Most people find their quality of life impacted by several health issues as they grow older. Well-being in older adults is promoted by understanding these common health conditions.
Below are five common health issues to watch out for in aging adults, as well as what they mean and how to manage them.
1. Cardiovascular Disease: A Leading Concern
Heart-related diseases are a leading cause of death in the elderly population, and they are mostly affected much more than any other population. As people age, vessels become stiffer, placing pressure on the heart that raises blood pressure. It is also known that this group of people often has hypertension, ischemic heart disease, and increased cholesterol levels. Treating these conditions requires regular changes of behavior like the kind of foods that one eats and the level of physical activity. They also require medications for the control of pressure or cholesterol, among others. Annual health examinations and proper wellness evaluations can help identify other heart complications or problems before they get to the worst stage, such as heart attacks and stroke.
2. Diabetes: Managing Blood Sugar Levels
Another disease is diabetes, and more often, type 2 diabetes that occurs as people age. In this condition, the human body cannot maintain the normal level in the blood of glucose, most of all because of the presence of insulin. Some geriatric symptoms include tiredness, polydipsia, and poor wound healing, which can hinder their functional capability. Another way that can help ensure that the disease is well dealt with is through early detection of the disease. Having good blood sugar requires that one has a balanced diet, exercise, and compliance with prescriptions given by the doctor.
3. Arthritis: Chronic Joint Pain
Arthritis pain, especially osteoarthritis, affects many older adults. Arthritis inflames any joint but is more often experienced in the knee, hip, and hand joints. It is divided into mild and severe depending on the severity of symptoms that are either treated with physical therapy and pain relievers or surgical treatment where applicable. The good thing is always to reduce the impact on the joints so that the patient remains fit and gets the right weight which will always reduce symptoms and allow the patient to move further.
4. Cognitive Decline: Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease
Common diseases that are being seen more among the older population include mental diseases like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, which are basically a result of old age. These conditions involve memory, thinking, and behavior, and therefore, these patients are unable to handle most of the tasks in day-to-day life. These diseases cannot be cured but early diagnosis may help control the symptoms and rate of progress of the diseases. There’s little doubt that doing crossword puzzles, eating well, and getting out and about can help improve the condition of the brain. Palliative care and other management options, after consulting the health care providers on available treatments as well as supportive care, can be an important way that enable individuals and their families to deal with these conditions.
5. Vision and Hearing Loss: Addressing Sensory Changes
As you age, changes in vision and hearing are common. Blurry vision can occur due to cataracts, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration. Early cataract symptoms include clouded vision or difficulty seeing in dim light, so early intervention is necessary as soon as you notice these signs. Hearing loss can be caused by damage to the inner ear. Vision and hearing problems can significantly impair independence and, often, quality of life. Detecting early changes to these parts of the body is important to have them treated and that entails regular eye exams and hearing tests.
Conclusion
Several health conditions become more and more of a possibility as you age, with information being your best tool for helping to manage these risks. Try your best to live a healthy life and let your healthcare provider know of any new or odd symptoms you may be experiencing.
