Aging is a natural part of life, but it often brings its own set of health challenges. From stiff joints to forgetfulness, aging can get a lot of changes that may seem overwhelming at first. However, the good news is that many of these common health issues can be managed with the proper knowledge and care.
This blog highlights a few of the most prevalent aging diseases and gives practical tips to manage them. Whether you are a caregiver or a member of the geriatric age group, knowing the ways to address these common health problems in elderly populations can make a considerable difference.
Geriatric Diseases
Geriatric medicine specializes in treating conditions commonly experienced by older adults. Numerous variables make treating older adults different from treating younger counterparts, including polypharmacy, vague symptom presentation, and challenges with attribution in cases where multiple health conditions are present at once.
Older people are more prone to develop age-related diseases. High blood pressure might be an intergenerational problem. Still, issues like cardiovascular disease, urinary incontinence, ischemic heart disease, vascular dementia, multiple sclerosis, and other diseases are far more common among elderly people.
Why are Old People More Prone to Health Problems?
Elders are more likely to have health issues due to several reasons, here are some of them:
Natural Aging
With age, our bodies become more vulnerable to health problems elderly. For example, our bones weaken, and our immune system isn’t as strong.
Lifetime Exposures
Over time, we are exposed to different things, like pollution, unhealthy eating habits, and irregular routines, which build up and lead to common health problems in the elderly.
Reduced Resilience
As we age, our bodies become less good at bouncing back from sickness or injury.
Chronic Conditions
Many long-term health conditions elderly tend to show up or get worse as we age. Conditions like diabetes, high BP, and heart disease are more common in old individuals.
Weaker Immunity
With growing age, our ability to fight off illness weakens; hence, we are more likely to fall ill.
Suggested: Geriatric Diet for Old Age
Common Geriatric Health Problems
1. Cognitive Decline
Cognitive impairment isn’t unfamiliar, especially in the elderly. How well you think, learn, and remember is essential to your brain health. Possible causes include:
- Side effects of medication
- Metabolic or Endocrine derangements
- Delirium due to illnessÂ
- Depression
Making small changes to your daily routine can boost your cognitive health and delay the onset of dementia or Alzheimer’s. Here are some tips:
- Practice a physically active lifestyle.Â
- Choose to eat wisely.
- Keep a regular check on your blood pressure levels
- Manage stress effectively
- Keep your mind sharp (by solving puzzles or picking up a hobby)
- Try to stay connected with your loved ones
- Avoid smoking and excess alcohol consumption
2. Cardiovascular Diseases
People over the age of 65 are more likely to suffer from heart failure, coronary heart disease, and even stroke. As you grow older, regular health checks should be done to ensure extra care is given to your heart. That being said, you have to look out for the following early signs of heart defects for timely treatment:
- Pain or numbness in your arms, neck, jaw, or back
- Shortness of breath, even while at rest
- Chest pain during physical activity
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Headaches
- Cold sweats
- Nausea
- Swelling in the ankles, feet, legs, stomach or neck
- Inability to do everyday activities
Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption, manage stress efficiently, and lead a healthy lifestyle to protect your heart.
Must Read: Depression in Elderly: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment
3. Hearing Loss
Loud noises, aging, infections, and hereditary disorders are common causes of gradual hearing loss. If you are having trouble hearing over the telephone, finding it hard to follow a conversation, and often asking people to repeat what they are saying, do inform your doctor.
Some causes of hearing loss can also result from chronic health conditions such as heart failure, diabetes, or even cancer.
Try to find different ways to stay connected with your family and friends. You can ask them to:
- Face you while talking.
- Slow down and speak more clearly.
- Let the other person know that you are unable to understand them.
- Tell them to reword their sentences and try again.
- Try to eliminate background sounds, such as noise from a TV or speaker while conversing.
- Pay attention to their facial expressions and gestures.
4. Diabetes
Diabetes is customary in the older population. If left untreated and or managed poorly, it can affect other parts of the body and cause severe medical conditions. Here are some tips to stay healthy:
- Monitor your blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
- Stop smoking
- Get annual kidney checkups done.
- Protect your skin
- Eat a balanced diet
- Make sure you don’t miss your medication.
