Ultimate Guide To Common Illnesses In Seniors

(Written for https://www.inhomecare.com/guide-to-common-illnesses-in-seniors/)

Memory Loss

What Is Memory Loss?

Memory loss is more than typical age-related memory loss. You may not be able to remember new events or recall distant memories. Memory loss typically gets worse over time, until, eventually, you cannot remember your children’s names, significant life events, or even your name. Memory loss is usually associated with dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease.

Read Our Ultimate Guide To Memory Loss

Symptoms Of Memory Loss

Memory loss is typically one of the first signs of dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease. Some of the early signs of memory loss include:

Asking the same question multiple times
Forgetting common words when talking
Mixing up everyday words and saying “cup” when you meant to say “plate” for example
Taking longer to complete familiar tasks, like following a recipe, or getting ready in the morning
Misplacing items in random places, like placing your wallet in the freezer, or your phone in a kitchen drawer
Getting lost while walking or driving to a familiar place
Walking into a room and forgetting why you are supposed to be there
Having radical changes in your mood or behavior for no apparent reason

Memory loss can increase gradually, or it can drastically change, very quickly. If you notice that you are having memory problems, talk to your doctor right away to receive a diagnosis and treatment.

Treatment For Memory Loss

Although not all causes of memory loss can be cured, many memory loss related conditions can indeed be treated. Your memory loss treatment will depend on the cause of your memory loss. If a medication is causing your memory loss, it may be able to be resolved with a change in your medications. If you have a nutritional deficiency that is causing your memory loss, then dietary supplements can be useful for reversing memory loss. There are also specific drugs that are available to treat memory problems that are related to dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease.

Arthritis

What Is Arthritis?

Arthritis is swelling and tenderness in one or more of your joints. There are many different forms of arthritis. The most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis causes the cartilage, which is the hard, slippery tissue that covers the bones where they form a joint to break down. Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease where the immune system attacks the joints, beginning with the lining of the joints, causing them to become inflamed and swollen. Arthritis can affect anyone, and any part of the body, depending on the kind of arthritis and the cause of it. Arthritis can eventually destroy your cartilage, bones, and joints, causing you extreme pain.

Read Our Ultimate Guide To Arthritis
Symptoms Of Arthritis

Depending on the type of arthritis you have, your symptoms may include:

Pain
Stiffness
Swelling in the joints
Redness of the skin around the pained joint
Decreased range of motion

If you have rheumatoid arthritis, you may also feel tired or have a loss of appetite. You could also become anemic or have a slight fever.

Many people that suffer from arthritis report that their symptoms are worse in the morning. The symptoms of arthritis typically develop over time, but they also can appear quite suddenly. Arthritis is usually seen in adults over the age of 65, but it can occur in younger people as well.

Treatment For Arthritis

The main goal of arthritis treatment is to reduce the amount of pain you’re in, as well as prevent additional pain and damage to your joints. The type of arthritis you have will determine the kind of treatment you receive. Some people have found heat pads or ice packs to relieve pain. Others use a cane or walker to help take the pressure off of sore joints. A doctor may prescribe an anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressant medication. They may also recommend physical therapy or weight loss, exercise, or eating a healthy diet, depending on the cause of your arthritis. In severe cases, your doctor may need to perform surgery to relieve your pain.

Cancer

What Is Cancer?

Cancer is the name given to a collection of related diseases that can occur in any part of your body. Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body. It develops when the body’s normal process stops working. Old cells that should die, instead, grow out of control, forming abnormal cells. These cells usually form a mass of tissues called a tumor.

There are five main types of cancer, that can occur anywhere in your body:

Carcinomas start to develop in the skin or tissues that line your internal organs.
Sarcomas grow in the bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, or other connective tissues.
Leukemia starts in the bone marrow and blood.
Lymphomas begin in the immune system.
Central nervous system cancers will develop in the brain and spinal cord.

