As people age, it’s nearly impossible to avoid developing illnesses and health concerns. Many factors play a role in causing elderly ailments, including genetics and gender.
You could be related to a family member diagnosed with diabetes, dementia, or other similar conditions. Nonetheless, it’s safe to say that the statistics for developing chronic diseases in old age is high.
A study shows that 80% of adults who are 65 years or older have at least one of these common illnesses. The odds can be daunting, especially if you are not confident with your lifestyle.
You may want to consult with the nearest doctor or visit a primary care office if you think you could be prone to these conditions.
What You Can Do to Prevent the Common Health Concerns in Old Age
While aging is simply inescapable, it opens doors to many opportunities to learn and grow. You could be wondering if there’s still something you can do, but the answer is, “it’s never too late to start.”
For example, simply being physically active can help older adults maintain or improve flexibility, strength, and balance. Additionally, healthy aging comes with engaging in mental activities such as reading or doing puzzles.
Keeping your brain sharp in old age can bring many benefits and help prevent or delay cognitive disabilities. It’s crucial to understand the steps to take towards the illnesses that come with old age.
You simply need to visit reputable healthcare clinics for such clarity. Similarly, healthcare services that focus on primary care can offer the right inputs and solutions to any health concern. Still, it’s essential to seek professional advice from the nearest medical facility with experienced specialists.
Even so, it helps to discover more about the common health concerns in old age. Thus, our article discusses further, a list of the common illnesses for seniors.
6 Most Common Illnesses for Seniors
In addition to the deteriorating health associated with old age, chronic conditions can cause serious problems for seniors. While these diseases cannot be prevented completely, there are some things that you can do to reduce the risk of developing them. You can take positive steps earlier in the process, including learning more about the illness.
This entails knowing the earlier symptoms and how to get the help and assistance you need. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that you can live another 19 years when you surpass 65.
So, it’s important to take charge of your health by staying aware of the most common health conditions associated with seniors. These illnesses include the following:
1. Alzheimer’s and Dementia
Although Alzheimer’s Disease is a type of dementia, you can put them in the same category for common health concerns in older adults.
Dementia is the general term for memory loss and serious mental disabilities. It happens mostly among the aged. It’s one of those conditions that can become serious enough to a point of interfering with one’s daily life.
Particularly, Alzheimer’s is a specific type of dementia that causes changes in the brain structure, leading to a progressive decline in thinking skills and memory.
Symptoms here include:
- Memory loss
- Difficulty in communicating
- Confusion
- Depression
These mental disabilities affect older adults more than any other age group. It can have devastating effects on seniors, hence affecting their families too. Research shows that family caregivers of Alzheimer patients tend to live poor quality of lives. This is the case when compared to caregivers of patients with other conditions.
Caregivers for Alzheimer and related dementia conditions are at higher risk for depression and anxiety. They also tend to experience the following symptoms:
- Anger
- Loneliness
- Sadness
- Discouragement
2. Heart Failure
Heart failure or disease can be very scary since it can happen at any time. Unfortunately, no one can predict when it may strike.
It’s a serious problem not just in the US, but all over the world. It is mostly associated with chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, and even death.
Older adults are more prone to heart conditions. Heart attack, for instance, happens when the heart stops supplying blood and oxygen to other body organs.
Early and proactive remedies to prevent instances of heart failure include:
- Eating healthy foods
- Exercising regularly
- Maintaining a healthy weight
Additionally, visiting doctor’s offices or searching for the best “clinics around me” is important. You get to discuss your lifestyle choices and medical history, hence you stay updated regarding your wellness.
3. Diabetes, Stroke and Cancer (Chronic Diseases)
Chronic health conditions like diabetes, stroke, or cancer are among the most deadly diseases. They can be life-altering and debilitating, affecting people of all ages, and older adults at most.
Sadly, these conditions are far too common and have become a major source of health issues in today’s society. In some cases, it can lead to depression or other mental health issues.
The best way to deal with chronic illnesses is to plan a meeting with the nearest doctor or medical facility. While it’s true that prevention is always better than cure, it’s easier said than done. However, you can make simple improvements in your diet or daily routine to help manage or avoid these top chronic diseases.
4. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
COPD is a chronic lower respiratory disease that is a common health risk for seniors. It is commonly associated with difficulty in breathing, hence leading to a lower quality of life.
Smoking and exposure to air pollution are major factors causing this disease. While people over 65 are more likely to develop this condition due to suppressed immunity, anyone can be affected if exposed to harmful levels.
Common symptoms include:
- Coughing and wheezing
- Chest tightness
- Shortness of breath
This disease typically worsens over time, and sadly, there’s no cure for it. However, treatments like oxygen therapy and pulmonary rehabilitation can help reduce some of the depressing symptoms.
5. Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is mainly caused by low bone mass. Having this illness makes older adults more prone to “becoming less mobile and potentially disabled” when fractured.
Taking the right preventative measures makes all the difference when suffering from this condition. Those affected often experience a lot of pain, and disability that reduces their quality of life.
To help protect against developing osteoporosis, you can start by eating foods rich in calcium and vitamin D. Adding dairy products and fish to your diet can also make improvements.
Furthermore, non-strenuous exercises such as walking or jogging can form a good part of your daily routine and wellness. Additionally, medications prescribed by reliable health clinics can have a positive effect on your bone health.
6. Arthritis
Anyone can get arthritis. However, it is more prone as people age. Compared to men, women tend to have osteoarthritis more, especially after 50 years.
Symptoms of arthritis include inflammation of the joints, which can be extremely painful and uncomfortable. You’ll be left with a feeling of soreness and tenderness in the affected areas.
Severe cases of arthritis in seniors are often accompanied by swelling or joint redness, making it difficult to move around.
Older adults who experience these symptoms must seek help from a primary care office before long-term damage occurs. Fortunately, the right treatment plan offers relief from painful and debilitating symptoms.
Conclusion
Chronic illnesses and similar health concerns for seniors are incredibly difficult to manage. They can also be extremely upsetting for older adults and their families.
The hardest pill to swallow is that they are mostly unpredictable and almost unpreventable when aging.
More often than not, these diseases are associated with family history, genetics, and aging. Luckily, earlier interventions like physical activity and a healthy diet and lifestyle can help prevent or slow their onset.
Before they even develop, a consultation from healthcare clinics would be essentially beneficial.