Permeable and enduring chronic diseases are more common in the senior population. These ailments raise the elderly’s chance of incapacity and death in addition to having a substantial negative effect on their quality of life. Heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease are the top five chronic diseases that affect the elderly, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). We shall go into great length on each of these illnesses, including their prevalence, signs and symptoms, management, and therapy.
Heart Disease: The most prevalent cause of death for the elderly is heart disease. It refers to disorders that impact how well the heart works, such as valvular heart disease, heart failure, and coronary artery disease. According to De Freitas et al. (2022), the most prevalent signs of heart disease include palpitations, exhaustion, shortness of breath, and chest pain. Heart disease treatment entails Improvements to Lifestyle: An important part of treating heart disease is maintaining a balanced diet. Maintaining a healthy weight and lessening cholesterol can be achieved by eating a diet low in trans, saturated, and saturated fats. It could entail cutting back on processed foods, red meats, and sugar-filled beverages while boosting the intake of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Maintaining a regular exercise schedule is crucial for managing heart disease. At least 30 minutes of physical activity daily can help lower cardiovascular risk and promote heart health. In addition, exercise can help regulate other heart disease risk factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity (De Freitas et al., 2022). An additional crucial lifestyle adjustment for the management of heart disease is quitting smoking cigarettes. Smoking elevates the risk of heart attacks and strokes and destroys blood vessels. Giving up smoking can greatly enhance general heart health.
Heart disease is largely controlled with the help of medications. Different kinds of drugs are used to treat distinct regions of the illness. For example, statins are used to reduce cholesterol. ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers both reduce blood pressure. In order to lower blood pressure and eliminate extra fluid from the body, doctors may give diuretics (De Freitas et al., 2022). Controlling heart disease requires taking prescription drugs as directed by a doctor. Regular follow-up appointments are imperative to assess the medication’s efficacy and make any needed alterations.
Medical Procedures: A healthcare professional may suggest particular surgical operations to enhance cardiac blood flow based on the severity of the heart ailment. A small balloon, a minimally invasive technique, is used during angioplasty to open up a clogged artery. A further option to help keep the artery open is to implant a stent, which is a tiny metal mesh tube.
Cancer: Among the elderly, cancer ranks as the second most frequent chronic illness. The body’s aberrant cells can proliferate out of control and infiltrate other tissues and organs, causing them to be destroyed. Lung, breast, prostate, and colon cancer are the most prevalent cancer types in the older population (Biller & Schrag, 2021). Cancer signs and symptoms can vary based on the type and location of the cancer, but they may incorporate changes in bowel or bladder habits, exhaustion, and inexplicable weight loss.
Radiation therapy, chemotherapy, surgery, or a combination of these are often utilized in cancer treatment. In order to effectively manage cancer in the elderly, supportive care—which includes pain relief and nutritional assistance—is particularly crucial (Biller & Schrag, 2021). Improving cancer patient outcomes depends on early detection and routine testing. With the right care, cancer may be cured or controlled, depending on its form and stage.
Stroke: A stroke is a medical emergency that happens when there is a disruption or reduction in blood flow to a portion of the brain, which damages brain tissue. According to Lo Coco et al. (2018), abrupt weakness or numbness of the face, arms, or legs, difficulty speaking or understanding speech, and trouble walking or balancing are the most prevalent signs of stroke in older individuals. The position and scope of the damaged region in the brain determine the degree and severity of these symptoms. Restoring blood flow to the brain is the first step in treating a stroke. It can be done by giving a drug called tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), which dissolves clots. For this drug to be efficient, it must be administered within a few hours of the stroke beginning.
The blood clot causing the stroke may occasionally be removed surgically during a thrombectomy. Stroke can be treated with a variety of medical procedures in addition to blood flow restoration. These encompass drugs to regulate blood sugar, stop blood clots, and lower blood pressure (Lo Coco et al., 2018). Stents can be used to assist in keeping blood vessels open when medication or surgery cannot dissolve any obstruction in the channel.
