Chronic diseases are diseases that persist for long periods of time – usually more than three months. The elderly are prone to have chronic diseases due to deteriorating health that comes with age. These diseases may present symptoms that persist continuously or are recurring for a long period, hence significantly affecting their lives. It is important to know what are the most common chronic diseases so that we can prevent them.
High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure or hypertension happens when the pressure of blood flow in your veins is too high, causing the force pushed against the walls of the veins to be high. This may damage blood vessels in the long run and may cause serious conditions such as heart attack and stroke.
To prevent high blood pressure, lead a healthy lifestyle with exercise and nutrition, reduce stress, and limit alcohol and salt consumption.
Arthritis
There are many forms of arthritis, the most common being osteoarthritis where the cartilage in the joints breaks down and cause inflammation, swelling, stiffness, and pain. This may introduce difficulties in even doing normal activities such as walking and moving. To prevent or manage it, the elderly are advised to exercise regularly and stop smoking. Losing weight can also help ease pressure on the joints.
Heart Disease
Coronary heart disease happens when arteries are clogged up with plague stemming from excessive intake of unhealthy fats, salt, and sugar. Clogged arteries reduce the amount of blood flow to the heart and may cause serious complications such as a heart attack.
To prevent heart disease, it is best to limit intake of unhealthy fats, sugar, and salt, as well as to stop smoking, increase exercise, and get enough sleep.
Diabetes
Diabetes is another common chronic disease that affects many older adults. Diabetes happens when the body does not produce enough insulin, causing the blood glucose level in the body to be consistently too high. In turn, this may cause damage to other parts of the body, such as kidneys, eyes, nerves, and heart.
The best way to prevent and manage diabetes is by leading a healthy lifestyle through a proper diet, regular exercise, and weight management.
How Do Chronic Diseases Affect You?
Chronic diseases can significantly affect a person’s health and reduce the quality of life. Cardiovascular diseases may make it difficult for you to engage in exercise or strenuous activities. Other diseases may prevent you from moving properly or handling day-to-day tasks. To prevent chronic diseases, you need to practice self-care and engage in physical activities to achieve a higher quality of life.
Choose TerraBella Windsor Lake for a Healthy and Enriching Lifestyle
If you are having challenges maintaining an active lifestyle, you can consider joining us at TerraBella Windsor Lake. In our senior living community, there is a professional team to support you, be it concierge service, laundry and linen service, maintenance, housekeeping, transportation, and more, while you partake in the wide array of social events and activities planned especially for you. You can also consume a nutritious diet with the freshest ingredients prepared by our executive chefs.
