What should we do if the elderly are irritable? Anger is produced by the combined effects of low serotonin, high dopamine, and high norepinephrine, and has a unique autonomic nervous system response. Once the outside world disrupts this system, people will will fall into angry emotions. Let’s take a look at what to do when the elderly are irritable!
How to alleviate the irritability of the elderly 1
1. Children should care for the elderly
The two ends of life are so similar, both are so willful, sensitive, and incapable of taking care of themselves.
On one end is the vibrant little life growing up bit by bit, while on the other end is the aging old man slowly losing his vitality.
If there is such a "strange old man" in the family, the children must not dislike or be bored with them first. They must know that all this is the law of nature at work.
Think about it when we were young, we pooped and pooped, and our parents never disliked us. Now that our parents are old, how can we bear to dislike them? Young people should help the elderly relieve their stress. Create a comfortable living environment for them and listen more to the elderly.
Some old people like to talk about the "glorious history" of their youth. Children should be patient.
2. Maintain a good attitude
The elderly themselves should also maintain a good attitude. Don’t worry or get angry. Don’t take your children’s faces and words too seriously, and don’t worry about them. In the hearts of children and grandchildren, living a good life is victory.
3. Quit smoking and drinking
Quit smoking and drinking to avoid some elderly diseases and maintain good health.
4. Actively participate in activities
Actively participate in cultural and sports activities within your ability. Square dancing is actually a better social activity, and qualified elderly people can participate appropriately.
Reasons for irritability in the elderly 2
1. Hyperthyroidism
Patients with hyperthyroidism will have increased metabolism and high sympathetic nerve excitement.
The functions of various body systems of patients may be overactive, with symptoms such as palpitation and increased heart rate, and they may be overly nervous in response to the outside world, making them prone to irritable moods.
Taking hyperthyroidism and other drugs can effectively control the symptoms of hyperthyroidism.
2. Effects of statins
Some patients who are taking statins to lower blood lipids become irritable after stopping the drug. The reason is that while the drug lowers cholesterol levels, it also It reduces serotonin levels in the brain, making anger difficult to control.
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter produced in the body and is a mixture of substances used by nerve cells to transmit messages to each other.
Low serotonin will have a negative impact on a person’s appetite, drive (appetite, sleep, sex) and mood.
In this case, the patient should gradually reduce the dosage of statin under the guidance of a doctor.
3. Depression and Alzheimer’s disease
Some mental illnesses are also direct causes of irritable mood and irritability.
For example, depression and Alzheimer’s disease.
Typical clinical symptoms of depression include a decrease in activity in three dimensions: depression, slow thinking, and decreased volitional activity.
Specifically, it can manifest as significant and persistent depression and pessimism.
Elderly patients with depression may be accompanied by symptoms such as irritability, restlessness, hot and dry body, flushing and sweating.
4. Unstable blood sugar
Unstable blood sugar and moodiness.
Elevated blood sugar can cause metabolic disorders in the body, affect the absorption of B vitamins, and even lead to a lack of B vitamins in the human body.
When the elderly lack B vitamins, it will affect the stability of the nervous system, resulting in bad temper and moodiness.
Therefore, if your temper suddenly becomes bad, you should check your blood sugar level in time.
It needs to be reminded that even if blood sugar is not high, some elderly people may have mood effects due to lack of B vitamins.
For example, eating too refined foods or drinking alcohol frequently will interfere with the absorption of vitamin B1.
5. Elderly anxiety disorder
Elderly anxiety, restlessness and fear.
Elderly patients with anxiety disorder often feel very uneasy and fearful, accompanied by autonomic nervous system disorders such as sympathetic nervous hyperactivity and muscle tension.
In addition, if the temperament of an elderly person suffering from arteriosclerosis changes, the personality becomes withdrawn, timid, emotionally unstable, moody, and at the same time there are symptoms such as headache, dizziness, and numbness of the limbs, it is necessary to consider whether Neurosis in old age.
Neurosis in the elderly often manifests as depression, anxiety, and is accompanied by cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.
This type of proven disease will affect the mental health of people in the coming years, causing the elderly to be unable to control their temper and easily become angry due to some external factors.
6. Iron deficiency
The elderly suffer from iron deficiency and feel depressed.
Some elderly people eat vegetarian food for a long time or have poor gastrointestinal digestion, which can lead to iron deficiency.
Elderly people with iron deficiency will feel listless, sleepy and weak, unable to concentrate, irritable and irritable, and have low sexual desire.
These physical discomforts can easily affect the mental state of the elderly, making an elderly person with a peaceful temper become irritable and irritable.
7. Zinc deficiency
Zinc deficiency is also one of the key factors causing irritability in the elderly.
The most obvious manifestation of zinc deficiency in the elderly is that they often experience abnormal taste, food does not taste good, and they have no appetite.
This is because zinc participates in the synthesis of taste buds, which can enhance the sensitivity of taste buds and promote appetite.
Easy fatigue and movement disorders are also symptoms of zinc deficiency in the elderly.
The elderly’s reduced physical activity and decline in body functions lead to poor zinc absorption.
In addition, mental disorders and memory loss in the elderly may also be caused by zinc deficiency.
The decline in functions in all aspects leads to moodiness and emotional instability in the elderly.
8. Psychological problems
Due to declining physical condition and reduced working ability, some retired elderly people have transitioned from the original fast and tight pace of life to the leisurely life after retirement. If the rhythm is not suitable properly, it is easy to feel disappointed.
Coupled with some things that are unacceptable to you, it is naturally difficult to adapt, which will have a negative impact on your mood and make you irritable and dissatisfied.
In addition, the life circle has become smaller, and there is a lack of outlets to vent emotions. I often unknowingly find fault with those around me and express my dissatisfaction.
Therefore, it seems that the elderly are grumpy and irritable.