Top 10 Chronic Health Issues That Affect Seniors the Most
- Health data show that over 95% of those 60 and older have at least one chronic disease, and over 80% have two or more.
Find out more about the most prevalent long term health issues and how to treat or avoid them - A Chronic Disease Self-Management Program could be able to assist you or someone you know who is having trouble managing a chronic condition.
Furthermore, obesity raises your risk for diseases including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and several malignancies. Obesity affects 42% of persons 60 and older.3.
Given these probabilities, you may be wondering if there’s anything you can do to help manage a current chronic medical illness or stop it from developing in the first place. Yes, is the response.
Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia was treated for nearly 12% of older persons receiving Medicare. One particular kind of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease, an illness that impairs thinking and problem-solving skills and results in memory loss that affects day-to-day functioning. Dementia is not a normal part of aging; rather it is the outcome of changes in the brain throughout time.
The main risk factors for many chronic illnesses include genetics, age and family history factors that are frequently beyond your control. However research suggests that you may be able to delay or even avoid onset by adopting the following lifestyle habits :
- Work out. Being physically active benefits not just your heart but also your brain.
- Rest. Your brain plays a crucial role in things when you’re asleep, thus it’s imperative that you receive at least 7 hours of sound sleep each night.
- Think carefully about what you eat. According to research, there are some meals that are bad for your brain.
Number 9: Depression
- Control your stress levels. At difficult times, reach out to loved ones and friends and think about doing regular meditation.
- Consume a balanced diet. meals that are high in nutrients and encourage the production of endorphins and other “feel good” chemicals can improve your mood restrict your intake of items like alcohol, caffeine, artificial sweeteners and overly processed meals. Your body can alter your mood by what you put into it.
- regular physical activity. Exercise provides several psychological and physical advantages such as elevating mood via the release of endorphins and other “feel good” brain chemicals, increasing self-worth and confidence through reaching goals and looking better, and fostering more social interactions in group classes and gyms.
- Consult your physician. See your physician to learn more about your treatment choices if you’ve seen any of the depression warning symptoms. You could benefit from psychotherapy or antidepressant medication.
Number 8 :Heart failure
Heart failure, a disorder that happens when the heart is unable to sufficiently pump blood and oxygen to all of the body’s organs, affected around 5% of older persons receiving treatment. To fulfill the demands of the body, the heart may grow, gain more muscular mass, or beat more quickly, which can lead to you experience fatigue, dizziness, nausea, disorientation, or loss of appetite.
Actions you may do to stop or lessen heart failure symptoms include :
- The greatest way to reduce your risk of high blood pressure and coronary heart disease is to adhere to your doctor’s instructions.
Number 7:Chronic kidney disease (CKD)
Treatment for chronic kidney disease (CKD), or a progressive decrease of kidney function over time, was administered to nearly 25% of older persons. Individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are more likely to experience renal failure or cardiac disease.
Actions you may do to stop or lessen CKD symptoms include :
- Recognize the causes of kidney injury. Your best bet is to prevent diabetes and high blood pressure, as these conditions are the biggest risk factors for kidney injury.
- early identification and intervention. Consult your physician frequently, maintain up to date on screenings and remember to take any medicines you need to cut down on your symptoms.
Diabetes, a condition that arises when the body is unable to metabolize enough insulin or is resistant to it, was treated in 27% of older individuals. Your body utilizes insulin to deliver the energy it receives from meals to your cells. If this doesn’t occur, you have high blood sugar, which can cause blindness, heart disease, and renal illness, among other problems. Diabetes becomes more likely after the age of 45.
There are things you can do to prevent diabetes from getting into your system or to control it already:
- maintaining a nutritious diet, which includes keeping an eye on your calorie and carbohydrate intake, and with your physician on alcohol use.
- Five times a week, 30 minutes of exercise will help you regulate your blood sugar levels.
- safely decreasing 5 to7% of your body weight if pre diabetes is identified.
Ischemic heart disease, a disorder brought on by a plaque accumulation that narrows the arteries supplying the heart, was treated in almost 29% of older persons. The quantity of oxygen rich blood that is given to the heart is reduced by narrow or clogged arteries. Additional problems such as blood clots, angina or a heart attack may result from this.
