5 Common Health Concerns To Expect As You Age, And What To Do About Them

By Melinda Myers | November 11, 2020

Embracing old age on your terms also means being aware of specific potential health issues. From mild problems to certain chronic conditions, knowing what to expect as early as possible gives you enough time to prepare for them, manage them, or even prevent them. According to experts, approximately 80% of older adults can expect to have one form of chronic health issue or another. As alarming as that may sound, it’s much better to be well prepared as soon as possible. An excellent way to be prepared is to know what to expect and what you can do about it. Are you concerned about any age-related health issues? Then look out for some of the following health concerns and know what to do about them.

 

• Arthritis

 

Arthritis is one of the most leading health conditions that affect people 65 years and above. This condition can lead to pain in the joints, which affects the quality of life especially for most seniors. Arthritis can make it very difficult to carry on with your daily life. However, with the proper consultation with your doctor and treatment, you should be able to live a healthy life. You can also use formulas like liquid Glucosamine Chondroitin, which is useful in combating arthritis and joint pain.

 

• Cognitive decline

 

In many cases, memory loss is a natural part of the aging process. However, there is nothing natural about developing Alzheimer’s disease. One problem with this condition is that it is tough to diagnose, making it challenging to know exactly how many suffer from this chronic condition. Early detection is essential for slowing down its progression. Therefore, it is necessary to understand what the symptoms are and how to detect this condition early.

 

• Heart disease

 

Heart diseases remain one of the leading causes of death of adults over the age of 65 years. The older people get, the higher their risk of certain chronic heart diseases, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. These also increase the likelihood of having strokes or developing different kinds of heart diseases. 

Addressing heart diseases comes in two folds: seeking medical attention for specific heart-related issues and taking on a very healthy lifestyle through regular exercise and proper diet. 

 

• Mental health issues

 

Many adults above the age of 65 experience one form of mental disorder or another, with the most common one being depression. Although depression in old age affects about 7% of the adult population, it is mostly left underdiagnosed, and as a result, undertreated. Even more alarming is the fact that older people account for a significant percentage of suicide deaths globally. Aside from managing conditions like depression, it is essential to adopt a healthy lifestyle, stay as active as possible, and find support groups.

 

• Sensory impairments

 

Sensory impairments like loss of hearing and vision are not uncommon in older adults, as most of them occur naturally. However, using eyeglasses and hearing aids can help to improve these conditions. Also, specific adjustments can be made to diet and habits to lower the risk of such impairments in the future.