As people age, so does the condition of their bodies. Normal bodily functions start to disintegrate, and your elderly one may experience a challenging time undertaking routine tasks. It is expected for seniors to develop medical complications after attaining the age of 60.
A senior living a healthy lifestyle may have it easier and exhibit minor health issues. However, it is still necessary to have regular checkups to rule out any underlying condition. If you have a senior, here are the six most common medical checks your elderly should undergo.
Blood Pressure
High blood pressure or hypertension is a common condition among seniors. It is a condition whereby the force of blood flow in your elderly is high enough to lead to problems such as heart disease.
Blood pressure is a calculation of the amount of blood your heart pumps versus the amount of blood flow resistance against the heart’s artery walls. If your heart pumps more blood while you have narrow arteries, you may end up with high blood pressure.
To mitigate against this, you can advise your elderly ones to change their diet. Foods with high salt intake can result in high blood pressure.
Today, it is pretty easy to check your loved one’s blood pressure from your home’s comfort. You don’t need to keep going to the hospital to have it checked. All you need is a blood pressure monitor.
If your elderly one registers high or low blood pressure than usual, it is best to seek medical advice.
Cholesterol Levels
A sufficient amount of cholesterol in your loved one’s body is healthy. Usually, the liver naturally produces cholesterol which is necessary for improving cell health. However, an excess of cholesterol is detrimental to your loved one’s health. It can cause the blockage of the blood vessels, consequently affecting blood flow.
High levels of cholesterol can lead to cases of stroke or heart attack. You need to get your loved one checked regularly for levels of cholesterol. Switching to a low-cholesterol diet will also help keep the cholesterol levels at a minimum.
Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) for Men
A PSA test is mandatory for senior men above the age of 55. The risk of prostate cancer starts at 55 and peaks well into 70 -74 years.
If your senior exhibits signs of painful or frequent urination, it may be a sign of prostate cancer developing. It is best to have them checked before this happens. A rectal exam will help show the levels of PSA.
In most cases, seniors tend to be misdiagnosed with urinary tract infections which aggravates their health conditions. The worst case scenario would be a misdiagnosis that proves to be fatal. You will receive compensation for your loss, but you won’t be able to get your loved one back. It is best to always consult a reputable and trusted physician.
Breast Cancer and Cervical Cancer Screening
Despite cervical and breast cancer occurring in young women, case studies show predominantly among senior women—the risk of getting cancer increases with age. Older women are at a high risk of developing cancerous cells in their bodies.
Due to this risk, several hospitals offer free breast and cervical cancer screening. A periodic annual checkup for your loved one is essential.
Your elderly one can either self-examine themselves or get a mammogram done. The medical checkups help diagnose the problem early and have the proper medical treatment accorded early.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a condition where the sugar levels in the blood are higher than usual. Just like cancer, the risk of contracting diabetes grows higher with age. The older your senior one gets, the higher the risk of diabetes.
High sugar levels in the blood are detrimental to health. Your loved one can easily succumb to other health complications such as kidney, heart, or brain disease.
If you don’t control your senior one’s diabetes, the probability of heart disease is higher.
With a diabetes monitor, you can routinely check the sugar levels in your loved one’s blood system. It is best to keep records of such checks to monitor your senior one’s health changes.
Exercise and a diet change are essential to help stabilize your loved one’s blood sugar levels.
Bone Density Check
Your loved one’s bones gradually lose essential minerals such as phosphate and calcium with old age. The muscles, joints, and bones become weaker, which consequently affects your loved one’s posture, mobility, and body strength.
A bone density scan can help reveal the nature of your loved one’s bone health. It also helps increase your senior one’s intake of Vitamin D. Foods such as liver, egg yolk, and fortified meals are rich in Vitamin D.
Conclusion
To prolong your senior one’s health, it is prudent to undergo frequent medical checkups. A lifestyle change will also go a long way in preventing the above health complications.
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