As people get older, they often experience an increased range of health issues. This guide looks at some of the most common health problems that people can experience in old age, one of which is Alzheimer's and other forms of memory loss. It is a well-known fact that many people start to lose their memory as they get older. Often this will be short term memory, while older memories stay intact. Depending on the precise condition, the person in question may not be aware that their memory is fading.
Another common health problem that elderly people might experience is hearing loss. This typically happens in older people due to a degeneration of a certain part of the inner ear, where there are lots of tiny blood vessels. Older people can also lose some of the ear's 'hair' cells, which can affect their ability to hear and understand speech. Some hearing loss can be helped with the use of a hearing aid, which helps to amplify sounds and make them easier to hear.
Arthritis is another common problem of old age, which typically affects the joints. Some of the medicine used to treat rheumatoid arthritis can also cause the bones to thin, which can later lead on to osteoporosis. This is a problem with the bones, which makes them become weaker and more likely to break. People don't always suffer from both arthritis and osteoporosis at the same time, though, and there are also other issues that can affect bones and joints. Exercise such as aerobics or swimming can help with some symptoms.
Also, quite a few elderly people will suffer a stroke at some point. Often this is because older people are more lik
Arthritis is another common problem of old age, which typically affects the joints. Some of the medicine used to treat rheumatoid arthritis can also cause the bones to thin, which can later lead on to osteoporosis. This is a problem with the bones, which makes them become weaker and more likely to break. People don't always suffer from both arthritis and osteoporosis at the same time, though, and there are also other issues that can affect bones and joints. Exercise such as aerobics or swimming can help with some symptoms.
Also, quite a few elderly people will suffer a stroke at some point. Often this is because older people are more lik
Arthritis is another common problem of old age, which typically affects the joints. Some of the medicine used to treat rheumatoid arthritis can also cause the bones to thin, which can later lead on to osteoporosis. This is a problem with the bones, which makes them become weaker and more likely to break. People don't always suffer from both arthritis and osteoporosis at the same time, though, and there are also other issues that can affect bones and joints. Exercise such as aerobics or swimming can help with some symptoms.
Also, quite a few elderly people will suffer a stroke at some point. Often this is because older people are more likely to have an irregular heartbeat, which can increase the risk of a stroke. A stroke happens when the flow of blood to the brain is disrupted. This starves the cells of oxygen and can leave some of them damaged or even dead. The severity of strokes differs quite a lot, but common signs include weakness down one side of the body, difficultly speaking, and brief loss of vision.
Diabetes is something else that affects a lot of people in old age. Older people are less likely to do work and exercise, which can make some of the symptoms of diabetes more severe and they can even lead to a coma in some cases. While people of all ages are able to get diabetes, it is considered more serious in older people. This is partly because they are unable to take the same range of drugs, but some of the symptoms can be controlled by altering diet.
Also, quite a few elderly people will suffer a stroke at some point. Often this is because older people are more likely to have an irregular heartbeat, which can increase the risk of a stroke. A stroke happens when the flow of blood to the brain is disrupted. This starves the cells of oxygen and can leave some of them damaged or even dead. The severity of strokes differs quite a lot, but common signs include weakness down one side of the body, difficultly speaking, and brief loss of vision.
Diabetes is something else that affects a lot of people in old age. Older people are less likely to do work and exercise, which can make some of the symptoms of diabetes more severe and they can even lead to a coma in some cases. While people of all ages are able to get diabetes, it is considered more serious in older people. This is partly because they are unable to take the same range of drugs, but some of the symptoms can be controlled by altering diet.