Introduction: Maintaining a well-balanced and healthy weight is important as a person ages. Reaching an elderly age requires a strict monitoring of weight every day to keep track of one’s health. Old age changes the structure of the body in a way which leads to weight loss.
It should be kept in mind that old people are more prone to chronic diseases such as cancer. The pathological changes in the body might be the cause of excessive weight loss in an elder human being. Such patients should go through proper tests and the entire health history must be traced in order to evaluate the health results and to treat the patients properly. The elderly patients showing weight loss as a sign and symptom of any chronic disease are prone to living a depressed life. Another reason of weight loss in an elderly person is the increase in mortality rate. It is a general problem occurring among the entire older population. Hence, it is imperative to address the issue of weight loss, especially in an old person. Otherwise, it might lead to some serious consequences.
Preventing Weight Loss In Old Age
Here are some tips to fight against weight loss and avoid serious illnesses that cause weight loss in elderly.
• Loss of appetite is one of the major reasons of anorexia, which leads to weight loss. Hence, the diet must be taken seriously. Eating more is not the solution to weight loss but eating healthy with high fiber-diet, low fat food and intake of protein powder is the perfect solution to avoid weight loss in elderly. Vegetables such as beans, potato, carrots are all starchy vegetables which help in gaining weight. Fruits like mangoes, bananas and dry fruits are high-calorie fruits which give extra nourishment to the body. Everyday habits must also include consumption of water.
• Vitamins are nutritional supplements to the body which helps in the growth of the body and maintain a healthy weight in elderly.
• A little activity keeps the muscles active which helps in the prevention of weight loss. Arthritis can cause some problems in functioning, but a simple activity such as walking not only helps in maintaining a healthy weight but improves the weight as well. Exercising in a passive way is essential for the limbs if an elder is bed ridden.
• Weight loss is also a result of anxiety. Leading a positive lifestyle, staying happy and interacting with close ones with a positive outlook towards life is as important to an elder person as eating healthy. It helps to fight against depression. Sometimes isolation and solitude are the cause of weight loss, therefore, spend time with elderly to get rid of depression and ease their anxieties.
• GUT examinations help in ruling out reflux diseases and esophageal webs causing dysphagia. Weight loss and lack of appetite can be cured with proper treatment.
• Dementia and paranoia are common mental illnesses among the elderly, which makes them think that their food is poisoned. They stop taking proper meals. It is necessary that such patients are treated gently with psychiatric treatment rather than with anger or frustration. It can improve the eating habits.
A healthy weight strengthens the immune system, decreases the chances of chronic diseases and other illness in elders. Healthy habits and monitoring of the diet can let an elderly lead a healthy life even in old age.
