Old age is said to be the second inning of everybody’s life. Having an illuminating career and family life is meaningless if old age becomes mired in disease and dependency. Strong health and a disease-free body can be maintained in old age albeit, by following precautions and dietary changes. You cannot decide what your lifespan would be, but you can certainly decide how the quality of the same would be.
Nevertheless, philosophy aside, it is always better to have an understanding of diseases that are likely to hit your body as soon as you start hitting your old age.
Read on to find more about diseases that are rampant among people in their old age.
1. Orthopedic ailments
Orthopedic ailments are classed as bone and joints diseases. They are treated by orthopedic surgeons and physiotherapists. Bones form a very important part of the human body. As aging sets in, bones are likely to become brittle and weak. Posture as a result also undergoes changes. Fractures due to stress and minor falls are also a common feature of orthopedic ailments suffered by men in their old age. Paget disease of bone is another bone ailment that affects older men than women. It is characterized by pain in bones and deformities. The skull, pelvis, legs, and spine are affected by Paget’s disease. Osteoporosis is another possibility and health concern in elderly men.
On the other hand, arthritis and osteoarthritis are among disorders that are classed as joint ailments. These diseases occur in men as a result of wear and tear of muscle joints and tissues present in the spine, hips, and knees. Managing one’s weight with the help of the right physical regimen and eating habits is instrumental in avoiding becoming a patient due to orthopedic issues. As, in the end, a weight range that is higher than normal is equally responsible for building up pressure on the muscles and joints in the body.
2. Cardiac diseases
Diseases of the heart and the blood vessels that are responsible for the circulation of blood are called cardiovascular diseases or CVD. The possibility of these diseases gaining a foothold in the body increase with age. These diseases are caused because of a variety of other factors such as lifestyle, dietary habits, smoking, drinking, physical inactivity, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, family history, etc. the occurrence cannot be completely stopped but at least it can be halted through proper medications and exercises. It is also very important to follow a regular exercise schedule and also to undergo examinations on a periodic basis.
3. Eye disorders
Vision problems are almost very obvious to develop as and how a person ages. The diseases affecting eyesight can be anything from glaucoma, cataract, retinal disorders to cancer. Temporal arteritis is another serious ailment that affects the arteries near the temples. Swelling affects the vision and then leads to eventual blindness. Moreover, few diseases are also such that they affect the retina and its functioning. The person has difficulty while driving and an unclear vision. Regular eye examination and subsequent treatments if necessary are the only way to prevent the growth of such illnesses and protect this crucial sensory organ.
4. Central nervous system diseases
The Central Nervous System is responsible for controlling movements, thoughts, and the recognition of sensations. Degenerative disorders of the nervous system like dementia are disorders that affect people in their old age. Dementia, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, and Alzheimer’s are a few of the age-specific disorders. Brain disorders like stroke and Transient Ischemic Attacks wherein blood supply to the brain stops suddenly. These diseases as of now do not have any specific treatment for curing, but medications may help the person in controlling symptoms that occur involuntarily.
5. Digestive issues
The digestive system also is affected with increasing age. Although digestive issues are common in people of every age group and gender, digestive problems in older people are more prevalent. There are medications for different health issues that induce constipation. Since older men are likelier to be on prescription medicines, they are also likely to suffer from indigestion and constipation issues. Older men tend to have poor physical activity due to aging. This automatically affects their digestive system. The incidence of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease is also high in older men. Certain medication like that of blood pressure medicines is likely to give heartburn to men, which is a precursor of GERD. In order to avoid digestive problems in old age, it is important to eat a diet that has fluids, fibers, and nutrition in the right proportion.
6. Prostate disorders
The prostate gland is a part of the sexual system in men. The enlargement of this gland happens with age and is likely to usher in prostate diseases and also cancer at times that ultimately reduces one’s quality of life in old age. The enlargement of the prostate is termed Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. The enlarged prostate leads to a disturbing passage of urine from the bladder and hence causes discomfort to the person affected by it. A Transurethral Resection of Prostate surgery is recommended by urologists for men suffering from BPH. This surgery entails the removal of the small affected prostate through a resectoscope. Prostatitis and prostate cancer are 2 other diseases related to the prostate gland in men. Getting trained in exercises that protect prostate health, alongside consumption of foods that are essential for the same is important.
Summary: The article talks about the common diseases men are likelier to suffer in their old age. Such diseases reduce the quality of life in male folks. The article also talks about lifestyle changes that men should make in order to avoid contracting these diseases in their old age.
