Common Medical Conditions For Seniors

There are a lot of different diseases and medical conditions that affect people as they age. These may be things like diabetes, Alzheimer's, hearing loss, and pneumonia. There are many different reasons why senior citizens may develop one of these health issues, and there are several ways to treat them as well. Some of these medical conditions are more common than others. Here are some of the common medical conditions found in senior citizens.

Alzheimer's is a very common condition among the elderly. Many people who have Alzheimer's find they have memory problems, can become confused easily, and may become sad, angry, or depressed easily. This form of dementia has no known cures, and the causes are still being researched. A lot of Alzheimer's patients may also have signs of dementia and may also be affected by Sundowner's syndrome. Dementia is when the brain slowly loses function and is normally related with different diseases such as Alzheimer's. Sundowner's is a symptom that is associated with things such as dementia and Alzheimer's. For patients who have this, their symptoms of dementia and Alzheimer's will increase throughout the day, with them being the worst during the evening.

Many senior citizens may also develop diabetes. Diabetes is a condition where you body does not process enough or any insulin which affects the way our body digests sugar and can be developed at any age. There are two types of diabetes, type 1 and type 2. Type 2 is the most common form of diabetes that is found in elderly patients. This is normally more difficult to control and treat in seniors that it is in younger patients. There are several symptoms that are associated with diabetes; thirst, frequent urination, changes in eyes sight, and sudden changes in weight. If you or someone you know has these symptoms or knows they have diabetes, then they should talk to their doctor to find out what the best treatment is for them. It is normally recommended to control diabetes with a proper diet and exercise plan, or with insulin. Talk to your doctor before starting any type of diet or work out plan.

Pneumonia is also a very common condition that is found in elderly patients. Of course, like diabetes, just about anyone can get pneumonia, but it is particularly worse for senior citizens. Pneumonia is the inflammation of the lungs and can often be made worse with a cold or influenza. It causes restricted blood flow to that part of the lungs, and also causes fluid to collect in the infected area. A lot of senior citizens are more susceptible to pneumonia because they normally are already trying to fight off other infections or diseases which can affect their immune system. There are several different types of this condition, like viral and bacterial. For viral pneumonia cases, the patient may be prescribed an antiviral medication. However, viral forms normally go away without medication. Bacterial pneumonia is treated with antibiotics, and it is common that patients who have this form are hospitalized.

Before starting on any kind of diet or exercise plan, be sure to talk to your doctor. Also, if you suspect that you are coming down with any type of medical condition, it is best to talk to your primary care physician to get the best treatment for you. If you or your loved one lives in a nursing home or an assisted living facility and there have been cases of contagious illnesses, be sure that your doctor is informed and that you watch any symptoms that may develop as they may be signs of a more serious condition.