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What is the Most Common Disease in the Elderly?
As people age, they become prone to many illnesses. Some of these are a result of poor lifestyle choices, while others happen through the natural ageing process.


Cardiovascular diseases like hypertension, congestive heart failure and coronary artery disease are the leading causes of death in the elderly. Arthritis is another common illness among elderly adults. It is a painful condition that can cause other serious health issues.
Heart Disease

Cardiovascular diseases (conditions that affect your heart and blood vessels) are the leading cause of death in people over the age of 65. This includes coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation, and hypertension. These diseases tend to develop more slowly in older patients and their symptoms may be less pronounced than in younger people. This can make it difficult to identify and treat them in time.

Many of the most common cardiovascular diseases in older people are caused by atherosclerosis, which is the buildup of fatty deposits or plaques in your arteries. This can reduce the flow of oxygen-rich blood to your heart over time and eventually cause a heart attack. Some heart diseases can also cause fluid to build up in the liver, kidneys, or lungs, a condition called congestive heart failure.

In addition, older people may have a slower heart rate than younger ones, which can contribute to these conditions. In some cases, this can lead to heart palpitations or fainting.

In the elderly, some symptoms of cardiovascular disease may be more subtle than in younger adults, such as unexplained fatigue, progressive weakness, exertional dyspnoea or shortness of breath, and a feeling that the heart is racing even when there is no activity. It is important to check for these signs regularly and seek medical attention if they occur.
Cancer

As the world’s population ages, cancer is a growing threat to the elderly. The incidence of cancer is elevated 11-fold after the age of 65 and is expected to increase rapidly in coming years, as older people are living longer. Unfortunately, geriatric assessments and adequate treatment are often overlooked.

Geriatric assessment includes the review of the elderly person’s general health, history, symptoms and family background to determine what the best treatment approach is. It also considers whether the person is able to cope with side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, which are more severe in elderly patients. In addition, older adults are more likely to take other medications that can interact with chemotherapy or change how it works.

Cancer treatments include surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. The type of cancer and its location, as well as the patient’s general health, will determine what the best treatment option is. For example, in early stage breast cancer, surgery may be an option. However, in late stage cancer, surgery is not usually an option. In this case, healthcare providers will focus on systemic therapies that help to relieve symptoms and extend life.

Memorial Sloan Kettering medical oncologist Stuart Lichtman explains that doctors once knew very little about how to treat cancer in people over age 65. He says that in recent years, more attention has been given to this group of patients. Specifically, doctors are learning how to optimize treatment and what effects these treatments may have on older people.
Kidney Disease

Kidneys are two bean-shaped organs that act as the body's waste filtration system. They filter the blood 12 times an hour, removing excess water and waste and excreting it as urine. The kidneys also regulate levels of salt, potassium, phosphate and calcium in the blood, produce hormones that control blood pressure and red blood cell production and activate vitamin D for bone health.

When the kidneys are damaged, waste products and extra fluid build up in the blood. This can cause a metallic taste in the mouth, bad breath and tiredness. It can also make it hard to concentrate or think clearly. If the kidneys stop working, it's called kidney failure. There are many causes of kidney disease, including diabetes and high blood pressure. But some of the most common causes are age-related.

People with chronic kidney disease, or CKD, have gradual loss of kidney function over several years. They often have no symptoms in the early stages. They are more likely to have swollen feet or ankles and to need the bathroom more often when they're older. They are also more likely to have anemia and to have their bones become weak, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).


It is important to check your blood pressure regularly. This will help to keep the kidneys healthy and may slow down the progression of CKD. It's also a good idea to follow a healthy diet. In addition, medications that lower blood pressure -- such as ACE inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers -- can help slow the progress of kidney disease.
Dementia

Dementia is the loss of memory and thinking skills that interferes with a person's daily activities. personal alarms for seniors It is not a normal part of aging, but the majority of dementias are due to diseases that can be treated or managed.

Symptoms of dementia vary and depend on the type of disease. Alzheimer's disease is the most common, caused by the buildup of clumps of protein known as amyloid plaques and tau tangles in the brain. Other forms include vascular dementia, caused by conditions that damage blood vessels in the brain, and Lewy body dementia, characterized by round clumps of protein called Lewy bodies inside nerve cells. Some types of dementia are reversible and can be treated with medications, including acetylcholinesterase inhibitors such as donepezil and galantamine.

A physician can diagnose dementia by asking questions about a person's past history and behavior, conducting a physical exam, checking blood pressure and heart rate, and ordering laboratory tests such as a complete blood count and urinalysis. A computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan can show images of the brain and help identify conditions that can cause dementia, such as a stroke, blood clots, tumors, and abnormal fluid.

In some cases, a genetic test can help determine if an illness such as Huntington's disease or the rare condition alpha-synucleinopathies is causing dementia. However, these tests cannot distinguish between different types of dementia or predict the speed at which a disease will progress.


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