Elder history

In Ancient Rome, Pliny the Elder (c. a.d. 23-79) dedicated 37 volumes of Natural History to the emperor Titus. In the last of these books, dealing with gems and precious stones, he describes the properties of the fossil resin, amber. The ability of amber to attract dust was recognised and in fact the word electricity is derived from elektron, the Greek for amber. 

The MAOI antidepressant drag s are contraindicated in patients widi known hypersensitivity to die drug s, liver and kidney disease, cerebrovascular disease, hypertension, or congestive heart failure and in die elderly. These drag s are given cautiously to patients witii impaired liver function, history of seizures, parkinsonian symptoms, diabetes, or hyperthyroidism. 

Obtain a thorough history of prescription, non-prescription, and natural drug product use. Is the patient taking any medications that could contribute to cognitive changes in the elderly ... 

Antihistamines such as diphenhydramine are known for their sedating properties and are frequently used over-the-counter medications (usual doses 25-50 mg) for difficulty sleeping. Diphenhydramine is approved by the FDA for the treatment of insomnia and can be effective at reducing sleep latency and increasing sleep time.43 However, diphenhydramine produces undesirable anticholinergic effects and carryover sedation that limit its use. As with TCAs and BZDRAs, diphenhydramine should be used with caution in the elderly. Valerian root is an herbal sleep remedy that has inconsistent effects on sleep but may reduce sleep latency and efficiency at commonly used doses of 400 to 900 mg valerian extract. Ramelteon, a new melatonin receptor agonist, is indicated for insomnia characterized by difficulty with sleep onset. The recommended dose is 8 mg at bedtime. Ramelteon is not a controlled substance and thus may be a viable option for patients with a history of substance abuse. 

In patients younger than age 65 with overt hypothyroidism, the average LT4 replacement dose is 1.6 mcg/kg per day (use ideal body weight in obese patients25). If there is no history of cardiac disease, these patients may be started on the full replacement dose. The full replacement dose in patients over age 75 is lower, about 1 mcg/kg per day.26 In the elderly, the starting dose is 25 to 50 meg/day, and the dose is titrated to the... 

One of the safest and most commonly used parts of the elder are the cream-colored blossoms. They are expectorant, mildly laxative, diuretic and diaphoretic. They have traditionally been used as part of a spring blood-purifying formula. Throughout history, elder flowers have been administered as a tea for treatment of lung infections, measles and scarlet fever. 

Cathartic. Elder has a history of being used as a remedy for acute constipation. Parts used leaves, inner bark. 

Disutient. Elder has been used throughout history to dissolve tumors and abnormal growths. Parts used flowers, leaves. 

Everyone enjoys having a little color brought into their lives. Throughout history, elder has done just that. 

Sambucus ebulus. Grows to 4 feet in Eurasia and northern Africa also grows in eastern and central U.S. Also known as dwarf elder, Dane s elder. Its black berries are toxic. Good dye source. The root has a history of being used to treat snakebite. 

Elder certainly is a tree associated with power, magic and good fortune, but if used disrespectfully it can also bring about misfortune. Throughout history people have found many ways to bring the benefits of elder into the medicine chest, hearth and heart. 

Although the risk of GI complications is relatively small with short-term therapy, coadministration with a proton pump inhibitor should be considered in elderly patients and others at increased GI risk. NSAIDs should be used with caution in individuals with a history of peptic ulcer disease, heart failure, uncontrolled hypertension, renal insufficiency, coronary artery disease, or if they are receiving anticoagulants concurrently. 

Benzodiazepines are safe and remarkably well tolerated. The most common side effect is drowsiness. However, elderly patients may experience confusion and a lack of coordination that increases the risk of falls. The benzodiazepines are not without abuse liability and should be used sparingly in patients with a history of a substance use disorder. 

The study subject s medical history, for example, more frequent in the elderly and hepatic and renally impaired previous exposure to the medicine and presence of other disease. 

Special risk patients Administer with caution to patients with diabetes mellitus, hyperthyroidism, prostatic hypertrophy (ephedrine) or history of seizures elderly psychoneurotic individuals, patients with long-standing bronchial asthma and emphysema who have developed degenerative heart disease (epinephrine). 

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