Timely check-ups and exercise keep the elderly fit, awareness towards health is essential

Greater Noida – With age, the risk of illnesses increases, but with timely check-ups and treatment, these can be controlled to a large extent. Those who walk daily, eat a balanced diet, and stay socially connected, remain healthier for longer. On the occasion of World Senior Citizens Day, Dr. Dinesh Kumar Tyagi, Director of the Internal Medicine Department at Fortis Greater Noida, said that misconceptions about medicines worsen the health of elderly people, therefore instead of being afraid, they should adopt proper treatment. He emphasized that as we age, it becomes even more important to stay conscious of our health.

Over the past year, the hospital’s OPD has treated a large number of senior citizens. Dr. Dinesh shared, “Most common cases are related to high blood pressure, breathing problems, chronic cough, and knee pain. Some patients have also been diagnosed with Parkinson’s and memory loss. In recent months, cases of diabetes, high blood pressure, and cholesterol have risen. During the monsoon season, we have seen more upper and lower respiratory tract infections and viral fevers. Some serious pneumonia cases were also reported. While dengue patients were found, their numbers, along with malaria cases, were not very high this year.”

Elderly people who walk regularly, do light exercise, eat a balanced diet, and stay socially engaged tend to suffer less from illnesses. Preventive health check-ups reveal that those who remain active face much lower health risks. Everyone above 60 years of age should undergo annual health check-ups. This helps in early detection of many diseases and enables timely treatment.

Senior citizens are now increasingly opting for modern treatments. The demand for procedures such as knee replacement and angioplasty is rising. Many patients recover fully through such treatments and resume a normal life. People are also encouraged by hearing about successful cases from others and are coming forward for such procedures.

The biggest misconception among elderly patients is that starting medicines for diabetes, blood pressure, or thyroid creates a permanent dependency. Due to this, many seniors avoid taking medicines and instead rely on home remedies, which worsens their condition. Citing an example, Dr. Dinesh mentioned, “A woman came to us with fever and facial paralysis. Tests revealed that she had sepsis. With the right treatment, she is now recovering.”

Dr. Dinesh added that the hospital regularly organizes health camps and health talks to keep senior citizens informed on time. He appealed to people not to fear diseases but to adopt timely check-ups and treatment. With proper care and regular monitoring, the elderly can live a long and healthy life.