Common Health Problems in the Elderly Population
Interactive Medical Systems: With advances in medicine and new treatments becoming available every year, life expectancy is on the rise. The population is booming, and there are more older adults in the world than ever before.
Despite life expectancy increasing, the incidence of illness and disease in older adults remains high. Experts predict that there will be more than seven million older adults in the world with at least one long-term health condition by the year 2030.
As much as medicine can help to treat illnesses, there are still many incurable illnesses. Old age comes along with an increased risk of a wide range of health conditions, and there’s very little that medicine can do about them.
Most of us expect a decrease in physical or cognitive function as we age. We predict that, by the age of 80 or 90, at least one of our organs will no longer function optimally.
Living a healthy lifestyle can reduce aging and lower your risk of poor health in old age. Regular exercise, eating a well-balanced diet, and maintaining a healthy weight are positive lifestyle habits that can lower your chances of all-cause mortality.
Healthy Lifestyle
Avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol intake are also important to maximizing your health and longevity. However, it’s also important to remember that some health conditions can develop sporadically, even in the healthiest individuals.
Not all illnesses are created equally. Some conditions carry a higher risk with old age, such as dementia, osteoporosis, asthma, and cancer. Older adults are also at an increased risk of falls due to changes in bone and muscle mass, and the reduction in balance and mobility.
Many elderly people who live alone choose to have medical alert systems in their homes. Having a medical alert system means older adults can get immediate medical attention if they have been injured at home. The quicker they get treatment, the better the outcome.
In this article, we’re going to cover the most common health conditions that are seen in the elderly population. Interactive Medical Systems.
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot that occurs in your deep veins. Usually, the clot forms in the deep veins of the legs.
DVT can occur in people of any age, but it’s most common in those about the age of 30. If left untreated, DVT can lead to more serious complications, such as pulmonary embolism or stroke.
People are at an increased risk of DVT if they have high blood pressure (hypertension), diabetes, smoking, family history of blood clots. Being overweight or obese can also increase the risk of blood clots.
The symptoms of DVT include pain, swelling, heaviness in the legs, redness around the knees and lower legs, and mild fever. Medications can be used to thin the blood and reduce the risk of blood clot formation.
Dementia
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Dementia is the slow decline in memory and cognitive function that is common among younger adults. It affects 1 in 14 adults above the age of 65, and the risk increases after this point.
The two most common forms of dementia are Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. Symptoms can be mild, to begin with. However, they tend to worsen over time due to the progressive nature of the condition.
Initial symptoms of dementia include:
- Difficulty remembering the names of people or places
- Difficulty following a conversation
- Reduced special awareness
The earlier the diagnosis of dementia, the quicker treatment can be provided. Although there is no cure for the condition, an early diagnosis means the individual can receive the best care possible.
Arthritis
Arthritis affects more than half of all adults over the age of 65. It is characterized by pain and swelling around the joints, which results in reduced mobility and range of movement.
As with many other health conditions, arthritis can occur at any age. However, the more a joint is used, the more wear and tear it receives.
Eventually, the increased wear and tear on the joints causes a reduction in the amount of cartilage. Without adequate cartilage, the two bones that form the joints can begin to rub together. This causes a form of arthritis known as osteoarthritis.
The second most common form of arthritis is rheumatoid arthritis. This is an autoimmune condition where the body attacks itself. More specifically, it attacks the cells that line the joints.
Arthritis cannot be prevented in most cases. However, some anti-inflammatory medications and injections can be used to reduce pain and swelling around the joints. Interactive Medical Systems.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a medical condition where the bones become weak and brittle due to a decrease in bone mineral density. It’s one of the most common medical conditions that affect elderly adults, and it’s the cause of thousands of fatal bone fractures every year.
Osteoporotic bones break much more easily than healthy bones. Loss of bone mass is a natural part of aging.
However, some medical conditions can increase the risk of osteoporosis, such as eating disorders, calcium and vitamin D deficiencies, and menopause.
Taking calcium and vitamin D supplements can increase bone formation and strength. Performing regular weight-bearing exercises is also important to strengthen the bones, muscles, and tendons, which reduces the risk of osteoporosis.
The best form of weight-bearing exercise is resistance training. Lifting weights can increase muscle strength, power, and size, which promotes bone growth and maintenance.
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