Difference between revisions of "10 Most Common Chronic Diseases in Older Adults"

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80% of Americans over the age of 65 have at least one chronic health condition. This is often due to genetics, lifestyle, and diet.<br /><br />High blood pressure, aka hypertension, increases with age. It can damage the blood vessels and lead to serious conditions such as heart disease.<br /><br />Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia are common in seniors. Symptoms include memory loss and difficulty thinking.<br /><br />1. High Blood Pressure<br /><br />Blood pressure is the force of blood against blood vessel walls. High blood pressure can damage arteries over time, increasing the risk of serious health conditions like heart disease and stroke.<br /><br />Common factors that can increase your risk for hypertension include age; family history; being a man or woman; salt intake (higher with aging); and obesity and physical inactivity. Getting regular screenings can help detect high blood pressure.<br /><br />2. Chronic Bronchitis<br /><br />Chronic bronchitis is an inflammation (swelling) and irritation of the lining of the bronchial tubes, which carry air to and from your lungs. The irritation causes thick mucus to build up, which restricts airflow and leads to a persistent cough.<br /><br />The disease is a type of COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, and often occurs with emphysema. There are medications that can help. Pulmonary rehabilitation programs can improve breathing and reduce symptoms.<br /><br />3. Diabetes<br /><br />Diabetes has serious consequences for people over 60, particularly if it is undiagnosed or poorly controlled. Untreated diabetes can lead to kidney infections (pneumonia), diabetic foot ulcers and amputations, and damage to the nerves that cause tingling, numbness and pain (diabetic neuropathy).<br /><br />It's important for seniors to regularly check their blood sugar levels. They should also follow a diet that's low in salt and alcohol.<br /><br />4. Osteoporosis<br /><br />Osteoporosis makes bones thinner and weaker, increasing the risk of a broken bone. This disease can cause back or neck pain, especially from a sneeze or cough. It can also lead to a stooped or dowager's posture.<br /><br />Women are more likely to develop osteoporosis due to the rapid decline in estrogen during menopause. But men can also get the condition. People with certain rheumatologic disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis, can also experience it.<br /><br />5. [https://personalmedicalalarms.com.au/ Medical Alarms AU] Shingles<br /><br />Shingles (also called herpes zoster) is caused by the varicella-zoster virus. This same virus causes chickenpox, and it can lay dormant for decades in the neurons of your spinal cord before reactivating.<br /><br />The first symptom is pain, tingling or burning before the blistering rash appears. It usually takes the shape of a band around one side of your torso. Your doctor may recommend a vaccine to reduce your risk.<br /><br />6. Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)<br /><br />Our kidneys help filter waste, toxins and extra water from our blood. They also help regulate our blood pressure, bone health and red blood cell production.<br /><br />CKD is a gradual decrease in kidney function over time. It can lead to high blood pressure and fluid retention. Eventually, it can develop to a stage where the kidneys stop working - this is called renal failure.<br /><br />7. Arthritis<br /><br />Arthritis is any disease that causes pain, stiffness and swelling in joints-the places where 2 or more bones meet. There are over 100 types of arthritis diseases.<br /><br />These include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, giant cell arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatica. The treatments for these diseases are drugs that slow an overactive immune system. These include traditional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs and biological therapies.<br /><br />8. High Cholesterol<br /><br />Cholesterol is found in our blood and is carried around the body with proteins. When we have too much, it can build up and clog our arteries. It can also increase your risk for heart disease and other serious conditions.<br /><br />High cholesterol is a condition that can be prevented by eating well and getting regular exercise. It can also be controlled with medication.<br /><br />9. High Blood Sugar<br /><br />High blood sugar happens when insulin can’t move glucose into cells. Over time, it can damage the eyes, kidneys, nerves, heart, and gums.<br /><br />Someone with high blood sugar may feel very thirsty or have to pee a lot, and lose weight even though their appetite stays the same. It can also cause fatigue, lightheadedness, and confusion. If left untreated, it can lead to a heart attack or stroke.<br /><br />10. Heart Disease<br /><br />Heart disease includes a wide variety of problems that affect the heart and blood vessels. The most common cause is a buildup of plaque in the arteries that carry oxygen-rich blood to the heart and lungs.<br /><br />Symptoms can include chest pain, indigestion and fatigue. It can also lead to heart failure and a stroke. Medications can help treat heart disease. Your doctor can recommend healthy lifestyle changes to prevent it.
