What are the Common Diseases in the Elderly?

Aging is a natural part of life. You evolve as a person over time, form your family, and begin to enjoy life. But it also takes your youth away. As you grow older, your metabolism slows down, and your immunity weakens. As a result, you are more vulnerable to numerous common diseases in the elderly. Hence it makes sense to be aware of the frequent diseases that may affect you in old age so that you may detect symptoms early and receive appropriate treatment as soon as possible.

In the US, the aging population is quickly increasing. The number of individuals over 85 is expected to triple by 2050. Additionally, because elderly folks are more likely to acquire one or more chronic conditions resulting in a need for skilled nurses and caregivers, families and the healthcare system must be prepared to meet the increased demand for healthy aging.

This article will talk about the most common diseases in the elderly, how to manage them, and tips for aging healthily.

What are Geriatric Diseases?

Geriatric medicine focuses on addressing illnesses that are common in older individuals. However, various factors distinguish treating older folks from treating younger people, such as polypharmacy, ambiguous symptom presentation, and difficulties with attribution in circumstances when multiple health disorders are present simultaneously.

Elderly folks are also more likely to acquire common diseases in the elderly than younger generations. For example, although high blood pressure is an intergenerational concern, other illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, ischemic heart disease, urine incontinence, dementia, multiple sclerosis, and others are significantly more frequent among older adults.

 

Most Common Chronic Diseases of the Elderly

Here are the top ten chronic diseases that persons 65 and older on Medicare, and what you should learn about each. In addition, if you have one of these chronic ailments, you may want to seek help to keep your independence.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

It is a lung condition that restricts air passage from the lungs. In other words, it makes breathing harder. Persistent coughing, difficulty breathing, and wheezing are all possible signs. Emphysema and bronchitis are the two most common diseases. COPD patients are also at risk for heart disease and lung cancer. It is most likely to affect smokers, although it can affect anybody who has had long-term exposure to pollutants, irritating gasses, or particulate matter. Stopping smoking is one approach to prevent or reduce the course of COPD. In addition, avoiding smoking, chemical fumes, and dust can help keep your lungs healthy. Vaccination against influenza and pneumonia is also advised.

Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia

Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative neurological ailment in which the brain size decreases and brain cells die. It is one of the most frequent diseases among the elderly. There may also be a steady deterioration in cognitive, behavioral, and social abilities. For example, the patient’s capacity to work independently suffers from memory loss and difficulties in problem-solving. But keep in mind that dementia does not occur overnight. The changes in the brain take time to manifest. The most common factors range from age and family history to genetics. But, you may attempt to avoid it by making lifestyle adjustments such as exercising more, sleeping properly, and eating a nutritious diet.

Depression

It does not always affect the elderly, although you may become more vulnerable as you age. Depression causes a constant sense of melancholy, pessimism, and exhaustion. If you are depressed, you may find it challenging to make judgments, lose your appetite, and acquire a general indifference to many things. It can be induced by aging, abuse, grief, abandonment, or other circumstances.

You may avoid it by managing your stress more effectively with the help of loved ones, eating a nutritious diet, and exercising regularly to keep your body and mind in better form. You should also avoid unpleasant behaviors and individuals. Finally, it is critical not to reject the symptoms and to seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Heart Failure

It is a serious common disease in the elderly. There comes a moment when our heart struggles to adequately provide blood and oxygen to all bodily components. It can cause the heart to grow, gain muscle mass, or even pump quicker to satisfy the body’s demands. This might make you weary, lightheaded, queasy, disoriented, or lose your appetite. If you have any form of heart pain, see a doctor right away.

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

CKD, another prevalent condition in the elderly, can cause weight loss, difficulty breathing, swelling ankles, sleeplessness, or muscular cramps. It also raises the chances of getting heart disease or renal failure. In addition, it has the potential to induce erectile dysfunction in males. Diabetes, high blood pressure, and kidney stones are all possible reasons. Stay hydrated and keep your blood pressure and diabetes under control to help avoid it.

Diabetes

That is quite a common disease in the elderly. India has approximately 77 million diabetics, the world’s second-highest number. It occurs when the body develops resistance to or fails to generate enough insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas that regulates the quantity of glucose in circulation. It delivers energy from meals to cells while also controlling your body’s carbohydrate, lipid, and protein metabolism. When it fails to complete its job, the risk of developing high blood sugar rises. This can progress to renal failure, heart problems, or blindness. To avoid this disease, you must eat healthily, exercise consistently, and lose weight if necessary.

