By Leo Cora
As the body gets older, the health level continues to decline. However, that does not mean that people do not have the chance of living longer. Adopting a healthy lifestyle like losing weight, not smoking, or drinking alcohol can help seniors to live longer and avoid various diseases associated with age. Another thing that will help is being aware of these complications and what causes them. This article will discuss the top 6 most common chronic diseases and conditions among seniors.
- Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia
Alzheimer’s disease falls under the category of dementia. Both of these conditions result in difficulty in solving problems, loss of memory, and thinking problems. These issues can be so severe that they affect the person’s daily activities. Optina Diagnostics helps in detecting Alzheimer’s Disease through research and clinical trials. Therefore, a patient can easily know when they have Alzheimer’s disease and how to treat it. Dementia is also normal in aging and caused by changes in the brain. Getting enough sleep, exercising, and proper dieting could prevent such problems.
- Arthritis
This is the major condition affecting individuals above 65 years. According to research, arthritis affects about 50% of seniors above 65 years, and this leads to pain o the joints and low quality of life. Even though arthritis encourages patients not to remain active due to pain, doctors recommend an active plan to maintain health.
- Cancer
Cancer has become life-threatening for adults above 65 years. According to CDC, there are over 49 percent cancer deaths of adults over 65 years. However, different types of cancer can be treated if detected during their early stages. Cancer is unpreventable, and the only way to stay safe as a senior is to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
- Diabetes
When the body is no longer able to produce enough insulin, it leads to a disease known as Diabetes. Insulin is vital for the body to generate energy from food and distribute this energy to the cells. Once insulin is not produced, one gest high blood sugar that leads to problems like kidney disease, blindness, and heart disease.
- Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
Hypertension affects the ways the heart pumps blood and how arteries resist the blood flow. Hypertension occurs when the heart pumps a lot of blood, and the narrow arteries resist the flow. Anyone can have high blood pressure for a long time without knowing. Another risk of hypertension is that it causes other issues like stroke and heart attack.
- Respiratory Diseases
Respiratory diseases are also leading in the list of chronic complications among seniors and the third main cause of death among seniors over 65 years. However, even though respiratory diseases put seniors at risk by making them susceptible to infections and pneumonia, getting tested for lung function ad taking the right medicines will help in improving quality of life and improving overall health.
Conclusion
These are the main health diseases and complications that people deal with over the age of 65 years. However, it does not necessarily mean that everyone will have to deal with all of them. The best way to avoid these conditions and diseases while young is to live a healthy lifestyle.
