The International Day of Older Persons falls on October 1 of each year and because chronic diseases affect the elderly all over the world, so we have collected the 8 most common diseases among the elderly in the world, according to what he said lifeline24 It is important that we all have some knowledge about the most common medical conditions so that we are more prepared to deal with them if they are diagnosed and this includes an understanding of the condition itself, the treatments available, and ways to prevent and live with the disease..
The 8 most common diseases affecting the elderly
1. Arthritis
Arthritis is the breakdown of tissues inside the joints, and it can cause pain, inflammation, restriction of movement in the area, and obvious weakness in affected joints, and there are two main types of arthritis: osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
When it comes to older adults, the most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis
Arthritis symptoms include joint pain, stiffness, and restricted joint movement.
2. High blood pressure
High blood pressure is a long-term health condition where the blood pressure in the arteries rises constantly, and the only way to know if you have it is to check your blood pressure.
The noticeable symptoms of high blood pressure are rare because the only time someone notices the symptoms of high blood pressure will be when the blood pressure reaches dangerously high levels. This is known as a hypertensive crisis. Its symptoms include severe headache, anxiety, chest pain and an irregular heartbeat.
High blood pressure puts a lot of pressure on the blood vessels, heart, and other vital organs such as the kidneys, and having high blood pressure increases the risk of the following serious and potentially life-threatening medical conditions:
Heart disease.
-Heart attack.
Kidney disease.
Vascular dementia
-Heart failure.
3. Asthma
Asthma occurs when the body’s airways are sensitive to allergens and become inflamed. This inflammation can cause a painful and frightening attack that causes the airway muscles to tighten and narrow – making breathing difficult.
Symptoms of asthma include:
Cough
A feeling of tightness in the chest.
Shortness of breath regularly.
Older adults are prone to developing asthma and it can be aggravated when people catch a cold or the flu.
4. Vision loss
The main cause of vision loss is age-related macular degeneration, the accumulation of deposits on the macula (the small area in the center of the retina) and it can also be caused by the growth of abnormal blood vessels underneath it.
Other common causes of blindness in the elderly are ocular nerve pressure glaucoma and diabetes – diabetic retinopathy causes damage to the retina.
5. Cancer
There are more than 200 types of cancer, such as breast cancer, prostate cancer, and lung cancer.
Cancer is a disease in which cells in the body multiply abnormally and cause a mass known as a tumor These abnormal cells multiply, causing either the growth of the tumor or the spread of cancer cells through the bloodstream.
The symptoms we should all look for include:
– Find an unexpected lump.
Unexplained weight loss.
Unexplained blood in stool, urine, cough, or vomiting.
The survival rate is much lower for older people, which is why it is important to detect symptoms early and start treatment as soon as possible.
6- Chronic bronchitis
Chronic bronchitis is a respiratory condition, better known as a type of lung disease. Most cases develop due to an infection that irritates the bronchi in the lungs, which leads to an increase in mucus secretion. The body tries to divert this excess mucus by coughing. This condition causes this cough to occur daily for long periods of time.
This condition is caused by a virus or bacteria, similar to the viruses themselves that cause colds and influenza, which can make it difficult to differentiate when diagnosed.
Symptoms of chronic bronchitis include:
-Sore throat.
Headache
Runny or stuffy nose.
-fatigue.
Aches and pains in your chest.
7. Coronary heart disease
Coronary heart disease is a leading cause of death. Coronary heart disease is the term that describes what happens when the heart’s blood supply is blocked or interrupted by a build-up of fatty substances in the coronary arteries.
Coronary artery disease can be caused by certain lifestyle choices and other medical conditions, such as: smoking, eating a lot of fats, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity.
8. Dementia
Dementia is a progressive disorder that affects the brain’s memory capacity and functions in general, rather than being a condition in and of itself, dementia is a word that refers to a group of symptoms related to a person’s memory, language, and understanding.
The most common cause of dementia, and the most well known is Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia is another type of dementia that develops after a stroke or if there is damage to the blood vessels in the brain.
Dementia symptoms include:
Difficulty remembering recent events.
Problems with Conversation – Struggling to follow through or find the right words.
Difficulty judging distance.
Forgetting your place.
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