3 Medical Routines That Older People May Not Need

Summary: As people get older, some common medical treatments might actually do more harm than good. Doctors are now finding that seniors can often safely skip three common routines.

First, colonoscopies after age 75 usually aren't needed. The risks of the procedure, like bleeding, outweigh the very tiny chance it will save your life from colon cancer. Second, those rough, red sun spots on older skin (called actinic keratoses) rarely turn into cancer. Removing them is painful and can leave scars, so doctors often suggest just keeping an eye on them instead. Finally, many older adults taking the drug levothyroxine for mild thyroid issues might be able to slowly stop taking it. Research shows hormone levels often fix themselves, and the medicine doesn't always help their symptoms. Always talk to your doctor before stopping any medication!

Source: rssapp-dermatologyadvisor-com URL: dermatologyadvisor.com/news/3-medical-routines-that-older-people-may-not-need/ (opens in new tab)