‘Agequake’ not only a medical problem

By the year 2050, there will be more elderly people than youths in the world. A 2001 US Census Bureau study called "An Aging World" states that the percentage of population aged 65 and over in 2050 is projected to be slightly above 20 percent compared to the current 13 percent.

In the US alone, people over the age of 65 make up approximately 12.5 percent of the population – a figure which is expected to increase by as much as 20 percent in 2050.

In Asia (excluding Japan), the same 2001 figures show that 5.5 percent are people aged 65 and above. Looking more closely, the Philippines, which has an estimate 75 million population, has 5.4 percent or roughly 4.05 million who are 60 years old and over.

This aging phenomenon – or "agequake" as others call it – was a transition that developed nations went through a few years ago. This phenomenon was coupled with the growing concern over the adequacy of social security retirement programs and healthcare for the aged.

Today, developing countries, including the Philippines, are heading toward the same direction. The consequences of the aging population, however, will be more pronounced due to limited resources.

With this realization and the impact of the inevitable aging of the population, came the simultaneous rise of the field of the "aging male." It is quickly becoming one of the most important and fastest expanding fields of medicine today.

The Philippine Society for the Study of the Aging Male Foundation Inc. (PhiSSAM) has taken upon itself to examine the causes and consequences of male aging and its social repercussions, with the goal of improving the health status and quality of life of the aging male.

In the recently concluded second annual PhiSSAM convention, Dr. Jose Albert Reyes III, president of PhiSSAM, called on the government and the medical community to come together to provide support to the aging male population.

"This PhiSSAM meeting on the ‘Continuing Concern for the Aging Male’ should allow us to work together to recognize some of the missing links and give us tools to better understand the aging of men, permit us to help improve the quality of life, and prevent the preventable through early detection of male aging-related diseases," Reyes adds.

Common health problems among aging males include benign prostate enlargement, prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, hypertension or cardiovascular diseases, endoctrine problems like diabetes, bone and joint problems, skin disorders and mental cognitive functions.

PhiSSAM advocates a holistic approach to the healthcare and maintenance of the aging male population. As such, Reyes strongly recommends that doctors, specifically specialists, should conduct a thorough medical history, review systems of patients and not only focus on the patient’s specific major complaints.

"I believe that we, as doctors, should ask our patients not only about how they feel physically but also about other possible underlying problems that patients may be ashamed to discuss. For instance, ED or erectile dysfunction," Reyes explains.

According to Reyes, detecting ED in developing countries is very difficult. This most likely stems from the fact that males have always perceived themselves to be "macho," the breadwinners of the family, or from fear or knowing their illness, thus, they cannot afford to be sick. With this mindset, Filipino males will ignore symptoms they may be feeling and will not bother to go for regular health check-ups.

Another side to it is that most Filipino men see ED as a normal part of aging and are too embarrassed to ask their doctors about it.

This is beginning to change because more and more men are beginning to understand that ED can be treated and that they have several therapies to choose from.

According to Reyes, the most popular therapies for ED are the oral therapies. These include Sildenafil (Viagra), Vardenafil (Levitra) and Tadalafil (Cialis).

"Sildenafil by Pfizer and Vardenafil by Glaxo/Bayer are also other forms of oral ED therapy. Tadalafil (Cialis), by Eli Lilly, a new oral drug for ED, provides a broader ‘window of opportunity’ because patients are not dictated on when they should do the act with their partner," explains Reyes.

Reyes clarifies, "All ED therapies should be able to address mild to moderate to severe cases of ED. They should be efficacious, safe and cost-effective. Most importantly, they should be good for those with diabetes and for cardiovascular patients because they are the ones most affected by ED."