Top 5 Ailments Affecting Seniors
Growing older affects everyone differently. Aging can also bring unique health challenges. Among the most common ailments are heart conditions, arthritis, osteoporosis, diabetes, cancer, cognitive health, and sensory impairments.
Arthritis
Arthritis affects about half of the elderly population. Arthritis can be caused by many things. It can come from old injuries or strain from playing sports or being active. It can also be from wearing the wrong kind of shoes, like high heels, or shoes that are the wrong size. Arthritis in the knees is extremely common among seniors, just from walking. To avoid this, try exercising regularly as opposed to sporadically. Your weight can also contribute to arthritis and joint health. Managing a healthy weight can help you not only avoid arthritis but also osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is another illness that affects the bones and can occur mostly in women.
Cancer
For the most part, the risk of developing cancer increases as we age. For women, the risk of getting endometrial cancer increases as they age, but the rate of cervical cancer decreases. It is important that as women age, they still attend annual exams to ensure they are still in good health. For men, the risk of prostate cancer increases with age. Men should start screenings in their 40s. Other common cancers include lung, breast, and colon. See your doctor annually, and take care of yourself.
Diabetes
According to the CDC, about 25% of seniors are living with diabetes. Diabetes can be treated, but it is even better to avoid it by maintaining a healthy lifestyle. You can find out if you have diabetes by a simple blood test at your doctor’s office. Reduce your risk of illnesses caused by diabetes, by changing parts of your lifestyle so you can maintain your health without having to deal with blood sugar tests multiple times a day.
Cardiovascular Disease
Heart conditions affect more than one-third of men and women past their 50s. Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are diseases of the heart or blood vessels. CVD is also the leading cause of death in the U.S. You can reduce your risk of CVD by leading a healthy lifestyle. So, you should exercise for at least 30 minutes a day. Eat a healthy diet and avoid smoking. Get tested for high blood pressure and keep it under control to avoid your risk for CVD.
Sensory Impairments
We all know that as we age, our hearing and sight can become impaired. This is an extremely common side effect of aging, especially in adults over 70. According to the CDC, one out of six older adults has a visual impairment, and one out of four has a hearing impairment. Both of these are easily treatable. For hearing impairments, you can wear a hearing aid, and for your eyes, glasses or contacts are common options. There are newer technologies that can help with these impairments, like Lasik eye surgery, for sight.
To catch ailments early, prevent them, or get them treated, see your doctor. Ask them what you might be at risk for, and what changes you can make to lead a longer, and healthier life.
Eat Healthy to Avoid Ailments
Eating a healthy breakfast is one of the best ways to start your day and doing so can lead to avoiding ailments. Did you know eggs are full of the essential nutrients you need for energy and alertness through your busy day? Nutrients in eggs like vitamin B12, vitamin D, and choline help your body convert food into energy. Vitamin D in eggs can contribute to stronger bones, regulate blood pressure, lower risks of certain cancers, and benefit your mental health.
Are you worried about your vision? Egg yolks house carotenoids: lutein and zeaxanthin which are essential for healthy vision. Some research suggests that these nourishing characteristics can reduce the risk of age-related macular eye diseases (AMD). Researchers believe eggs can be a part of a healthy diet plan for seniors and people of all ages. Eggs are rich in all the essential proteins, vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acids. They also are potent in the amino acid leucine, which is good for building and repairing muscle tissue. Consuming eggs daily could improve your heart health. A 2020 empirical review by the American Heart Association suggests dietary cholesterol from eggs does not hurt cardiovascular health but profits the heart. Eggs are not the only nutritional food readily available to the public. There remain many fruits like apples and blueberries, vegetables, and seeds like those from pumpkins that can aid in preventing illnesses and aging.
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This article was updated on 9/18/24.