{"id":1775,"date":"2016-03-29T07:00:32","date_gmt":"2016-03-29T11:00:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.chaneyhealth.com\/healthtips\/?p=1775"},"modified":"2016-03-28T23:40:10","modified_gmt":"2016-03-29T03:40:10","slug":"seniors-taking-many-medications","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.chaneyhealth.com\/healthtips\/seniors-taking-many-medications\/","title":{"rendered":"Are Seniors Taking Too Many Medications?"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2 style=\"text-align: center; color: #339966;\">The Dangers of Polypharmacy<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Author: Dr. Stephen Chaney<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.chaneyhealth.com\/healthtips\/calcium-supplements-prevent-bone-fractures-part1\/prevent-bone-fractures\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1681\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1681\" src=\"https:\/\/www.chaneyhealth.com\/healthtips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/prevent-bone-fractures-300x201.jpg\" alt=\"seniors taking too much medication\" width=\"300\" height=\"201\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.chaneyhealth.com\/healthtips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/prevent-bone-fractures-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.chaneyhealth.com\/healthtips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/prevent-bone-fractures.jpg 404w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a>Modern\u00a0medicines\u00a0are\u00a0truly\u00a0miraculous.\u00a0They\u00a0control\u00a0the\u00a0 symptoms\u00a0associated\u00a0with\u00a0many\u00a0major\u00a0diseases.\u00a0At\u00a0their\u00a0best\u00a0they\u00a0 save\u00a0lives.\u00a0But\u00a0have\u00a0we\u00a0become\u00a0too\u00a0reliant\u00a0on\u00a0medications\u00a0to\u00a0cure\u00a0 everything\u00a0that\u00a0ails\u00a0us?<\/p>\n<p>Every\u00a0medication\u00a0has\u00a0side\u00a0effects,\u00a0and\u00a0many\u00a0medications\u00a0interact\u00a0 with\u00a0each\u00a0other\u00a0in\u00a0harmful\u00a0ways.\u00a0That\u00a0has\u00a0become\u00a0a\u00a0major\u00a0concern for\u00a0our\u00a0senior\u00a0citizens\u00a0because\u00a0many\u00a0of\u00a0them\u00a0end\u00a0up\u00a0on\u00a05\u00a0or\u00a0more\u00a0medications,\u00a0something\u00a0the\u00a0 medical\u00a0profession\u00a0refers\u00a0to\u00a0as\u00a0polypharmacy.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center; color: #339966;\">Why Are Seniors Taking So Many Medications?<\/h2>\n<p>It\u00a0starts\u00a0innocently\u00a0enough:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.chaneyhealth.com\/healthtips\/antioxidants-and-aging\/antioxidant-aging\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1749\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-1749\" src=\"https:\/\/www.chaneyhealth.com\/healthtips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/antioxidant-aging-201x300.png\" alt=\"antioxidant aging\" width=\"201\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.chaneyhealth.com\/healthtips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/antioxidant-aging-201x300.png 201w, https:\/\/www.chaneyhealth.com\/healthtips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/antioxidant-aging.png 224w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 201px) 100vw, 201px\" \/><\/a>\u00a0Your\u00a0cholesterol\u00a0edges\u00a0up\u00a0a\u00a0bit,\u00a0and\u00a0your\u00a0physician\u00a0recommends\u00a0 that\u00a0you\u00a0go\u00a0on\u00a0a\u00a0statin\u00a0to\u00a0reduce\u00a0your\u00a0risk\u00a0of\u00a0a\u00a0heart\u00a0attack.