Reviewed by Neha Pathak, MD | WebMD
Here are five surprising ways that age itself can pose health challenges.
1. Flu
When you’re over 65, your immune system isn’t as strong as it used to be. Seniors make up the bulk of the people who die or are hospitalized for flu-related problems. Age raises the chances of serious flu complications like:
- Pneumonia
- Sepsis (bacterial infection in blood)
- Worsening of lung and heart disease
A yearly flu shot is a must. If you’re older than 65, ask your doctor about the high-dose version, which offers more protection.
2. Weight Gain
Getting older can be a triple whammy. You lose muscle as you age. That makes it harder to keep the pounds from creeping up. You also become less active. At the same time, your body burns fewer calories for the same physical activities as when you were younger.
You probably know that being overweight or obese raises you chances for many conditions, like heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and stroke. But the extra pounds can pose an even bigger burden for older people. Everyday movements like walking and getting out of chairs get harder. Obesity and arthritis often go together. So whether your 50 or 80, ask your doctor about smart ways to fight the weight gain. Every bit helps.
3. Fragile Bones
Many seniors fear falling. Advancing years can affect your balance and make you less steady and sure on your feet. Falls can be especially dangerous if you have osteoporosis, when your bones become less dense and more prone to breaks and fractures. Women 50 and older are twice more likely than their male peers to break a bone because of this “brittle bone disease.”
You can keep your bones stronger if you:
- Eat lots of fruits, veggies, and foods high in calcium.
- Ask your doctor if you need a vitamin D supplement. Older bodies absorb less of it from the sun.
- Lift weights or do exercises that use your own body weight (walking, pushups, squats).
- Quit smoking and avoid too much alcohol (more than two or three drinks a day).
4. Cancer
Did you know that age is the single biggest predictor of your chances of getting cancer? It jumps up after you hit 50. Half of all cancers happen in people over 65. For lung cancer, the median age is 70. Scientists don’t know exactly why older people are more susceptible to cancer. It could simply be that you’ve been exposed to cancer-causing agents for longer. Or maybe your body is less able to make repairs when cells go haywire.
Still, getting older doesn’t mean you’re destined to get cancer. You can adopt healthy habits proven to help you lower the odds.
- Slim down. Obesity is linked to 13 different types of cancer, including breast, colon, and pancreatic cancers.
- Cut down on red and processed meat.
- Exercise regularly. It helps to not only prevent some cancers, but keep them from coming back.
5. Depression
It’s not an unavoidable part of getting older. 10 to 15% of seniors suffer from depression in Canada. But many depressed seniors don’t get diagnosed. Older people themselves and their doctors may dismiss any symptoms as a natural reaction to illnesses and life’s setbacks.
Many may have something called subsyndromal depression. You may feel less pleasure or interest in activities and people as you did before, but you don’t have full-blown symptoms for major depression. You’re more likely to be depressed if you have long-term health issues like heart disease or arthritis that put limits on your life. People who need home health care are more likely to have the condition compared to other older adults.
Medication and psychotherapy, also called talk therapy, can treat it. Loneliness can lead to depression. So seek out way to connect with others. Talk to friends and family. Join a class or a group. Do volunteer work. Find whatever ways to enrich your body and spirit.
