Heat and medication: A bitter pill
The summer heat is adding to the discomfort of a long commute and taking a toll on this octogenarian with dementia. 'Dad had loose stools, so I did not send him to the day care centre for a week; I fear the heat and the travel would drain him further,' says the school teacher, who also had a tele-consultation with the doctor.
High temperature can impact seniors (or anybody else) in another critical manner. Doctors point out high temperature and humidity can affect the efficacy of medicines.
Venkatraman Karthikeayan, senior consultant neurologist with Kauvery Group of Hospitals, feels that those with multiple sclerosis are the most affected by summer heat.
'When I was running my clinic in Liverpool, the Brits would leave for Scandinavian countries during summer. They could not tolerate the heat. There would be 'reproduction' of all their symptoms. It is not a relapse but we term it as pseudo-relapse because of the heat around. The affected neurons will not be able to compensate when the heat is high. This is particularly a problem for those diagonised with multiple sclerosis living in cities where humidity is high,' says Dr. Karthikeayan.
As heat-related fatigue can be hard on seniors, particularly those with such ailments, Dr. Karthikeayan has a word of advice for them: he asks them to 'reserve their energy for the most important and productive work'.
For example, watching television does not equate with resting. 'People think brain becomes tired only while working but brain becomes super tired more with cognitive work than physical work. So I would ask them to cut down on such activities and take a quick nap,' he says.
Medicines and dehydration
Sridhar Vaitheswaran, consultant psychiatrist, Schizophrenia Research Foundation (SCARF), says some medication can amplify the risk related to heat and summer — dehydration.
'While some medicines can make our body deal with dehydration, there are some others that can exacerbate the condition. There are a few medicines that can increase sweating as well. Some of the medicines used for high blood pressure and heart disease would also make the body lose water. It is important that the patient and the caregiver are aware of these problems and the medicines that can cause them; the physician needs to explain these things to them,' says Dr. Vaitheswaran.
'The dosage of some of the medicines might have to be changed depending on the timing of the dose and how it causes those problems. Some medicines such as Lithium, which we prescribe for bi-polar disorder, can sometimes act up so we have to be careful,' says Dr. Vaitheswaran.
Doctors says it is important to follow the instructions mentioned on the back of the tablet box or strip while storing medicines. Drugs should not be exposed to direct sunlight or left in cars for hours together anytime — more so, during summer. 'Certain tablets when kept under direct sunlight will lose its efficacy,' adds Dr. Vaitheswaran.
Changes in appearance, smell or texture could mean the medication has been damaged.
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Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
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The term was famously popularised by Swedish filmmaker Ingmar Bergman in his 1968 psychological horror film, where he described it as the hour 'when most people die, sleep is deepest, and nightmares are most real.' It's also the time when the sleepless are haunted by their worst thoughts and when ghosts and demons are believed to be most active. According to Nordic traditions, the hours before sunrise carry a unique psychological and spiritual intensity. They overlap with Western concepts like the 'witching hour' or 'devil's hour,' historically associated with heightened supernatural activity. While you may not believe in spirits or demons, there's no denying that waking at this hour can stir unsettling emotions, feelings of dread, racing thoughts, or a strange sense of isolation. Waking up between 3 and 5 AM: What science says about your body's low point Beyond the folklore, there's a scientific explanation for why these hours feel so heavy. 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- First Post
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The Hindu
02-07-2025
- The Hindu
Researchers in U.K., Chennai, explore use of AI and social robots for early dementia detection and support
Dementia, a condition that affects millions worldwide, has become a challenge of significant concern as the global population ages. Traditionally, care for dementia has relied heavily on medication, therapy, and the support of family and caregivers. However, now, the approach to dementia care is beginning to evolve in unexpected ways. Researchers are exploring how technology, particularly robotics and Artificial Intelligence (AI), can play a deeper role in supporting human care. Though still in its early stages, a notable example is the collaboration between Imperial College London and the Chennai-based Schizophrenia Research Foundation (SCARF), where a team is investigating how social robots could aid those living with dementia. The aim of this research is not only to provide companionship, but also to detect early signs of cognitive decline. Use of social robots The research seeks to use voice recognition and 'social robots' to detect early signs of cognitive decline. 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In one particular study at SCARF, a social robot was used to engage participants diagnosed with dementia. The robot initiated conversations with people about their daily lives, asking simple questions such as, 'How did you sleep last night?' and 'How are you feeling today?' Sridhar Vaitheshwaran, consultant psychiatrist and head of DEMCARES at SCARF, pointed out the positive outcomes, saying, 'People with dementia were genuinely interested in the robot and engaged in meaningful conversations. It was clear that they were interacting with it not as a machine, but as a companion.' This finding highlighted the potential for robots to alleviate feelings of isolation that many people with dementia experience. Data for early detection Prof. Vaidyanathan noted that the key goal of the research isn't just about keeping patients engaged but also about collecting meaningful data. 'We're gathering data in real-time, so it's not just about engaging people. It's about how we can make sure this interaction can lead to something useful. If we can detect early signs of dementia based on these conversations, we can better equip physicians with tools for early diagnosis,' he stated. He also stressed the significance of regular check-ins. 'By having conversations with people every day, we can observe fluctuations in their speech over time, which could be early indicators of cognitive decline.' Challenges in scaling up, data privacy One of the biggest challenges in scaling this research, however, lies in the cross-cultural differences in language, speech patterns, and patient engagement. By testing the technology in different cultural contexts, the team aims to make the AI more adaptable to various accents, linguistic nuances, and communication styles. While the potential for social robots in dementia care is exciting, the project also faces the critical issue of data privacy. In the context of AI, voice recordings and other personal data can raise significant concerns. Prof. Vaitheshwaran said of the importance of ethical research practices, 'I think any research, any data that we gather from people needs to be protected and it has to be ethical, and we need to be careful about what we do with the data,' adding that the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has developed comprehensive guidelines for the use of patient data. 'All of our studies undergo thorough review by our Ethics Committee to ensure that the data is handled ethically and securely,' he said. The use of voice data, especially in healthcare settings, poses unique privacy challenges. According to the team, the data gathered is handled privately. Close oversight of both the research team and participants is maintained to ensure a degree of control. 'But when it comes to broader implementation, managing these aspects becomes much more complex — and that's something the research community hasn't fully resolved yet,' said Prof Vaidyanathan. He pointed out that as the research evolves, maintaining privacy during the broader deployment of the technology will be an ongoing concern. Early intervention and reducing physician load Looking ahead, Prof. Vaidyanathan said that the next step is to refine the technology for early dementia detection through AI-powered voice screening, which could alert physicians when further evaluation is needed. Ultimately, they aim to support clinicians and people with dementia through technology that is both effective and user-friendly. 'We want to move beyond just helping those already diagnosed with dementia. We aim to identify people at risk before they show any obvious symptoms.' He believes that if dementia is detected in its early stages, it could make a significant difference to managing the disease and improving patients' quality of life. The team also wants to explore combining voice data with other diagnostic methods, like urinary tract information or even genetic markers. 'Voice interactions are one piece of the puzzle, but when combined with other diagnostic tools, we could create a more holistic approach,' Prof. Vaidyanathan said.
