Moreover many patients are allergic to drugs, and such drugs are better avoided in the elderly. Most of the elderly have a reduced kidney function. Hence if the drugs are taken in the standard dose, there may be accumulation of the drug in the circulation and this may be harmful to the person. Many disease in old age can be treated without drugs as mentioned earlier. I would like to quote a few examples.
Constipation is a very common in the elderly.
This can be avoided or overcome by regular exercises, and intake of fibre containing diet. It very often does not require a pill. A good night s sleep can be got by regular exercises, taking a tumbler of hot milk and avoiding sleeping in the day time. Diabetes can be controlled by weight reduction and diet alone, and hypertension can be controlled by intake of less salt and exercise. Many of the elderly have a habit of taking drugs across the counter without a physician aid.