Aging can increase the risk of several chronic conditions. Even if these conditions aren’t fatal, they can still reduce overall quality of life and impact someone’s mental health. Just because many health concerns are common with aging doesn’t mean they’re inevitable or unmanageable, however. Knowing more about common age-related diseases can help individuals and families engage in informed conversations with licensed healthcare providers.
What are Common Ailments of Older Adults?
Common health problems that older adults may face include the following conditions and diseases.
1. Urinary Incontinence
Also called:
- UI
What It Is: Urinary incontinence is the technical term for a lack of bladder control. In some cases, unmanaged UI can impact quality of life and increase the risk of related health concerns like urinary tract infections (UTIs), especially in older women living with cognitive impairment.
Possible Symptoms: UI can lead to bladder leaks and sudden urges to urinate.
Potential Causes & Risk Factors: Age-related changes to both women and men can result in UI. For women, changes from menopause can result in incontinence whereas in men it can result from problems with the prostate. Other age-related risk factors for UI that impact older people regardless of gender include damage to nerves, medication side effects, cognitive impairment, and muscle weakening.
Possible Treatments: Treatment management approaches vary and may include lifestyle adjustments or medical interventions as determined appropriate by a healthcare provider.
2. Obesity
Also called:
- Adiposity-based chronic disease
- ABCD
What It Is: Obesity is when people live with a high percentage of body fat; the World Health Organization classifies obesity as having a body mass index of 30 or higher. Left untreated, it can result in heightened risk for a variety of health concerns, including joint damage and cardiovascular disease (heart disease).
Accompanying Symptoms: High cholesterol and high blood pressure (hypertension) are both common in people with obesity.
Potential Causes & Risk Factors: Family history and genetics, along with a lack of physical activity and a diet high in ultra-processed foods, contribute to the risk of being overweight or obese. Age-related changes in mobility or cognition may influence activity levels and eating patterns in some older adults.
Possible Treatments: Common interventions that healthcare professionals recommend for excess weight include weight loss via regular exercise and a healthy diet as well as prescription medications or even therapy to address potential psychological causes of overeating.
3. Hearing Loss
Also called:
- Presbycusis
What It Is: Age-related hearing loss is the decline in the ability to hear sounds clearly and understand them. Untreated hearing loss has been associated with social isolation and cognitive challenges in some individuals.
Possible Symptoms: Hearing muffled speech, asking people to repeat themselves, and ringing in the ears (tinnitus) are possible signs that someone may be experiencing age-related hearing loss.
Potential Causes & Risk Factors: Gradual damage that occurs over time to sensitive parts of the ear, including hair cells and nerves, can result in a loss of hearing ability.
Possible Treatments: Many older adults manage hearing loss with assistive devices and cochlear implants. Family members can also learn effective strategies to communicate with a loved one with hearing loss to make conversations easier.
4. Osteoporosis
What It Is: Osteoporosis means “porous bone” and is a disease that leads to a loss in bone density. As a result, bones weaken, increasing the likelihood of falls and fractures.
Possible Symptoms: Back pain, stooped posture, and brittle nails can all potentially indicate osteoporosis.
Potential Causes & Risk Factors: Menopause and other hormonal changes, a lack of vitamin D, and a lack of calcium can all contribute to osteoporosis risk, making it a more common condition in postmenopausal women than men.
Possible Treatments: Many doctors recommend a holistic approach to managing this condition, including vitamin D and calcium supplements, strength-training exercises, and prescription medications.
5. Type 2 Diabetes
Also called:
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus
- Adult-onset diabetes
- Non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus
- NIDDM
What It Is: Type 2 diabetes is a chronic health condition that leads to high blood sugar levels (blood glucose levels) because the body either does not process insulin efficiently or does not produce enough insulin. Poorly controlled diabetes may be associated with complications affecting nerves, vision, and kidney function.
Possible Symptoms: Increased thirst, blurry vision, frequent urge to urinate, and being tired frequently are all commonly reported type 2 diabetes symptoms, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Potential Causes & Risk Factors: Family history, lack of physical activity, prediabetes, excess weight, high blood pressure (hypertension), a diet high in processed foods and sugar, and age can all increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Possible Treatments: Healthcare providers often recommend a holistic approach to manage type 2 diabetes. This approach often combines a combination of lifestyle changes, like reducing consumption of ultra-processed foods and getting to a healthy weight, along with taking certain prescription medications.
