Getting old

[ancharee]

Hi, been a smoker and drinker 53 years now 70 year old, starting to feel the problems, bronchitis throat problems, question is would a MRI scan or a medical check up be better. Thanks 

 

 

 

[Denim]

Any damage done is probably not reversable at this age. Best you can do is stop things getting worse by giving up smoking completely and drastically reducing alcohol intake plus looking at your diet to see if it is healthy or not.

 

Any medical check ups or scans will only tell you basically what you already know. Whatever the outcome the advice is almost bound to be stop making things any worse.

 

I have a similar dilemma.  I have sciatica. This can have several causes but knowing exactly what is causing it would not help much since I have already changed my habits to cover the most likely causes. This has been quite successful and although it has not gone away I can live with it.

[Upnotover]

Carry on, how old do you want to be?  100% for sure if you go looking for problems you will find them.

[zhounan]

Read Dr.Hamer, most of the energy come from an healthy mind.

[Andy F]

It's worth getting a full medical check up and a professional medical opinion. It may help motivate you to quit smoking and start doing a bit of mild exercise. Walking in nature may give your lungs a new lease of life. Going to a sauna and steam bath, may also clear your lungs a bit. I was diagnosed with COPD. This was the wake up call I needed to quit smoking. COPD is irreversible but it can improve a lot with regular exercise. Good luck 🙏🌹🙏

[save the frogs]

It's pretty impressive that you've been able to avoid doctors up to this point. 

[ancharee]

Thanks for your comments , it's been helpful 

[The Fugitive]

I have always believed that going into doctors surgeries or, even worse, hospitals is a sure fire way to make yourself ill. Can I ask do you know if your vital signs are OK? If you've been a blood donor in Thailand (until now) and/or in your home country that's a reasonable clue. Do you ever REALLY need to take any medication apart from for bronchitis?

[BritManToo]

8 minutes ago, The Fugitive said:

I have always believed that going into doctors surgeries or, even worse, hospitals is a sure fire way to make yourself ill. Can I ask do you know if your vital signs are OK? If you've been a blood donor in Thailand (until now) and/or in your home country that's a reasonable clue. Do you ever REALLY need to take any medication apart from for bronchitis?

You can't be a blood donor in Thailand if you're over 60yo!

[The Fugitive]

2 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

You can't be a blood donor in Thailand if you're over 60yo!

I commenced at 63 at our local mobile collection sessions because of previously being a blood/plasma/platelet donor in U.K. Apparently, everyone gets sacked off at 70. That also used to be the upper limit in UK, however there is now no upper limit providing you continue to be healthy.

[ancharee]

2 hours ago, BritManToo said:

You can't be a blood donor in Thailand if you're over 60yo!

correct l offered blood to a hospital in Buriram when I was 62, rejected to old

[The Fugitive]

4 hours ago, ancharee said:

correct l offered blood to a hospital in Buriram when I was 62, rejected to old

That's annoying and not in the spirit of wanting to give your blood for the benefit of others. Had you previously donated elsewhere?

[ancharee]

16 hours ago, The Fugitive said:

That's annoying and not in the spirit of wanting to give your blood for the benefit of others. Had you previously donated elsewhere?

not in thailand but often in the uk

[The Fugitive]

1 minute ago, ancharee said:

not in thailand but often in the uk

Did they ask (or did you tell them) about that? I was accepted at 63 by The Red Cross at a local mobile collection session on the basis of previously donating in UK and I continue to donate at 67. Assuming the rules don't change I will be sacked off, same as everyone, else at 70.   

[StandardIssue]

Not sure why you are asking this kind of question here. But my two cents is use common sense. Go see a Doctor!! If you have not had regular common annual health checks then might as well start now ... unless you don't care about your health. My advice... don't play Doctor and also avoid all the so called "advice" here. No place to be asking serious medical questions. even some of the replies here are just comical to the point of disturbing.

 

Here may well be the last place you want to ask for serious medical advice unless you looking for experience with particular procedures from particular Thai institutions. That can be helpful here. 

 

I'd ask the moderators to move this topic to the appropriate forum too. This is the I drink to much forum. Seems the OP is concerning general health. Drinking and Smoking too much... well that is obviously frowned on by the medical community at large and asking here just seems to be a form of procrastination.

Get up from the desk, go outside, take a car, bus or other mode of transport and get yourself to a reputable hospital for a general physical exam.  From there a good doctor will suggest further particular tests based on their findings etc. It could be an MRI, CT scan, ultrasound depending... more than likely a full panel of blood tests and xrays etc..

