Both acute and chronic fluid deficits have been shown to be associated with a number of adverse health outcomes. At the extreme, deprivation of water for more than a few days inevitably leads to death, but even modest fluid deficits may precipitate adverse events, especially in young children, in the frail elderly and in those [...]

ISSUE ADDRESSED: Many studies world wide have provided evidence that older persons are a sub-population at increased risk of heat-related morbidity and mortality. This article gives an overview of the current state of knowledge of risk factors and provides commentary on the role of health promotion in the prevention of a climate change-related increase in [...]

Objective Dehydration is a common condition and frequent cause of hospitalization in older people, despite the caregiver's high attention in attempt to avoid its occurrence. In this study, various physical signs were examined as clinical signs of dehydration in elderly. Methods A prospective observational study was conducted in an acute care teaching hospital. Consecutive elderly [...]

PURPOSE: The aim of this pilot study was to describe the hydration and nutritional status of a cohort of elderly dialysis patients and to explore the association between these parameters and the quality of life (QoL). METHODS: All patients over 75 years of age being in chronic dialysis by January 2008 at 3 dialysis units (n = 34) [...]

ISSUE ADDRESSED: Many studies worldwide have provided evidence that older persons are a sub-population at increased risk of heat-related morbidity and mortality. This article gives an overview of the current state of knowledge of risk factors and provides commentary on the role of health promotion in the prevention of a climate change-related increase in elderly [...]

Background. Older individuals represent a substantial proportion of international travelers. Because of physiological changes and the increased probability of underlying medical conditions, older travelers might be at higher risk for at least some travel-associated diseases. Methods. With the aim of describing the epidemiology of travel-associated diseases in older adults, medical data were prospectively collected on [...]

Dehydration is the most common fluid and electrolyte problem among the elderly. The usual causes of water loss are frequently absent in dehydrated elderly patients. Age-related changes in total body water, thirst perception, renal concentrating ability, and vasopressin effectiveness probably predispose to dehydration. Dehydration related to infection, high-protein tube feedings, cerebral vascular accidents, and medication-related hypodypsia are particularly relevant for elderlypatients. Appropriate treatment [...]

Maintenance of water balance is essential to normal physiologic function and vigorous aging. Older adults, however, frequently experience alterations in fluid homeostasis, which result in dehydration. This article describes the physiology of water balance, age-related changes that influence fluid regulation, and associated risk factors for dehydration in older adults. Fluid hygiene is an important health promotion activity for this age group, but when efforts to prevent imbalance are [...]

An experimental study has been conducted to determine the stress-strain behaviour of human corneal tissue and how the behaviour varies with age. Fifty-seven well-preserved ex vivo donor corneas aged between 30 and 99 years were subjected to cycles of posterior pressure up to 60 mm Hg while monitoring their behaviour. The corneas were mechanically clamped [...]