Lung infections that are easily treated in
the young are a cause for great concern in elderly people such as South
Africa's 94-year-old anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela, experts say.
With age, muscle function declines and the nervous system that sends the
impulse to breathe becomes less responsive, meaning that less oxygen
enters the lungs on breathing in, and more carbon dioxide stays behind
on breathing out. It becomes harder to clear mucus that collects in the
lungs, especially when people lie in bed or sit for long periods -- a
high risk factor for lung infections like bronchitis or pneumonia
because of the accumulation of mucus. At the same time, a weakening
immune system means the body is less able to fight infection, according
to the US National Institutes of Health (NIH). "When we are young and
fit, we cough up (mucus) vigorously. When we are old, we cough less
easily and if we already have weakened lungs the mucus stays behind and
there is a high risk of congestion," said French pulmonologist Bertrand
Dautzenberg. "This is why old people are prone to respiratory
infections, which are a key cause of death among the elderly." Also, he
said, most people on reaching the age of 90 use about 50 per cent of
their lung capacity, compared to 20 per cent in youth. "If, in
addition, a part of one's lung has previously been damaged by
tuberculosis... one is left with very little spare capacity." According
to Dautzenberg, respiratory infections are often a contributing factor
to death in the elderly. The symptoms can be dire and resemble the
eating disorder anorexia, he said: patients stop eating and become
exhausted over time. If they suffer a shortage of oxygen, this could
affect other organs like the brain or kidneys. In hospital, though
doctors can provide oxygen and physiotherapy to loosen and expel any
mucus.
Congress leader Manishankar Aiyar attracted opposition BJP's ire today in Rajya Sabha when he said he was not interested in listening to speech of a BJP member on vote on account, prompting the Chair to adjourn the House amid uproar. During the Zero Hour, Deputy Chairman P J Kurien allowed Aiyar, who wanted to ask a question, to do so, which was opposed by BJP members. Kurien asked Aiyar whether he yielded to allow others to speak, to which he said he had no objection and he can ask his question later. As the House got ready to initiate discussion on Vote on Account, Kurien said, "Let us reduce the discussion to two hours from four hours," which was opposed by BJP members including Piyush Goyal who was given a chance to speak on Vote on Account. When it was agreed that discussion will take place as per schedule, Aiyar remarked he was not interested in listening to the speech by BJP member. "You had given me the chance to ask a question
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