Wisdom and experience are not the only things associated with aging. For some people, getting older also means becoming susceptible to and eventually developing chronic health problems. And that’s not baseless hyperbole but rather an unfortunate truth substantiated by multiple well-researched studies, one of which comes from the National Council on Aging (NCOA). It found that close to 95% of American adults aged 60 and older are living with at least one chronic health condition, and over 78% have two or more. There is a science behind why that is.
In a study published by the World Health Organization (WHO), researchers found that aging causes molecular and cellular damage over time. That damage can give way to physical and, in some cases, mental health problems.
What Are the Most Common Health Problems People Encounter When They Get Older?
Many people gain weight as they age. That’s partly because lipid turnover in fat tissue decreases as we get older, which makes it easier to gain weight even if we don’t consume more food or exercise less compared to when we were younger. For those unfamiliar with lipid turnover, also known as lipid metabolism, it refers to how quickly the body replaces old fat cells with new fat cells. The faster the body replaces old fat cells with new ones, the easier it is for individuals to lose weight. When this process slows down, weight gain is inevitable. Data from the National Council on Aging shows that 42% of U.S. adults aged 60 and older are obese. Some of the health problems some people experience as they get older and gain weight include the following:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Certain cancers, namely breast, uterine, colon, and leukemia
- Diabetes
- High cholesterol
- Hypertension
- Joint dysfunction and mobility impairment
- Obstructive sleep apnea
Urinary Incontinence
Along with weight gain, many people develop urinary incontinence when they get older. That is especially the case for men and women in their 60s. According to a study published by HealthinAging.org, a trusted source for up-to-date information and advice on health and aging, an estimated 30% of older adults have urinary incontinence due to loss of bladder control.
When someone has urinary incontinence, they experience urine leaks whenever there is pressure on the bladder. That pressure can result from exercising, coughing, sneezing, laughing, or lifting heavy objects. Changes in body function brought on by disease, changes in the immune system, exposure to specific bacteria, and taking certain medications are the most common causes of urinary incontinence among older adults, notes study data from Johns Hopkins Medicine.
Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease
Along with physical health problems, many older adults also struggle with poor cognitive function. Studies show that dementia and Alzheimer’s disease affect the lives of roughly 6.7 million Americans aged 65 and older. The first is an umbrella term for various neurodegenerative diseases that cause a loss of memory, language, problem-solving, and other thinking abilities severe enough to interfere with daily life. The latter refers to a brain disorder and a specific type of dementia that gradually destroys memory and thinking skills and, over time, the ability to perform simple day-to-day tasks. According to the National Institute on Aging, both Alzheimer’s and dementia are byproducts of age-related changes in the brain, genetics, and environmental and lifestyle factors. The older men and women get, the more likely they are to be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, dementia, or both.
Arthritis
Arthritis is another all-too-common struggle for many older adults. According to the Arthritis Foundation, around 56% of men and 69% of women aged 65 and older have arthritis, respectively. There are several forms of arthritis, but most older adult men and women struggle with osteoarthritis, affecting primarily joints in their hands, knees, hips, and spine. Osteoarthritis symptoms include the following:
- Bone spurs
- Decline in flexibility
- Grating sensation in affected joints
- Pain
- Stiffness
- Swelling
- Tenderness
Hormonal Imbalances
Because glands in the endocrine system secrete fewer hormones after age 30, many men and women develop a hormonal imbalance in middle age. One of the most common ones is a human growth hormone (HGH) deficiency. Available data shows that some 6,000 adults are diagnosed with such a deficiency annually in the U.S. Low HGH levels can usher in a wave of unpleasant symptoms. Some of the more commonly reported ones include the following:
- A decline in muscle mass, strength, and stamina
- Anxiety and depression
- Decreased libido
- Fatigue
- Hypercholesterolemia
- Increased sensitivity to heat and cold
- Reduced bone density
- Weight gain, namely in the form of increased abdominal fat
Hormone Replacement Therapy To Combat Low HGH Levels
Like other health problems that come about with age, there are ways to combat an HGH deficiency and achieve relief from associated symptoms. One of the most popular is hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which involves the use of injectable HGH medications to stimulate the pituitary gland and the brain’s hypothalamus to release more human growth hormones into the blood. Examples of these medications include Norditropin, Saizen, Serostim, Genotropin, and Sogroya.
Most people see noticeable results within a few weeks or months of taking HGH injections. That said, HGH injections are for sale by prescription only, which requires being formally diagnosed with a human growth hormone deficiency by a licensed physician. Bearing that in mind, before doing an “HGH injections near me” search on Google to find a pharmacy that carries HGH-boosting injectable medications, it’s best to schedule an appointment with a licensed endocrinologist or general physician first.
In summary, from weight gain and arthritis to cognitive decline and hormonal imbalances, many health problems are par for the course as we get older. Thankfully, early detection and immediate treatment can resolve or, at the very least, slow the progression of most of them. Having said that, if you’re experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned in this article, you should schedule an appointment with a physician as soon as possible. Additionally, telemedicine primary care offers immediate, convenient, and cost-effective care when health symptoms arise, enhancing access to timely treatment, reducing exposure to infectious diseases, and improving symptom monitoring, especially for chronic conditions and mental health challenges.