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About 11% of older adults on Medicare are treated for Alzheimer's Disease or another form of dementia, which leads to memory loss and difficulty thinking or problem-solving. Dementia is not a normal part of aging, but it can be slowed down with lifestyle choices like healthy eating and exercising.<br /><br />Other chronic conditions that affect seniors include hypertension, arthritis, ischemic heart disease and diabetes.<br /><br />1. [https://www.personalmedicalalarms.co.nz/ personal alarms for elderly] Hypertension<br /><br />Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, occurs when the force of the blood against your artery walls is too high. This condition increases your risk for heart disease and other health problems.<br /><br />Older adults are more prone to age related diseases that don’t typically affect younger people like hypertension, ischemic heart disease, urinary incontinence, and vascular dementia. These conditions can be treated with a combination of medicine and lifestyle changes.<br /><br />2. Arthritis<br /><br />Arthritis is a disease that causes pain and stiffness. It destroys the slippery tissue that covers the ends of bones where they form joints. The most common types are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.<br /><br />Other arthritic conditions include gout, which results from excess uric acid in the body; and fibromyalgia, a widespread musculoskeletal condition that causes joint pain, fatigue and tenderness. These conditions are long-term, and many seniors may need help managing their symptoms.<br /><br />3. Chronic Bronchitis<br /><br />Bronchitis happens when the lining of your lungs' tubes, called bronchi, become irritated and inflamed. This causes sticky mucus to build up in your lungs, which makes it hard to breathe.<br /><br />Chronic bronchitis is part of the COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) group of diseases, and often occurs with emphysema. It can be treated with bronchodilators and steroids, which can be taken in an inhaler or pill.<br /><br />4. Diabetes<br /><br />Diabetes is an illness in which blood sugar levels are high. It can lead to serious health complications, such as kidney disease or a stroke. It can also lead to infections like the flu or pneumonia, which are especially dangerous for seniors.<br /><br />Many chronic conditions can be prevented or delayed by making healthy lifestyle choices. These include eating a balanced diet, staying active, and managing your weight.<br /><br />5. Osteoporosis<br /><br />In people with osteoporosis, bone formation does not keep up with bone loss. This can make bones weak and prone to fracture.<br /><br />These fractures often happen in the hip, wrist and spine. They can lead to back pain, a stooped posture and loss of height.<br /><br />You can help prevent osteoporosis by eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly and not smoking. You can also take certain medicines to improve bone strength.<br /><br />6. Shingles<br /><br />Shingles (herpes zoster) is a painful, itchy skin rash that typically forms in a stripe on one side of the body. It starts with tingling or pain in the area where the rash will appear and scabs over in 7 to 10 days.<br /><br />The varicella zoster virus that causes chickenpox stays dormant in nerve cells and can reactivate years later as shingles. A vaccine can reduce your risk.<br /><br />7. Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)<br /><br />CKD occurs when your kidneys lose their ability to remove waste products from your body. It usually happens slowly and may get worse over time.<br /><br />Signs include a high blood pressure, numbness or swelling in your legs or feet, and urine that contains more protein than normal. It can also affect your heart and blood vessels.<br /><br />Learn how to manage your condition with classes like Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) offered in your community.<br /><br />8. Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)<br /><br />Cardiovascular disease (CVD) includes conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels. It can develop from a build-up of fatty deposits called plaque in the arteries that carry oxygen and nutrients to organs. If a blood clot forms, it can block the flow of blood to the heart and cause a stroke or heart attack.<br /><br />Age and family genetics increase the risk of CVD, but leading a healthy lifestyle may reduce it. This includes not smoking, eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly.<br /><br />9. Cancer<br /><br />Cancer is a disease that develops in the tissues of the body. Most cancers grow and spread quickly and affect organs or glands that secrete substances like the lungs, breasts or colon.<br /><br />Benign tumours usually resemble the tissue they grow in and don't threaten life, but can obstruct the flow of blood or cause discomfort.<br /><br />Cancer treatment may lead to low blood counts, which increase your risk of infection, anemia and bruising.<br /><br />10. Depression<br /><br />Depression is a serious medical condition and is not a normal consequence of aging. It can cause feelings of sadness, pessimism, apathy, weight loss or gain, difficulty making decisions and changes in appetite.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Balance issues, dizziness and muscle weakness also occur frequently. Medications can often cause side effects that can make these problems worse. It is important to learn to recognize the early signs of these diseases.<br /><br />

Revision as of 14:58, 22 January 2024

About 11% of older adults on Medicare are treated for Alzheimer's Disease or another form of dementia, which leads to memory loss and difficulty thinking or problem-solving. Dementia is not a normal part of aging, but it can be slowed down with lifestyle choices like healthy eating and exercising.