Edited May 16 by StandardIssue

[StandardIssue]

On 5/11/2024 at 8:54 PM, Denim said:

 

 

Any medical check ups or scans will only tell you basically what you already know. Whatever the outcome the advice is almost bound to be stop making things any worse.

 

How do you know what he already knows? A medical exam and suggested tests from a good reputable Doctor could very well find a lot of other issues that could be addressed to help the man live longer.. WTF? 

[saintdomingo]

On 5/13/2024 at 1:44 PM, ancharee said:

correct l offered blood to a hospital in Buriram when I was 62, rejected to old

Similar here at the Red. Cross in Bangkok. Possibly a bit more than 62 but not too much.

[2baht]

On 5/11/2024 at 8:02 PM, ancharee said:

Hi, been a smoker and drinker 53 years now 70 year old, starting to feel the problems, bronchitis throat problems, question is would a MRI scan or a medical check up be better. Thanks 

 

 

 

I retired at 65 in Oct 2019, got diagnosed with Cancer in Dec 2019. Been battling since, retirement hasn't been what I always thought it would be! 😏 

[ancharee]

1 hour ago, 2baht said:

I retired at 65 in Oct 2019, got diagnosed with Cancer in Dec 2019. Been battling since, retirement hasn't been what I always thought it would be! 😏 

sorry to hear that 2baht, not sure if i will get a checkup maybe best not to know 

[Sheryl]

Moved to health forum 

[BritManToo]

At 68 I've decided to avoid all doctors for age related illness, none of the men in my family ever made 70 and I doubt I'll be the first.

 

Yep, some of my lot were diagnosed with cancer, the hospitals didn't make them live any longer, but the treatments made it seem longer.

 

I'll take the time I'm given and hope the end is quick and painless. I've had long enough and don't need any medical torture at the end.

[Tropicalevo]

On 5/13/2024 at 11:03 AM, BritManToo said:

You can't be a blood donor in Thailand if you're over 60yo!

Yes you can.

I was a donor here on Samui until I was 70.

I had been a regular donor since my early 20's. O -

Just before giving my 'last pint' the nurse looked at my records and said - sorry - this is your last one.

Edited June 22 by Tropicalevo

[bubblegum]

Having the same problems for a couple of months. Been to see different hospitals. Getting slightly better right now but living in Issan does not make it easy to find a real doctor.

[TimBKK]

On 5/11/2024 at 8:02 PM, ancharee said:

Hi, been a smoker and drinker 53 years now 70 year old, starting to feel the problems, bronchitis throat problems, question is would a MRI scan or a medical check up be better. Thanks 

 

 

 

With regard to drinking - if you are a heavy drinker and are able to drop that down to moderate levels, there can be significant health benefits:

 

(Sorry for the long text post)

A modest change with universal benefits

 

Kang et al. demonstrated that even modest reduction in alcohol consumption is associated with significantly lower the risk of cardiovascular events. For many individuals, the prospect of completely quitting alcohol might seem daunting or unattainable. However, Kang et al.’s findings offer a more achievable goal, as they show that substantial health benefits can be gained by cutting down to moderate drinking levels – and they show that the benefits apply to everyone. 
 

The cardiovascular benefits of reduced alcohol consumption were consistent across various subgroups for various demographic and health variables, dispelling the myth that certain individuals, based on their age or other health conditions, might be “too far gone” to benefit from reducing their alcohol intake. Whether you’re in your forties or your seventies, have overweight or average weight, the study indicates that the positive effects of reducing alcohol intake apply broadly.

Bottom line: it’s not too late!

Even with a history of heavy drinking, the answer to the question posed at the beginning of this newsletter is that, no, the damage is not already done; there is ample opportunity for improvement that translates into real risk reduction and the potential for a longer, healthier life. 
 

The study by Kang et al. highlights a critical but often overlooked aspect of cardiovascular health – the significant benefits of reducing heavy alcohol intake even after years of excessive consumption. Their work underscores that in this context, it is not too late to make positive changes for cardiovascular health and that efforts to do so would be far from futile, reaffirming the power of lifestyle change and personal choice – including the choice to seek support and help – in shaping one’s health trajectory. So, if you’re contemplating whether to cut back on alcohol, the message is clear: even modest reductions can significantly enhance heart health at any stage and for anyone.

 

https://peterattiamd.com/reducing-heavy-alcohol-intake/

[Doctor Tom]

On 5/16/2024 at 1:40 PM, StandardIssue said:

Go see a Doctor!! If you have not had regular common annual health checks then might as well start now ... unless you don't care about your health.

