Gerontology and Aging
Misconceptions About Sexual Health in Older Women: Why We Need to Talk About It
Sexual satisfaction has been linked to quality of life throughout a person’s life, and distress related to sexual dysfunction impacts the health of the individual and their relationship.1 A common misconception is that aging women are not sexually active. National representative data indicate that, while sexual activity declines with age, both men and women continue to engage in in vaginal intercourse, oral sex, and masturbation even in the eighth and ninth decades of life.1 However, patients and medical providers lack understanding about female sexual function, particularly in older women.Hormonal and Metabolic Changes of Aging and the Influence of Lifestyle Modifications
Increased life expectancy combined with the aging baby boomer generation has resulted in an unprecedented global expansion of the elderly population. The growing population of older adults and increased rate of age-related chronic illness has caused a substantial socioeconomic burden. The gradual and progressive age-related decline in hormone production and action has a detrimental impact on human health by increasing risk for chronic disease and reducing life span. This article reviews the age-related decline in hormone production, as well as age-related biochemical and body composition changes that reduce the bioavailability and actions of some hormones.Dysphagia in Older Adults
Dysphagia, which is a geriatric syndrome affecting 10% to 33% of older adults, is commonly seen in older adults who have experienced a stroke or neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer or Parkinson disease. Patients diagnosed as having dysphagia can experience malnutrition, pneumonia, and dehydration. Patients can also experience increased rates of mortality and long-term care admission. Providers can identify the specific type of dysphagia for treatment in approximately 80% of patients by asking 5 questions in the patient’s history: What happens when you try to swallow? Do you have trouble chewing? Do you have difficulty swallowing solids, liquids, or both? Describe the symptom onset, duration, and frequency? What are the associated symptoms? Providers can then request a videofluoroscopic swallow study or a fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing for further evaluation of oropharyngeal dysphagia.
