As we age, our motives and priority in life change. Similarly, with age, our bodies undergo natural changes. These changes are expected as you age. However, age-related changes make one’s body susceptible to age-related health conditions that can be fatal if left untreated. You only get one shot at life, and preparing for all that’s to come can help you lead your life in a way you would appreciate it more. So being aware and informed about the health conditions that might affect you with age can help you take proactive measures and lead a healthy fulfilling life. So, here are some of the common health conditions in older adults that you should be aware of and prioritize as you age.

5 Common Health Problems to Prioritize As You Age

Diabetes

While age is not a risk factor for diabetes directly, ageing people are the most affected by the condition because your body’s ability to manage its blood sugar levels diminishes with age. Diabetes is a difficult condition to live with, because it takes considerable effort from your end to manage. Exercising regularly, eating healthy, quitting bad habits like drinking and smoking, following dietary restrictions. These are just some of the things a diabetic patient needs to follow every day to live healthily.

Diabetes can lead to a number of complications, which can affect your heart, kidneys, and nerves. If left untreated or unmanaged, diabetes can be fatal very quickly, especially when you age. Regular health checkups and adherence to doctor’s orders are crucial for you to maintain your health. You may also need to go through insulin treatment based on the type of diabetes you have.

Cardiovascular Diseases

Cardiovascular diseases are problems of the heart. These conditions are extremely common for older adults. Age becomes a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases because of the buildup of plaque and fatty deposits on the walls of blood vessels. These blockages can lead to congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, and strokes. All of these conditions can be life threatening unless they are treated medically.

Managing cardiovascular diseases also requires following some of the same steps as managing diabetes. It includes following a low sodium diet, keeping your stress levels in check, exercising regularly, avoiding fried food items, and quitting smoking. These changes are crucial in helping you manage a healthy heart. However, even with all these measures, it is still recommended that you go through screening tests and visit your doctor and discuss your health at least twice a year to every few months as you age.

Respiratory Diseases

Respiratory diseases can be self-inflicted in patients who smoke excessively, or it can be caused by the environment around you, including second-hand smoke and pollution. These conditions are very common for older adults because of the built up effect over the years. Some of the most common respiratory diseases that affect people include, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, pneumonia, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Unlike the other conditions listed above, lifestyle changes though necessary are not as effective in managing these conditions. If the respiratory conditions are caused by pollution from where you live, doctors may even suggest that you move somewhere else to live a healthier life. In addition, medical treatment for your condition is also required to keep you living healthily. Regular medical visits are also quite important as early diagnosis can help you treat the condition easily without putting your health at more risk.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is one of the most common bone diseases that affects millions every year. This condition has no known cure and causes pain, loss of mobility, and stiffness in the joints of older adults. As there is no cure, osteoarthritis may require patients to go through surgical treatments like joint replacement to treat the pain they experience. 

Patients of osteoarthritis need to follow a strict regimen of exercise and weight management to remain mobile and healthy. Doctors also encourage patients to use assistive walking aids, to help with their mobility. The treatment for this condition including joint replacement surgeries are only aimed at helping patients deal with the pain, but given it is a complex surgery. Even the slightest surgical mistake can have unintended consequences and recurrent pain for the patients.

This is why it is very important that you go through important surgeries like joint replacement only from top healthcare institutions like MASSH.

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a condition that causes bone weakness and makes the bones brittle and fragile. This condition is more common among older women than in men and causes a risk of bone fracture quite easily in case of any accident. Osteoporosis, much like osteoarthritis, does not have a cure. As common health issues in the elderly, the treatment of osteoporosis involves physical exercise, dietary changes, lifestyle changes, and dedicated medical treatment.

Managing osteoporosis requires patients to go through life very carefully as injuries can take longer to heal and even cause serious fractures that can be very painful. Also, quitting on smoking and drinking alcohol is also crucial to reducing your risk of the condition worsening.

Conclusion

Your body changes as you age, and adapting to those changes with appropriate lifestyle and dietary changes will help you live a healthier life. As you can see now, an active lifestyle and quitting smoking and drinking can help you manage the risks for some of the most common health conditions for older adults. 

If you are already affected by any of the conditions mentioned here, feel free to reach out to us at MASSH. We specialise in the treatment of all common health conditions for older adults. Our specialised treatment processes help patients recover quickly without increasing their risk of recurrence or other health concerns. Check out our website today to learn more about our treatment options.