Understanding Age-Related Diseases: What You Need to Know

Presbycusis is a physiological hearing loss associated with aging. Hearing loss develops gradually over time and becomes more apparent from age 60. This varies between individuals, as stressors can potentially speed up the rate of hearing deterioration. The common signs and symptoms associated with presbycusis include tinnitus, inability to decode high-pitched sounds, mumbled speech, troubled conversations, especially with background noises, need to ask someone to speak loudly or turn up the volume of the radio or television and withdrawal from conversations, among others. 

Cataract is the leading cause of blindness in adults over age 60. A cataract is clouding the eye’s lens, making it difficult to see clearly. Signs and symptoms of cataracts include blurry or fuzzy vision, double vision in one eye, poor night vision, increased sensitivity to glare and light, and changes in color perception. People with cataracts often experience a gradual worsening of their symptoms. 

With age, tissues throughout the body begin to break down and no longer function as well as they once did. Arteries stiffen due to the buildup of plaque on their walls and from loss of elasticity. This process, called atherosclerosis, reduces the diameter of the arteries and limits blood flow to vital organs. Atherosclerosis is a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease. Symptoms of atherosclerosis include chest pain (angina), shortness of breath, and leg pain when walking (claudication). 

Osteoarthritis is a chronic condition characterized by the breakdown of cartilage in joints. The symptoms of osteoarthritis include joint pain and stiffness, loss of joint range of motion, and the formation of bony spurs ( osteophytes) on the joints. Osteoarthritis most often affects the knees, hips, hands, and spine.

The aging-related diseases are those that occur more frequently as people age. The most common aging-related diseases include cardiovascular disease, cancer, osteoarthritis, and Alzheimer’s disease.

The five most common diseases in elderly patients are cardiovascular disease, cancer, osteoarthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, and diabetes.