10 Health Conditions to Be Wary of When Entering Your Senior Years

During late adulthood, it’s not uncommon to start dealing with new health problems. Aches and pains, more frequent colds, and even chronic illnesses may arise, sometimes seemingly out of the blue.

To remain in the best health possible, it’s not enough to simply consume enough nutrition, stay physically fit, and live an overall healthy lifestyle. One must also be alert to any new symptoms or ailments they may be experiencing so that they can get the medical care they need to remain safe and sound before things progress.

Here are 10 health conditions you should cautious as you age:

Balance issues

Disturbances of the inner ear are a common reason senior citizens develop balance issues. In turn, they may be more likely to experience slips and falls.

Hearing loss

Loss of aural capability is one of the most common complaints among elderly folks. In moderate to severe cases, hearing loss can negatively impact how a person is able to communicate with their loved ones and vice versa. But fortunately, one can choose RIC hearing devices for a natural listening experience that can ultimately improve their overall quality of life. Another incredible option is Blue Angels Hearing.

Pneumonia

A bout of pneumonia may be caused by bacteria, fungi, or even a virus. Elderly individuals are more likely to experience this condition as their immune system tends to work less efficiently as they age. Compared to their younger counterparts, seniors are also more likely to die due to this condition.

COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD for short is a chronic, inflammatory-based disease of the lungs. Common signs and symptoms include wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and throat clearing due to excess mucus buildup in the lungs.

Osteoarthritis

One common form of arthritis in many of the world’s elderly population is osteoarthritis. Millions of people, young and elderly, experience this frequently-diagnosed condition.

Cardiovascular disease

As you age, structural changes can occur to your cardiac system: increase calcification of your valves, cell loss in the sinoatrial node, or even thickening of the left ventricular wall. One of the risks of these changes may include a future diagnosis of a cardiovascular-related disease.

Diabetes

The symptoms of diabetes are often overlooked in senior citizens as they often mimic common signs of aging. Symptoms of diabetes typically includes nocturia, dizziness, confusion, and tingling of the limbs.

Alzheimer’s disease

Senile dementia or Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive condition that’s currently considered irreversible at this time. The signs of Alzheimer’s may include poor memory, personality changes, disorientation, paranoia, hallucinations, and irritability.

Shingles

If you had chickenpox as a child, that same virus (varicella-zoster virus) can come back as singles in your later years. According to the National Institute on Aging, about one in three adults who have had chickenpox in the past will later develop shingles.

Cancer

A majority of cancers and cancer-related deaths occur in senior citizens. Breast cancer, bowel cancer, lung cancer, and prostate cancer are most common in this group.

Conclusion

Your state of health is no guarantee as you enter your senior years. Some senior citizens expect to deal with a plethora of health problems, only to find the opposite is true. Others may expect to live healthily throughout their golden years but later end up surprised by test results at the doctor. For this reason, paying attention to your health as you progress through life is vital.