5 Health Mistakes Your Parents Might Be Making and Why They Could Be Deadly

Your older parents often make common health mistakes that, in the long run, can affect and impact their quality of life. According to experts, even though managing multiple medications can be complex,

these small yet powerful mistakes can have serious consequences. Doctors say the most significant oversight relates to medication mismanagement, a sedentary lifestyle, poor nutrition, and even neglecting preventative medical care, which can prove to be dangerous in the long run. Read on to know a few important things your parents do in daily life that are not good for their health:

Taking medicines with tea or coffee

Never take your medications along with tea or coffee since both beverages are loaded with caffeine, a natural stimulant. According to doctors, caffeine interferes with how your body absorbs or metabolizes the medicines, which reduces their effectiveness or increases side effects like a sudden spike in heart rate or jitters. Also, medicines get broken down in your body by the same liver enzymes that metabolize caffeine, and this competition can lead to the breakdown of the drug, causing higher levels in the blood and an increased risk of side effects. Tea and coffee reduce the absorption of essential nutrients like iron, a deficiency of which is common among the elderly and can even be life-threatening. There are a few specific medications that can have serious effects, which include some antibiotics, asthma medications, stimulants, antidepressants, and iron supplements. To avoid issues, it is best to take your medication with water.

Sitting in one place for a long time

Elderly people should not sit in one place for too long because it increases the risk of physical and cognitive decline, which includes blood clots, muscle weakness, and even dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Prolonged sitting also contributes to poor blood circulation, joint stiffness, and an increased likelihood of developing chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers. According to doctors, if you get tired easily, you must rest for a while, but make it a regular habit to exercise daily, even for 30 minutes a day, to help keep blood circulation regulated.

Drinking less water

As you age, you may feel less thirsty, but that does not mean that your body doesn’t need water. In fact, due to ageing, the kidneys begin to slow down their function, and water loss increases. Elderly people should drink more water to counter reduced thirst sensation, declining kidney function, and a lower percentage of body water as they age, which makes them more susceptible to dehydration. Adequate hydration is vital for preventing complications like confusion, urinary tract infections, constipation, fatigue, and falls, and it supports essential functions like joint lubrication, proper blood pressure regulation, and healthy organ and skin function.

Avoiding protein

Most elderly people avoid protein because they either forget or feel heavy after indulging in it. However, doctors say as you age, your body requires roughly 50 per cent more protein than a younger adult to better preserve muscle mass and strength to maintain a certain quality of life. Having sufficient protein also helps to increase your body's immune functions and reduce recovery time from illness. Animal protein contains all nine essential amino acids that your body needs; however, plant protein doesn’t. So, even if you are a vegetarian and over 50 years of age, make sure to eat an egg a day. You can also combine various other foods like paneer, tofu, legumes, Greek yogurt, and nuts and seeds.

Taking all the medicines together

Your parents may think it is okay to take all their medications together since it helps them get over the “quota of the day”, but doing this can be extremely dangerous for their health. Along with the medicines, how and when to take them is also important. A few drugs are more effective on an empty stomach, while others work better when you take them after eating. That is why you should always follow the doctor’s prescription, as the drug becomes ineffective or can lead to various side effects, which include gastric troubles, headaches, and even an effect on your heart health. Doctors say many medicines that you may be taking contain similar active ingredients, and combining them can lead to accidental overdose of a specific ingredient, such as acetaminophen in various cold and pain relief medications, which can be harmful to organs like your liver.