Five Most Common Diseases of the Elderly

Senior health problems like sarcopenia, high blood pressure, and dementia can be very difficult to manage. The good news is that these conditions can be prevented with proper diet, exercise and medications.

Diseases of the circulatory system and neoplasms were the leading causes of death in people over age 65, followed by diseases of the digestive tract and endocrine disorders.

1. Cancer

As people age, their metabolisms slow down and their immune systems become weaker. This makes them more prone to critical illnesses like cancer, heart disease, respiratory diseases and arthritis.

Cancer happens when cells in the body begin to grow and spread at an uncontrolled rate. Normal cells know to stop growing or die over time, but cancer cells ignore these signals. They can then clump together to form tumors and can spread into healthy tissue, causing more and more damage. This is the most common disease of elderly people and is one of the top reasons why it’s important for older adults to visit their doctor on a regular basis.

A lot of other diseases can also affect the elderly, such as high blood pressure, diabetes and chronic lower respiratory diseases like asthma or emphysema. All of these conditions can cause serious health problems and even death, especially when they are not managed properly. One of the most common comorbidities in senior patients is cardiovascular disease and it contributes to many deaths of people above the age of 85.

2. Chronic Kidney Disease

The kidneys filter blood and get rid of toxins and waste as urine. They also help balance electrolytes (such as salt and potassium) in the body, make hormones that control blood pressure and keep bones strong. When they don't work as well as they should, waste can build up in the blood. This can lead to kidney disease. Symptoms include swelling of the hands and feet, a frequent need to pee and itchy skin. Diabetes and high blood pressure increase the risk of developing kidney disease.

There is no cure for chronic kidney disease. It typically develops slowly, and people often don't notice any symptoms in the early stages. Sometimes the condition isn't diagnosed until it is too late, when the kidneys have failed.

The number of Americans over age 85 is growing rapidly, thanks to longer life expectancies and the baby boom. As the population of older adults increases, so will the need for care providers to understand their health needs. In this issue, we look at important changes in normal aging, diseases and conditions common among the elderly and what clinicians need to know about caring for patients over age 85.

3. Osteoporosis

Women are more likely to develop osteoporosis, but men also experience bone loss as they age. Men lose bone at a slower rate than women, but they can still get osteoporosis and break a bone. Medications such as estrogen and calcium can slow the bone-loss process.





The inside of a bone looks like a honeycomb, and osteoporosis makes the walls of the bones thinner and the spaces between them larger. This causes a bone to become more fragile and breaks easily. A simple fall or cough can cause a broken bone in the hip or spine, which can be serious and lead to long-term pain.

Women over the age of 50 are recommended to get tested for osteoporosis and receive treatment if they need it. Men can also get osteoporosis and should talk to their doctor about getting tested and treated if they are at risk. This is especially important for men who smoke or have family members with osteoporosis. Some medications can help slow down the bone-loss process, including estrogen and calcium supplements and drugs such as teriparatide (Forteo) and abaloparatide (Tymlos)..

4. Diabetes

Diabetes is a common condition that affects how the body uses sugar. It is a risk factor for other health conditions, such as kidney disease and heart disease. It can also lead to amputations and strokes. Cancer is another common health condition among elderly people. It peaks in women over the age of 60 and can be fatal. Other health conditions include osteoarthritis, which causes pain and swelling in a joint. It is a leading cause of death for elderly men and women. It is a serious problem for senior citizens and needs to be treated quickly.

Infections like the flu and pneumonia are common in seniors, and they can be life-threatening if not treated promptly. This is because seniors are more vulnerable to these diseases and have a reduced ability to fight them off. Moreover, certain medications can make them more susceptible to infections like the gastrointestinal bug Clostridium difficile, which is caused by antibiotics that alter the good flora in the digestive tract. High blood pressure is also very common in elderly people. However, this is not always due to aging and can be treated with a healthy lifestyle.

5. Pneumonia

The body usually prevents bacteria, viruses and fungi from infecting the lungs. But if the lungs are weakened by serious illness, old age or impaired immunity, these germs can overpower the lungs' defenses and cause pneumonia.

Symptoms vary depending on the type of organism that causes pneumonia and how the person got it. Bacterial pneumonia is more common and generally more severe. It's also more likely to be hospital-acquired. Doctors treat bacterial pneumonia with antibiotics.

Atypical pneumonia, caused by mycoplasma bacteria, is less common but usually milder. Chlamydia pneumonia, caused by chlamydia bacteria, is a rare but potentially serious type of atypical pneumonia.

People at risk of pneumonia include those who are over 65, infants and young children, and those with a lung or heart condition such as cancer, emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, fibrosis or asthma, notes the American Lung Association. A weakened immune system makes you more susceptible to pneumonia, too, especially if you have HIV infection or are taking medications that suppress the immune system. If the pneumonia is severe, fluid can build up in the thin tissue that lines the lungs and chest cavity (pleura). A lung abscess requires surgery or drainage with a tube to relieve it.