Suppose you or a loved one has recently celebrated an eightieth birthday. In that case, hopefully, you or they are living your proverbial golden years to the absolute fullest and are happy and healthy.
However, it is still important to make yourself aware of some common ailments and diagnoses that occur more frequently in people over the age of 80.
1. Arthritis
Arthritis is a condition where a person’s joints become inflamed. This reduces dexterity and movement of one or more of the affected areas, with different subtypes of the condition affecting specific limbs.
Although arthritis can affect people of all ages, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the two most common types in older adults and the elderly.
2. Dysphagia
Essentially, dysphagia is the medical term when one has difficulty chewing and swallowing and can be caused by various reasons, including stress, stroke, motor neuron disease, anxiety, and depression, to name a few.
In some cases, dysphagia crops up sporadically, and for some people, there can be a gap of ten years or more between flare-ups, and in others, dysphagia can affect their day-to-day lives. The best way to counteract the feelings of being unable to swallow is to invest in quality thickening agents, such as SimplyThick liquid thickener from a reputable supplier.
3. Asthma
Another exceedingly common condition prevalent in older adults and the elderly is asthma. It is a lung condition that substantially varies in severity according to the individual and, if untreated, can cause persistent and sometimes even dangerous breathing difficulties.
There are two main treatments for asthma. If you have been diagnosed, you should always make sure you have your reliever inhaler, used for quickly subduing an asthma attack, and your preventer inhaler, which is used to prevent attacks from occurring. Inhalers need to be kept in date and easily accessible.
4. Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
In simple terms, the medical diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis refers to a condition, usually located in the thigh or lower leg areas, whereby blood clots form inside the veins deep inside the body.
Symptoms of DVT include the following:
- Warm and tender skin around the sore area
- Cramp or throbbing sensation in the thigh or calf
- Darkened, raised, or red skin around the sore area
- Swelling of the leg
- Visibly swollen veins that are painful to touch
5. Diabetes
You will undoubtedly already be aware that both Type A and Type B diabetes can occur in people of any age.
However, the onset of diabetes in older adults and the elderly can, if untreated and unmanaged, cause serious and even fatal conditions as a result, including stroke, kidney failure, heart disease, and blindness in one or both eyes.
6. Shingles
Shingles is a painful and incredibly itchy skin condition whose main symptoms involve a burning sensation under the skin and either a red rash or a layer of blisters. Shingles may last around two weeks for younger people, and as long as it is properly treated, the individual can make a full and speedy recovery.
In people over the age of 80, however, shingles can be significantly more serious and can lead to a considerably higher risk of stroke, heart attacks, and heart disease.