\u00a0This\u00a0 is\u00a0in\u00a0spite\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0fact\u00a0that\u00a0it\u00a0has\u00a0been\u00a0almost\u00a0impossible\u00a0to\u00a0prove\u00a0 that\u00a0statins\u00a0actually\u00a0decrease\u00a0heart\u00a0attack\u00a0risk\u00a0in\u00a0people\u00a0who\u00a0 have\u00a0not\u00a0yet\u00a0had\u00a0a\u00a0heart\u00a0attack\u00a0(See\u00a0\u201cDo Statins Really Work?\u201d\u00a0 (https:\/\/www.chaneyhealth.com\/healthtips\/cholesterol\u2010lowering\u2010 drugs\u2010right\/)\u00a0and\u00a0\u201cDoes An Apple A Day Keep Statins Away?\u201d\u00a0 (https:\/\/www.chaneyhealth.com\/healthtips\/apple\u2010day\u2010keep\u2010statins\u2010 away\/))<\/li>\n<li>\u00a0Sometimes\u00a0your\u00a0cholesterol\u00a0may\u00a0not\u00a0even\u00a0be\u00a0elevated.\u00a0In\u00a0today\u2019s world\u00a0statins\u00a0are\u00a0often\u00a0recommended\u00a0if\u00a0you\u00a0are\u00a0over\u00a0a\u00a0certain\u00a0 age,\u00a0are\u00a0overweight,\u00a0and\u00a0have\u00a0some\u00a0other\u00a0risk\u00a0factor\u00a0such\u00a0as\u00a0pre\u2010 diabetes\u00a0or\u00a0high\u00a0blood\u00a0pressure.<\/li>\n<li>\u00a0Your\u00a0blood\u00a0pressure\u00a0starts\u00a0to\u00a0inch\u00a0up\u00a0(something\u00a0that\u00a0happens\u00a0to\u00a0most\u00a0people\u00a0as\u00a0they\u00a0get\u00a0 older),\u00a0and\u00a0your\u00a0physician\u00a0recommends\u00a0one\u00a0or\u00a0two\u00a0blood\u00a0pressure\u00a0medications.<\/li>\n<li>\u00a0Your\u00a0blood\u00a0sugar\u00a0gets\u00a0a\u00a0bit\u00a0high,\u00a0and\u00a0your\u00a0physician\u00a0recommends\u00a0a\u00a0drug\u00a0to\u00a0control\u00a0your\u00a0 blood\u00a0sugar\u00a0to\u00a0prevent\u00a0your\u00a0pre\u2010diabetes\u00a0from\u00a0turning\u00a0into\u00a0diabetes.<\/li>\n<li>\u00a0Perhaps\u00a0you\u00a0develop\u00a0a\u00a0minor\u00a0arrhythmia\u00a0(something\u00a0else\u00a0that\u00a0often\u00a0happens\u00a0as\u00a0we\u00a0get\u00a0 older),\u00a0and\u00a0your\u00a0physician\u00a0recommends\u00a0one\u00a0drug\u00a0to\u00a0control\u00a0your\u00a0heart\u2019s\u00a0rhythm\u00a0and\u00a0 another\u00a0drug\u00a0to\u00a0thin\u00a0your\u00a0blood.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Before\u00a0you\u00a0know\u00a0it\u00a0you\u00a0are\u00a0on\u00a0several\u00a0medications.\u00a0As\u00a0if\u00a0that\u00a0weren\u2019t\u00a0bad\u00a0enough,\u00a0each\u00a0of\u00a0these\u00a0 medications\u00a0has\u00a0side\u00a0effects,\u00a0so\u00a0you\u00a0often\u00a0need\u00a0to\u00a0add\u00a0other\u00a0medications\u00a0to\u00a0control\u00a0the\u00a0side\u00a0effects\u00a0 of\u00a0the\u00a0original\u00a0medications.\u00a0For\u00a0example:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\u00a0Perhaps\u00a0you\u00a0develop\u00a0heartburn,\u00a0gas,\u00a0and\/or\u00a0bloating\u00a0from\u00a0the\u00a0statin,\u00a0so\u00a0your\u00a0physician\u00a0recommends\u00a0a\u00a0drug\u00a0to\u00a0control\u00a0those\u00a0side\u00a0effects.<\/li>\n<li>\u00a0Perhaps\u00a0you\u00a0develop\u00a0headaches,\u00a0depression,\u00a0or\u00a0g.i.\u00a0symptoms\u00a0from\u00a0your\u00a0blood\u00a0pressure medication,\u00a0and\u00a0your\u00a0physician\u00a0gives\u00a0you\u00a0one\u00a0or\u00a0more\u00a0drugs\u00a0to\u00a0control\u00a0those\u00a0symptoms.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>I\u00a0could\u00a0go\u00a0on,\u00a0but\u00a0I\u00a0think\u00a0you\u00a0get\u00a0the\u00a0point.