One problem many people fear when getting older is having to deal with health conditions. While many issues are common, such as minor vision or hearing loss, others are more severe. As you get older, be sure to watch for these health conditions.
Vision Loss
Although minor vision loss can be normal as a person ages, some problems can become more severe. For one, glaucoma can lead to blindness if left unchecked. To take care of vision health, you can quit smoking, eat healthily, wear UV-blocking sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun’s harsh rays, maintain a healthy weight, and be physically active regularly, among other things.
Hearing Loss
The two most common types of hearing loss are presbycusis and noise-induced hearing loss. First, you can lose the ability to hear high-frequency sounds. Hearing loss can affect a senior’s life by making it a challenge to socialize with friends and family. You can ask your doctor if you need a hearing aid and consider getting hearing tests regularly.
Depression
If you’re a senior, you may feel isolated from living alone, having hearing loss or other problems, or from experiencing the loss of loved ones. This can cause feelings of loneliness. And you may even become depressed or have anxiety.
Diabetes
Although it’s unknown what the exact cause of most diabetes types is, what is known is that each case involves sugar build-up in the bloodstream. Being physically active, losing extra weight, eating healthy fats, and avoiding fad diets are ways to avoid diabetes. Take care of yourself now and you can lower your risk of having diabetes later on in life. After all, senior wellness is important and everyone should take this into consideration more often.
Cognitive Impairment
Mild cognitive impairment is more serious than normal memory loss. For instance, you may experience forgetfulness when doing simple tasks such as following directions or paying bills. As cognitive impairment advances, it leads to Alzheimer’s disease. Of the 5 million Americans who have Alzheimer’s, most are over age 65. If you notice any symptoms of cognitive impairment in yourself or someone else, it’s wise to see the doctor.
In conclusion, there are plenty of ways to prevent health conditions from occurring in the first place. For example, you can prevent diabetes by being physically active on a regular basis and eating healthy plant foods. Committing to living a healthy lifestyle now can help you live a lot healthier as you age.
