Anand P Ambali

Abstract

Status Epilepticus (SE) is a medical emergency seen in all age groups. Status Epilepticus is defined as a continuous seizure lasting more than thirty minutes, or two or more seizures without full recovery of consciousness between any of them. For, all practical purpose any seizure that last for more than five minutes can be considered as status. The approach and management of SE especially in older people pose a great challenge to the treating physician. The causes and clinical features in different age groups will be different. Multiple comorbidities, electrolyte disturbances, polypharmacy, frailty and delay in diagnosis will lead to increased mortality in older people. There is worldwide consensus regarding treatment of status epilepticus, which is helping many lives being saved. Despite availability of newer antiepileptic drugs, the main stay in management of SE is the use of first line of injectable drugs with good results. These first line of injectable drugs are easily available even in rural parts of India which helps saves life. The need for ventilatory support especially in older people leads to increase in morbidity and mortality. This article reviews current issues of convulsive Status Epilepticus in adults and older people. Keywords: Status Epilepticus antiepileptic drugs older people.

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Abstract

Magnesium constitutes fourth most abundant cation in human body. It plays important role in the electrical stability of the conduction system of the heart. Measure of total serum magnesium correlates with ionized and intracellular levels of magnesium in human cells. Both low and high levels of magnesium are associated with cardiac disorders especially in older people. The hypomagnesemia contributes to atherosclerosis which in turn is a risk factor for Hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. The magnesium in diet is often not sufficient to meet the daily needs in older people hence they are prone for developing complication of cardiovascular events. This review relooks at the role of magnesium in causing cardiovascular diseases and its complications. Keywords: Magnesium, Elderly, Heart Disease.

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Abstract

The seniors in India now constitute 9% of total population, and the prevalence of dementia is also rising.  There is very less research happening in people with dementia. The approach to research quality of life in people with dementia especially their lived experiences, differs from general population. Involving the people with dementia itself is a challenging task. The main objectives of doing the research will be to know the person living with dementia, secondly their lived experiences and thirdly its impact on their quality of life. The multidimensional approach using interview method will be suitable especially in early stage of dementia. In developing countries, factors like illiteracy, superstition and low awareness about research hampers research work in people with dementia. The various approaches in understanding the persons lived experiences requires skills and patience in researcher. This review is an attempt to share the issues that are to be faced while doing research on people with dementia especially those living in developing countries and that too in rural areas. The challenges are the ethical, communication, understanding local factors that influence quality of life and involving person with dementia along with family members. Various studies which have overcome these challenges has been mentioned here so that it will assist in research process.  Keywords: Research, developing country, experiences, person with dementia.  

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