Common Health Issues in Elderly People and Effective Treatments

Common Health Issues in Elderly People and Effective Treatments : It is no easy thing that aging causes your vital organs to get old as your body begins to slow down. This results in a variety of health problems in old age. Aging can be a tad scary; with wrinkles, forgetting little things, graying hair, and more. It can bring about various health issues.

It is essential to understand the challenges faced by older people as they age, and recognize that there are precautions that can guarantee you or your loved ones healthy aging.

According to research, it is estimated that currently, over 50% of people aged 65 and above have one or more chronic conditions.

Despite these statistics, older people can maximize health and quality of life by visiting health care clinics. Additionally, taking advice from their doctors to help reduce the risk of developing fatal health conditions.

6 Common Medical Problems in Elderly People and What You Can Do

As we grow older or watch our loved ones get older, it is natural to worry about our health. Age-related illnesses are conditions that occur continuously in people as they grow older.

Here are some of the most common health conditions in elderly people and ways to manage them:

Heart Diseases

The heart is one of the most important organs in the body that pumps blood to various parts of the body. Heart disease is when the heart becomes weak and can’t pump blood and oxygen normally to the whole body.

Aging can cause changes in the blood vessels and heart, which can cause light-headedness, confusion, fatigue, nausea, or loss of appetite.

This is a serious condition that caused about 697,000 deaths in the United States as of 2020. The concern about this condition gets numerous since the symptoms of heart disease are not always obvious and are likely to get ignored.

Prevent or manage heart failure by:
- Reducing the intake of bad fats
- Cut down on alcohol or stop it entirely and quit smoking
- Reduce daily salt intake
- Exercise at least 20-30 minutes daily
- Visit your nearest doctor for a check-up
Diabetes

Diabetes is a condition that results in the inability to process sugar by the body. This can happen when the blood does not make enough insulin.

When the appropriate amount of insulin is not met, glucose doesn’t get transported into the cells of the body. Rather, it builds up in the blood and as a result, causes high blood sugar.

This can lead to health conditions such as stroke, blindness, heart disease, kidney disease, and amputation. The rust of getting diabetes increases with age.

Prevent or manage diabetes by:
- Keep an active lifestyle and exercise regularly. A few times per week is advisable to keep blood sugar levels in check and control weight.
- Reduce unhealthy fats in the diet and talk to a doctor about alcohol consumption.
- Go to a health clinic to check for blood sugar levels.
- Meet your nearest doctor for a prescription and follow through thoroughly.
Arthritis

Conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and muscle problems are common in elderly people. It is a joint disease where the joint cartilage breaks over time.

This causes inflammation and swelling which leads to stiffness and pain. Some people might take arthritis as occasional aches, but chronic arthritis can have a big impact on the quality of your life and affect your daily activities.

Prevent or manage diabetes by:
- Making sure to get enough sunlight.
- Taking enough calcium and foods rich in vitamin D.
- Visit health care clinics, get tested for arthritis and related conditions as advised by your doctor.
- Engaging in physical activities within your range of movements – decreases pain and increases function.
- Being careful to avoid accidental falls and joint injuries.
Dementia and Conditions Related to Mental Health

Related to physical health, mental health tends to relapse with age. Elderly people are more likely to develop depression, Alzheimer’s disease, and anxiety.

Dementia is an umbrella name for the body of cognitive symptoms. Alzheimer’s and other dementias can cause difficulty in thinking, and memory loss that can interfere with a person’s everyday life.

Prevent or manage dementia by:
- Eating a healthy and rich diet.
- Exercising frequently, both the body and brain.
- Staying connected with families, neighbors, and friends.
- Writing down activities to keep a check on emotions and feelings
- Getting quality sleep.
Depression

Many elderly people go through major life changes that could make them fall into depression. Depression causes constant hopelessness, feeling of sadness, fatigue, changes in appetite, and more. It is a treatable condition.

Prevent or manage depression by:
- Ensuring to eat a healthy diet.
- Managing your stress levels.
- Reducing alcohol intake, highly processed food, and artificial sweeteners.
- Exercise frequently.
- Remaining in connection with your family and friends.
- Visiting your nearest doctor for opinions like medications or therapy.
Hypertension

This is a common condition that involves how much blood your heart pumps and how immune your arteries are to the blood flow.

When your heart releases a lot of blood, and you have narrow arteries that counter the food, that is when you get high blood pressure, also known as hypertension.

A person can have hypertension for years and not know it, it can also cause other chronic health conditions like heart attacks and stroke.

Prevent or manage hypertension (high blood pressure) by:
- Regulation of your stress levels.
- Reduce your intake of salt and alcohol.
- Visiting clinics around you to check your blood pressure.
- Ensuring to maintain a healthy weight.
- Regular exercise to increase flexibility and strengthen muscles.

Conclusion

Being enlightened about the common health issues an elderly person might face helps plan precautionary measures. It ensures you stay prepared for any health emergency in the future.

By taking steps to live a healthy lifestyle, such as not smoking, regularly exercising, and eating healthy. Many of these diseases can be prevented or slowed down. It is also important to know where and when to get treatments, and also know how you can live with them to help lengthen life and health.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What Do Elderly People Need the Most?

Comfort. Their comfort should always be a top priority. As they begin to spend more time indoors, physical comfort should become more essential.

What Activities Can Elderlies Benefit From?

The activities depend on the preference and ability, activities ranging from walking, dancing, swimming and hiking are very beneficial to persons over 65 years of age.

How Frequently Should Elderlies Visit Health Clinics?

There is no particular rule as to how often elderly citizens should see their doctors. For most older adults, it is advisable to have at least one medical checkup a year.