- Regularly consult with an endocrinologist to track your blood sugar levels.
5. Cancers
More than half of the cancer diagnoses are given to adults above 65 years. Early detection is key, as some cancers, such as breast or colon cancer, can be detected early and ultimately treated from an earlier phase. On the contrary, it’s challenging to detect lung cancer, and its treatment can become more complicated.
Regular health checkups and screenings can help catch the signs early, putting you in control of your health. Preventive health checkups are crucial in our fight against cancer. Annual screenings and blood work enable the doctor to catch the signs early.
By regularly consulting an oncologist for advice on the tests you must include in your regular medical checkups based on your condition, you can take a proactive role in your health and potentially catch cancer early.
6. Respiratory Issues
Geriatric health issues such as asthma and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) are common elderly breathing problems in old age. They can severely impact senior’s ability to perform day-to-day activities. Below are a few tips to stay healthy:
- Do light exercise and stay physically active.
- Avoid exposure to pollutants, allergens, and smoke.
- Regularly monitor breathing and seek medical help whenever required.
- Use of prescribed medications or inhalers as directed.
7. Psychological Disorders
Often, seniors go through mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, social isolation, and psychosis but don’t get the appropriate care and treatment needed. Later, these disorders take a physical toll on them, causing cognitive deterioration, sleep deprivation, and confusion. Therefore,
- Include the elderly of your family in daily conversations and activities.
- Provide a safe and secure environment.Â
- Optimize their physical health by giving them good food and making them exercise.
- Identifying and treating accompanying illnesses.
- Ensure they are taking everyday medication.
8. Urinary Incontinence
This is a common yet embarrassing old age disease in elderly individuals because of the weakening of the bladder muscles or other underlying health problems. Some tips to manage are:
- Maintain a healthy weight and avoid bladder irritants.Â
- Pelvic floor exercises to strengthen bladder muscles.
- Use of absorbent products or medical devices for management.
9. Arthritis
It is common to associate arthritis with old age. Intense joint pain, decreased flexibility, tenderness, or swelling in multiple joints are all early signs of arthritis. It is of 3 types-
- Osteoarthritis
- Gout
- Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus
The aching and declining mobility may lead you to a more inactive lifestyle, but this may do more harm than good. Talk to a rheumatologist to plan a light exercise and healthy diet routine to ease the pain and better care for your joints.
If your doctor hasn’t specified a workout, you can try pursuing walking, yoga, or even swimming, depending on the severity of your condition.
10. Mental Health: Anxiety, Depression, and Fear of Dying
Mental health in older adults often goes unnoticed, but issues such as anxiety, depression, fear of dying, and other phobias are prevalent. Many older adults may develop anxiety about their health, their future, or the well-being of loved ones. The fear of death, or thanatophobia, can also become overwhelming.
A few management tips are:
- Encouraging open discussions about fears, concerns, and feelings can help alleviate anxiety and fear. Talk therapy or counseling can be beneficial.
- Engaging in social activities, volunteering, or participating in senior community groups can foster a sense of belonging and reduce feelings of isolation.
- Practices like meditation, deep breathing, and progressive muscle relaxation can help calm the mind and manage anxiety.
- For severe anxiety, depression, or overwhelming fears, seeking help from a mental health professional is critical. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and medication may be recommended.
11. Falls and Mobility Issues
Mobility issues and a higher risk of falls are prevalent physical problems in old age. Falls are the leading cause of injury, often leading to broken bones or other major health complications. Some tips to healthy are:
- Regular exercise to boost strength and balance.
- Use of mobility aids such as walkers or canes.
- Wear appropriate footwear to reduce the risk of slipping.
- Home safety with no tripping hazards.
Conclusion
Although numerous and complex geriatric problems exist, many can be managed effectively with proper knowledge and proactive management. From elderly breathing concerns to memory loss and physical decline, the goal is to ensure that the aging population maintains their standard of living and independence for as long as possible.
It is necessary to consult healthcare professionals to address certain common medical conditions in elderly individuals and take precautionary steps to manage these issues. Learning the causes of geriatric problems, implementing proper care, and decreasing the impact of common medical conditions on the elderly can improve their lives.
