Saturday, 20 August 2011

Prevention Of Hip Fracture

Healthy Lifestyle during the peak bone-building years - ends when you are around 30 - contribute to higher peak bone mass and reduce the risk of osteoporosis later. The same measures can reduce the risk of falls and improve their overall health, if adopted at any age.

Build and protect bone mass

Ensuring adequate calcium and vitamin D in the diet. Your age, medications, health and normal daily diet are the factors that influence the amount of calcium and vitamin D may be necessary. If you're considering calcium or vitamin D, ask your doctor what dose is right for you.

In general, experts recommend that men and women over 50 consume 1,200 milligrams of calcium per day and 400 to 600 International Units (IU) of vitamin D per day. Experts also suggest getting 10 to 15 minutes twice a week of unprotected sun exposure to ensure adequate levels of vitamin D.

Exercises to strengthen bones and improve balance. Weight exercises such as walking, to stimulate your body to increase bone density. Exercise also increases your overall strength, making it less likely to fall. Try to exercise 30 minutes a day most days of the week.

Balance training is also essential to reduce the risk of falling, because the balance tends to deteriorate with age. Some exercises are especially effective in helping to maintain and improve balance. Try standing on one leg for long periods of time more and more to improve its overall stability. Activities such as tai chi can help balance, too.

Do not drink too much or smoke. Keep in bone mineral density, avoiding the excessive use of alcohol and not smoking.

Reduces the risk of falls

Evaluate your home for fall risks. Remove throw rugs, keep electrical cords against the wall and clear of furniture and excess of anything that might get you. Ensure that all rooms and the transition is well lit.

Get your eyes checked every two years or more often if you have diabetes or eye disease.

Be aware of the side effects of medications. A feeling of weakness and dizziness, which are the possible side effects of many medications, can increase your risk of falling. Talk to your doctor about the side effects of medications.

Treatment Of Hip Fracture

Treatment of hip fracture is often a combination of three approaches, such as:

Surgery

Rehabilitation

Drugs

Surgery

Surgery is almost always the best treatment of hip fractures. Doctors typically use nonsurgical alternatives, such as traction, only if you have a serious illness that makes surgery too risky.

The type of surgery you have generally depends on the part of the hip that fractured, the severity of the fracture and your age. Generally, the better your health and mobility before your hip fracture, the better your chances for full recovery from a hip fracture.

Fractures of the femoral neck

Doctors such repair a fracture in three ways:

Metal screws. If, after the break, the bone is still properly aligned, your doctor may put metal screws in the bone to hold together while the fracture heals. This is called internal fixation. Metal screws are often placed in combination with bone nails (Gamma nail) for stability.

Replacement of part of the femur. If the ends of the broken bone is not aligned properly, or they were damaged, the doctor may remove the head and neck of the femur and replace them with a metal prosthesis. This is known as hemiarthroplasty.

Total hip replacement. This procedure involves the replacement of your femur and taking your pelvic bone with a prosthesis. Total hip replacement may be a good option if arthritis or a previous injury has damaged your joint, affecting its function before the break.

Although advanced age increases the likelihood of hip replacement needs, the most important factors in determining the need for this procedure are:

The type of fracture you have

The severity of your signs and symptoms

Personal risk of surgery-related problems

Freedom of movement and ability to work independently before the fracture

Intertrochanteric fractures

To repair this type of fracture, the doctor inserts a metal screw generally (compression screw of the hip) through the fracture. The screw is attached to a plate that runs along the femur. This plate is attached with screws others to help maintain the stability of the bone. As the bone heals, the screw compresses the bone fragments, so the edges grow together.

Depending on the type of fracture, your doctor may put a nail bone (Gamma nail) into the pit of bones, and then pass compression screw through the nail. The nail prevents slippage and provides additional stability and support the weight can enable faster.

Rehabilitation

If you have a normal recovery from surgery, the following steps are likely to follow this schedule:

Within about 1 day after surgery. Your support team will assist you in motion, often using a walker. You will begin physical therapy, typically focus on range of motion and strengthening exercises.

In about a week after surgery. Hospital stays after hip fracture surgery usually lasts less than a week. Depending on the type of surgery you had and if you have a home help, you may have to go to the hospital to a care facility long term.

Within a month after surgery. In long-term care and home care, you can work with an occupational therapist to learn the techniques for independence in everyday life, such as toileting, bathing, dressing and cooking. Your therapist will determine if a walker or wheelchair can help you regain mobility and independence.

Further, you can continue to respond with a physiotherapist and an occupational therapist, while recovering from surgery.