The issues with that approach is knowing  how you should feel and be like medically at your age.  A set of test data points from a bog standard medical check really can tell you very little , unless there are other indications of ill health. The medical results are compared to a standard set of data points,  that are far from personal to you,  The PSA test is one such, as are many of the liver function tests.  You end up asking yourself, well how should I feel at my age,  I've never been this age before.  You often don't get an answer from the medical people because they have never been your age before either.   A good example of this is an enlarged prostate.  That is entirely normal in older males.  It doesnt mean cancer is present, or ever will be and even if it is, something else may well get you before that does.  The uncomfortable fact is that we all die of something. My view is that if you have no other very obvious symptoms, bar those expected as you age, then just live your life and don't add worry to stress. Obviously, it seems sensible to remove the obvious negatives, don't smoke, eat well, eliminate sugar and, in my view, no alcohol at all.  But this is all just my view of course.  

[The Fugitive]

1 hour ago, Tropicalevo said:

Yes you can.

I was a donor here on Samui until I was 70.

I had been a regular donor since my early 20's. O -

Just before giving my 'last pint' the nurse looked at my records and said - sorry - this is your last one.

I'm almost at that point. Hoping they raise or abolish the 70 upper age limit!

[Moonlover]

2 hours ago, BritManToo said:

At 68 I've decided to avoid all doctors for age related illness, none of the men in my family ever made 70 and I doubt I'll be the first.

 

Yep, some of my lot were diagnosed with cancer, the hospitals didn't make them live any longer, but the treatments made it seem longer.

 

I'll take the time I'm given and hope the end is quick and painless. I've had long enough and don't need any medical torture at the end.

Yes, I agree. This why I have absolutely refused to take out medical insurance. I believe in living sensibly with regards to diet, exercise and above all adopt a positive attitude with regards to my health, both physical and mental and so far it's worked.

 

I'm 78 years now and I have never had to consult a doctor for any illness nor have I ever had a check up. 

[Hummin]

10 minutes ago, Moonlover said:

Yes, I agree. This why I have absolutely refused to take out medical insurance. I believe in living sensibly with regards to diet, exercise and above all adopt a positive attitude with regards to my health, both physical and mental and so far it's worked.

 

I'm 78 years now and I have never had to consult a doctor for any illness nor have I ever had a check up. 

Thats a good run, myself fear to be 90 or more, and thats 10 years more than I wish for, at least for now. 

 

Another 35 years to go ?

[richard_smith237]

50 minutes ago, Moonlover said:

Yes, I agree. This why I have absolutely refused to take out medical insurance. I believe in living sensibly with regards to diet, exercise and above all adopt a positive attitude with regards to my health, both physical and mental and so far it's worked.

 

I'm 78 years now and I have never had to consult a doctor for any illness nor have I ever had a check up. 

 

Great for you - but you appear to be claiming 'attitude' can impact longevity which is flawed in absolute terms - You've been very lucky, perhaps genetically so, nevertheless, very lucky.

 

I know plenty of people who's life and quality of life has been prolonged due to medical intervention after routine investigation for something simple...

 

i.e. Colonoscopies....  breast cancer check, skin cancer checks etc..   seems the 'C word' is the big one and if caught early enough in a lot of cases is fully recoverable (sadly I also know of plenty where it was simply too aggressive).

 

 

My medical bills this year alone have exceeded 500,000 baht...  over the past couple of years, they have exceded approximately 1,300,000 baht...    a bad run of sports injuries...  of course, self insuring I'd have gone to cheaper hospitals but perhaps would have had to wait for longer for treatment...   You did mention 'living sensibly' but does that mean stopping sports so we don't get injured, or not riding a motorcycle any more due to risk of injury vs a car etc ?

 

At 70 yrs + I may well have to self insure too though - the premiums are insane.

 

Getting citizenship would be a solution - but thats impossible for many of us who've not worked here for the last 3 yrs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Moonlover]

On 6/22/2024 at 10:48 PM, richard_smith237 said:

Great for you - but you appear to be claiming 'attitude' can impact longevity which is flawed in absolute terms - You've been very lucky, perhaps genetically so, nevertheless, very lucky.

Thank you but I don't believe purely in luck, as in fate. I believe that we 'create our own luck'. I've studied and practiced modalities that enhance health and fitness for many years and at 78 years old my hospital bills remain at zero. 

 

On 6/22/2024 at 10:48 PM, richard_smith237 said:

 You did mention 'living sensibly' but does that mean stopping sports so we don't get injured, or not riding a motorcycle any more due to risk of injury vs a car etc ?

 

By living sensibly I mean healthy eating and strictly limiting alcohol and caffeine intake. Adequate sleep and daily exercise. But I still ride my motorcycle despite the risks. That's something I still very much enjoy.

 

Take good care of yourself, you're worth it.