As you enter old age, the immune system and the performance of each person's organs will experience a decline. This condition makes the body more susceptible to diseases of the elderly.
Diseases in the elderly are of various types and can attack physically or psychologically. If you don't get treatment and balance with a healthy lifestyle, the disease can threaten the safety of your life.
What are the diseases in the elderly?
A number of diseases affecting the elderly are often physically debilitating. Not only physical attacks but several diseases of the elderly are known to also interfere psychologically and cause mental health problems.
Here are some common diseases in the elderly:
1. Arthritis
Arthritis or arthritis is a disease that is often suffered by the elderly. According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 49.7 percent of people over 65 years of age experience this disease.
2. Heart disease
Heart disease generally appears as a result of high cholesterol and blood pressure in the elderly. Apart from triggering heart disease, this condition also has the potential to cause a stroke. In order to avoid these diseases, you should start to adopt a healthy diet and exercise regularly.
3. Cancer
This disease is the second leading cause of death in older people over 65 years of age. In order to be treated as early as possible, it is important for you to do tests such as mammograms and colonoscopies. Although it cannot be completely prevented, you can reduce your risk of developing cancer by adopting a healthy lifestyle.
4. Respiratory disease
The elderly are susceptible to respiratory disease. Some of the respiratory diseases that are often suffered by people over the age of 65 include chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD), asthma, emphysema (chronic bronchitis), and pneumonia (inflammation of the lungs). Overcoming respiratory disease can be done by taking medication that has been prescribed by a doctor.
5. Alzheimer's disease
According to the Alzheimer's Association, 1 in 9 people over the age of 65 suffer from this disease. Difficult to diagnose, Alzheimer's disease attacking brain function so that sufferers will experience decreased memory and other cognitive functions.
6. Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a dangerous disease that is vulnerable to the elderly. When suffering from this disease, you will be prone to fractures when you fall. Osteoporosis can be overcome by adopting a healthy lifestyle and eating foods rich in calcium and vitamin D.
7. Diabetes
According to the CDC, 25 percent of the elderly coexist with diabetes. Diseases that arise due to high blood sugar levels have the risk of causing other health problems if they do not get treatment immediately. To find out if you have diabetes, do tests to find out the level of sugar in your blood.
8. Obesity
When entering old age, most people begin to ignore their diet. This can increase your risk of obesity. Obesity itself triggers other chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.
9. Sleep disturbances
Sleep disturbance can affect how you live your life. In addition, this condition can also trigger the appearance of other diseases. Talk to your doctor if you have trouble sleeping. Later, the doctor will find out what caused it and provide a solution to solve your problem.
10. Depression
Depression in the elderly often occurs because they do not have friends to share stories with. If left unchecked, this condition can lower the immune system and increase the risk of developing the disease. To deal with depression, engage in activities that relax your mind, such as exercising and interacting socially.
Tips for maintaining health for the elderly
There are several actions you can take to keep your body healthy in old age. Apart from adopting a healthy lifestyle, doing various kinds of activities that make you feel good also helps to maintain your health.
Here are some tips for maintaining health for the elderly that can be applied daily:
- Avoid eating fried foods
- Keeps the body hydrated throughout the day
- Choose foods that are cooked by roasting or boiling
- Doing hobbies, either alone, with friends, or in groups
- Drink fortified low or nonfat milk vitamin D
- Doing a physical activity that increases stamina but is still safe to do
- Maintain communication with family, friends, and the communities you join
- Eat high-fiber foods such as wheat, nuts, vegetables, and fruits
