The importance of staying healthy grows the older we get. Living a healthy and well-balanced lifestyle is essential in helping minimise the risk of developing health issues.
Along with utilising tips on how to age better, one must be aware of the most common age-related health concerns. The risk for some of these increases the older we get, whilst others are most common in the older generation. If you are unsure about the most common age-related health concerns, keep reading to find out more.
Spotting Signs Of Alzheimer’s
One of the most common causes of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease. Although there is no definitive conclusion for what triggers Alzheimer’s disease, there are factors that are believed to increase a person’s chance of developing the disease. These include a family history of the illness, untreated depression and age. Those who are older have a higher chance of developing Alzheimer’s disease compared to those who are younger.
Unfortunately, it can be months or even years before someone is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, as the early symptoms can be memory loss. As time progresses, so do the signs. As Alzheimer’s disease advances, it severely affects a person’s brain functions, causing an individual to be more confused, have difficulty speaking, and experience hallucinations. When you notice these symptoms with your relatives, they may already need professional dementia services.
For the individual experiencing all of this, it can be a frustrating and, at times, frightening experience. For loved ones, it can be distressing to witness their loved ones battling the disease. Have open and honest conversations about Alzheimer’s with your family members. Ensure that they know how to spot the signs too, and encourage them to push you to seek medical advice. You can introduce to them independent living for seniors like those found at www.thechelseafanwood.com/ or a memory care facility such as the ones at riverpointofkerrville.com/living-options/memory-care/ that can accommodate their needs. You can learn about independent living for seniors here. When choosing a nursing home for your elderly relatives, be sure to do your own research since we are still hearing of reports about elder abuse. If you suspect that your loved one is being mistreated, you should contact an elder abuse attorney.
Keep An Eye Out For Shingles
Skin rashes are uncomfortable and, at times, painful. Whilst most rashes could be a reaction to a new product used; others might not have an obvious trigger. Viruses inside your body might cause a rash to spread. There are different types of rashes, so understanding the different ones could help you identify the kind you are experiencing. One of the common viral infections that causes a skin rash is shingles.
As we age, we are more susceptible to developing shingles. However, older people should seek medical attention as soon as possible if they suspect they have shingles. If you need help with what to look for, learn more about shingles. You can find helpful information from online guides, like this one from Patient. The insightful information could help you identify signs of shingles and what to do if you suspect your rash is shingles.
Developing Heart Disease
Coronary heart disease is caused by fatty materials building up in the coronary arteries, which causes them to become narrow. These arteries mustn’t be blocked. They are the passages for blood to get to the heart. If any part of the atheroma were to break off, it could cause a blood clot to form. The blood clot can then block the coronary artery, which cuts off the blood and oxygen supply to the heart muscle. Xarelto, a commonly prescribed anticoagulant, helps prevent the formation of blood clots that could potentially block the coronary artery, thereby ensuring uninterrupted blood and oxygen supply to the heart muscle amidst the risk of atheroma break-off in coronary heart disease.
Similar to Alzheimer’s, coronary heart disease slowly develops over time. The symptoms can vary for everyone, but angina is one of the symptoms that is most associated with signs of coronary heart disease. Other symptoms of coronaryheart disease include nausea, feeling faint, shortness of breath, chest pain and pain travelling throughout the body. Eating healthy can help to reduce the chances of developing coronary heart disease. This is because high cholesterol, being overweight, high blood pressure and limited physical activities can increase the risks of developing coronary heart disease.
Monitor Signs Of Arthritis
Arthritis is a common condition that can affect people of all ages. However, it is most common in the older generation. Those with arthritis can cause inflammation and pain in a joint. There are two types of arthritis: rheumatoid and osteoarthritis arthritis. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, as it is most common in individuals in their mid-40s. Rheumatoid arthritis is less common than osteoarthritis and affects those between 30 and 50 years old. A visit to a rheumatologist may be necessary to treat this.
Whilst there is no cure for arthritis, treatments available help alleviate the pain and slow down its progress. Some of the common treatments include physiotherapy, medicine, and Leukopack Options – Bio Sharing. Plus, it’s also important to try to make things a little easier for yourself or your aging loved one. For example, simplifying tasks that usually would be painful due to arthritis, such as getting an easy 3-step stairlift quote so maybe you’d no longer take the stairs or even making affordable swaps at home like an arthritis-friendly can opener or cooking ware.
The Bottom Line
Advancements in technology, medicine and healthcare haveled to people living longer. Although people might live longer, it does not mean they are immune to developing health issues. As mentioned above, there are several common health concerns to look out for that are age-related. Learning about these concerns and what signs to look out for can help you identify the problems in their early stages. This means that you can seek the relevant support as soon as possible. The sooner the issue is identified, and the course of treatment begins.
Staying healthy and going for regular health checks could help keep the risk of developing issues low and help you live a comfortable life.
