
In an editorial in the Journal of the American Medical Association, Dr. John Morley decries the over use of vitamin supplements in this country. First of all, 53 percent of people in the United [...]
To ERR is Human (Unfortunately): Insulin Dosing and Monitoring Misadventures
The U. S. Pharmacopeia Medication Errors Reporting Program states that approximately 50 percent of all medication errors involve insulin. Also, half of all insulin dosing errors are in patients [...]
Dementia Part III: Prescription Options to Manage Symptoms
Drug therapy to treat Alzheimer’s Dementia should be considered a last resort and not a permanent solution. Medication only should be considered if there is an immediate threat to the patient or [...]
Dementia Part II: Non-Prescription Symptom Management
When considering a treatment plan for Alzheimer’s Dementia, there are several ways to manage symptoms without rushing to medication. Because some common side effects of many Alzheimer’s [...]
Dementia Part I: Risk Factors and Common Symptoms
As dementia progresses, most patients will develop behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. These symptoms may be short-lived, intermittent or persistent. Psychotic symptoms are the [...]
Is 80 the new 60? Management of High Blood Pressure in Older Adults
An estimated 46 percent of the 65 million persons in the United States with high blood pressure remain untreated, and in 43 percent of treated patients high blood pressure is not controlled to [...]
The War on Drugs Becomes the War on Patients in Pain
We are a nation at war with multiple enemies that threaten the health and well-being of our people. Some of these enemies include worsening epidemics of obesity, diabetes and drug abuse. While we [...]
Management of the Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD)
As their dementia progresses, most patients will develop BPSD. These symptoms may be short-lived, intermittent or persistent. Psychotic symptoms are the most disturbing for the patient and [...]