Other chronic conditions that affect seniors include hypertension, arthritis, ischemic heart disease and diabetes.

1. personal alarms for elderly Hypertension

Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, occurs when the force of the blood against your artery walls is too high. This condition increases your risk for heart disease and other health problems.

Older adults are more prone to age related diseases that don’t typically affect younger people like hypertension, ischemic heart disease, urinary incontinence, and vascular dementia. These conditions can be treated with a combination of medicine and lifestyle changes.

2. Arthritis

Arthritis is a disease that causes pain and stiffness. It destroys the slippery tissue that covers the ends of bones where they form joints. The most common types are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Other arthritic conditions include gout, which results from excess uric acid in the body; and fibromyalgia, a widespread musculoskeletal condition that causes joint pain, fatigue and tenderness. These conditions are long-term, and many seniors may need help managing their symptoms.

3. Chronic Bronchitis

Bronchitis happens when the lining of your lungs' tubes, called bronchi, become irritated and inflamed. This causes sticky mucus to build up in your lungs, which makes it hard to breathe.

Chronic bronchitis is part of the COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) group of diseases, and often occurs with emphysema. It can be treated with bronchodilators and steroids, which can be taken in an inhaler or pill.

4. Diabetes

Diabetes is an illness in which blood sugar levels are high. It can lead to serious health complications, such as kidney disease or a stroke. It can also lead to infections like the flu or pneumonia, which are especially dangerous for seniors.

Many chronic conditions can be prevented or delayed by making healthy lifestyle choices. These include eating a balanced diet, staying active, and managing your weight.

5. Osteoporosis

In people with osteoporosis, bone formation does not keep up with bone loss. This can make bones weak and prone to fracture.

These fractures often happen in the hip, wrist and spine. They can lead to back pain, a stooped posture and loss of height.

You can help prevent osteoporosis by eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly and not smoking. You can also take certain medicines to improve bone strength.

6. Shingles

Shingles (herpes zoster) is a painful, itchy skin rash that typically forms in a stripe on one side of the body. It starts with tingling or pain in the area where the rash will appear and scabs over in 7 to 10 days.

The varicella zoster virus that causes chickenpox stays dormant in nerve cells and can reactivate years later as shingles. A vaccine can reduce your risk.

7. Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

CKD occurs when your kidneys lose their ability to remove waste products from your body. It usually happens slowly and may get worse over time.

Signs include a high blood pressure, numbness or swelling in your legs or feet, and urine that contains more protein than normal. It can also affect your heart and blood vessels.

Learn how to manage your condition with classes like Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) offered in your community.

8. Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) includes conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels. It can develop from a build-up of fatty deposits called plaque in the arteries that carry oxygen and nutrients to organs. If a blood clot forms, it can block the flow of blood to the heart and cause a stroke or heart attack.

Age and family genetics increase the risk of CVD, but leading a healthy lifestyle may reduce it. This includes not smoking, eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly.

9. Cancer

Cancer is a disease that develops in the tissues of the body. Most cancers grow and spread quickly and affect organs or glands that secrete substances like the lungs, breasts or colon.

Benign tumours usually resemble the tissue they grow in and don't threaten life, but can obstruct the flow of blood or cause discomfort.

Cancer treatment may lead to low blood counts, which increase your risk of infection, anemia and bruising.

10. Depression

Depression is a serious medical condition and is not a normal consequence of aging. It can cause feelings of sadness, pessimism, apathy, weight loss or gain, difficulty making decisions and changes in appetite.





Balance issues, dizziness and muscle weakness also occur frequently. Medications can often cause side effects that can make these problems worse. It is important to learn to recognize the early signs of these diseases.

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