God willing, every human being will age someday. Ageing is an inevitable phase of life that commences immediately we are born.
Scientists inform that we start ageing once we take our first breath; which perhaps underscores the reason why we are certain number of years ‘old’ — and not ‘young.’
Medical experts have defined ageing as a continuous process of life in humans that restricts normal functions and makes one more prone to disease and death.
But more people are living longer, according to a United Nations report in 2012, which states that the population of elderly persons is the fastest growing around the world. The world body notes that the number of elderly people is expected to hit two billion by 2050.
A consultant orthopaedic surgeon, Dr. Tope Ajewole, describes ageing as a compulsory metabolic process and notes that many factors like genes, lifestyles, diet and environment determine how long an individual would live.
He states that though life expectancy has increased in modern times — thanks to advances in science, technology and medicine — the hustle and bustle of daily life take a heavy toll on our bodies and health.
Ajewole says, “For most of us, taking care of our health is the last thing on our mind, as we are too busy. Eventually, negligence takes its toll on our body and manifests itself through a serious illness or in rapid physical deterioration in old age.”
As humans grow older, physicians say, physical conditions decline, which may lead to many illnesses and ailments. Some of the common health problems that affect people as they age include the following:
Alzheimer`s disease
This is an incurable and degenerative disease that is mostly diagnosed in people over the age of 65. It is the most common form of dementia, with nearly three million sufferers worldwide. Alzheimer’s greatly affects a patient’s emotional, mental and behavioural abilities, researchers say.
Depression
A psychiatrist, Dr. Richard Adebayo, speaking during this year’s World Mental Health Day, argued that depression is not necessarily an inevitable part of ageing, though he did agree that elderly persons are susceptible to depression due to changes in their lifestyles, loss of loved ones, and isolation. If left untreated, it can lead to memory impairment, fatigue, lethargy, and, sometimes, suicidal tendencies.
Cardiovascular disease
Heart disease is caused by disorders of the heart and blood vessels. It is the biggest cause of death worldwide, experts warn. Researchers say around 87 per cent of coronary heart disease deaths are found among people who are 60 years and older. It includes raised blood pressure, coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral artery disease, rheumatic heart disease, congenital heart disease and heart failure.
Eye diseases
An ophthalmologist, Dr. Grace James says visual impairment occurs with age. According to her, some changes lead to significant visual impairment in elderly persons that affects their ability to perform daily functions. James adds that this functional decline, in turn, results in decreased independence and increased risk for falls, fractures and depression. Since symptoms may be insidious and slowly progressive, early diagnosis and treatment are vital to prevent blindness and total loss of function.
Leading common causes of visual impairment in the elderly include cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.
She says, “Aging can also cause the lens to darken, grow opaque, and in some cases thicken, causing nearsightedness. Clouding of the lens, which is called cataract, usually develops slowly over many years. It may go unnoticed until the cloudiness blocks the central line of sight and impairs vision.”
Bone and joint diseases
Osteoporosis is a disease in which the bone mineral density is reduced and it can lead to an increased risk of fracture. It can occur due to lack of vitamin D, calcium, physical activity, hormonal changes or diseases such as hypothyroidism and hyperparathyroidism.
Arthritis is the inflammation of the joints. There are more than 100 types of arthritis of which osteoarthritis is the most common. It is a degenerative and chronic condition ranging from very mild to very severe.
Prostate enlargement
It is a common disease that occurs in men as they grow older. Their prostate gland becomes enlarged with age. This causes urination problems like frequent, weak and interrupted flows.
It can lead to conditions such as urinary tract infections, kidney or bladder damage, incontinence, and acute urinary retention.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a metabolic disease in which a person has high blood sugar, either because the body does not produce or respond to insulin. It is incurable but it can be controlled through changes in diet, lifestyle and medication.
Cancer
Cancer is a term for a group of more than a hundred diseases involving unregulated cell growth. Though cancer can affect all age groups, cancers of the prostrate, colon and breast are the most common among the elderly.
But you can take steps to protect yourself from these diseases by taking a conscious decision to live a healthy life today.
These steps include getting involved in regular physical activities and making healthy food choices, knowing your numbers, blood pressure, cholesterol and sugar levels.
Generally, take good care of yourself and let your doctor be your friend as you grow older.
Courtesy of Punch
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