From the moment we are born we gradually grow older and gain more experience as we age.
Just as we grow wiser and more experience we face the risk of contracting certain diseases that are common among older folks.
The aging phenomenon is a process that involves our body organs and tissues at the cellular level to gradually deteriorate and shrivel with time.
Our hair often grows grey, our skin loses its firmness and our bones become weaker.
With this comes along several health problems that accompany the aging process.
Old age people are more susceptible to long-term medical conditions and the other group of people.
Age is a risk Factor When it comes to certain types of diseases.
It is important to be aware of these diseases to identify their signs and symptoms early on so that they could be treated in their preliminary stages.
You need proper health insurance coverage in case you or your loved ones experience any complications during old age.
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With this in mind let’s take a look at some of the different health complications that are more likely to affect older people
1. Arthritis.
Arthritis hands down is one of the most common medical conditions that affect older people.
Arthritis involves the damage of the commonly used joints in the human body. These joints range from the knee joint, hip joint, hand joints to foot joints.
It is common among older people since the tissues making up the joints have succumbed to constant wear and tear by the bones and cartilage due to the reduction of synovial fluid which is responsible for lubricating the joints.
As we grow older the quantity of the synovial fluid present in our joints decreases and hence leads to the damage of the joints.
This is because the bones and cartilage within our joints are constantly rubbing against each other which causes pain and discomfort when movement takes place.
Arthritis can be treated with physiotherapy, frequent exercises, and weight loss. Calcium supplements can also help strengthen the bones with joint supplements that improve the state of the cartilage.
2. Hypertension.
Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is a common complication that old people are more likely to experience.
Sometimes people live with hypertension unknowingly since the only way to find out you suffer from hypertension is by getting your blood pressure checked out
Visible symptoms of high blood pressure are rare. Some of the times that these symptoms are noticeable is only one the blood pressure has reached dangerous levels.
Most heart problems just like hypertension that are experienced by older people are associated with valve diseases that come with old age, pre-existing conditions, or even genetic abnormalization.
High blood pressure puts significant strain on the heart, blood vessels, and vital organs and as a result, runs the risk of making older people experience the following serious medical conditions;
- Kidney failure.
- Heart attacks.
- Strokes.
- Heart failure.
- Vascular dementia.
3. Parkinson’s Diseases.
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that commonly causes tremors, slow slowness in movement, and a blank, expressionless face.
Three-quarters of all the Parkinson’s Disease cases in the United States have been recorded to begin after the age of 60 meaning it is more common among older people.
Researchers have discovered that men are more likely to develop Parkinson’s Disease than women and the general cause of these conditions are a combination of genetics and environmental factors
However, it is not quite clear how aging consequently leads to Parkinson’s Disease but scientists believe that normal toxic proteins that the body normally generates as a result of various processes within the body go ahead and attacks vulnerable older nerve fibers known as neurons.
This consequently leads older people to experience the conditions of Parkinson’s Disease.
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive condition that has no cure so far hence treatment is only done to suppress the symptoms.
Conclusion:
There are many more complications that old people experience with old age, the ones we have mentioned above are some of the most common ones.
Old age is inevitable and so are these complications. However, a healthy lifestyle and frequent exercise throughout one’s lifetime will serve a huge deal in preventing a large number of these complications.
Make sure you lead a healthy life and visit your doctor for constant check-ups too.