After the immediate risk of stroke has been reduced, rehabilitation becomes the main priority. It entails assisting the patient in regaining lost abilities and preventing additional handicaps by collaborating with a team of medical specialists, including physical and occupational therapists. It could involve adjusting to residual limitations, speech therapy, and strength and coordination exercises.
The key to managing a stroke is prevention. Individuals can greatly lower their risk of stroke by adopting lifestyle changes like eating a nutritious diet, exercising frequently, and controlling chronic illnesses like high cholesterol levels, diabetes, and cardiac disease (Lo Coco et al., 2018). Furthermore, reducing alcohol intake and giving up smoking can help reduce the risk of stroke.
Stroke has no known cure, but with the right care, recovery can be intensified, and future strokes can be avoided. Those who endured a stroke must follow up with their medical team frequently in order to track their recovery and modify their treatment plan as needed. Stroke can be effectively controlled with early detection, timely treatment, and continued care.
Diabetes: Diabetes is a chronic illness characterized by elevated blood sugar levels that are brought on by either insufficient insulin synthesis (Type 1) or inefficient insulin utilization by the body (Type 2). Frequent urine, excessive thirst, hunger, and blurred vision are the most prevalent signs of diabetes (Mordarska & Godziejewska-Zawada, 2017).
Diabetes is treated with medicine to manage blood sugar levels and lifestyle changes, including frequent exercise and a nutritious diet. In order to control their diabetes, clients might also need to receive insulin injections or other injectable drugs. Diabetes must be managed with routine checkups and regular blood sugar testing. Diabetes can be effectively managed with the right care and lifestyle modifications, even though it cannot be cured.
Alzheimer’s Disease: Alzheimer’s disease is a form of dementia that impairs thinking, behavior, and memory. It is the most typical reason why older people get dementia. According to Scheltens et al. (2016), disorientation, memory loss, and difficulty completing familiar tasks are some of the first indications of Alzheimer’s disease. The ultimate objectives of Alzheimer’s treatment are to improve quality of life and manage symptoms. It could involve both therapy to control behavioral alterations and drugs to enhance memory and cognitive function. Managing Alzheimer’s disease also entails establishing a secure environment and offering patients and their families emotional support as needed. Regretfully, there is presently no known cure for Alzheimer’s disease; instead, care aims to manage symptoms and delay the illness’s course.
Most and Least Frequent Diseases: Heart disease is the most frequent chronic condition, followed by diabetes, cancer, stroke, and Alzheimer’s disease, according to the CDC’s list. Even though Alzheimer’s is the least common condition on this list, millions of senior individuals are nonetheless affected by it, making it a significant and common malady.
In conclusion, chronic illnesses pose an existential threat to the health of the elderly. Early detection, suitable treatment, and good lifestyle choices are essential for these diseases to be managed and their effects lessened. In order to enhance the quality of life for our aging population, it is critical to prioritize and treat these chronic diseases as the number of older people rises.
References
Biller, L. H., & Schrag, D. (2021). Diagnosis and treatment of cancer: a review. Jama, 325(7), 669-685.
De Freitas, E. V., Batlouni, M., & Gamarsky, R. (2022). Heart failure in the elderly. Journal of geriatric cardiology: JGC, 9(2), 101.
Lo Coco, D., Lopez, G., & Corrao, S. (2016). Cognitive impairment and stroke in elderly patients. Vascular health and risk management, 105-116.
Mordarska, K., & Godziejewska-Zawada, M. (2017). Diabetes in the elderly. Menopause Review/Przegląd Menopauzalny, 16(2), 38-43.
Scheltens, P., Blennow, K., Breteler, M. M., De Strooper, B., Frisoni, G. B., Salloway, S., & Van der Flier, W. M. (2016). Alzheimer’s disease. The Lancet, 388(10043), pp. 505–517.
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