"Check Your Parents' Health"… 4 Valuable Questions More Important Than Supplements

During the Lunar New Year holiday, a common topic of conversation among family members who have not met for a long time is health. Parents often say, "It's okay, it's because of aging," thinking that discomfort is a natural phenomenon due to aging. However, doctors recommend carefully checking these symptoms as they could be signs of health problems.

(From left) Jeon Seung-hyun, Department of Urology, Kyung Hee University Hospital; Lee Seon-ju, Department of Urology; Park Ki-jung, Department of Neurology; Yeo Seung-geun, Department of Otorhinolaryngology; Professor Seon Je-young, Department of Psychiatry. [Image source=Kyung Hee University Hospital]

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◆"Do you go to the bathroom well?" - Prostate diseases and urinary disorders= For middle-aged and older men, prostate diseases are conditions that must be checked. Prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia are the most representative. If you experience urinary disorders such as frequent urination or delayed urination that differ from usual, you should definitely suspect these conditions. Especially, since prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia have similar symptoms, accurate examination is essential.

Professor Jeon Seung-hyun of the Department of Urology at Kyung Hee University Hospital said, "If prostate diseases are left untreated, they can lead to deterioration of bladder and kidney function. In particular, in the case of prostate cancer, symptoms often appear when the disease has already progressed significantly, so if you feel discomfort during urination, do not endure it and visit a hospital." He added, "Compared to the past when it mainly occurred in people in their 60s and 70s, the incidence among younger people has been rapidly increasing recently, so it is recommended that those aged 50 and above undergo a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test once a year."

There are also urinary disorders that threaten the health of middle-aged women. These include urinary incontinence, cystitis, and nocturia. Nocturia, which is the frequent urge to urinate during sleep, commonly occurs with age but is also prevalent among women in their 40s and 50s due to stress, weakened immunity, and hormonal changes.

Professor Lee Seon-joo of the Department of Urology at Kyung Hee University Hospital explained, "All abnormal symptoms occurring during urination are called urinary disorders. Urinating more than eight times a day, prolonged urination time, or urine leakage are urinary abnormalities mainly experienced by women after menopause." She added, "Although nocturia is not a life-threatening disease, it disrupts sleep, causes physical fatigue, and can interfere with daily life, so active treatment is necessary to maintain quality of life."

Nocturia can be classified into polyuria, nocturnal polyuria, and bladder storage dysfunction depending on the cause. If nocturia is suspected, diagnosis is made by recording urination times and volumes for three days, followed by urodynamic tests, plasma electrolyte, and osmolality measurements. Treatment methods include conscious fluid intake restriction as well as the use of diuretics and antidiuretic hormones.

◆"Do you remember that (specific event)?" - Differentiating forgetfulness and dementia= Dementia is a representative geriatric disease. Its incidence naturally increases with age. About 70% of dementia cases are caused by Alzheimer's disease, which begins with minor memory decline and gradually leads to cognitive problems such as impaired reasoning, comprehension, and calculation abilities.

Professor Park Ki-jung of the Department of Neurology at Kyung Hee University Hospital said, "In the early stages, when brain cell damage is relatively minor, symptoms resemble forgetfulness, so people around the patient tend to overlook it easily." He added, "The best way is to provide specific hints and check whether the person can recall the information to distinguish between forgetfulness and dementia."

In forgetfulness, various information is stored in the brain and can be recalled when given clues. In contrast, dementia involves a failure to store information, limiting the ability to recall past events. However, one should not be reassured that mild cognitive impairment does not affect daily life, as about 10-15% of patients with mild cognitive impairment progress to Alzheimer's dementia each year.

Professor Park said, "Dementia is difficult to cure completely, but symptoms can be alleviated through pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies." He added, "The exact cause of Alzheimer's disease is still unknown, but depression and genetic factors are considered risk factors. Regular exercise, dietary control, and periodic check-ups are essential for proactive prevention."

◆"Do I need to say it again?" - Age-related hearing loss= Age-related hearing loss is a gradual decline in hearing ability as one ages. Hearing deterioration begins in the late 30s, and by age 65, one in four people experiences hearing loss; by 75, one in three; by 85, one in two; and by 95, almost everyone has hearing loss.

Professor Yeo Seung-geun of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology at Kyung Hee University Hospital said, "If you frequently ask others to repeat themselves during conversations or speak loudly, age-related hearing loss may be suspected." He added, "If left untreated, hearing loss can cause communication difficulties and brain cell degeneration, potentially leading to depression or dementia, so early detection is important."

Once age-related hearing loss occurs, hearing cannot be restored to its previous state and worsens with aging. Therefore, early auditory rehabilitation with hearing aids is recommended. Hearing aids should be selected after thorough examination and diagnosis, including medical history, physical examination, hearing tests, and, if necessary, imaging tests, considering age, ear condition, degree of hearing loss, and lifestyle.

Hearing aids do not provide immediate satisfaction upon wearing. It takes about six weeks to adapt to the sound of hearing aids. With patience and persistence, starting in quiet environments and gradually moving to noisier ones while increasing wearing time, hearing improves.

Professor Yeo said, "Emotional support from family is also important in treating age-related hearing loss." He added, "During the adaptation period, encourage confidence and courage in wearing hearing aids, face each other during conversations, speak loudly and clearly, and reduce social isolation."

◆"Do you go out sometimes? Are you experiencing any pains?" - Geriatric depression= Older adults are prone to depression due to various factors such as physical illnesses, neurological changes, reduced social activities, financial difficulties, bereavement, and cognitive decline. According to the 2021 Mental Health Survey by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the one-year prevalence of depressive disorders among those aged 70-79 was 3.1%, the highest among all age groups.

Professor Seon Je-young of the Department of Psychiatry at Kyung Hee University Hospital said, "Older adults often deny or hide mental health problems and tend to express depression through physical symptoms like 'I feel sick' or 'I have indigestion' rather than saying 'I am depressed,' making it difficult to recognize depression." He added, "If there is an increase in unexplained physical symptoms, sudden lethargy, decreased frequency of going out, and inability to perform usual activities, geriatric depression should be suspected."

Geriatric depression is a serious condition that is a risk factor for dementia and a major cause of suicide. However, with active treatment, daily functioning can be restored, and independent living maintained. Along with hospital treatment, regular lifestyle habits, exercise, abstaining from alcohol, positive thinking, social interactions, and active involvement and interest from family and society help in treating geriatric depression.

Professor Seon said, "Since older adults often take various medications for physical illnesses, drug interactions must be considered during pharmacological treatment." He added, "To minimize side effects, treatment starts at half the adult dose and gradually increases, so there is no need to worry excessively or avoid treatment."

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