Read Our Ultimate Guide To Cancer
Symptoms Of Cancer

The symptoms of cancer can vary widely, depending on the type of cancer. However, there are some general symptoms to be aware of that are common among all kinds of cancer:

Unexplained weight loss
Frequent fevers
Constant fatigue
Persistent pain
Skin changes
Changes in bowel habits or bladder function
Sores that don’t heal
White patches inside
Unusual bleeding or discharge
Thickening or lumps in the breast or other parts of the body
Indigestion or trouble swallowing
Recent changes in a wart or mole or any new, odd skin changes
Nagging cough or hoarseness that does not go away

Make sure you see a doctor as soon as you start to suspect any form of cancer, so they can diagnosis you and begin treatment right away.

Treatment For Cancer

The goal of cancer treatment is to kill as many of the cancerous cells while reducing the damage to normal, healthy cells nearby. Your treatment option will depend on the type of cancer you have, what stage it is in, and the state of your general health. The three main kinds of treatments are:

Surgery to directly remove the tumor
Chemotherapy, where you use chemicals to kill the cancer cells
Radiation therapy, where you use X-rays to kill the cancer cells

Cancer is unique, and one cancer type in an individual can be very different from that same type of cancer in another individual. With cancer, you have the best shot at recovery when it is treated early. Make sure you see a doctor regularly so that cancer can be caught as soon as possible, and treatments can begin.

Diabetes

What Is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a condition that impairs the body’s ability to process blood glucose, commonly know as blood sugar. Diabetes leads to a buildup of sugars in the blood, which can then increase the risk of dangerous complications, such as stroke or heart disease. In the United States alone, the estimated number of people with diabetes, diagnosed or otherwise, is between 27.9% and 32.7% of the population.

There are three main types of diabetes: Type 1, Type 2, and gestational diabetes.

Type 1 Diabetes: This type of diabetes develops when your body fails to produce enough insulin. People with type 1 diabetes are insulin-dependent, which means they must take some form of artificial insulin daily to stay alive.

Type 2 Diabetes: Type 2 diabetes affects the way your body uses insulin. While your body still makes insulin, unlike with type 1 diabetes, the cells in your body don’t respond to it as effectively as before. This type of diabetes is the most common form of diabetes and is linked strongly with obesity.

Gestational Diabetes: This type of diabetes occurs in women during pregnancy. During that time, the body can become less sensitive to insulin. Gestational diabetes doesn’t happen in every pregnant woman, and it usually resolves itself after giving birth.

Read Our Ultimate Guide To Diabetes
Symptoms Of Diabetes

Diabetes symptoms can vary based on how elevated your blood sugar is. Some of the signs and symptoms of diabetes include:

Increased thirst
Frequent urination
Extreme hunger
Unexplained and sudden weight changes
Consistent fatigue
Irritability
Blurred vision
Sores that heal very slowly
Frequent infection, such as gum, skin, or vaginal infections
Presence of ketones in the urine (ketones are what happens when there’s not enough available insulin)

If you suspect that you have diabetes, see a doctor right away so they can help you before it gets worse.

Treatment For Diabetes

The main goal of treating diabetes is to control your blood sugar (glucose) levels and keep them within a healthy range. For both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, they can be managed with exercise, a healthy diet, weight reduction, and insulin or diabetes medications. Diabetes management is possible, but it does take consistent effort and careful monitoring of your blood sugar levels, so it doesn’t get out of control and become unsafe for you.

Heart Disease

What Is Heart Disease?

Heart disease includes a variety of conditions that affect your heart. Heart disease is often interchangeably called cardiovascular disease. Heart disease or cardiovascular disease refers to conditions that involve narrowed or blocked blood vessels that can lead to chest pain, a stroke, or a heart attack. Diseases under the heart disease umbrella include blood vessel diseases, such as heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias), coronary artery disease, and heart defects you’re born with (congenital heart defects), among others. Many forms of heart disease can be prevented or treated with healthy living.

