As we age we encounter a new set of health issues, and an increased risk of others. Sometimes this is to do with the way our bodies have aged but in other cases it is more linked to the lifestyle factors that often come with aging. This is why is it so important to maintain an active lifestyle with a balanced diet and plenty of social interaction.
Below are twelve common health issues faced by the elderly, and links to more information about each, as well as how to prevent or treat them.
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1) Heart disease. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in both men and women in the United States, making up a quarter of all deaths each year. There are a number of risk factors, but the risk increases as we age. It is important to keep cholesterol down - which can be done naturally, via a healthy diet - and you can try these methods for keeping your arteries clean. Be proactive and keep track of your heart health, noting any changes.
Read more: Warning signs of heart disease
2) Arthritis. Arthritis is incredibly common among older people. A whopping 52.5 million American adults between 2010 and 2012 were told by doctors that they had some form of arthritis, and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 1 in 2 people develop symptomatic knee osteoarthritis by the age of 85. Fortunately there are a number of natural ways to combat arthritis, both through your diet and through physical exercises.
Read more: Natural ways to treat arthritis
3) Skin cancer. Melanoma is the most deadly kind of skin cancer, making up for the majority of skin cancer deaths, and our risk of skin cancer grows as we age. The best way to survive it is to identify it early, which means you need to be vigilant about checking your skin.
4) Alzheimer's Disease. This is the most common form of dementia, affecting memory, thinking and behavior, and it mostly develops in people aged 65 and older. It is a tragic and debilitating disease which as yet has no cure. However, there are important steps you can take to maintain your brain health and you have the best chance of maintaining a good quality of life if you can identify the disease early.
Read more: Early warning signs of Alzheimer's disease
5) Osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a bone disease that leaves those affected with weak bones that can break easily, and it is most common among women who are past menopause. The good news is that it is preventable through maintaining a healthy calcium intake and keeping active. There are a number of risk factors for osteoporosis that you can avoid.
6) Oral health. It is common for oral health to suffer as you get older, so regular dental checkups should be a priority for seniors. Although our oral healthcare has gotten significantly better, currently around a quarter of seniors have no natural teeth. There are plenty of good natural remedies for a toothache, but it's better not to let it get to that point.
Read more: Fight tooth decay and cavities naturally
7) Breast cancer. The facts about breast cancer are disheartening: it is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among American women, and around 75% of cases are in women aged over fifty years old. The good news is that survival rates are increasing, and that is partly due to women becoming better informed about their bodies.
Read more: How to identify breast cancer early
8) Depression. There are a number of factors which can contribute to depression among seniors, including a lack of physical activity, nutrient-poor diets and isolation. Depression isn't just a psychological issue, though; it compromises the immune system and makes it harder for older people to fight off infections. Diet has a significant impact on our mental health, but clinical help may also be necessary.
Read more: Signs of depression and how to treat it
9) Obesity. According to WebMD, approximately three-quarters of adults aged older than 60 are overweight. Obesity is related to a number of serious health issues such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, gallbladder disease, and high blood pressure. Lifestyle is often to blame in the case of obesity among older people, so it is important to keep active and eat a healthy diet.
10. Parkinson's Disease. Parkinson's is a progressive, debilitating nervous system disease that impairs movement and typically affects the elderly. The disease usually begins to show between the ages of 50 and 65, and affects about 1 percent of the population of that age group. There is currently no cure, but studies have begun on the link between gut bacteria and the progression of the disease.
11) Eyesight issues. Some amount of change in our eyesight is normal as we age, but as we get older we are also more likely to develop more serious eyes issues. It's a good idea to have regular eye tests to stop any changes from interfering with your daily lifestyle.
Read more: 10 signs of serious eye issues
12) Diabetes. This disease affects how your body uses blood sugar, or glucose. Approximately 25 percent of people aged 65 and older are living with diabetes, which caused over 50,000 deaths in 2014 among seniors. Type 2 diabetes is both preventable and treatable, so find out more about the early warning signs.
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Read more: 8 home remedies to check your blood sugar level