As you get older, your body will experience an inevitable decline. You lose muscle mass. Your metabolism slows down. Your organs lose some efficiency. Your brain starts shrinking. And you don’t bounce back from injuries like you once did.
There is a huge difference, however, between the normal aging process and a host of disorders or diseases you may encounter. Too often, people mistakenly write off every new downturn in health as nothing more than aging.
There is a real danger in doing this. Getting the most out of your later years demands that you stay on top health changes – and work with your doctor to deal with them.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at seven common issues facing the elderly.
Depression
Unfortunately, mood disorders, including depression and anxiety, tend to be more common among the elderly, who often feel weaker and more dependent on others. Aging also means a gradual loss of friends and family members who once offered important social connections.
It is not, however, a normal part of aging. If you experience signs of depression – including feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness, insomnia, fatigue, overeating and suicidal thoughts – talk with your doctor. Depression is a medical condition that can be treated through medications, therapy, diet and other strategies.
Arthritis
Osteoarthritis, the most common form of the disorder, is a degenerative condition that degrades the tissue that cushions the ends of your bones where they form joints. When that tissue is damaged, it can cause pain, stiffness and swelling. It is one of the most common causes of disability among older adults.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for the disease. But by working with your doctor, you can gain access to treatments that will ease the pain and slow the disease’s progression.
Obesity
Starting at about age 60, you begin to lose muscle mass at an increased rate. With that lost muscle comes a decline in metabolism. Combine that with hormonal changes and a less active lifestyle and you have a recipe for gaining weight. Obesity contributes to a wide range of health concerns, including heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, stroke and cancer.
Your doctor can work with you to keep your weight under control by improving your diet, being more active and, possibly, medication.
High Bood Pressure
One of the more dangerous things about high blood pressure is that it often lurks unnoticed, slowly causing damage over time. If left untreated, it can damage your heart, arteries, kidneys and eyes. There is also evidence that it accelerates cognitive decline.
The keys to getting your blood pressure under control include regular checkups with your primary care doctor. If you have developed hypertension, your doctor can help you with a treatment plan, including diet modifications, medications and exercise.
High Cholesterol
High cholesterol increases your risk for two of the nation’s top killers: heart attack and stroke. It can lead to atherosclerosis, the buildup of plaque (fats, cholesterol and other substances) on the walls of your arteries. That causes those arteries to narrow, forcing your heart to work harder. The plaque can also break free, leading to life-threatening blood clots.
Your doctor can help you develop a treatment plan, including diet, exercise and medications.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a disease that keeps your body from producing enough insulin needed to convert glucose (blood sugar) into energy. This can cause blood sugar to accumulate, potentially damaging various parts of your body, including your heart, kidneys, eyes, nerves, skin and feet.
This is another disease that has no noticeable symptoms during earlier stages. Through regular checkups, including blood sugar tests, your doctor can help you guard against it, or keep it under control.
Dementia
As you get older, it’s not unusual to become a little forgetful. But when you start losing your ability think, learn, remember and reason, you may be dealing with something more significant. Dementia isn’t one disease, but rather an umbrella term for disorders that impair your ability to think and make decisions.
If you or your loved ones are concerned, you should talk with your doctor as soon as possible. Early detection can lead to therapy and other treatments than can slow the disease progression and help you live a more fulfilling life.
Remember, honesty is the key to getting the most out of your relationship with your doctor. You should feel comfortable talking about anything that may be bothering you. Keep in mind that there’s nothing you can tell your doctor that they haven’t heard before.
What To Do When All You See Is Doom and Gloom
