People are living longer than ever these days. In fact, life expectancy has increased as much as 20 years compared to what it was even just a few decades ago. However, that’s not to say that getting older doesn’t come with certain health concerns. The more health precautions you can take, and the healthier lifestyle choices you make, the longer and healthier of a life you’ll live.
So, what are some of the most important health concerns you should be thinking about? Here are some of the biggest health challenges that getting older can bring.
Heart Disease
Statistics show that heart disease is the leading cause of death in adults over 65. As people get older, they’re much more at risk to develop issues like high blood pressure and the possibility of having a stroke. The best way to combat this is by practicing heart healthy activities such as getting enough movement, and eating the right foods.
If you live a sedentary lifestyle and eat high fat high cholesterol foods, then it’s no surprise why you could find yourself at risk for heart disease. Ask your doctor for a list of recommended lifestyle choices and foods that can keep your heart strong and healthy.
Cancer
Cancer— chances are you know someone who has it or has passed away from it. Cancer is one of the top leading causes of death in the world, and does not only affect older people. Cancer can affect people of just about any age. However, for people over the age of 65, the risks are higher.
However by attending screenings you can catch issues early on, and ensure that you’re in your best health. Nine times out of ten, catching cancer early on will significantly increase your chances of getting rid of it as soon as possible.
Alzheimers
Alzheimer’s was the cause of nearly 93,000 deaths in seniors in 2014. Unfortunately, it’s often an undetected disease that many people don’t even realize they’re living with until it’s progressed quite far. Unfortunately, Alzheimer’s is something that can come on out of nowhere regardless of your lifestyle choices. However, catching signs early on is always preferable to combating the disease as much as possible.
Respiratory Disease
Respiratory conditions are of the utmost concern for people over the age of 65. Conditions like asthma are a serious issue for older people since it can worsen the older that you get. Although there are medications available for respiratory diseases, unfortunately they are not always a quick fix.
Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health to ensure that your lungs are healthy later in life.
