age-related diseases

As people reach a certain age, age-related diseases appear and their health condition declines while their body stature gets complex. Getting older brings another set of health challenges. Continuous loss of immune, weakening body parts brings out more challenges and difficulties to control the situation.

With several health hazards, caring for the senior/elderly people requires more caution and synchronization that every healthcare staff, family member, and caregiver should dredge up.

Considering that, we too as a family member must grip some knowledge about the most common medical conditions for immediate assistance. This includes understanding the condition itself, immediately available treatments, understanding their medicines, and ways to protect the elderly from other additional hazards.

Many age related changes are common, such as a minor decline in vision and hearing, high blood pressure, muscle weakness, or a weakened immune system. But some health problems are not considered a part of the normal aging process for older adults. Chronic conditions affecting kidney function, leading to cognitive impairment, or otherwise undermining the quality of life of an elderly person need to be treated with geriatric medicine.

Here we are going to line up the health conditions faced by the senior citizens, including their physical disabilities, mental illness diseases that these populations may/are suffering throughout the elderly era of life expectancy.

Examples of Chronic Disease

While this is by no means a comprehensive list of age-related diseases experienced by older adults, these and other chronic diseases are among the more common:

1. Dementia/ Alzheimer’s/ Parkinson’s Disease
2. Pneumonia and Influenza
3. Cancer
4. Diabetes
5. Cardiovascular Disease
6. Stroke
7. Arthritis
8. Osteoporosis
9. Chronic Kidney Disease
10. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
11. Depression

Dementia/ Alzheimer’s/ Parkinson’s Disease

Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a syndrome — or a collection of chronic conditions — in older adults that lead to problems with memory and cognition. These age-related diseases occur when there is a damage to brain cells or a loss of connection between cells that causes them to die. Symptoms of dementia include:

• Memory loss
• Difficulty with verbal expression
• Struggles with visual or spatial abilities
• Trouble with problem-solving or reasoning
• Difficulty managing complex tasks, critical thinking skills, planning, and organization
• Decline in coordination with motor functions
• Confusion and disorientation
• Personality changes
• Inappropriate behavior
• Depression, anxiety, paranoia, and agitation
• Hallucinations

Alzheimer’s disease affects the brain and destructs the memories and other mental functions progressively. It is a prevalent illness among senior citizens. It is the most common cause of dementia which is the loss of intellectual functioning and basic communicative abilities

Several risk factors are thought to encourage the development of Alzheimer’s, including genetics, diet, a sedentary lifestyle, and bad habits. Altering lifestyles may delay Alzheimer’s formation. Researchers also recommend regularly engaging in mentally challenging activities.

Parkinson’s disease is another type of dementia. This progressive disease is caused by a loss of nerve cells in the brain, which reduces the amount of dopamine necessary for normal cognitive functioning. While there is no cure, the symptoms can be treated. Parkinson’s takes a toll on the quality of life for those who have been diagnosed with the disease and on their loved ones.

Pneumonia and Influenza

Some other age-related diseases are  because the immune system’s diminished ability to fight microbial infections leaves older adults more susceptible to serious cases of the flu. Colds and the flu may also progress to pneumonia.

Sometimes, symptoms of pneumonia may be different in seniors. Elderly adults with pneumonia may have a low-grade fever or even a normal temperature. They may also be less alert, show signs of confusion, or experience changes in mental awareness. If you suspect your aging loved one has pneumonia, see a doctor promptly.

Annual vaccinations are highly recommended. Seniors can also prevent illness by washing their hands throughout the day and avoiding people who are exhibiting symptoms of a cold or the flu.

Cancer

With over 200 different forms of cancer — prostate cancer, breast cancer, and lung cancer just to name a few — this is one of the most common issues that older people face. Cancer occurs through the rapid and abnormal replication of cells in the body, forming tumors than can spread via the bloodstream.

While cures have been discovered for many types of cancer, cancer treatment can be extremely invasive and takes a major toll on the body. However, the earlier it is detected, the better the chance of beating it. It is a good idea to consider conducting a periodic cancer screening

Health practitioners recommend that seniors reduce the risk by switching to a diet of lean meats and plenty of fruits and vegetables that contain antioxidants to fight cell damage caused by free radicals. Older adults also need a minimum of 150 minutes of exercise each week and should avoid regular alcohol consumption.

Diabetes

Diabetes can develop during middle age — and sometimes even younger. But it most commonly develops among older adults, and it has to be managed as a lifelong condition. This disease occurs when the body is not able to produce enough insulin to ensure normal functioning.

Diabetes is a group of diseases which that affects how your body uses blood glucose which is excessive in the blood. About 25 percent of populations above 60 or older are living with this risky disease. Every day is a new hurdle for diabetic patients.

There are 3 types of diabetes i.e. type 1 and type 2 and gestational diabetes (for pregnant women) that can be identified and addressed by simply checking the blood sugar level in the blood. If not properly treated, the disorder could lead to cardiovascular issues, dementia, and limb amputations. A healthy diet, routine exercise, and maintaining an appropriate weight are vital for diabetes prevention.

A person’s chance of developing diabetes can be reduced through lifestyle changes, including: A healthy diet, A healthy weight, Regular exercise

Cardiovascular Disease

Heart disease is another leading killer disease of age-related diseases which effects on elderly people who are mostly over 65. It affects 37 percent of males and 26 percent of females who are in the aging era of their life expectancy.

This disease typically arises in a different form of diseases such as cholesterol, blood pressure, and some other heart disease-related problems. We can’t deny this is the common issue faced by people above 60 years of age.

The issues seniors develop include heart failure, heart attacks, irregular heart rates, and hypertension. Older adults can reduce the risk and often alleviate an existing cardiovascular condition by adopting a healthier diet, getting plenty of exercise, and getting a good night’s sleep each night.

Did you know that more than 25% of heart failure patients will return to the hospital within 30 days? The main reasons heart disease and heart failure patients are readmitted to the hospital include poor nutrition, medical oversight, and mobility limitations.