Medication

Although surgery is the primary treatment of hip fracture, a group of drugs called bisphosphonates bone density can reduce the risk of a second hip fracture. Most of these drugs are taken orally and side effects associated with it can be difficult to tolerate, such as nausea, abdominal pain, and inflammation of the esophagus. Alternatively, a bisphosphonate, zoledronic acid (Reclast), may be given an annual infusion.

Symptoms Of Hip Fracture

Signs and symptoms of hip fracture are as follows:

Immobility just fallen

Severe pain in the hip or groin

The inability to put weight on the foot on the injured hip

Stiffness, bruising and swelling in and around your hip area

Leg shorter side of your injured hip

Turning off your leg to the side of the hip hurt

Causes Of Hip Fracture

Elderly, hip fracture is usually the result of:

Descending

Keep a blow to the hip, as in a car accident

Weak bones

Hip Fracture Overview

Hip-Fracture
You can stop the hip at any age, but the vast majority of hip fractures occur in people older than 65 years. As you get older, the bones slowly lose minerals and become less dense. The gradual loss of density weakens bones and makes them more prone to hip fracture.

A hip fracture is a serious injury, especially if they are older, and complications can be fatal. Fortunately, surgery to repair a hip fracture is usually very effective, although recovery often requires a great deal of time and patience.

Prevention Of Pneumonia

Follow these steps to prevent pneumonia.

Vaccination

Although the long list of bacteria and inhaled irritants can cause pneumonia vaccination reduces the risk of two offenders leader.

Seasonal flu. The flu virus can be a direct cause of viral pneumonia. Bacterial pneumonia is a common complication of influenza. A vaccine against the flu each year provides significant protection anyway.

Vaccine against pneumonia. Doctors recommend a single vaccine against the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) for all over 65 and for people of all ages living in nursing homes and care facilities, long-term. In addition, the vaccine is recommended for all high risk for pneumonia caused by pneumococcus. The high-risk categories are smokers, anyone with heart disease, lung disease or other chronic diseases, and all immunocompromised due to HIV or prolonged treatment with immunosuppressive drugs such as corticosteroids or drugs to prevent rejection.

Childhood vaccines. Children should receive the vaccine for seasonal flu each year. Doctors also recommend a pneumonia vaccine - pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, in contrast with the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine, which is intended for adults - for all children under 2 years of age and children aged 2-5 years who are at particular risk of pneumococcal disease, including those with compromised immune responses, cancer, cardiovascular disease or sickle cell anemia. Children participating in the group day care should always be vaccinated.

Take care of yourself

Normal respiratory infections sometimes lead to pneumonia, so you can avoid all types of bacteria. Here are the basics:

Wash your hands. Your hands are in almost constant contact with germs that can cause pneumonia. These bacteria enter your body when you touch your eyes or rubbing inside the nose. Wash your hands often and thoroughly, can reduce the risk. When the washing is not possible, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

No smoking. Smoking damages your lungs' natural defenses against respiratory infections.

Stay relaxed and fit. Rest and moderate exercise can help keep your immune system stronger.

Eating a healthy diet. High-fat diet without dairy products, fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

Lead by example. Stay home when sick. When you're out in public with a cold, catch your cough or sneeze into the crook of his elbow inside.

Treatment Of Pneumonia

The best approach to treating pneumonia depends on a number of factors, including age and general health, the agency or agencies involved, and the establishment - the attention of the community or health - where the infection developed. Treatment may include:

Drugs

The antibiotics used to treat bacterial pneumonia. Other drugs can help improve breathing and relieve the symptoms of bacterial and viral pneumonia. Drug options include:

Antibiotics. The decision to treat pneumonia with antibiotics is not always easy. Even with a high probability of bacterial infection, it takes time to identify the bacteria in question and choose the best antibiotic to destroy it. Initially, the doctor may prescribe an antibiotic based on particular patterns of infection and antibiotic use in your area. If tests show you need a medicine or your condition does not improve, you can switch to another antibiotic.

Antiviral drugs. The doctor may recommend anti-viral drugs for viral pneumonia. Antibiotics are not effective in the treatment of viral pneumonia.

Fever reducers. To treat a fever with aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen or acetaminophen. (Children should not take aspirin.)

Cough. Talk to your doctor before taking cough medicines. Coughing helps to loosen phlegm and get rid of extra. If your doctor advises against cough, enough to soothe coughs and the rest.

Hospital

Community-acquired pneumonia usually does not require hospital care. You may have to admit, however, if you have two of these indicators of severity. If you have three or more, you may need admission to an intensive care unit:

He has over 65

You can become confused

His breathing is rapid

Blood pressure drops

The airway needs, including oxygen therapy or respiratory