These days, American citizens often live longer now than during any other era in recorded history. Data accumulated by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) maintains that a solid percentage of those fortunate enough to reach age 65 have another two decades of life ahead of them. That said, to ensure those years are happy and healthy, said subjects must cautiously manage any existing health conditions and work to prevent emerging concerns.

Common senior health risks might be avoided by making practical lifestyle choices like quitting smoking and maintaining a healthy weight. However, most healthcare professionals agree that optimal well-being is also attained through activities such as exercising, consuming a balanced diet, limiting stress whenever possible, obtaining enough sleep, and receiving routine medical evaluations.

Common Health Problems in Adults

As people grow older, they are encouraged to be alerted to certain age-related problems including:

Cardiovascular disease

Researchers claim that this malady still ranks as the leading killer of people age 65 and older. Age often precipitates risk-increasing factors such as high blood pressure and heightened cholesterol levels. Fortunately, seniors might reduce these risks by partaking in favorable lifestyle habits and keeping blood pressure and cholesterol levels in the normal ranges.

Sleep disorders

A significant number of persons older than 65 experience difficulties falling and, above all, remaining in slumber. Researchers partially attribute this development to the fact that the body produces and secretes diminished quantities of important chemicals like growth hormone and melatonin. Also, growth hormone deficiency can occur in adults at this age, and patients are advised to use legal growth hormone therapy to balance hormone levels.

Scientific investigators also suggest that age-related sleep issues could be symptomatic of various health problems. That said, environmental issues such as stress, the air temperature of one’s sleeping quarters, or even the use of electronic devices prior to bed could exercise a negative influence over an aging subject’s sleeping patterns.

A continual lack of sleep could decrease one’s cognitive capacity and weaken their immune system leading to any number of minor to serious health concerns.

Luckily, stricken persons might overcome insomnia by partaking in corrective actions such as powering off electronic devices before bed, not eating or sleeping during the evening hours, or engaging in their favorite relaxing hobby.

Alzheimer’s Disease

Data compiled by the Alzheimer’s Association finds that one out of every nine persons over age 65 will eventually develop this progressive mental disorder. That said, researchers caution that these numbers could be higher because Alzheimer’s disease often proves challenging for healthcare providers to diagnose and can mimic typical cognitive decline seen in aging subjects.

Excessive body fat

Excessive body fat, or obesity, is a significant problem among elderly persons. The CDC has stated that more than 40% of adults aged 60 and more suffer from obesity.

Severe weight problems are especially serious in elderly persons for certain notable reasons. First, the concern heightens one’s risk of developing potentially life-threatening illnesses such as strokes, heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Moreover, as people age, they likely become less active, which can quickly lead to rapid weight gain and render excess weight harder to shed.

Balance problems 

Age-related decreases in muscle strength and soft tissue flexibility could also result in balance problems. Moreover, older individuals are more apt to experience problems with an internal component called the vestibule.

This region is a small structure located inside the ear that controls balance. Damage or illness to said body part could bring forth balance problems and bothersome and possibly hazardous symptoms like dizziness and unsteadiness.

Medical professionals maintain that this problem might be overcome through exercise and receiving regular medical checkups involving thorough ear examinations.

Leg Swelling

Once many individuals reach their sixth decade of life, their circulatory system slows and their blood vessels stiffen. Such occurrences could manifest in the untoward symptom known as leg swelling.

Luckily, impacted subjects might reverse said symptom by partaking in therapeutic protocols such as limiting salt-laden foods and using diuretic medications designed to help the body rid itself of excess water concentrations.

Depressive disorder

Depression is another major bone of contention for older persons. According to the WHO reported, about 15% of adults over 60 experience a certain degree of depression.

Not only can depression greatly interfere with one’s capacity to properly function but can also threaten the immune system’s capacity to fight infections and other serious illnesses. Medical professionals suggest that the mental issue can be overcome with proper diagnosis and treatment. That said, engaging inadequate social interaction and exercising more might also yield positive outcomes.

Body pains

Aging has a profound impact on the body’s structure and components like bones, muscles, and soft tissues such as ligaments, joints, and tendons. Typically, time weakens these features and leaves them susceptible to injury resulting in pain and potential mobility limitations.

However, persons over 65 should not automatically dismiss incidents of physical pain. Structural injuries often worsen when left untreated and require more aggressive therapies like surgery.