Read Our Ultimate Guide To Heart Disease
Symptoms Of Heart Disease

As with most illnesses, the symptoms can vary. However, some of the most common symptoms among heart disease conditions are:

Shortness of breath
Palpitations
Chest discomfort
An irregular heartbeat
Weakness, fatigue, or dizziness
Excessive sweating
Nausea

If you start to experience these symptoms, meet with your doctor right away. Heart diseases, if not addressed, can become very serious and needs to be treated.

Treatment For Heart Disease

Heart disease treatment varies by condition and the severity of the disease. In general, though, treatment for heart disease typically includes:

Lifestyle changes: Eat a low-fat and low-sodium diet. Make sure you get at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise every day, as well as quit smoking and limit alcohol intake.
Medications: If lifestyle changes alone aren’t enough, you may also be prescribed medications to control your heart disease.
Medical procedures or surgery: If lifestyle changes, as well as medication, isn’t enough, then your doctor will recommend procedures or surgery to help your heart disease. The type of surgery will depend on the kind of heart disease and the extent of damage to your heart.

Kidney Disease

What Is Kidney Disease?

Our kidneys are essential to having a healthy, functioning body. They are responsible for filtering excess water, waste products, and other impurities out of the blood. Your kidneys also produce hormones that regulate blood pressure, as well as control the production of red blood cells. Kidney disease occurs when your kidneys become damaged and are not functioning correctly.

Read Our Ultimate Guide To Kidney Disease
Symptoms Of Kidney Disease

Kidney disease can easily go unnoticed until the symptoms are severe, and it is too late. Below are some of the early warning symptoms of kidney disease:

Difficulty concentrating
Fatigue
Trouble sleeping
Poor appetite
Frequent urination, especially late at night
Puffiness around the eyes in the morning
Swollen feet or ankles
Muscle cramping

Once your kidney disease has progressed, some of the symptoms may include:

Vomiting
Loss of appetite
Nausea
Fluid retention
Changes in urine output
Decreased sex drive
A sudden increase in potassium levels (hyperkalemia)
Anemia (a decrease in red blood cells)
Inflammation of the pericardium, or fluid-filled sacs that cover your heart

If you are worried that you are developing kidney disease, see a doctor, and they will do some tests, and if need be, start you on treatments for kidney disease.

Treatment For Kidney Disease

Kidney disease treatments consist of controlling symptoms, reducing complications, and slowing the progression of the disease. Your doctor will work with you to slow or control the cause of your kidney disease. While at this point, there is no cure for kidney disease, your doctor will try to help you be more comfortable and prolong your life. Depending on the cause of your kidney disease, some treatment options may include medications to lower high blood pressure, reduce cholesterol levels, relieve swelling, treat anemia, minimize waste products in your blood, or protect your bones. During end-stage kidney disease, dialysis or a kidney transplant may be necessary.

Macular Degeneration

What Is Macular Degeneration?

Macular degeneration is an eye disease that typically gets worse over time. It is the leading cause of permanent vision loss in people over the age of 60. Macular degeneration, commonly referred to as age-related degeneration (AMD), is when the small portion of your retina, or macula, wears down. There are two main kinds of macular degeneration:

Dry Form: With dry form, you will have yellow deposits, called drusen, that grow larger and more numerous. When this occurs, they dim or distort your vision, especially when you read. As the condition gets worse, you will develop blind spots in the center of your vision, and eventually can lose your central sight.
Wet Form: With wet form, blood vessels grow from underneath your macula and leak blood and fluid into your retina. Your vision becomes distorted so that straight lines appear wavy. You can also develop blind spots and loss of central vision. The leaking blood vessels eventually form a scar, which leads to permanent loss of central vision.

The most common form of macular degeneration is the dry form.

Read Our Ultimate Guide To Macular Degeneration
Symptoms Of Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration can affect one or both of your eyes. Symptoms may include:

Less clear or worse vision. Your vision may become blurry, and it could be hard to read small print or even drive.
Dark or blurry areas in the center of your vision
Occasionally, you could also notice worsening, or different color perception from what you ordinarily see.

If you notice your eyesight starting to change, see an eye doctor so you can rule out any macular degeneration.

