Surprising Age-Related Health Conditions
Shingles
Each year, 1 million people get shingles, a viral infection that can come on suddenly due to a reawakening of chickenpox. Shingles typically occurs when you’re older, causing chills, fever and a painful blistering rash in one area of your body. The virus is thought to be triggered by stress, trauma or diseases that suppress the immune system. Why It’s Sneaky: “Shingles takes most people by surprise,” with only general symptoms, such as the onset of unexplained localized pain, says Ford. There is also a common misconception that only adults who had chickenpox will get shingles. “The fact is anyone over age 28 [before the chickenpox vaccine was used] was exposed to the virus, even if they never got sick,” he says. Early treatment with antiviral medications is important in preventing postherpetic neuralgia, a burning pain that can occur after an outbreak. A two-part shingles vaccine is recommended for those 50 and older.
Age-Related Macular Degeneration
The most common cause of vision loss in people over age 55 is AMD, a condition where part of the retina becomes damaged. Dry AMD is the most common form and occurs when tiny protein clumps called drusen build up and cause central vision loss. Wet AMD, which is more serious, involves abnormal blood vessels growing under the retina and causing bleeding and damage. Risk factors include your age, family history and being overweight. Why It’s Sneaky: You can have dry AMD for decades with few symptoms, says Alex Yuan, M.D., an ophthalmologist with Cleveland Clinic. Symptoms are nonspecific—you might have a blurry spot in one eye or see crooked lines. “The tricky part is we all have two eyes, and it is very difficult to notice the loss of [vision] in one eye, especially if it’s your nondominant eye,” Yuan says. A comprehensive dilated eye exam and diagnostic testing are the best ways to diagnose AMD. Eye injections, laser therapy and specific vitamins, known as AREDS 2, help slow AMD progression.
Dementia
Some 5 percent to 8 percent of people over age 65 have dementia, a general term for memory loss related to many health conditions. Alzheimer’s disease, a neurological disorder, is the most common form of dementia. While some memory loss is expected as we age—you may have a harder time remembering names—dementia is marked by more significant events such as getting lost in a familiar place or not recognizing a loved one. Why It’s Sneaky: Early dementia can be tricky to diagnose because of fear and denial. “There’s a natural human habit to cover up for it,” says Ford. Dementia also can be mistaken for normal memory loss. Your primary care doctor can do simple cognitive exercises, which “can reveal problems that might not otherwise be easily visible,” he says. Cognitive screening is available for adults 65 and older as part of Medicare’s annual wellness evaluation. While dementia treatments are limited, early diagnosis is important for establishing a solid support system.
Chronic Kidney Disease
The kidneys are your body’s taskmaster—they do everything from removing toxins and excess fluid to regulating bone health. Some 37 million people in the U.S. have chronic kidney disease, which puts them at risk for kidney failure. “When your kidney functions less than 60 percent, that qualifies as chronic kidney disease,” says CassandraKovach, M.D., a nephrologist at Cleveland Clinic. Diabetes and high blood pressure are the top causes of kidney disease. Why It’s Sneaky: “Most people don’t have any symptoms of kidney disease until it has advanced,” says Kovach. Common symptoms may include low energy, poor appetite and nausea or vomiting. “The symptoms are very nonspecific and can be caused by a bunch of different things, which also makes it tricky,” she says. If you’re at risk, you’ll want to get an annual kidney screening (simple blood and urine tests). Most treatments aim to prevent the progression of kidney disease by treating high blood pressure, anemia and other complications. Catching the disease early will give you the best chance of stopping further kidney damage.
Sources
Cleveland Clinic: “Shingles” Cleveland Clinic: “Dementia” Alzheimer’s Association: “What Is Alzheimer’s Disease?” Cleveland Clinic: “Chronic Kidney Disease”
