Retirement is a great time for a lot of people since they get to finally enjoy their time. But aging also means that you have to be much more careful and mindful of your health. You can’t expect your body to work as well as it did when you were thirty. You can’t expect it to be as resistant as it once was either. This means that you may have to change some of your habits, get checked more often, and be on the lookout for different conditions. Let’s take a look at a few health issues you’ll need to watch out for as you age.
Cognitive Issues
Seniors are at a higher risk of developing a wide range of cognitive issues. It’s estimated that about 10% to 20% of people aged 65 and older have mild cognitive impairment, for instance. This condition is characterized by occasional lapses in memory, like forgetting to pay a bill or struggling with multi-step instructions, for example. That is why it’s good for you to start using supplements like omega-3 fish oil.
Alzheimer’s is another form of cognitive impairment, but more severe. Alzheimer’s is a progressive and degenerative disease that affects short and long-term memory and can eventually render some of the sufferers incapable of performing even the simplest tasks.
Dementia is another common issue with seniors, but it can often be mistaken for other forms of cognitive impairment. If you’ve been suffering from memory loss, for instance, then it could be both a symptom of Alzheimer’s and dementia, so you may want to take a quiz to make sure that you get to the root of the problem. You should see a doctor if you suffer any type of persistent memory loss, however, or any issues with your concentration, spatial-visual capabilities, or communication issues.
Heart Issues
You also need to be careful with your heart as you age. People often develop heart issues that are caused by either a lack of activity, bad habits, or other related issues like high blood pressure. You also have to take into account that the heart suffers wear just like any organ and has to work harder as you age. This means that you’ll have to make active changes to your lifestyle like stopping smoking, limiting your consumption of alcohol, and getting on a consistent workout routine, among others.
Diabetes
Though diabetes is a disease that you can develop at any age, people aged 65 and older are at a higher risk of contracting it. So, you’ll need to be very careful with your eating habits from now on and look out for symptoms like blurry vision, fatigue, extreme bouts of thirst and hunger, and frequent urination.
Constipation and Incontinence
You can also expect to start dealing with issues with your bowel movements. About 26% of women and 16% of men will experience chronic constipation as they get over 65. Men and women also start experiencing urinary incontinence at these ages because of things like enlarged prostates and issues with the pelvic muscles.
If you constantly look out for symptoms, check with your doctor often, and treat your body right, you should be able to reduce the chances of developing serious diseases or complications. Now is the time to take your health seriously and do everything you can to age as gracefully as possible.
