Health

What are the common diseases at age 60

Lisa Eclesworth

As people age, they become more susceptible to certain diseases and health conditions. While it’s essential to remember that age alone doesn’t dictate health, and individual experiences can vary widely, here are some of the more common diseases and health conditions that people may encounter around the age of 60:

  1. Cardiovascular Diseases:
    • Hypertension (High Blood Pressure): Increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease.
    • Coronary Artery Disease: Characterized by the narrowing or blockage of coronary arteries.
    • Heart Failure: A condition where the heart can’t pump blood as well as it should.
    • Atrial Fibrillation: An irregular and often rapid heartbeat.
  2. Cancers: The risk of many cancers, including lung, prostate, breast, and colorectal cancer, increases with age.
  3. Respiratory Diseases:
    • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): Includes conditions like chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
    • Asthma: Can persist or even start in older adults.
  4. Neurological Diseases:
    • Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementias: Progressive diseases that destroy memory and other critical mental functions.
    • Parkinson’s Disease: A progressive nervous system disorder that affects movement.
  5. Osteoarthritis: Degenerative joint disease leading to pain and stiffness.
  6. Osteoporosis: A condition in which bones become weak and brittle, increasing the risk of fractures.
  7. Type 2 Diabetes: A chronic condition that affects the way the body processes blood sugar (glucose).
  8. Visual and Hearing Impairments:
    • Macular Degeneration
    • Glaucoma
    • Cataracts
    • Presbycusis: Age-related hearing loss.
  9. Endocrine Disorders:
    • Thyroid disorders, including hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.
  10. Urinary Incontinence: Loss of bladder control.
  11. Chronic Kidney Disease: A gradual loss of kidney function over time.
  12. Gastrointestinal Disorders:
    • Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
    • Diverticulitis
  13. Depression and Anxiety: Mental health issues can become more prevalent or recognized in older age.
  14. Sleep Disorders: Including insomnia and sleep apnea.
  15. Sexual Health Issues: Including erectile dysfunction and menopause-related symptoms.

It’s important for individuals in this age bracket to have regular check-ups with healthcare professionals to monitor for these conditions and to lead a healthy lifestyle to mitigate risks. Early detection and intervention can help manage many of these conditions effectively.

How common is Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis worldwide. Its prevalence increases with age and is influenced by several factors, including genetics, gender, obesity, joint injuries, and other conditions.

Here are some key points about the prevalence of osteoarthritis:

  1. Age Factor: OA primarily affects middle-aged and older individuals. The risk of developing osteoarthritis rises significantly after the age of 50.
  2. Gender: Women are generally more prone to develop osteoarthritis compared to men, especially after menopause.
  3. Global Prevalence: It’s estimated that osteoarthritis affects over 250 million people worldwide.
  4. UK Data: In the UK, osteoarthritis affects around 8.5 million people. The knee is the most commonly affected joint, followed by the hip.
  5. US Data: In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that osteoarthritis affects more than 32.5 million adults.
  6. Joint-Specific Data: The prevalence of osteoarthritis varies depending on the joint affected:
    • Knee OA: About 10-15% of adults aged over 60 have some degree of osteoarthritis in the knees, making it one of the leading causes of disability in older adults.
    • Hip OA: Affects approximately 3-6% of adults over the age of 60.
    • Hand OA: The prevalence can be quite variable, but it’s estimated that up to 70% of older adults may have radiographic evidence of hand OA, although not all will have symptoms.
  7. Obesity: Obesity is a significant risk factor for osteoarthritis, particularly for the knee. In populations with higher rates of obesity, the prevalence of OA is also generally higher.

It’s crucial to note that while many people have osteoarthritis as seen on X-rays or other imaging tests, not everyone with the condition will experience symptoms or severe limitations. Some may have pain and movement limitations, while others might have few or no symptoms despite the presence of osteoarthritic changes in the joints.