It is difficult to avoid chronic diseases once you enter your senior years, as aging can cause various health problems. Unless you follow a faultless diet and exercise regimen throughout your life, you may develop a health condition as you grow older.
While it isn’t always possible to prevent age-related conditions, treatment options are available to make them more manageable. Learn about the following four age-related conditions and how to ease them.
1. Arthritis
According to the Arthritis Foundation, one in two men and two in three women over 65 may have arthritis. The condition can cause various unwanted symptoms, such as pain and stiffness in joints, inflammation, and limited joint movement. People are more likely to experience a flare-up after strenuous activity.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for arthritis, and a doctor will likely prescribe medication and recommend lifestyle changes, such as a balanced diet and regular exercise. Also, learn more about CBD for pain relief, as you can apply a pain balm or rub that provides immediate relief from arthritis and muscle pain.
2. Diabetes
The American Diabetes Association reports that 29.2% of Americans aged 65 and older have diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes. The World Economic Forum also described the chronic condition as a silent epidemic that caused three times more deaths than COVID in 2020.
The lifelong condition is caused by the body’s inability to process blood sugar and convert it to energy. As a result, elevated blood sugar levels can cause irreparable damage to a person’s blood vessel lining, which may lead to heart disease, blindness, or a stroke.
If you are living with diabetes, you must take control of your blood sugar levels. To do so, you must limit your sugar and processed food consumption, eat more fruit and vegetables, exercise regularly, and maintain a healthy weight.
3. High Blood Pressure
The American College of Cardiology estimates that 70% of adults aged 65 and over have hypertension, also known as high blood pressure. It is crucial seniors monitor their blood pressure levels regularly to avoid a heart attack, stroke, or heart disease, which are leading causes of premature death in the United States.
If you have high blood pressure, a doctor may prescribe medication based on your reading. Also, they will suggest lifestyle changes, such as following a low-fat, balanced diet, reducing alcohol consumption, and exercising regularly.
4. Coronary Heart Disease
According to the CDC, 17% of adults aged 65 and older have coronary heart disease, and heart issues are the number one cause of death in the United States. Aging will increase your likelihood of heart disease, as it causes your heart and blood vessels to stiffen.
Seniors can improve their heart healthy by maintaining an active lifestyle, as it supports aerobic capacity and prevents muscle loss. Unfortunately, as your mobility might decline as you age, it might become increasingly harder to exercise, increasing your risk of coronary heart disease.
In addition to exercising, you can protect your heart’s health by sleeping well each night, keeping your stress levels in check, stopping smoking, and cutting out saturated fats and refined sugars from your diet.
