Common Illnesses that are Chronic

Chronic illnesses are widespread across the country and are affecting millions of American lives. And while chronic illnesses are also present even among children and adults, it’s especially prevalent among those 60 years of age or older. At least 80% of older Americans have at least one chronic illness, while 50% are said to have two. Such diseases require ongoing medical attention as they persist for at least a year, and are known to limit one’s daily activities. Here are some of the most common chronic illnesses, as well as some of the ways in which they can be managed effectively.

Hypertension

Hypertension is no doubt the most common chronic illness in the US and even globally. Hypertension, along with other cardiovascular diseases such as heart disease and stroke are responsible for a third of all US deaths yearly. Citizens are encouraged to make healthy lifestyle choices and go for regular check-ups to avoid complications. The government, public health, and private sectors are also constantly improving methods to recognize signs and symptoms of an impending heart attack or stroke to minimize damages. For instance, systems like the Zemplee home monitoring use an advanced technological system to track and monitor an individual’s vitals and daily activities.

Arthritis

Around 1.71 billion people have musculoskeletal conditions worldwide — with arthritis being one of the most common. Those in the Western Pacific Region, such as Australia, are some of the most affected since many work sedentary office jobs. Some of arthritis’ more common causes, however, are attributed to the wear-and-tear accumulated throughout the years, previous injuries, and being overweight. Physical activities and muscle-strengthening exercises are highly recommended treatments for patients. Technological developments such as implants and supportive braces have also been created to support patients in their daily lives.

Diabetes

Diabetes occurs when the level of blood glucose is too high, and there isn’t enough insulin to break down the sugar. Over time, high blood sugar can lead to more serious conditions like heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney disease, and amputation. Nowadays, medication pens, insulin pumps, and fitness trackers all work to aid diabetes patients to manage their blood sugar levels. Seniors can make use of advice from our article on How Do You Eat Healthy After 65?, which includes a list of foods to avoid like high-fat meat, fried foods, and sugary drinks, as well as other tips for controlling diabetes.

Respiratory Disease

Chronic respiratory diseases are the third most common cause of death, especially among people older than 65. More often than not, these are smoking-related chronic illnesses that are also prevalent throughout the rest of the world. For example, many chronic illnesses in Asia can be traced to the high percentage of smokers in the region. Chainsmokers and those living with asthma and chronic bronchitis are even more susceptible to contracting pneumonia or other lung infections. Nowadays, lung function tests and various medications have been developed to preserve lung health. Of course, the best route of action is to avoid smoking entirely and stay away from polluted environments, especially if you have a higher risk.

Cancer

We end with cancer as the second leading cause of death in the US. According to statistics from the CDC, nearly 1.6 million people are diagnosed with cancer every year, and 600,000 do not recover. The CDC also highlights that too much UV radiation, smoking, obesity, and alcohol influx are some of the leading risk factors for cancer. Fortunately, some kinds of cancer can now be caught early through screening. Radiation therapy, CAR-T cell therapy, gene editing, and telehealth are all examples of valuable modern technological developments that help healthcare professionals and patients keep track and manage their symptoms and treatment.

Prevention for Common Illnesses

As with all things health-related, prevention is better than cure. So while the management of chronic illnesses today continues to vastly improve, leading a healthy lifestyle is still the best choice. Managing specific chronic conditions can be made much easier through remote patient monitoring, as you never know when a potential flare-up or incident could happen. With Zemplee remote monitoring, you can provide non-invasive, round-the-clock care that’s more extensive than even a home-health aide

By Emma Meyer

From, The Zemplee Team