Aging is a natural and inevitable process. It is the gradual deterioration of cells, tissues, bodily functions, and structures in the human body. As people grow older, they experience a decline in the functions of their organs and systems. Although aging is a natural process, people have to take care of their health and follow certain lifestyle patterns. By doing this, they can prevent the common diseases which affect older people. There are many conditions associated with age. But these are not necessarily life-threatening or debilitating. If they are treated well in time, one can live a long healthy life. If you are a senior citizen or have one in your household, hiring experts to take care of them is advisable. TruBlue of Sugarland, TX, provides various in-home care services that many senior citizens can take advantage of for a better, healthier life.
Here is a look at five common health concerns for seniors
Arthritis & Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
When you’re younger, your body creates inflammation to help fight off infections or injuries. However, as you age, your immune system eventually becomes weaker and more unpredictable. Therefore, our bodies sometimes become more susceptible to autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In other words, it’s harder for the body to respond properly when it encounters these potential threats.
In addition to weakening the immune system’s capacity, there is also a limit on your responses available from certain types of anti-inflammatory medications. This is why many older adults start to see an increase in pain-related issues around the joints of their bodies. The most common areas include the knees, hips, feet, hands/wrists, lower back, and shoulders.
Hearing Loss
As we age, our ears become physically weaker due to a variety of reasons. Approximately 30% of seniors experience some level of hearing difficulty even if they have no prior history of ear-related issues or problems. Although hearing loss is rampant in older people, it’s also something that can be prevented with a variety of different approaches when younger. For instance, you can protect yourself from hearing loss by following proper safety protocols when using headphones, cell phones, and similar devices.
Back Pain
The spine can become weak and less flexible as we age. In fact, most people experience some level of back pain at some point in their lives. When you’re younger, your spine has a good ability to support itself without creating major issues with flexibility or posture. The odds of having serious issues with your back increase over time as we age. Some of this pain is treatable when combined with other treatments such as chiropractic care or physical therapy. You just need to consult an expert to get the right help.
Dementia/Memory loss
This usually happens at around the age of 65 because it’s a part of the aging process. Memory loss occurs when the brain can no longer process information effectively. It is characterized by the inability to remember recent events or information such as details about one’s family and friends, names of familiar objects and places, and current events in their lives. It is a type of dementia that affects mental activity, including memory loss and lack of inhibition. People with dementia may have other symptoms such as wandering or agitation. It’s important to have a healthy lifestyle to minimize the risk of dementia. Do not drink or smoke, and avoid an unhealthy lifestyle.
Vision Issues
Most people experience some level of vision loss as they age. In fact, more than ¼ of seniors over the age of 65 experience some type of vision-related problem (American Optometric Association). This may be due to several different issues, such as cataracts, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and other degenerative disorders. Although it’s possible to treat many of these conditions with surgery or medication, you can also do other things to protect your vision and prevent these conditions from becoming serious ones.
Anytime you experience symptoms of vision loss such as blurriness or glare problems, it’s essential to schedule a vision appointment as soon as possible. The sooner the issue is diagnosed and treated appropriately, the better.
As we age, our body begins to break down. The beauty of this change is that many issues can be prevented and even treated. If you are suffering from any of these common health concerns for seniors, it’s essential to seek treatment as soon as possible. However, you can also prevent many of these conditions by taking better care of your body while you’re still healthy and robust.