Common health issues affecting the elderly
Introduction :Our bodies require more attention as we age to function properly. Regularly monitoring our health will enable the doctor to see symptoms earlier, resulting in better treatment and a higher quality of life. Take advantage of Athulya Home Health Care’s home care services to learn more about the blood tests and screenings for the elderly that are advised. Continue reading this blog to obtain a better idea of the typical health difficulties that seniors may experience and how to handle these concerns or ailments in a way that causes the least amount of disruption to their daily lives.
Common geriatric problems :
Cognitive Decline: There are cases of cognitive decline, particularly in the elderly. Our capacity for thought, learning, and memory is a key indicator of the health of our brains. Potential reasons include:
- Adverse drug reactions / common medication problem
- metabolic or endocrine abnormalities
- Illness-related delirium
- Depression
Small daily adjustments can improve cognitive function and show promise in preventing the onset of dementia or Alzheimer’s. Here are a few pieces of advice:
- Exercise regularly and lead a healthy lifestyle.
- Make sage food choices.
- Keep an eye on blood pressure regularly.
- Manage tension carefully.
- Keep our minds active (by solving puzzles or picking up a hobby)
- Maintain communication with loved ones.
- Avoid using tobacco and drinking too much alcohol
Dental care for seniors: It’s crucial to take good care of our teeth and gums, particularly as we get older, to prevent oral health problems including tooth decay, tooth loss, dry mouth, gum disease, and discoloured teeth. A fluoride-containing toothpaste should be used for brushing at least twice a day as part of a good oral hygiene regimen.
- Flossing, preferably once per day,
- once or twice a day, use an antibacterial mouthwash.
- Regular dental cleanings and examinations with a dentist.
Cardiovascular Diseases: Heart failure, coronary heart disease, and even stroke are more common in people over the age of 65. Regular health exams should be performed as we age to ensure that our heart is given additional attention. To ensure prompt treatment, one must be aware of the following early indications of cardiac defects:
- The arms, neck, jaw, or back may be painful or numb.
- Breathing difficulties, even when at rest.
- Chest discomfort when exercising.
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Headaches
- frosty sweats
- Nausea
- Ankle, foot, leg, stomach, or neck swelling
- Being unable to perform daily activities
To protect our hearts, abstain from smoking and alcohol use, learn effective stress management techniques, and lead a healthy lifestyle.
Arthritis: It’s typical to link arthritis with getting older. Early symptoms of arthritis include severe joint pain, diminished joint flexibility, tenderness, or swelling in multiple joints. There are three different kinds.
- Osteoarthritis
- Gout
- Lupus and rheumatoid arthritis
We might adopt a more sedentary lifestyle as a result of our aching and deteriorating mobility. However, we can suffer more negative effects as a result. Plan a light exercise and good eating program with the help of a rheumatologist to reduce discomfort and better care for our joints. Depending on the severity of our ailment, we can attempt walking, yoga, or even swimming.
Hearing loss in seniors: The most frequent causes of progressive hearing loss are loud noise, ageing, infections, and inherited illnesses. Inform the doctor if you frequently ask individuals to repeat themselves, have problems hearing over the phone, or have trouble following a conversation with them. Some chronic medical disorders, including diabetes, cancer, and heart failure, can also contribute to hearing loss.
Diabetes: In the elderly population, diabetes is fairly common. It can impact other regions of the body, leading to significant medical disorders, if ignored or inadequately managed. Here are some pointers for managing diabetes healthily:
- Keep an eye on the cholesterol and blood pressure.
- Quit smoking.yearly kidney examinations
- Defend the skin.
- Consume a healthy diet.
- Make sure you take the prescription on time.
- Consult an endocrinologist frequently to monitor your blood sugar levels.
Respiratory troubles: The maximum amount of oxygen we can breathe into our lungs can decrease when lung function declines. Obesity, unhealthy lifestyle choices and ageing-related cardiac function are the main causes of this. These are some severe reasons for respiratory problems:
- Pneumonia
- Asthma
- persistent bronchitis
- Pulmonary illness with chronic obstruction (COPD)
- Respiratory emphysema
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Cancer Neurological conditions
Conclusion :
Opportunities come with living longer, not just for older people and their families but also for entire societies. While some variances in older people’s health are inherited, the majority are caused by people’s homes, neighbourhoods, and communities, as well as by their traits such as their sex, race, or financial status. Maintaining healthy habits throughout life, especially eating a balanced diet and exercising frequently, all help to lower the risk of non-communicable diseases, and improve physical and mental capacity, Athulya home health care services for the elderly offer the best medical attention and assistance.
