Istanbul Gelisim University - Explains the risks of staying at home for 65 and over

Explains the risks of staying at home for 65 and over

Stating that the risks associated with inactive life have started to increase for individuals 65-year-old and over who have been staying at home against coronavirus for about 6 weeks, Quality Life Specialist Asst. Prof. Dr. Haluk Saçaklı spoke: “Even immobility for a week causes a 20% reduction in muscle strength.”

Indicating that an inactive life may cause increased cardiovascular disorders, Asst. Prof. Dr. Haluk Saçaklı from Istanbul Gelisim University said: “Narrowing and blockages in the heart vessels means that vital needs such as nutrition of the heart muscles and oxygen requirements are not met. Even immobility for a week causes a 20% reduction in muscle strength.”

“RISKS TO CALCINOSIS INCREASE 50%”

Mentioning that individuals at the age of 65 and over can increase the risk of calcinosis by 50%, Saçaklı said:

“There can be vascular calcification and vascular aging, heart muscle melting, rapid loss of skeletal muscles, high blood pressure, increased pulse rate at rest, increased blood fat, decrease in benign cholesterol, loss of joint fluids. These losses will trigger joint pain due to friction of the bones. Since calcium cannot be kept in bones, fractures may occur even in a small blow due to losses in bone density.”

“OXYGEN PERMEABILITY WILL DECREASE”

Emphasizing that vitamin D losses will trigger osteoporosis, Saçaklı stated: “The rib cage will lose its flexibility, the oxygen permeability of the lung tissues will decrease. Inactivity will also adversely affect the circulatory and digestive systems. Immune system may weaken with increasing stress.”

“SPECIAL EXERCISES SHOULD BE PROVIDED”

Stating that the rule bending after the cabinet meeting, chaired by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on the curfew imposed on citizens over 65 years old will minimize all these negativities, Saçaklı said: “Sports trainers of our metropolitan and district municipalities should be given the opportunity to do special exercises for 65 years and over. If we are late in this regard, we will protect them from the coronavirus, but on the other hand, let's never forget the fact that many chronic diseases occur, the existing ones increase, and even deaths can occur.”