People these days are expecting to live a lot longer than ever before. Once you hit retirement, you usually have at least another couple of decades before you have to move on to somewhere new. However, if you want to get through all of these many years, then you need to take proper care of yourself. You should eat right, exercise, and make an effort to stay socially active. That being said, even after taking these measures, getting older can still bring on a number of health problems. With that in mind, here are seven health concerns you should look out for as you age.
1. Arthritis
When people imagine the conditions that seniors typically deal with, arthritis is probably the one that most first think of. This is an incredibly common problem affecting more than a fifth of the population, with most suffers being over 65. It is an issue that occurs when the cartilage and fluid in a joint wear out, causing the bones to scrape against one another. Arthritis can be quite painful, but, if you speak to your doctor, they can offer treatments, like medications and surgery.
2. Heart Disease
2. Heart Disease
As your heart ages, it may have a harder time pumping blood around the body. Some changes in the heart and your circulation are quite normal, but significant ones can cause heart disease, prompting other problems, like strokes and heart attacks. This all sounds incredibly scary, but the good news is that it isn’t an inevitable issue. By making the right lifestyle changes, including exercising and not smoking, you can reduce your risk. You should also attend regular check-ups.
3. Osteoporosis
3. Osteoporosis
They say that the bones of the elderly are more fragile than those of the young, and while most assume this to be a misconception, it’s actually often true. When you get older, your body starts to absorb old bone tissue much quicker than it does create new. This typically results in weaker and thinner bones, which can lead to an issue called osteoporosis. This condition doesn’t have any obvious symptoms, so you should schedule regular bone density tests just to be safe.
4. Hearing Loss
Hearing loss can occur at any age and certainly isn’t inevitable for those growing older. That being said, most hearing loss sufferers are in their retirement years. For this reason, you should take better care of your hearing to prevent any damage. If you start to notice hearing loss, then speak to a professional and pick the right hearing device for you, if necessary. By wearing a hearing aid, you can minimize the symptoms of hearing loss and stop it from getting any worse.
5. Diabetes
4. Hearing Loss
Hearing loss can occur at any age and certainly isn’t inevitable for those growing older. That being said, most hearing loss sufferers are in their retirement years. For this reason, you should take better care of your hearing to prevent any damage. If you start to notice hearing loss, then speak to a professional and pick the right hearing device for you, if necessary. By wearing a hearing aid, you can minimize the symptoms of hearing loss and stop it from getting any worse.
5. Diabetes
Although we can develop diabetes at any time in our lives, the risk significantly increases when you get older. This is an incredibly serious condition, which can eventually lead to further issues, including damage to the kidneys, eyes, and nerves. It can also put you at a greater risk of having a stroke or developing heart disease. That being said, with the right treatment, this concern is very manageable. Because of this, you should contact your doctor if you notice any symptoms.
6. Cognitive Impairment
6. Cognitive Impairment
We all have senior moments now and then. Perhaps you forgot what you were going to say midway through a sentence or missed an important event because you didn’t write it down. These small slip-ups are quite normal, but, as you age, you may start making them a lot more. Thankfully, there are ways to keep your mind sharp, including exercise and puzzles. Alzheimer's, and other advanced forms of cognitive impairment, however, do require professional help.
7. Cancer
7. Cancer
Everyone knows someone who does or has had cancer, or, at the very least, knows someone who knows someone else. Because of this, we all understand that the disease doesn’t discriminate in any way, especially by age. However, that doesn’t change the fact that those older are more susceptible to developing one or more of its many types. No one is entirely sure of the reason for this, but there are healthy habits that you can adopt to lessen your risk.
Growing old certainly doesn’t mean that you’ll grow unhealthy. However, those later in life are at a much higher risk of developing a number of serious health conditions. From a loss of hearing to brittle bones, these concerns can affect you in a big way, negatively impacting your quality of life. To stay in tip-top condition, make sure that you adopt a healthier lifestyle and schedule regular check-ups with your doctor
Growing old certainly doesn’t mean that you’ll grow unhealthy. However, those later in life are at a much higher risk of developing a number of serious health conditions. From a loss of hearing to brittle bones, these concerns can affect you in a big way, negatively impacting your quality of life. To stay in tip-top condition, make sure that you adopt a healthier lifestyle and schedule regular check-ups with your doctor
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