Author : Dr. P. D.GUPTA
Former Director Grade Scientist, Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, India
www.daylife.page
The National Council on Aging surveyed and found that 80% of seniors have at least one chronic health problem and 68% have two or more. Despite these statistics, older adults can maximize health and quality of life by managing symptoms from existing health conditions and reducing the risk of developing other conditions.
Put together a list of the top 10 most common chronic diseases in older adults on Medicare along with tips to prevent or manage them.
High blood pressure (hypertension)
High blood pressure often called the “silent killer” because it has no symptoms is a serious condition that affects 58% of seniors; but it damages blood vessels and increases the risk of serious (and sometimes fatal) conditions like stroke and heart attack.
Prevent or reduce high blood pressure by: Maintaining a healthy weight, Reducing stress, Limiting salt and alcohol, Exercising regularly (daily, if possible).Check blood pressure regularly to monitor progress or detect pre-hypertension
High cholesterol
Nearly half of all seniors on Medicare were treated for high cholesterol. When the body has too many bad fats, arteries get clogged and cause heart disease.
Prevent or manage high cholesterol by: Quitting smoking, Reducing the amount of alcohol consumed, Staying active and/or exercising regularly, Maintaining a healthy weight, Eating less saturated and trans fats
Coronary heart disease
Coronary heart disease (also called ischemic heart disease) is caused when plaque builds up in the arteries leading to the heart. That decreases the amount of blood going to the heart and can cause additional complications like blood clots, angina, or heart attack.
Prevent or manage coronary heart disease by: Limiting saturated and trans fats, sugar, and salt, Sleeping 7-8 hours each night, Reducing stress, Exercising regularly, Not smoking
Heart failure
Heart failure is when the heart becomes weakened and can’t pump as efficiently and can’t supply enough blood and oxygen to the entire body. This can cause changes in the heart muscle that cause fatigue, light-headedness, nausea, confusion, or decreased appetite.
Prevent or manage heart failure by: Decreasing risk for coronary heart disease and high blood pressure
B. Brain Related Problems
Depression
Depression is a treatable medical condition that is not a normal part of aging.
It can cause persistent feelings of sadness, emotional numbness, anxiety, sleep problems, concentration and memory problems, changes in appetite or weight, a loss of interest in activities, and more.
Prevent or manage depression by:
Staying connected with people
Eating a healthy diet
Limiting alcohol, caffeine, artificial sweeteners, and highly processed foods
Exercising regularly
Talking to the doctor about treatment options like therapy or medications
See additional ways to help seniors with depression
If you’re concerned about suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
Alzheimer’s disease and dementia
Alzheimer’s disease is is a form of dementia. It’s the most common type and accounts for 60 – 80% of all dementia cases.
Dementia is an umbrella term for a collection of cognitive symptoms.
It’s caused when the brain is damaged by diseases like Alzheimer’s, many small strokes, or brain injuries.
Alzheimer’s and other dementias cause memory loss and difficulty thinking or problem-solving that interfere with everyday life.
Reduce the risk of dementia by:
Exercising regularly, both the body and the brain
Staying engaged in life and maintaining social connections
Getting good quality sleep
Eating a healthy diet
C. Involving other organs such as bones and muscles, pancreas, kidney and lungs
Arthritis
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis. It’s a joint disease where the joint cartilage is breaking down over time. That causes swelling and inflammation which leads to pain and stiffness.
Some people dismiss arthritis as occasional aches or stiffness, but chronic arthritis pain can be so severe that seniors are forced to make unwanted lifestyle changes.
Delay arthritis onset or manage symptoms by: Exercising regularly, ideally 5 times/week for 30 minutes each time – this improves function and decreases pain, Maintaining a healthy weight – losing just one pound can remove 4 pounds of pressure from knees, Being careful to avoid joint injuries, Not smoking
Diabetes
People with diabetes are also more likely to have heart disease or a stroke, and at an earlier age. When someone has diabetes, the level of glucose in their blood (blood sugar) is too high. This can happen when the body doesn’t make enough insulin. When there isn’t enough insulin, glucose doesn’t get moved into the cells of the body. Instead, it builds up in the blood and causes high blood sugar. Over time, high blood sugar seriously damages the eyes, kidneys, nerves, heart, gums, teeth, nerves, and blood vessels.
This leads to health conditions like heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney disease, nerve problems, gum infections, and amputation.
Prevent or manage diabetes by: Eating a healthy diet and talking to the doctor about alcohol consumption, Exercising regularly – 30 minutes, 5 times/week to keep blood sugar levels in check and control weight, Losing 5-7% of body weight if diagnosed with pre-diabetes
Chronic kidney disease (CKD)
Chronic kidney disease causes a slow decline in kidney function over time. That causes an increased risk of heart disease or kidney failure.
Prevent CKD or reduce symptoms by: Reducing the risk of diabetes and high blood pressure or managing symptoms – essential because these are the 2 biggest risk factors for kidney damage, Staying current on screenings for early detection and treatment, Take medicines to reduce and manage symptoms.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affects 11% of seniors
COPD is a disease that includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis. It makes it hard to breathe and causes shortness of breath, coughing, and chest tightness.
Prevent COPD or manage symptoms by:
Quitting smoking and avoiding second hand smoke, chemical fumes, and dust
Getting flu and pneumonia vaccines
Remain as active as possible, do yoga and walking excersises. (The author has his own study and views)
