5 Critical Health Conditions Every Senior Should Pay Attention To

Today, people are living longer than ever. Getting to age 65 is considered the norm now, but that doesn’t change the fact that getting older brings new challenges as your body changes. Certain health conditions may seem minor at first – but they can become serious quickly if ignored.

Most importantly, many of these conditions aren’t easy to detect early on. Unfortunately for some seniors, getting a diagnosis may occur too late to do anything. That’s why it’s important to pay attention to your health and stay informed about these key health conditions.

1. Rheumatoid Arthritis

Arthritis is one of the most common health ailments that comes with aging. But for some seniors, arthritis isn’t just aches and pains; it can become more serious as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), with more concerning symptoms, as you age.

If you’re starting to feel aching bones and frequent joint pain, you’ll want to seek rheumatoid arthritis management options before your symptoms become unbearable. Leaving RA untreated leads to joint damage. Instead, take action – research and learn about innovative options, like biologic medications, NSAIDs, and corticosteroids that show promise for RA.

2. COPD

Are you finding it difficult to catch your breath? Are the simplest tasks, like walking or getting dressed, becoming too challenging? You might be experiencing the symptoms and early signs of COPD. This condition affects so many seniors – and it kills one American every four minutes, according to AgingCare.com.

COPD often begins with subtle signs like a lingering, constant cough, wheezing, and shortness of breath. But, if left untreated, these symptoms can quickly become deadly. To counteract COPD before it worsens, seniors should watch for these symptoms and seek out solutions.

3. Diabetes

You may be perfectly healthy now, but your risk of getting type 2 diabetes increases every year. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) reports 1 in 4 seniors over age 60 has type 2 diabetes. And the epidemic is growing each year.

It’s important that seniors avoid low blood sugar, but if you’ve already been diagnosed with diabetes, there are ways to manage your symptoms and condition. Discuss different medication options with your doctor; some are especially designed for seniors.  Start your search for senior treatment options now.

4. Psoriasis

Skin changes happen when you get older, but there’s one change all seniors need to be aware of: tough, scaly patches that grow red and itchy. These patches are psoriasis, and they can have a long-term effect on your skin. While psoriasis is a condition that tends to affect women more than men, it targets seniors.

Seniors are at risk of developing psoriasis due to the different medications many seniors take, Sunrise Senior Living writes. Different medicines can worsen the symptoms of psoriasis, too, causing discomfort and unsightly skin. But fortunately, there are ways to alleviate these problems. From skin creams and prescription medications to light therapy and topical acne treatments, there are plenty of psoriasis options for seniors.

5. Myeloma

Cancer is a serious concern for seniors, as over 1.6 million new cancer diagnoses occur each year according to Senior Homes. And anyone over age 50 faces an increased risk. Some cancer, like myeloma, are incredibly dangerous because they’re hard to diagnose.

Though it isn’t well-known, myeloma directly affects many seniors. In order to catch this difficult-to-detect cancer, you need to know the signs, symptoms, and treatment options well ahead of time. Make sure you know the info on this deadly disease before it’s too late.