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073 – Anticholinergic Medications & Protecting Brain Health

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH Leave a Comment

 

In This Episode:

Dr. K explains what older adults and families should know about anticholinergic medications and their negative impact on brain health. Many commonly used over-the-counter and prescription medications are anticholinergic, and on the Beer’s List of Medications Older Adults Should Avoid or Use With Caution. She covers:

  • What it means for a medication to be anticholinergic
  • The evidence linking anticholinergics with confusion, delirium, and dementia
  • Seven commonly used types of medication that are quite anticholinergic
  • Why it’s important to minimize anticholinergics if you’re worried about memory or have been diagnosed dementia
  • How you can determine whether you or your parent’s medications are anticholinergic
  • What to do, if you or an older person you care for is taking an anticholinergic medication

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Better Health While Aging Podcast Tagged with: brain health, medications, memory

034 – Preventing Falls: 10 Types of Medication to Reconsider

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH Leave a Comment

In This Episode:

Dr. K explains ten types of medications that may be associated with falls in aging adults. These are the medications that experts including the Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommend that doctors address during a medication review for fall prevention. This episode covers:

  • The four actions the CDC recommends that older adults do, to prevent falls
  • Why it’s so common for older adults to be on medications that may increase the risk for falls
  • What doctors are supposed to do, if an older person is taking one of these medications
  • Generic and brand names of the more commonly used medications that may be linked to falls
  • Tips on what to ask your doctor, if you or your older relative are taking any of these medications

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Better Health While Aging Podcast Tagged with: fall prevention, falls, medications

031 – Choosing the Safest Over-the-Counter Painkiller in Aging

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH 4 Comments

In This Episode:

Dr. K explains which over-the-counter (OTC) painkiller is usually safest, and which analgesics are much riskier than people realize. She covers:

  • Why frequent aches and pains should always be evaluated by a doctor
  • Why harm from OTC painkillers is surprisingly common
  • Why acetaminophen (known as paracetamol outside the U.S.) is usually considered the safest OTC analgesic for older adults
  • Why non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and naproxen are on the Beer’s List of medications older adults should avoid or use with caution
  • The most common risks and side-effects of OTC painkillers, and how to avoid them
  • The special case of aspirin, which doctors no longer recommend as a painkiller
  • Tips on selecting an OTC painkiller and on working with your doctor to treat frequent pain in aging

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Better Health While Aging Podcast Tagged with: medications

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