6. Aging, Weakened Immune System
Also called:
- Immunosenescence
What It Is: The immune system can change with age, making older people more susceptible to not only getting sick more often, but also experiencing more severe illness than younger age groups.
Possible Symptoms: More frequent infections, more severe illness, and slower-healing wounds are potential signs of a weakened immune system due to age.
Possible Treatments: There is no cure for age-related weakening of the immune system, but there are ways for older adults to better protect themselves and their peers. Preventive measures such as vaccinations and healthy lifestyle practices may help support immune health, as recommended by healthcare providers.
7. Parkinson’s Disease
Also called:
- PD
What It Is: Parkinson’s disease, or PD, is a progressive condition, meaning it worsens over time. It affects the nervous system, which impacts balance and movement, leading to issues like an increased risk of falls or tremors. PD affects more than just balance, however, and may also lead to issues like loss of smell and changes in cognition.
Possible Symptoms: Tremors are the hallmark sign of Parkinson’s disease; these tremors are often accompanied by other movement-related symptoms like stiffness and moving slowly (bradykinesia). Non-movement-related symptoms may include depression, insomnia, and loss of smell.
Potential Causes & Risk Factors: Age, family history, sex (men are more likely to develop PD than women), and certain environmental factors can all increase someone’s chances of developing this condition.
Possible Treatments: While there is no cure for PD, doctor-guided treatment plans can help slow PD progression and improve overall quality of life. Treatment plans are individualized and may include a combination of lifestyle strategies, supportive therapies, and medications as directed by a healthcare provider.
8. Cataracts
Also called:
- Senile cataracts
What It Is: Age-related cataracts are cataracts (clouding of the eye) that occur due to aging-related issues, commonly the breakdown of proteins over time.
Possible Symptoms: Common signs of cataracts include blurry or double vision, difficulty reading, and light sensitivity.
Potential Causes & Risk Factors: Age greatly increases the risk of developing cataracts, along with genetics, personal history of eye trauma, and diabetes.
Possible Treatments: Cataract treatment varies based on how severe they are and where the cataracts are in the eye. For people with early-stage cataracts, treatment options can include using anti-glare sunglasses. For more advanced cases, surgery may be necessary.
9. Osteoarthritis
Also called:
- OA
What It Is: OA refers to the wearing down of, and eventual damage to, cartilage and bones around joints.
Possible Symptoms: Common OA symptoms include joint stiffness and pain, with the knees, hips, hands, and back being commonly affected joints, according to the CDC.
Potential Causes & Risk Factors: Age is the single-largest risk factor for this condition, with others being family history and genetics, excess weight, and personal history of joint damage and/or stress.
Possible Treatments: There is no cure for OA, although treatment can help manage the condition. Management options vary and may range from conservative approaches to medical or surgical interventions, depending on individual needs and provider guidance.
10. High Blood Pressure
Also called:
- Hypertension
What It Is: High blood pressure is a condition where the force at which the blood pushes against blood vessels is too high.
Possible Symptoms: High blood pressure may present no symptoms until complications occur, such as kidney disease, stroke, or heart attack. When other symptoms do present, they may include dizziness or headaches.
Potential Causes & Risk Factors: Age, genetics and family history, alcohol consumption, smoking, and an unhealthy diet high in sodium, trans fats, and saturated fats can increase someone’s hypertension risk.
Possible Treatments: Common treatments that healthcare providers recommend for the treatment of hypertension include medications, the Mediterranean diet, reducing alcohol consumption, quitting smoking, and getting enough exercise.
Age-Related Ailment FAQs
What are age-related ailments?
Age-related ailments are chronic (long-lasting) conditions that are more likely to develop or worsen with age. Common age-related conditions include Alzheimer’s disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cardiovascular disease (heart disease), type 2 diabetes, and cataracts.
What is osteoarthritis (OA)?
Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis characterized by damage to cartilage and bones by the joints. It’s incredibly common in older adults, especially older women, according to the CDC.
When is memory loss more than “normal aging”?
Memory loss goes beyond healthy aging when it negatively impacts daily life and puts the person and others at risk of harm. Concerns about memory changes should be discussed with a licensed healthcare provider for appropriate evaluation.
How can I manage age-related ailments?
The best way to manage age-related ailments is to speak with a licensed healthcare provider who can work with you or your loved one to develop a personalized healthcare plan, which can include prioritizing sleep, eating well, maintaining a healthy weight, and taking certain medications.
Disclaimer: This article is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Each individual’s health situation is unique. Readers should consult a licensed healthcare provider for guidance related to their personal health concerns.