Most Common Diseases in the Elderly
With a weaker immune system, older adults are more prone to developing age related diseases that younger people typically don't experience. Some of these include chronic lower respiratory diseases like influenza and pneumonia.
Other conditions such as diabetes can be managed, while some infections like shingles are preventable with a vaccine.
Heart Disease
Heart disease is a general term for health problems related to the heart and blood vessels. These include coronary heart disease (narrow or blocked arteries), aortic diseases, congestive heart failure and abnormal heart rhythms.
A major cause of heart disease in the elderly is a process called atherosclerosis, which occurs when fat deposits build up in the walls of the arteries that supply the heart. These deposits, known as plaque, can narrow the arteries and block blood flow to the heart, which can lead to chest pain and a heart attack. Blood clots in the arteries can also block blood flow to the brain, which may cause stroke.
Other health issues that are common in the elderly include high blood pressure, which is the force of blood pushing against the artery walls when the heart beats. High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke and kidney disease. It is also a leading cause of death in the United States. High blood pressure can be caused by obesity, smoking, alcohol use, a diet that is high in salt and sugar and lack of physical activity.
Diabetes
Diabetes occurs when the body can't use or produce insulin and blood sugar levels get high. It can lead to problems in the eyes, kidneys and nerves if it's not treated well. It can also increase the risk of having a heart attack and stroke.
Dementia is a disease that affects the brain and destroys memory and mental functions gradually. It can cause confusion, mood changes and difficulty in communication.
Arthritis is a painful condition that causes stiffness, swelling and damage to joints. The most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a common problem for people over 85. It damages blood vessels and increases the risk of heart disease, stroke and other serious conditions.
Some health problems get worse with age, such as hearing loss and vision loss. It's important to take these changes into account when caring for elderly people. In addition, many older adults have multiple chronic diseases that can be complicated to manage. Having a chronic care management team can help them achieve their health goals and maintain quality of life.
Arthritis
Arthritis is a chronic disease that causes pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints. It can cause damage to the cartilage, a white glistening material that helps bones glide smoothly against each other. There are several types of arthritis, including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
There’s no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, but there are drugs that can reduce symptoms and prevent the condition from getting worse. medical alarm These drugs are called disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and they work by slowing down your overactive immune system.
Some people get infectious arthritis when a bacteria, virus or fungus enters a joint. Doctors can treat the infection with antibiotics or other medication.
To help manage arthritis, eat a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables and exercise regularly. Maintaining a healthy weight can also help reduce the pressure on your knees and other joints. Some treatments for arthritis include acupuncture, which involves the insertion of thin needles into specific points on the body; this may help to release natural pain-relieving chemicals. You can also try physiotherapy to improve your range of movement and strength and take medicines, like glucocorticoids or NSAIDs, which can reduce inflammation.
Pneumonia
Pneumonia occurs when the air sacs in the lungs fill with fluid or pus, reducing how much oxygen circulates in the blood. It can be mild to severe, but the elderly are at the highest risk for complications like hospitalization and death. It can also complicate other illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure.
People with weakened immune systems are at increased risk of pneumonia, including infants under 2, older adults and people living with chronic diseases such as diabetes, hepatitis C, emphysema or cystic fibrosis. They also may be at increased risk for aspiration pneumonia if they have a neurological condition such as dementia or Parkinson's disease.
Elderly patients with pneumonia should receive early antibiotic treatment, which is generally given in the hospital. They should be given fluids and pain relievers such as aspirin or acetaminophen (Tylenol), but codeine or other stronger medications should be used with caution in the elderly because they can suppress coughing. X-rays and blood tests will help your healthcare provider determine what kind of pneumonia you have and treat it appropriately.
Shingles
Shingles (or herpes zoster) is a viral infection that can cause a painful, blister-like skin rash. It occurs when the varicella zoster virus that causes chickenpox gets reactivated in your nervous system. The shingles rash typically occurs as a band around the body, usually on the torso or face. It can lead to complications like postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), a severe pain in the area where you had shingles for weeks or even years. You can prevent shingles by getting the shingles vaccine, available for people over 50.
Older adults are at higher risk of serious injury from falls. This is partly due to losing muscle tone and partly because of problems with the parts of the inner ear that help with balance.
Arthritis is also common among older adults. It can be caused by normal wear and tear or an autoimmune disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis. It can lead to pain, swelling and inflammation in the joints. It can also make it difficult to move and lead to a decreased quality of life. It is important to seek medical attention if you think you have arthritis.