Ischemic Heart Disease (Coronary Heart Disease)

As plaque narrows or stops the arteries leading to the heart, it reduces the quantity of oxygen-rich blood that reaches the heart resulting in many old age diseases such as blood clots, angina, and potentially a heart attack. To avoid this disease, avoid junk food and smoking, limit sugar and salt consumption, get enough sleep every night, manage stress, and engage in cardiac workouts.

Arthritis

Arthritis is joint inflammation, one of the most common geriatric disorders. It can cause excruciating pain and stiffness. Its symptoms frequently appear over time. Women are more likely to be affected. Exercising at least five times a week is the best method to avoid this. Losing weight might help ease the strain on your knees. Provide back and arm support when seated.

High Cholesterol

It is another really common disease in the elderly. When your body has an abundance of harmful fats, your arteries might get blocked. It can lead to heart disease. But, lifestyle modifications can help. Stop smoking, limit your alcohol usage, and start being physically active every day. Examine your weight and consume a nutritious diet.

High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)

Higher-than-normal blood pressure is caused by your heart circulating more blood than your arteries can handle. This resistance creates hypertension, which can lead to major health problems such as strokes and heart attacks. Maintaining a healthy weight, moderating stress levels, minimizing salt and alcohol intake, working out daily, and routinely checking your blood pressure are all things you can do to avoid or control this illness.

 

How to Manage Chronic Illness?

Chronic illnesses are persistent and hence need ongoing care. To manage common diseases in the elderly, a chronic caregiver should be in place for older adults to assist them in reaching their health objectives and preserving their quality of life. This is particularly true for seniors who are dealing with many chronic diseases.

Geriatric medicine will be an essential element of the medical routine of older adults as they encounter more age-related changes. A home health care team can help elderly adults manage a chronic ailment. In addition, regular contact with dependable health experts and a proper diet and a healthy lifestyle may help avoid bad health.

 

Malnutrition in the Elderly

One of the leading causes of sickness in the elderly is malnutrition. Malnutrition happens when a person lacks the necessary nutrients to operate. It frequently entails a protein, calorie, and other key nutrient imbalance your body needs daily.

Malnutrition does not just affect seniors who are hungry or do not have access to nutritious foods. Elderly people are more prone to chronic illnesses that put them at risk of malnutrition.

For example, if an older person has diabetes, cancer, or Alzheimer’s disease, their appetite may suffer, making eating difficult. While dealing with disorders like these, your metabolism alters, and occasionally dietary limitations are required, placing older persons at risk of malnutrition.

Older adults are also more likely to be hospitalized and in nursing facilities, increasing their risk of malnutrition. Malnutrition is expected to affect 65% of hospitalized seniors.

 

Causes of Malnutrition in the Elderly

Causes of malnutrition in the elderly include:

Illness

Any chronic sickness or other health concerns, such as dementia, Alzheimer’s, and disease-related inflammation, might cause an aging person to lose their appetite. This is one of the primary causes of the problem of malnutrition in the elderly.

Dental problems

Dental issues are another prevalent cause of malnutrition in the elderly. The inability to ingest food might result in malnutrition symptoms. The body will receive less nourishment if it cannot chew, swallow, or enjoy meals due to poor oral health or tooth decay.

Signs of Malnutrition

Typical symptoms of malnutrition in the elderly include:

• Unexplained weight loss
• Feeling exhausted or weak
• Appetite loss
• Fluid buildup or swelling
• Consuming a modest amount at a time

 

Common Health Problems in the Elderly

Here, we want to learn about more common diseases in the elderly that threaten adults as they age:

UTIs

UTIs can be dangerous to someone’s health. When bacteria in the bladder or kidney multiply in the urine, it causes a urinary tract infection. If left untreated, it might progress to something more dangerous than a collection of unpleasant symptoms.

Eyesight Loss

Because our eyesight deteriorates with age, virtually all of us will require glasses or contact lenses by age 65.

Hearing Loss

Hearing loss affects 71% of people over the age of 70 and 42% of people over the age of 50. It is a severely debilitating and lonely disorder that frequently stays misdiagnosed for years.