\u00a0It\u00a0is\u00a0easy\u00a0for\u00a0senior\u00a0citizens\u00a0to\u00a0end\u00a0up\u00a0on\u00a0multiple\u00a0 medications.\u00a0The\u00a0question\u00a0is\u00a0whether\u00a0that\u00a0is\u00a0a\u00a0good\u00a0thing\u00a0or\u00a0a\u00a0bad\u00a0thing.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center; color: #339966;\">Are Seniors Taking Too Many Medications?<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.chaneyhealth.com\/healthtips\/are-food-supplements-safe\/are-supplements-dangerous\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1577\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1577\" src=\"https:\/\/www.chaneyhealth.com\/healthtips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/are-supplements-dangerous-213x300.jpg\" alt=\"are supplements dangerous\" width=\"213\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.chaneyhealth.com\/healthtips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/are-supplements-dangerous-213x300.jpg 213w, https:\/\/www.chaneyhealth.com\/healthtips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/are-supplements-dangerous.jpg 227w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 213px) 100vw, 213px\" \/><\/a>A\u00a0recent\u00a0study\u00a0(Qato\u00a0et\u00a0al,\u00a0JAMA\u00a0Internal\u00a0Medicine,\u00a0 doi:10.1001\/jamainternmed.2015.8581,\u00a0published\u00a0online March\u00a021,\u00a02016)\u00a0shows\u00a0just\u00a0how\u00a0big\u00a0a\u00a0problem\u00a0this\u00a0has\u00a0 become.\u00a0The\u00a0authors\u00a0conducted\u00a0a\u00a0longitudinal,\u00a0nationally\u00a0 representative\u00a0sampling\u00a0of\u00a0community\u2010dwelling\u00a0adults\u00a0 aged\u00a062\u00a0to\u00a085\u00a0years\u00a0old.\u00a0They\u00a0conducted\u00a0in\u2010home\u00a0 interviews\u00a0that\u00a0included\u00a0medication\u00a0inspections\u00a0with\u00a0 2351\u00a0participants\u00a0in\u00a02005\u20102006\u00a0and\u00a0again\u00a0with\u00a0another\u00a0 2206\u00a0participants\u00a05\u00a0years\u00a0later\u00a0in\u00a02010\u20102011.\u00a0 The\u00a0results\u00a0were\u00a0startling:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\u00a0Simultaneous\u00a0use\u00a0of\u00a0at\u00a0least\u00a05\u00a0prescription\u00a0medications\u00a0increased\u00a0from\u00a030.6%\u00a0in\u00a02005\u2010 2006\u00a0to\u00a035.8%\u00a0in\u00a02010\u20102011. \u00a0 That\u00a0is\u00a0a\u00a017%\u00a0increase\u00a0in\u00a0just\u00a05\u00a0years!<\/li>\n<li>\u00a0The\u00a0percentage\u00a0of\u00a0adults\u00a0using\u00a0medication\u00a0combinations\u00a0with\u00a0the\u00a0potential\u00a0for\u00a0major\u00a0drug\u2010 drug\u00a0interactions\u00a0increased\u00a0from\u00a08.4%\u00a0in\u00a02005\u20102006\u00a0to\u00a015.1%\u00a0in\u00a02010\u20102011. \u00a0 That\u2019s\u00a0almost\u00a0double\u00a0in\u00a0just\u00a0the\u00a0last\u00a05\u00a0years! To\u00a0put\u00a0that\u00a0into\u00a0perspective,\u00a0it\u00a0means\u00a0that\u00a0almost\u00a01\u00a0out\u00a0of\u00a0every\u00a06\u00a0seniors\u00a0in\u00a0this\u00a0 country\u00a0is\u00a0at\u00a0risk\u00a0of\u00a0major\u00a0drug\u2010drug\u00a0interactions.<\/li>\n<li>\u00a0Most\u00a0of\u00a0those\u00a0dangerous\u00a0interactions\u00a0were\u00a0due\u00a0to\u00a0physician\u00a0prescribed\u00a0medications,\u00a0 although\u00a0interactions\u00a0with\u00a0over\u00a0the\u00a0counter\u00a0medications\u00a0also\u00a0contributed\u00a0to\u00a0the\u00a0total.