About 94,9 percent of adults over the age of 60 have at least one chronic disease, while 78,7 percent of them have two or more diseases.
About 9 out of 10 people after the age of 60 have some kind of chronic disease, and almost 8 out of 10 have more than one disease. So, when a person reaches the age of 60, the age of life begins when there are great chances of developing some disease, sooner or later. When we pass the age of 60, some diseases can appear suddenly, and they can be painful. And aches and pains that we may not worry much about when we're younger can be a sign of bigger problems in middle age.
Diseases that we can expect after the age of 60
Age, family genetics and gender are factors that make it almost impossible for older people to avoid becoming part of the chronic disease statistics. According to research by the American National Council on Aging, about 94,9 percent of adults over the age of 60 have at least one condition, while 78,7 percent of them have two or more diseases. Obesity, which affects about 42 percent of adults age 60 and older, can increase the risk of diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some cancers.
After the age of 60, we can expect various health problems that we have not experienced before. This fact does not have to be seen as something negative - after all, our body is a complex machine and like all sophisticated organisms, it is normal for it to start showing signs of wear and tear, unless we take extra care of it.
Every year after 60 means that we have to be more attentive to ourselves, to live according to certain rules, listen to and respect our body. Among the diseases, i.e. health problems that most often occur after the age of 60, are:
Arthritis
Arthritis is probably one of the most common diseases that people over the age of 55 face. Namely, although it most often develops between the ages of 30 and 60, the frequency increases with age, so according to the estimates of the American Center for Disease Control and Prevention, it affects as many as 49,7 people over 65 years of age.
It is a disease that can cause severe pain and significantly reduce the quality of life. Although arthritis can discourage you from being active in old age, try to prevent this by working with your doctor to create an activity program that, along with other therapies, will help you feel better and stay active longer.
Hypertension
Almost 60 percent of the elderly are treated for hypertension - a common condition that shows how much blood the heart is pumping, as well as how resistant our arteries are to blood flow. When the heart pumps a lot of blood, and a person has narrow arteries that resist the flow, high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, occurs. The danger of hypertension is not only that a person can have it for years or not even know that he has the problem.
High blood pressure can also cause other serious health conditions, such as stroke and heart attack.
High cholesterol
More than 50 percent of the elderly population is being treated for high cholesterol – a condition that occurs when the body has an excess of bad fats, which leads to clogged arteries, which can lead to heart disease.
Obesity
About 40 percent of adults age 65 and older live with obesity, a chronic disease linked to more than 200 chronic conditions.
Ischemic heart disease
Almost a third of the elderly population is being treated for coronary heart disease – a condition caused by a build-up of plaque that narrows the arteries leading to the heart. Narrowed or blocked arteries reduce the amount of oxygen-rich blood delivered to the heart, which can cause other complications such as blood clots, angina or heart attack.
Diabetes
Also, about a third of the elderly population is being treated for diabetes. Diabetes is a disease that occurs when the body is resistant to insulin or does not produce enough of it. High blood sugar can lead to complications such as kidney disease, heart disease or blindness. The chances of diabetes increase after the age of 45.
Chronic kidney disease
Almost 25 percent of older adults are treated for chronic kidney disease, or the slow loss of kidney function over time. People who suffer from chronic kidney disease have an increased risk of developing heart disease or organ failure.
Heart failure
People over the age of 60 are often treated for heart failure - a condition that occurs when the heart cannot adequately supply blood and oxygen to all organs in the body. The heart may enlarge, develop more muscle mass, or pump faster to meet the body's needs, causing a person to feel tired, have problems with dizziness, nausea, confusion, or lack of appetite.
Depression
Depression is a treatable medical condition and is not considered a normal aging process. It causes constant feelings of sadness, pessimism, hopelessness, fatigue, difficulty in making decisions, changes in appetite, loss of interest in activities and more.
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