The 4 Most Common Ailments in Senior Citizens

Everyone knows that as we age, certain parts of our bodies don't work as well as they once did. Some ailments are particularly common in senior citizens. While these might be minor illnesses, they can still affect mobility, mental state, and quality of life for the elderly.

The most common ailment in the senior citizen population is arthritis. Arthritis is a blanket term used to describe hundreds of rheumatic diseases and disorders, but the two most common are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis means that the amount of cartilage in a joint is steadily decreasing, causing less of a cushion between the bones of that joint. Osteoarthritis can occur in any joint, and can result in decreased mobility for senior citizens because of the pain it causes.

As people get older, visual problems become more common. In senior citizens this can simply be presbyopia, or trouble seeing object that are up-close, a condition that is easily remedied with prescription reading glasses. Visual problems in senior citizens can also include more serious optical diseases and disorders like cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, or macular degeneration. It is important to schedule yearly optical exams to diagnose and treat these conditions in a timely manner.

Another common ailment in senior citizens is hearing loss. Presbycusis is age-related hearing loss that affects both ears. Hearing loss in senior citizens can be caused by damage to the hair cells of the inner ear, mechanical or physical blockage, or a combination of both factors. Symptoms of hearing loss include having to adjust volumes above a normal level, or the inability to hear certain sounds or pitches. Senior citizens should maintain a yearly schedule of auditory exams in order to detect hearing loss and receive appropriate treatment.

Depression is a serious ailment that is increasingly affecting senior citizens. Depression in this portion of the population can be caused as a result of certain medications, but there are also life factors that can trigger this ailment in senior citizens. Death of a friend, spouse, or family member, financial burdens, health concerns, or loneliness can also increase the occurrence of depression. Symptoms of this ailment can include a marked lack of interest in daily life, change in sleep patterns, crying, changes in eating patterns, or feelings of worthlessness. While depression is a mental ailment, as opposed to a physical one, it is very serious. A senior citizen that is experiencing depression may skip important medications, withdraw from life, or attempt suicide. If you notice that someone close to you is exhibiting the signs of depression, it is very important to seek medical or psychiatric help. Counseling or medication may be able to improve the quality of life for senior citizens going through periods of depression.

If you are caring for, or close to a senior citizen patient, it can help to keep track of these common ailments so that they can be reported to the physician. In most cases, treatment is available.

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