Incontinence

Many people deal with incontinence at some point in their lives, yet hardly one talks about it. It’s a difficult issue to bring up with your parents, but there are methods to make it less awkward for everyone.

Macular Degeneration (Cinderella of Eye Disease)

Age-related macular degeneration is an eye illness that causes the central vision to become blurry. It happens as the macula, the portion of the eye that regulates crisp, straight-ahead vision, deteriorates with age. The macula is a component of the retina.

Obesity

Obesity is a huge risk factor for heart problems, diabetes, and cancer in the elderly, all of which negatively influence the quality of life. Moreover, the danger of sickness increases as the numbers on the scale rise. For example, 36.2% of men and 40.7% of women aged 65 to 74 are obese. It might also indicate that an elderly person isn’t as energetic or mobile as he or she previously was.

 

How to Prevent Old Age Diseases?

While certain variables are beyond our control, like the genes we get from our parents, there are actions we can take to reduce the chance of common diseases in the elderly. We look at five age-related diseases and conditions and discuss how to reduce your risk of obtaining them.

Cancer

According to new research, lifestyle modifications might prevent half of all cancers. These life changes include:

• Stopping smoking
• Drinking less alcohol
• Eating a healthy diet
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Exercising regularly
• Taking care in the sun and staying in the shade to reduce the risk of skin cancer
• Taking part in the screening programs for breast and bowel cancer

If you’re a woman, keep in mind that HRT, like the contraceptive pill, raises your chance of breast cancer. Breastfeeding and having children decrease the chance of breast cancer; the longer you breastfeed, the higher the protection.

Cardiovascular Disease

The greatest strategy to lessen the risk of cardiovascular disease is to limit or prevent the development of fat clumps in the arteries. These can produce serious blockages, resulting in heart attacks and strokes. Try to:

• Stop smoking.
• Regularly exercise.
• Keep a healthy weight.
• Have a healthy diet.
• Drink alcohol moderately.
• Manage your stress.

If you are above the age of 40, see your doctor about your risk factors. Then, for the following 10 years, your doctor will calculate your chances of acquiring cardiovascular disease. You will be urged to adjust your lifestyle and receive drug treatment if you are at high risk.

Memory Loss and Dementia

There is no proven method to avoid dementia. Still, regular physical activity and a nutritious diet enriched with fruits and vegetables and low in fat and salt can help maintain the brain in good shape. Try to:

• Stop smoking.
• Have your mental activity.
• Stay socially involved.
• Ensure you get enough vitamin D.
• Check your blood pressure and cholesterol regularly.
• Drink alcohol moderately.

Osteoarthritis

It is one of the most common diseases in the elderly. This painful joint illness that impacts the hips, knees, spine, and hands affects two out of every ten adults over the age of 60. It normally appears gradually, so you may take precautions at the first hint. Try to:

• Keep a healthy weight.
• Exercise regularly.
• Care for your joints.

If you already have arthritic discomfort, don’t push yourself too much.

Diabetes

Diabetes, which is caused by excess glucose in the blood, can result in major health concerns such as heart disease, strokes, nerve damage, and eye and foot difficulties. Try to:

• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Exercise regularly.
• Stop smoking.
• Drink alcohol moderately.
• Check your blood pressure and cholesterol levels regularly.

 

6 Tips for Healthy Aging

Follow these six strategies to help you stay active and independent for as long as possible.

• Eat and drink well. Choose fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, low-fat dairy products, and water as healthful options.
• Throughout the day, move more and sit less. Being physically active can help you avoid, postpone, and manage chronic illnesses, improve your balance and stamina, lower your chance of falling, and enhance your brain health.
• Refrain from using Tobacco. Don’t smoke Tobacco and use cigarettes and pipes.
• Schedule regular checkups. See your doctor for preventative treatments rather than only when you are unwell. This can help to avoid disease or detect it early on when therapy is more successful.
• Understand your family’s medical Background. Discuss your family’s health history with your doctor, who can assist you in making efforts to avoid or detect chronic diseases.
• Keep an eye out for changes in your brain’s health. Aging effects everyone’s brain, but dementia is not one of them. If you have any concerns regarding your memory or brain health, consult your doctor.

 

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Our professional nurses can help with treatment management, prescription reminders, injections, and other services. Please let us know if the advanced skilled nursing service you require is not listed on this page. Our personnel will assist you in any way you require.