Pathological Conditions In Older Adults

ANSWERS

Sixty-eight percent of seniors (68%) have two or more chronic health conditions.

Despite these facts, older people can improve their health and quality of life by controlling their existing medical disorders’ symptoms and lowering their chance of developing new illnesses.

1. 58% of seniors have high blood pressure (hypertension).

58% of Medicare-eligible seniors have high blood pressure, also referred to as hypertension or HBP, which is a dangerous illness.

Due to the absence of symptoms, it is frequently referred to as the “silent killer.”

However, it harms blood vessels and raises the chance of serious (and occasionally deadly) illnesses, including heart attack and stroke.

High blood pressure can be avoided or decreased by:

Being healthy in terms of weight

Stress reduction Limiting alcohol and salt intake

doing regular exercise (daily, if possible)

Regularly check your blood pressure to track your progress or find signs of pre-hypertension

2. 47% of seniors have high cholesterol.

Almost half of all Medicare-eligible seniors received treatment for elevated cholesterol. Heart disease is brought on by arteries becoming blocked with too many unhealthy fats in the body.

Manage or prevent high cholesterol by:

giving up smoking

lowering the alcohol consumption

keeping active or routinely exercising

being healthy in terms of weight

consuming fewer trans and saturated fats

3. 31% of seniors suffer from arthritis

The most typical type of arthritis is osteoarthritis (OA). It is a condition of the joints where the cartilage is gradually deteriorating.

That results in edema and inflammation, which can bring on discomfort and stiffness.

Some individuals disregard arthritis as a temporary source of pain and stiffness, but persistent arthritis pain can be so debilitating that it forces elders to alter their lifestyles.

Delay the onset of arthritis or treat symptoms by:

Regular exercise, ideally five times weekly for 30 minutes, improves function and reduces pain.

Keeping a healthy weight; reducing just one pound can relieve the pressure on the knees by four pounds.

taking precautions to prevent joint injuries, not a smoker

4. 29% of seniors have coronary heart disease.

Plaque accumulation in the arteries leading to the heart causes coronary heart disease, commonly referred to as ischemic heart disease.

This lowers blood flow to the heart and raises the risk of further problems, including blood clots, angina, or heart attacks.

Reduce the risk of or treat coronary heart disease by:

reducing salt, sugar, and saturated and trans fats

7-8 hours of sleep every night Reducing stress

doing regular exercise

not a smoker

Consult your physician about controlling significant risk factors, such as high cholesterol and blood pressure.

5. About 27% of seniors have diabetes.

The amount of glucose (blood sugar) in a person with diabetes is excessive. When the body does not produce enough insulin, this can occur.

Insufficient insulin prevents glucose from entering the body’s cells. Instead, it accumulates in the blood, raising blood sugar levels.

High blood sugar over time causes significant harm to the kidneys, heart, gums, teeth, nerves, and blood vessels.

Heart disease, stroke, blindness, renal illness, nerve issues, gum infections, and amputation are all caused by this.

Additionally, and at a younger age, those with diabetes are more prone to develop heart disease or a stroke.

Manage or prevent diabetes by:

Eating a balanced diet and discussing alcohol use with a doctor

exercising five times a week for 30 minutes to manage weight and blood sugar levels.

5-7 percent of one’s body weight must be lost if one is pre-diabetic.

6. 18% of seniors have chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Over time, kidney function slowly deteriorates due to chronic renal disease. Heart disease and renal failure are more likely as a result.

Reduce the signs of CKD or prevent it by:

Since diabetes and high blood pressure are the two leading risk factors for kidney injury, controlling their symptoms is crucial.

maintaining screening schedules to ensure early discovery and treatment

using prescription medication to treat and control symptoms

7. 14% of the elderly suffer from heart failure

Heart failure occurs when the heart weakens and cannot pump blood and oxygen to the body’s tissues as effectively.

This may result in heart muscle modifications that lead to exhaustion, dizziness, nausea, disorientation, or decreased appetite.

Manage or prevent heart failure by:

Lowering the risk of high blood pressure and coronary heart disease

8. 14% of seniors suffer from depression.

Depression is a medical disorder that may be treated and is not a natural component of aging.

It may result in chronic depressive feelings, emotional numbness, anxiety, sleep issues, memory and concentration problems, changes in food or weight, a loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities, and other symptoms.

Manage or prevent depression by:

keeping in touch with individuals

consuming a balanced diet

restricting the consumption of alcohol, caffeine, artificial sweeteners, and highly processed meals

doing regular exercise

discussing potential therapies or drugs with the doctor

9. 11% of seniors have dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

A type of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease. It makes up 60 and 80 percent of all dementia cases and is the most prevalent.

A group of cognitive symptoms is collectively referred to as dementia.

It is brought on when the brain is harmed by conditions like Alzheimer’s, numerous little strokes, or other trauma.

Memory loss and trouble thinking or solving problems are side effects of Alzheimer’s and other dementias that interfere with daily life.

Dementia risk can be decreased by:

Regular exercise benefits the body and the mind.

keeping active in life and preserving relationships with others

Having a restful night’s sleep

consuming a balanced diet

10. 11% of seniors suffer from the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are two conditions that are part of COPD. Breathing becomes difficult, and chest tightness, coughing, and shortness of breath result.

Manage symptoms of COPD or prevent it by:

Avoiding secondhand smoke, chemical vapors, and dust while giving up smoking

Using prescription medication

Getting immunizations for the flu and pneumonia

being as active as you can

QUESTION

Pathological Conditions In Older Adults

• Describe and discuss the pathological conditions that might affect the sexual responses in older adults.
• How and why do you think Nutritional factors, psychological factors, drugs and complementary and alternative medications affect the immune system in older adults.

Submission Instructions:

• Your initial post should be at least 500 words, formatted and cited in current APA style with support from at least 2 academic sources. Your initial post is worth 8 points.
• You should respond to at least two of your peers by extending, refuting/correcting, or adding additional nuance to their posts. Your reply posts are worth 2 points (1 point per response.)
• All replies must be constructive and use literature where possible.