Health Conditions to Consider as You Get Older
Getting older is a fact of life for all of us. Even if you look after yourself, time will still catch up. This isn’t entirely a bad thing, as there are lots of benefits to a few grey hairs and wrinkles, but aging can come with some health problems that you should be aware of as you and your loved ones get a bit older.
Cardiovascular Health Problems
The older you get, the more likely you are to start to suffer from cardiovascular health problems, such as high blood pressure or plaque in your arteries. This can, in turn, lead to serious health conditions and emergencies, like heart failure and blood clots that can cause strokes or a heart attack.
By controlling your diet and keeping fit, you do reduce your risk of developing these conditions, but it’s always worth getting regular checkups, especially if you notice increased fatigue or breathlessness. Another risk factor is family history.
Cancer
Cancer can strike at any age, but the older you get, the more likely you are to develop cancer. Again, family history is a known risk factor for certain cancers, but your lifestyle also plays a part.
If you’re exposed to a lot of carcinogens over time, you are much more likely to develop cancer. For example, smoking is one of the most common causes of lung, throat, and mouth cancers.
Hearing Loss
As you get older, wear and tear on your ears might lead to hearing loss. If you’ve noticed significant hearing loss, you may need to get a hearing aid. There are a lot of common hearing aid myths that might put you off, but it’s often worth talking to an audiologist about your concerns and the benefits of a hearing aid.
Sight Issues
It’s common for people to notice that their eyesight deteriorates as they get older. You may need to wear reading glasses, for example.
Another common, age-related sight problem is cataracts. Cataracts are a milky film that forms over your eyes and, over time, causes blindness. The good news is that you can get them removed, so it’s important to see an eye doctor if you notice vision problems.
Cognitive Decline
Unfortunately, cognitive decline is a common sign of aging. Sometimes it’s minor, you may be more forgetful or you might find it harder to concentrate, and this is just because you’re more fatigued than you used to be.
However, Alzheimer's and Dementia are known to cause significant cognitive decline. While you can keep your mind active and more healthy, it’s important to see a doctor if you are concerned about this.
Mental Health
Finally, while anyone can struggle with mental health problems, older people might be prone to depression, especially if they’re lonely. When you get older, you might lose friends and loved ones, which can make you feel a lot more isolated.
Speak to someone about what you’re feeling and look for ways to meet more people to keep yourself mentally healthy.
