VISITING ANGELS PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, VA 703-530-8811
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5 Common Chronic Health Conditions in Older Adults

5 Common Chronic Health Conditions in Older Adults

Our bodies go through many changes, and there are many health concerns for us to monitor our bodies for as we age. Sometimes it can feel overwhelming, and you may worry you'll develop a serious illness or cancer. You should always talk to your doctor about your health concerns, but you likely don't have to worry about having a severe condition if you lead a healthy lifestyle.

However, your risk of some common health conditions tends to increase with age. And many chronic conditions that develop early on are the risk factors for more severe conditions. If you want to reduce your chances of more severe health concerns in the future, it's essential to understand and monitor for these common chronic health conditions.

Diabetes

Diabetes is when your blood sugar levels are too high. There are two main types of diabetes. Type 1 is when your body doesn't make insulin, which you need to convert the glucose from food into energy. Type 2, which is more common, is when your body doesn't know how to use insulin efficiently. If your body doesn't have or use insulin correctly, glucose stays in your blood and can cause damage to your kidneys, eyes, and nerves with time.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 10 Americans has diabetes. And nearly 1 in 13 adults has prediabetes, a condition where your blood sugar levels are high but not high enough to be considered diabetes. Typically, if you have prediabetes and don't take the proper precautions to reduce your blood sugar levels, you'll be at a higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. If you are thirsty a lot, often urinate, lose weight quickly, have numbness or tingling in the hands or feet, have slow-healing sores, or get infections often, you should consider getting your blood sugar tested to see if you have diabetes.

Arthritis

Arthritis is the inflammation of joints that causes pain and stiffness. There are two main types of arthritis. Osteoarthritis, the most common type, is when the cartilage around the joints wears down. Cartilage prevents bones from rubbing directly on each other. Without cartilage, the bones grind on each other, causing pain and limiting movement. It can also cause deterioration of the connective tissue surrounding the joint. Rheumatoid arthritis is when the immune system attacks the joint capsule lining, causing it to become inflamed.

Arthritis tends to worsen with age and is more common in people who have a family history of arthritis, are obese, or have had a joint injury. It's also more common in women. According to the CDC, 23 percent of adults in America have arthritis. There is no cure for arthritis, but many treatments are available to manage symptoms.

Heart Disease

Heart disease is a general term used to describe several heart conditions. The most common heart disease in America is coronary artery disease. This heart disease happens when plaque builds up on the arteries' walls that supply the heart with blood. The plaque buildup causes the arteries to narrow and limits the blood flow to the heart, leading to a heart attack.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. More than 655,000 people die from it each year. The most significant factors contributing to your heart disease risk are high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and smoking. Additional risk factors include diabetes, obesity, physical inactivity, and excessive alcohol use.

Hypertension

More commonly known as high blood pressure, hypertension is a condition where there is too much blood pressure against the artery walls. There are no high blood pressure symptoms, but it can lead to various heart conditions such as stroke or heart disease if not managed.

According to the American Heart Association, more than 103 million Americans live with hypertension. A diet high in fat, salt, and cholesterol typically causes hypertension. You're also at significant risk of developing hypertension if you have a family history of high blood pressure, kidney problems, diabetes, or high cholesterol if you experience high levels of stress or overweight.  It also becomes more common with age, so it's crucial to regularly maintain a healthy diet and exercise to reduce hypertension chances.

High Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a substance your body naturally produces and plays a vital role in forming cell membranes, vitamin D, and certain hormones. There are two types of cholesterol. Low-density cholesterol carries cholesterol to your arteries, and high-density cholesterol helps return low-density cholesterol to your liver. If someone has high cholesterol, it usually refers to high levels of low-density cholesterol. Too much low-density cholesterol can build up in the artery and lead to a heart attack or stroke.

High cholesterol usually comes from eating foods high in cholesterol, such as meat and dairy products. You're also at a higher risk of high cholesterol if you have diabetes, are overweight, or have a high cholesterol family history. There are no high cholesterol symptoms, so it's essential to get your cholesterol levels checked regularly.

How Visiting Angels Can Help

If you or a loved one is living with a chronic health condition and need help with daily tasks, the Visiting Angels team is here to help. Our caregivers assist seniors with personal grooming, light housekeeping, mobility, medication reminders, and transportation. Our Visiting Angels Manassas, Virginia office serves those in Prince William and Western Fairfax counties, including Fort Belvoir and Lorton. For more information on our services, complete this online form or give us a call at 703.530.8811.

Serving Prince William and Western Fairfax Counties including Fort Belvoir and Lorton

Visiting Angels PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, VA
9161 Liberia Ave # 205
Manassas, VA 20110
Phone: 703-530-8811
Fax: 703-656-4769

Serving Prince William and Western Fairfax Counties including Fort Belvoir and Lorton

Visiting Angels PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, VA
9161 Liberia Ave # 205
Manassas, VA 20110
Phone: 703-530-8811
Fax: 703-656-4769