Old age is inevitable and so are the challenges that come with it. The most daunting part of getting old is elderly health issues it brings with it. Experts suggest that every sixty plus suffer from at least one chronic medical condition. However, entering the sunset years does not have to be spent worrying about these issues. With the help of the miracles of modern science, one can definitely live a happier and healthy life. After all, this is the time when you have already achieved most of your life goals and fulfilled all your responsibilities with years of hard work and dedication. So, it’s time to take good care of yourself.
There is no doubt that older people are more vulnerable to health issues and other old age problems. However, a few steps can help you keep all the problems at bay. Firstly, it is important to know your body and have a good understanding of what is good and what is bad for your health. Secondly, make healthy lifestyle choices, eat a balanced diet and quit bad habits like smoking and drinking. Thirdly, stay active. Any type of activity or exercise that will get your body moving is good for both mental and physical health. Lastly, get regular health checkups.
Here are 10 most common health concerns for senior citizens that may not be completely curable but are preventable.
Common Health Problems in the Elderly
1.Arthritis:
This is one of the most common old age problems. It is also called osteoarthritis. In majority cases, people over 65 suffer from this terrible disease that can limit senior citizen’s movement and restrict them from enjoying the simple pleasures of life in their twilight years. Arthritis is a condition of naturally depleting cartilage between the joins due to aging. It can impair joint or multiple joints causing stiffness and pain. The primary reasons for arthritis are vitamin deficiencies, smoking, injury, inheritance of similar disease, obesity, RA an autoimmune disease.
Simple lifestyle changes can prevent you from this problem. Maintaining a healthy weight, eating food with lots of antioxidants, reducing fried or junk food, regular exercise, and staying active can help you keep in check not only arthritis but most of the senior health issues.
2.Diabetes:
Diabetes is not only a senior health issue, but the chances of occurrence are as early as 40. Hence, it is important to keep your blood sugar levels in check always. This is a metabolic and chronic disease wherein the body does not respond to the hormone insulin and it is trapped in cells, which damages the nerve fibers in the body.
Besides being hereditary, this disease is caused by sedentary lifestyle, obesity and poor diet. Keeping sugar levels under control is imperative otherwise it can turn into a heart disease or blindness.
If diabetes is in your genes, unfortunately, there is not much you can do about it except delaying the occurrence. Nonetheless, a good diet without trans fat and refined carbohydrates and at least 150 minutes of exercise can prevent this health concern for senior citizens.
3.High Blood Pressure:
Among many other common health concerns for senior citizens, high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is quite prominent. It occurs when the blood pressure levels are increased to abnormal levels. The underlying symptoms include headaches, shortness of breath, nosebleed, dizziness, chest pain, changes in eyesight, and more. The occurrence of these symptoms must immediately be given medical attention. While there are several medicines available in the market, it is important to make some dietary changes like reducing the intake of sodium, meat, sweets, and fried food and including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Managing stress and maintaining a healthy weight are some other important things you can do to deal with this commonly occurring senior health issue. Also, increase the amount of physical activity.
4.Heart Disease:
the most dreaded health problems of the elderly include various types of heart diseases. More and more senior citizens suffer and die from some form of heart disease that can lead to a heart stroke, heart attack, heart failure, blood clots and more. The primary reasons for these fatal diseases to occur are high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. It is important to improve your heart health and it can be done by including vegetables in your diet, limiting the intake of alcohol, trans fat, sugar and exercising daily.
5.Depression:
Experts suggest that most of the population suffers from depression at least once in their lifetime. However, a senior is more prone to falling prey to this silent disease. At first, they may not even show signs of depression, but it is important to pay attention to their behavioral patterns. Aging, feelings of sadness, change in lifestyle, stress, physical health, social inactivity, substance abuse and lack of exercise can cause depression. It is preventable and can also be cured. It may not seem so, but it is among the most serious senior citizens’ health concerns. In such cases, it is important to provide love and support from family and live a healthy life.
6.Alzheimer’s or Dementia:
Cases of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are increasing day by day. Unfortunately, there is no cure, but it can surely be kept in control of medical treatment. These are forms of cognitive conditions that impair memory and impacts thinking and behavioral patterns. It is advised that keeping your mind and body active even during the old age can help prevent the disease or delay the occurrence.
7.Respiratory Issues:
Respiratory issues have different forms, but in simple words, it is a breathing problem. Struggling to breathe is one of the major old age problems and it can occur simply due to the aging of heart and decrease in its functioning ability, obesity or lifestyle choices. To prevent respiratory problems, it is important to protect your lungs. One can do that by stopping to smoke, exercising, and staying active.
8.Cancer:
Whether you are young or old, cancer is one of the leading causes of death. However, older people are more prone to developing cancer. While many types of cancer are treatable, it is important to prevent it because the treatment itself leaves your body degenerated. Healthy lifestyle and exercise can help you keep it away. Additionally, regular health checkup with your doctor is important.
9.Osteoporosis:
This is another one of the most common health problems in elderly that can limit movement and mobility. Due to degeneration of the tissue, it leaves the bones brittle and fragile that reduces the ability to regenerate bones in case of fracture or injury. This occurs due to genetic factors, vitamin deficiency, inactivity, smoking, alcohol consumption and more. It is recommended to increase the intake of calcium and vitamin D, quit bad habits, maintain a good weight, and perform regular exercise.
10.Falling or Accidents:
While many of us may not realize but falling and injuries caused due to such accidents is quite a common problem for the health of senior citizens. Any kind of bodily weakness can make falling a frequent problem. Hence, it is important to keep a check on them and their diet which will make their bones healthy and reduce such occurrences.
Now that you are aware of most common senior citizen health concerns, get started with making necessary changes in your lifestyle for a brighter and happier tomorrow.
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