The human body, in general, is prone to several health disorders; however, older groups have a higher risk. The World Health Organization predicts that people aged 80 years and above will triple between 2020 and 2050, reaching 426 million, and will require long-term health care. Knowing the symptoms of geriatric conditions can help with early detection and response to prolong the life span of older people. Here are some common age-related diseases and conditions.
Cerebrovascular Disease
The brain is an essential organ for everyone. Unfortunately, many people experience dips in blood flow to and from the brain as they age. Every minute, the body needs about 700 millimeters of blood flow from the base of the brain to all other parts. Any shortages in this supply can lead to varying degrees of strokes, which come in several types, including a hemorrhagic stroke that results from a brain tissue rupture. The ruptured artery begins bleeding into the brain, pressurizing and damaging the brain cells.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, someone in the United States has a stroke every 40 seconds and requires immediate medical attention. Luckily, many solutions have emerged over the years in response to this alarming growth rate in stroke cases. For instance, caregivers in assisted living homes can cater to the specific needs of older people living with strokes. For convenience in transporting and visiting patients, it pays to consider proximity when choosing an assisted living hospital. For instance, a quick Google query for “assisted living in Booton, NJ” can bring up several results if you’re in New Jersey or any of its surrounding areas. You can assess factors like amenities and caring staff for each facility to arrive at the best option.
Cerebral Aneurysm
Aneurysms are characterized by weakness in an individual’s blood vessel. When blood flows through a weak blood vessel, the blood pressure can cause an area to bulge outward like a balloon. The most common areas for aneurysms to occur are the aorta, brain, and spleen. Some common symptoms of a ruptured aneurysm can be internal bleeding and stroke, which are sometimes fatal.
Knowing these symptoms and other aneurysm risk factors can help you make specific lifestyle changes to ensure healthy blood vessels. Smoking, drug, and alcohol use, among several other natural factors like your race, can trigger the likelihood of a burst artery wall as you age.
Cancer
In 2019, cancer was the leading cause of death in the United States, and the national average stands at 442 new cases per 1,000 men and women. The illness has a high mortality rate, ranging from 158 to 205 per 1,000 men and women each year.
For instance, a little over half of all cancer patients, especially those with lung cancer, may live for at least five years after diagnosis. The survival rate can be slimmer if you’re in your old age. The National Center for Biotechnology Information describes cancer as a disease of old age. About 60 percent of cancers occur in people aged 65 years and above, and this age cohort accounts for about 70 percent of all cancer-related deaths.
Parkinson’s Disease
Over 10 million people are living with Parkinson’s disease worldwide. Many health experts associate Parkinson’s disease with a combination of genetics and environmental factors, like one’s exposure to hazardous toxins. But it’s worth noting that three-quarters of all Parkinson’s disease cases begin at the age of 60. Therefore, it’s safe to say age is one of the critical factors.
Hearing Loss
Hearing loss is a common health-related issue, especially for the aged. About 50 percent of people over the age of 74 and 25 percent of people between 65 and 74 years of age have disabling age-related hearing loss. Largely, this is due to the deterioration of tiny hairs in the ears that aid sound processing. Some symptoms include difficulty catching sounds in a noisy area and perceiving some sounds to be louder than others.
Growing old is inevitable, but it doesn’t have to be debilitating. Understanding the conditions that come with age will help with managing them better.
