The current cold snap has lasted more than a week, leading to a patient surge at the National Geriatric Hospital.
According to Doctor Ta Huu Anh, deputy head of the hospital’s Intensive Care Department, the number of patients taken to the hospital has increased by 1.5 fold compared to normal.
The Intensive Care Department has 51 sick beds but received up to 56 patients last weekend alone.
Pneumonia and cerebral vascular accidents are the two most common conditions among critically ill patients sent to the National Geriatric Hospital over the past week.
Cold weather can increase blood pressure. If not monitored regularly, it can bring about an increased risk of cerebral vascular accidents. Furthermore, prolonged cold waves also exacerbate respiratory issues, especially in patients with underlying conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease," Anh noted.
Symptoms in old people are usually subtle, like increased coughing, wheezing or a vague state of consciousness, therefore, they are sent to hospital quite late in many cases. This makes treatment more difficult.
Dr Anh advised families to monitor their elderly relatives’ health during cold weather closely. It is important to maintain stable blood pressure and keep warm.