Treatment For Macular Degeneration

While there is no cure for macular degeneration, treatments can slow it down or keep you from losing your vision completely. Some options for treatment may include:

Anti-angiogenesis drugs: These kinds of drugs block the creation of blood vessels and the leaking of the blood vessels that cause wet macular degeneration.
Laser therapy: High-energy laser light can help destroy abnormal blood vessels that are growing in your eye, helping you gain some of your vision back.
Photodynamic laser therapy: Your doctor will inject a light-sensitive drug into your bloodstream, which is then absorbed by the abnormal blood vessels in your eyes. Your doctor will then shine a laser into your eyes to trigger the drug to damage the abnormal blood vessels.
Low vision aids: These devices have specialized electronic systems or lenses to magnify images. These will help people with macular degeneration make the most of their remaining vision.

Pneumonia

What Is Pneumonia?

Pneumonia is an infection that inflames your air sacs in one or both of your lungs. The air sacs can fill with fluid or pus and cause a cough with phlegm or pus, chills, fever, or trouble breathing. Multiple kinds of viruses, bacteria, and fungi can cause pneumonia. Pneumonia can vary from mild to life-threatening. It is most severe in older people or those with preexisting health conditions or weakened immune systems.

Read Our Ultimate Guide To Pneumonia
Symptoms Of Pneumonia

The exact symptoms of pneumonia can depend on the type of bacteria that is causing the illness, your age, and your overall health. Beginning symptoms of pneumonia are usually similar to cold or flu symptoms, except they last longer and can get much worse. Some of the symptoms of pneumonia may include:

Chest pain when you breathe or cough
Fever, sweating, or chills
Confusion or disorientation (this can occur in adults that are 65 or older)
Coughing that may produce phlegm
Lower than typical body temperature (this can happen in adults that are 65 or older, or in those with weak immune systems)
Shortness of breath
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea
Fatigue

You are especially high-risk if you are older or have an already weakened immune system, heart failure, or chronic lung problems. If this is the case and you start to develop a cough that won’t go away, go to a doctor right away, so your cough doesn’t have a chance to turn into pneumonia and become life-threatening.

Treatment For Pneumonia

Pneumonia is usually treated with lots of rest, nutritious food, and lots of fluid. You may also be given antibiotics to treat pneumonia. You must follow the entire regime of prescribed antibiotics to completely kill pneumonia and prevent the development of bacteria that is resistant to drugs. Most seniors can be treated for pneumonia at home. With severe cases of pneumonia, you may need to stay in a hospital and need oxygen to help you breathe. Recovery typically takes one to three weeks, but sometimes it can be longer.

Stroke

What Is A Stroke?

A stroke happens when the blood supply to a portion of your brain is interrupted or reduced. This prevents your brain tissues from getting oxygen and nutrients. Your brain cells can begin to die within minutes when a stroke occurs. A stroke is a medical emergency and quickly treating it is crucial. Every minute counts, as early action can reduce brain damage and lessen other complications.

Read Our Ultimate Guide To A Stroke
Symptoms Of A Stroke

Some signs of a stroke include:

Trouble speaking or understanding what others around you are saying
Paralysis or numbness of your face, arm, or leg. This typically occurs on one side of the body but can happen on both sides of your body as well
A sudden and severe headache. It can also be accompanied by vomiting or dizziness
Problems seeing out of one or both eyes
Trouble walking and a loss of coordination

If you notice any of these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately. Don’t wait to see if the symptoms stop. Call 911 or your local emergency number right away. With a stroke, every minute counts. The longer it goes untreated, the higher the risk of brain damage or disability.

Treatment For A Stroke

If you think you or someone you are with is having a stroke, note the time the symptoms began, since that can help in treating the stroke. Get them to the hospital right away, since only a doctor can help treat a stroke. Some treatments for a stroke may include an emergency IV medication to break up clots, emergency endovascular procedures, or surgery. Depending on the type of stroke, that will determine which treatment the doctor does to save the life of the person that is having a stroke.