Age-related diseases are medical conditions that become more prevalent as people get older.
These diseases are typically associated with the natural process of aging and may be influenced by a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. While it's impossible to cover all age-related diseases in this brief writing, I will provide a brief overview of some common ones.868
1. Cardiovascular Diseases:
Heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure are examples of age-related cardiovascular diseases. They occur due to the buildup of fatty deposits in blood vessels, narrowing them and impairing their function.
2. Neurodegenerative Diseases
: Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and dementia are neurodegenerative diseases often associated with aging. They involve a progressive loss of function in specific areas of the brain and can have a significant impact on memory, cognition, and motor skills.
3. Osteoporosis:
This condition occurs when bone density decreases, making bones fragile and prone to fractures. Osteoporosis is most commonly seen in postmenopausal women but can also affect older men.
4. Arthritis
: Arthritis refers to joint inflammation, pain, and stiffness. Osteoarthritis, the most prevalent form, occurs when the cartilage that cushions the joints breaks down over time. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic joint inflammation.
5. Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD):
AMD affects the macula, located at the center of the retina, leading to a gradual loss of central vision. It is the leading cause of vision loss in older adults.
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6. Cancer
: Although cancer can affect people of all ages, the risk increases with age. Age-related changes in DNA repair mechanisms and prolonged exposure to carcinogens contribute to higher cancer incidence in older individuals.
7. Type 2 Diabetes
: As people age, their risk of developing type 2 diabetes increases. This condition occurs when the body becomes resistant to insulin or fails to produce enough insulin, resulting in high blood sugar levels.
8. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD):
This progressive lung disease encompasses conditions like chronic bronchitis and emphysema, which make breathing difficult. Smoking and long-term exposure to pollutants are common causes.
These are just the visible highest point of the iceberg, showing a glimpse of age-related diseases, while many more conditions can affect older individuals. Others include hearing loss, cataracts, refractive errors, back and neck pains, depression, and dementia.
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