As you age, the systems in your body begin to break down and this can lead to many chronic conditions. Not everyone will experience these conditions, but it’s good to be aware of common ones. This can help you to better handle them.
Joint Issues
Having pain in your joints is very common as you age. Most joint pain can be attributed to arthritis which is characterized as the inflammation of the joints. However, there are many different types of arthritis. Osteoarthritis is a condition in which your cartilage is worn down and the bones begin to rub together. This can lead to extreme pain but can be limited to one or two spots in the body. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes your body to attack healthy joint tissue. This type of arthritis often occurs on both sides of the body and can even lead to trouble sleeping.
Skin Conditions
With age, your skin begins to change. It loses elasticity and even some of the fat beneath it. Your skin can hang looser and become more dry. This can lead to different types of skin conditions. One common skin issue is atopic dermatitis or eczema. Eczema is characterized by red and itchy skin. Not only does atopic dermatitis inflict chronic discomfort, it’s also a mental burden on patients. Those with eczema may also have depression or anxiety. These conditions can cause eczema to flare up which in turn causes more mental health struggles. One of the biggest mental challenges of eczema is the red, rash-like appearance that can be troubling to have.
Memory Problems
Just like the rest of your body, your brain begins to break down as well. As your brain deteriorates, the memory center of your brain is highly affected. This is why conditions like Alzheimer’s are very common in old age. People with Alzheimer’s may struggle to remember past memories. They also have a hard time learning new things and they can become easily disoriented and confused. It is a progressive disease and it gets worse as time goes on. Unfortunately, there is no cure but there are treatments available to help slow it down.
There are many conditions that can occur in old age. Not all of them will affect every individual, but it’s still a good idea to be aware of them. Learning more can help you prepare or take measures to reduce your risk.
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