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The\u00a0authors\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0study\u00a0concluded\u00a0\u201cThese\u00a0findings\u00a0suggest\u00a0that\u00a0unsafe\u00a0use\u00a0of\u00a0multiple\u00a0 medications\u00a0is\u00a0a\u00a0growing\u00a0public\u00a0health\u00a0problem.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center; color: #339966;\">The Most Dangerous Drug\u00ad-Drug Interactions<\/h2>\n<p>The\u00a0problem\u00a0is\u00a0that\u00a0these\u00a0drug\u2010drug\u00a0interactions\u00a0aren\u2019t\u00a0minor\u00a0 inconveniences.\u00a0They\u00a0can\u00a0kill\u00a0you.\u00a0Here\u00a0are\u00a0some\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0more\u00a0 dangerous\u00a0drug\u2010drug\u00a0interactions\u00a0the\u00a0authors\u00a0listed:\u00a0 Let\u2019s\u00a0start\u00a0with\u00a0those\u00a0drug\u2010drug\u00a0interactions\u00a0for\u00a0physician\u2010 prescribed\u00a0medication.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\u00a0Statins\u00a0used\u00a0in\u00a0combination\u00a0with\u00a0some\u00a0blood\u00a0pressure\u00a0 medications\u00a0or\u00a0with\u00a0Coumadin\u00a0can\u00a0lead\u00a0to\u00a0excessive\u00a0 bleeding,\u00a0muscle\u00a0damage\u00a0and\u00a0kidney\u00a0failure.<\/li>\n<li>\u00a0The\u00a0combination\u00a0of\u00a0those\u00a0same\u00a0blood\u00a0pressure\u00a0medications\u00a0with\u00a0anti\u2010platelet\u00a0blood\u00a0 thinning\u00a0medications\u00a0like\u00a0Plavix\u00a0dramatically\u00a0increases\u00a0the\u00a0risk\u00a0of\u00a0a\u00a0heart\u00a0attack\u00a0and\u00a0death.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.chaneyhealth.com\/healthtips\/supplements-cause-cancer\/danger-sign-depositphotos_6241962\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1330\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-full wp-image-1330\" src=\"https:\/\/www.chaneyhealth.com\/healthtips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Danger-Sign-depositphotos_6241962.jpg\" alt=\"Danger\" width=\"169\" height=\"112\" \/><\/a>And,\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0not\u00a0just\u00a0interactions\u00a0of\u00a0physician\u2010prescribed\u00a0drugs\u00a0that\u00a0are\u00a0of\u00a0concern.\u00a0Interactions\u00a0 between\u00a0physician\u2010prescribed\u00a0drugs\u00a0and\u00a0over\u00a0the\u00a0counter\u00a0medications\u00a0can\u00a0be\u00a0equally\u00a0dangerous.<\/p>\n<p>These\u00a0interactions\u00a0are\u00a0particularly\u00a0insidious\u00a0because\u00a0patients\u00a0often\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0tell\u00a0their\u00a0doctors\u00a0about\u00a0 over\u00a0the\u00a0counter\u00a0medications\u00a0they\u00a0are\u00a0using.\u00a0For\u00a0example:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\u00a0The\u00a0combination\u00a0of\u00a0blood\u00a0thinners\u00a0with\u00a0pain\u00a0relievers\u00a0such\u00a0as\u00a0aspirin\u00a0or\u00a0Aleve\u00a0generally\u00a0 leads\u00a0to\u00a0excessive\u00a0bleeding.<\/li>\n<li>\u00a0However,\u00a0the\u00a0combination\u00a0of\u00a0certain\u00a0anti\u2010platelet\u00a0blood\u00a0thinning\u00a0medications\u00a0such\u00a0as\u00a0 Plavix\u00a0and\u00a0either\u00a0pain\u00a0medications\u00a0like\u00a0Aleve\u00a0or\u00a0acid\u00a0reflux\u00a0medications\u00a0like\u00a0Prilosec\u00a0can\u00a0 have\u00a0the\u00a0opposite\u00a0effect\u00a0\u2013\u00a0causing\u00a0blot\u00a0clot\u00a0formation\u00a0(such\u00a0as\u00a0deep\u00a0vein\u00a0thrombosis)\u00a0 which\u00a0can\u00a0lead\u00a0to\u00a0heart\u00a0attacks\u00a0and\u00a0cardiovascular\u00a0death.