Health Issues of Senior Citizens

Health issues faced by senior citizens

With age comes complications in one's health conditions that can be caused due years of neglect, years of poverty or just age. Apart from many issues faced by senior citizens health is a serious problem. More common sicknesses are diabetes the killer disease which attacks most of the organs.

Heart disease is a common condition among seniors. This is a life threatening disease which should be controlled with food and exercise.

Cancer though has no specific cause surfaces mostly among seniors. Unfortunately there are no preventive methods

Overweight and obesity are also other contributors to ill health faced by senior citizens. Being overweight increases the chances of death due to hypertension, coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, dyslipidemia, respiratory problems and endometrial, breast, prostrate and colon cancers.

HIV/AIDS has infected between 11 to 15% of U.S. citizens who are over 50 years of age. Between 1991 and 1996, AIDS in adults over 50 years of age rose more than double as far as in younger adults.

Dementia is not due to aging but can be caused due to diseases, reactions to medications, nutritional imbalances, diabetes and renal failure. There are several forms of dementia including Alzheimer's disease, and some are only temporary but some can prolong to such an extent that it can be life threatening. The most common health condition is depression. If untreated can lead to suicide.

When advancing in age, another problem that is encountered is imbalance. This causes a bigger problem as this will lead to falling and consequent injuries. To reduce this problem seniors should be in an exercise program.

Environmental related problems can also affect seniors, as some of the residential homes for seniors are located in low income areas where pollution risks are higher.

Influenza and pneumonia are considered the top 10 causes of death for senior citizens. With their immune system being weak due to age and also lack of nutrition they fall victims to these sicknesses. To aggravate the situation, sicknesses such as influenza is contagious and have serious repercussions when it starts spreading to other inmates.

As one advances in age other common health issues are vision problems. To great extent this can be arrested with corrective action by way of surgery and spectacles.

Cholesterol related problems are on the rise with neglect due to lack of exercise and proper diet over the years and people resorting to fast food which are so unhealthy and is a contributor to high levels of cholesterol. If not controlled with diet, exercise and medication this could lead to paralysis and other complicated health situations which may lead to death.

Arthritis is also a common condition affecting seniors. This situation can be painful and can inconvenience the daily life of a senior. Throughout life one has to be conscious of being healthy to reduce health issues, as one advances in age.