If you have ischemic heart disease, you can take the following actions to assist :
- Steer clear of trans and saturated fats and consume less sugar and salt.
- Sleep for seven to eight hours every night.
- Manage your stress levels
- Perform aerobic workouts on a regular basis.
- Give up smoking.
- Discuss the main risk factors with your physician, such as high blood pressure and cholesterol.
Arthritis, an inflammatory disease of the joints that produces pain and stiffness and is more frequent in women, was treated in around 35% of older persons.
Actions you may take to control the symptoms or postpone the start of arthritis:
- To increase function and reduce discomfort, engage in 30 minutes of exercise five times a week at minimum. A combination of stretching, strength-training, and cardiovascular exercises should be used.
- A one-pound weight loss can relieve four pounds of strain on your knees, so try to stay within the suggested weight range for your height.
- Make sure you have support for your arms, legs, and back at all times.
- Take care to prevent injury to your joints.
- Avoid smoking.
Obesity, a chronic illness associated with over 200 chronic illnesses, affects over 40% of persons 65 and older. Health department is pushing for the definition of a universal right to high-quality obesity care. This involves having access to the entire spectrum of medical options and being covered for therapy.
Among the advice given to combat obesity is :
- Recognizing the Medicare covered obesity treatments
- gaining self power by understanding nutrition
- Teaching others and standing up for yourself
Over half of the elderly population received treatment for high cholesterol, a disorder that arises from an overabundance of harmful fats, also known as lipids, clogging the arteries and raising the risk of heart disease.
Actions you can do to control or avoid high cholesterol :
- Quit smoking and consuming too much alcohol.
- Engage in daily activity.
- Control your weight
- Reduce the amount of trans and saturated fats in your diet.
The prevalent illness known as hypertension, which affects both the amount of blood your heart pumps and the resistance of your arteries to blood flow, was treated in nearly 60% of older persons. High blood pressure, sometimes referred to as hypertension, is caused when your heart pumps a lot of blood and your narrow arteries restrict the flow. Not only may you have hypertension for years without realizing it, but it can also lead to other major health problems including heart attacks and strokes.
Actions you may take to lower or avoid hypertension:
- Sustain a healthy weight. Even ten pounds lost can lower blood pressure.
- Control how stressed you are.
- Limit your intake of alcohol and salt.
- Engage in regular physical activity that encompasses a range of aerobic exercises from moderate to intense, stretches and stretches, and muscular building.
- Regular blood pressure checks increase your chances of preventing high blood pressure since the earlier you identify pre-hypertension, the better.
Additional frequent chronic illnesses affecting the elderly
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which consists of two primary conditions : emphysema and chronic bronchitis, is another prevalent chronic ailment affecting persons 65 and older. In addition to making breathing difficult, COPD also induces coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath.
Among the actions you may take to control COPD are:
If you currently have COPD, finish the prescribed medications, obtain the required vaccinations against pneumonia and the flu, and keep up your activity level.
When using these strategies to treat your chronic illness isn’t enough
The advice given above can assist you in preventing or effectively managing a chronic illness. On the other hand, there are community based initiatives such as the Chronic Disease Self Management Program (CDSMP) that can assist those who are finding it difficult to manage a chronic illness. The six week interactive small group course known as CDSMP assists participants in developing the essential to manage the impact that long term illnesses have on their lives.
The following subjects are the focus of CDSMP workshop sessions :
- Coping with exhaustion, discomfort, annoyance or loneliness
- preserving vigor, endurance and flexibility
- Taking care of prescriptions
- Speaking with loved ones, close friends, and medical professionals
- wholesome diet
- Get in touch with your neighborhood agency on aging to find out more about programs in your region and how to manage a chronic condition.
As a seasoned content writer specialized in the fitness and health niche, Arun Bhagat has always wanted to promote wellness. After gaining proper certification as a gym trainer with in-depth knowledge of virtually all the information related to it, he exercised his flair for writing interesting, informative content to advise readers on their healthier lifestyle. His topics range from workout routines, nutrition, and mental health to strategies on how to be more fit in general. His writing is informative but inspiring for people to achieve their wellness goals as well. Arun is committed to equipping those he reaches with the insights and knowledge gained through fitness.