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Is There a Better Way? <\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.chaneyhealth.com\/healthtips\/do-omega-3s-prevent-age-related-muscle-loss\/age-related-muscle-loss\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1375\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-1375 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.chaneyhealth.com\/healthtips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/age-related-muscle-loss-300x240.jpg\" alt=\"age-related muscle loss\" width=\"300\" height=\"240\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.chaneyhealth.com\/healthtips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/age-related-muscle-loss-300x240.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.chaneyhealth.com\/healthtips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/age-related-muscle-loss.jpg 388w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a>In\u00a0an\u00a0editorial\u00a0that\u00a0accompanied\u00a0this\u00a0study\u00a0(JAMA\u00a0Internal\u00a0 Medicine,\u00a0doi:10.1001\/jamainternalmedicine.2015.8597)\u00a0 Dr.\u00a0Michael\u00a0A,\u00a0Steinman\u00a0said\u00a0\u201cThere\u00a0are\u00a0many\u00a0older\u00a0adults\u00a0 who\u00a0would\u00a0be\u00a0healthier\u00a0if\u00a0they\u00a0threw\u00a0away\u00a0half\u00a0of\u00a0their\u00a0 medications.\u00a0Yet,\u00a0there\u00a0are\u00a0people\u00a0with\u00a0multiple\u00a0chronic\u00a0 diseases\u00a0who\u00a0can\u00a0benefit\u00a0from\u00a0multidrug\u00a0therapy\u2026We\u00a0 [currently]\u00a0do\u00a0not\u00a0have\u00a0methods\u00a0that\u00a0allow\u00a0us\u00a0to\u00a0reliably\u00a0 evaluate\u00a0medication\u00a0therapy\u2026for\u00a0the\u00a0outcomes\u00a0that\u00a0really\u00a0 matter,\u00a0namely\u00a0whether\u00a0a\u00a0drug\u00a0is\u00a0actually\u00a0helping\u00a0the\u00a0 patient,\u00a0causing\u00a0adverse\u00a0effects,\u00a0or\u00a0is\u00a0necessary\u00a0at\u00a0all.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>If\u00a0your\u00a0doctor\u00a0doesn\u2019t\u00a0really\u00a0know\u00a0for\u00a0sure\u00a0whether\u00a0the medications\u00a0you\u00a0are\u00a0taking\u00a0help\u00a0you,\u00a0hurt\u00a0you,\u00a0or\u00a0have\u00a0no\u00a0effect,\u00a0you\u00a0might\u00a0be\u00a0wondering\u00a0whether\u00a0 there\u00a0is\u00a0a\u00a0better\u00a0way.\u00a0The\u00a0answer\u00a0is\u00a0a\u00a0clear\u00a0YES!<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\u00a0Multiple\u00a0studies\u00a0have\u00a0shown\u00a0that\u00a0lifestyle\u00a0change\u00a0is\u00a0more\u00a0effective\u00a0than\u00a0medications\u00a0for\u00a0 keeping\u00a0blood\u00a0pressure\u00a0under\u00a0control\u00a0(for\u00a0example:\u00a0Guzman\u2010Castillo\u00a0et\u00a0al,\u00a0BMJ\u00a0Open,\u00a0 doi:10.1136\/bmjopen\u20102014\u2010006070).<\/li>\n<li>\u00a0Studies\u00a0have\u00a0also\u00a0shown\u00a0that\u00a0lifestyle\u00a0change\u00a0is\u00a0more\u00a0effective\u00a0than\u00a0medications\u00a0for\u00a0 controlling\u00a0diabetes\u00a0(for\u00a0example:\u00a0Knowler\u00a0et\u00a0al,\u00a0New\u00a0England\u00a0Journal\u00a0of\u00a0Medicine,\u00a0346:\u00a0 393\u2010403,\u00a02002).<\/li>\n<li>\u00a0The\u00a0evidence\u00a0for\u00a0heart\u00a0disease\u00a0is\u00a0so\u00a0strong\u00a0that\u00a0both\u00a0the\u00a0National\u00a0Institutes\u00a0of\u00a0Health\u00a0and\u00a0 the\u00a0American\u00a0Heart\u00a0Association\u00a0recommend\u00a0that\u00a0a\u00a0little\u00a0TLC\u00a0(Therapeutic\u00a0Lifestyle\u00a0 Change)\u00a0be\u00a0tried\u00a0before\u00a0resorting\u00a0to\u00a0statins\u00a0and\u00a0other\u00a0medications\u00a0to\u00a0lower\u00a0cholesterol\u00a0and reduce\u00a0heart\u00a0attack\u00a0risk\u00a0(http:\/\/www.nhlbi.nih.gov\/health\/resources\/heart\/cholesterol\u2010 tlc).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Fortunately,\u00a0you\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0need\u00a0different\u00a0lifestyle\u00a0changes\u00a0for\u00a0different\u00a0diseases.\u00a0One\u00a0size\u00a0fits\u00a0all!\u00a0\u00a0I\u00a0 have\u00a0talked\u00a0about\u00a0a\u00a0healthy\u00a0lifestyle\u00a0in\u00a0great\u00a0detail\u00a0in\u00a0past\u00a0issues\u00a0of\u00a0\u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.chaneyhealth.com\/healthtips\">Health\u00a0Tips\u00a0From\u00a0the\u00a0 Professor<\/a>.\u201d \u00a0In\u00a0brief,\u00a0a\u00a0healthy\u00a0lifestyle\u00a0consists\u00a0of\u00a0a\u00a0 mostly\u00a0plant\u2010based\u00a0diet\u00a0with\u00a0healthy\u00a0fats,\u00a0healthy\u00a0carbohydrates,\u00a0and\u00a0healthy\u00a0proteins.\u00a0Then\u00a0add\u00a0 in\u00a0exercise,\u00a0weight\u00a0control,\u00a0and\u00a0appropriate\u00a0supplementation\u00a0and\u00a0you\u00a0have\u00a0a\u00a0winning\u00a0 combination.<\/p>\n<p>Why\u00a0risk\u00a0the\u00a0dangers\u00a0of\u00a0multiple\u00a0medications\u00a0when\u00a0there\u00a0is\u00a0a\u00a0better\u00a0way?<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center; color: #3366ff;\">The Bottom Line<\/h3>\n<ol>\n<li>\u00a0A\u00a0recent\u00a0study\u00a0has\u00a0clearly\u00a0demonstrated\u00a0that\u00a0the\u00a0use\u00a0of\u00a0multiple\u00a0medications\u00a0in\u00a0senior\u00a0 citizens\u00a0aged\u00a062\u00a0and\u00a0older\u00a0is\u00a0starting\u00a0to\u00a0reach\u00a0dangerous\u00a0levels.\u00a0Between\u00a02005\u00a0and\u00a02010:\n<ul>\n<li>\u00a0The\u00a0percentage\u00a0of\u00a0seniors\u00a0using\u00a05\u00a0or\u00a0more\u00a0medications\u00a0has\u00a0increased\u00a0from\u00a030.6%\u00a0to\u00a0 35.8%.\u00a0That\u2019s\u00a0a\u00a017%\u00a0increase\u00a0in\u00a0just\u00a05\u00a0years.<\/li>\n<li>\u00a0The\u00a0percentage\u00a0of\u00a0seniors\u00a0using\u00a0medication\u00a0combinations\u00a0with\u00a0the\u00a0potential\u00a0for\u00a0 major\u00a0drug\u2010drug\u00a0interactions\u00a0has\u00a0increased\u00a0from\u00a08.4%\u00a0to\u00a015.1%.\u00a0That\u2019s\u00a0almost\u00a0 double\u00a0and\u00a0represents\u00a01\u00a0out\u00a0of\u00a0every\u00a06\u00a0senior\u00a0citizens.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>These\u00a0dangerous\u00a0drug\u00a0interactions\u00a0aren\u2019t\u00a0trivial.\u00a0They\u00a0include\u00a0excessive\u00a0bleeding,\u00a0heart\u00a0 attack\u00a0and\u00a0stroke,\u00a0renal\u00a0failure\u00a0and\u00a0death,\u00a0just\u00a0to\u00a0name\u00a0a\u00a0few.<\/li>\n<li>\u00a0There\u00a0is\u00a0a\u00a0better\u00a0way.\u00a0Studies\u00a0have\u00a0shown\u00a0that\u00a0lifestyle\u00a0change\u00a0is\u00a0more\u00a0effective\u00a0than\u00a0 medication\u00a0at\u00a0controlling\u00a0many\u00a0chronic\u00a0diseases\u00a0such\u00a0as\u00a0heart\u00a0disease,\u00a0high\u00a0blood\u00a0pressure,\u00a0 and\u00a0diabetes.\u00a0Lifestyle\u00a0change\u00a0has\u00a0no\u00a0side\u00a0effects\u00a0and\u00a0no\u00a0dangerous\u00a0interactions.\u00a0More\u00a0 importantly,\u00a0you\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0need\u00a0different\u00a0lifestyle\u00a0changes\u00a0for\u00a0different\u00a0diseases.\u00a0One\u00a0size\u00a0fits\u00a0 all!\u00a0I\u00a0have\u00a0talked\u00a0about\u00a0a\u00a0healthy\u00a0lifestyle\u00a0in\u00a0great\u00a0detail\u00a0in\u00a0past\u00a0issues\u00a0of\u00a0\u201cHealth\u00a0Tips\u00a0From\u00a0 the\u00a0Professor\u201d\u00a0(https:\/\/www.chaneyhealth.com\/healthtips).\u00a0In\u00a0brief,\u00a0a\u00a0healthy\u00a0lifestyle\u00a0 consists\u00a0of:\n<ul>\n<li>\u00a0A\u00a0mostly\u00a0plant\u00a0based\u00a0diet\u00a0that\u00a0includes\u00a0healthy\u00a0fats,\u00a0healthy\u00a0carbohydrates,\u00a0and\u00a0 healthy\u00a0proteins.<\/li>\n<li>\u00a0Exercise,\u00a0weight\u00a0control,\u00a0and\u00a0appropriate\u00a0supplementation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>\u00a0So\u00a0if\u00a0you\u00a0or\u00a0someone\u00a0you\u00a0love\u00a0are\u00a0taking\u00a0multiple\u00a0medications,\u00a0talk\u00a0with\u00a0your\u00a0doctor\u00a0about\u00a0 the\u00a0lifestyle\u00a0changes\u00a0that\u00a0you\u00a0are\u00a0willing\u00a0to\u00a0make.\u00a0Most\u00a0doctors\u00a0would\u00a0be\u00a0delighted\u00a0to\u00a0 reduce\u00a0the\u00a0medications\u00a0you\u00a0are\u00a0taking\u00a0if\u00a0you\u00a0are\u00a0willing\u00a0to\u00a0do\u00a0your\u00a0part.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><em>These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Are seniors taking too many medications?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[377],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1775","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-medications"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Are Seniors Taking Too Many Medications? - Health Tips From The Professor<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Are seniors taking too many medications?\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.chaneyhealth.com\/healthtips\/seniors-taking-many-medications\/\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Dr. Steve Chaney\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"7 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.chaneyhealth.com\\\/healthtips\\\/seniors-taking-many-medications\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.chaneyhealth.com\\\/healthtips\\\/seniors-taking-many-medications\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Dr. Steve Chaney\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.chaneyhealth.com\\\/healthtips\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/1e0b9abeb7d25d8cec17e6156f24ac68\"},\"headline\":\"Are Seniors Taking Too Many Medications?\",\"datePublished\":\"2016-03-29T11:00:32+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.chaneyhealth.com\\\/healthtips\\\/seniors-taking-many-medications\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1442,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.chaneyhealth.com\\\/healthtips\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.chaneyhealth.com\\\/healthtips\\\/seniors-taking-many-medications\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.chaneyhealth.com\\\/healthtips\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2016\\\/01\\\/prevent-bone-fractures-300x201.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"Medications\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.chaneyhealth.com\\\/healthtips\\\/seniors-taking-many-medications\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.chaneyhealth.com\\\/healthtips\\\/seniors-taking-many-medications\\\/\",\"name\":\"Are Seniors Taking Too Many Medications? 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