Common Diseases of The Elderly

Common Diseases of the
Elderly
By Amor Canlas
Arthritis
Definition: Inflammation of one or more of the joints.
Causes: Unknown.
Signs & Symptoms: Joint Pain, Stiffness, Swelling, Redness, Decreased range of motion
– all of which worsen with age.
Types: Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid arthritis.
Osteoarthritis - cartilage break down.
Rheumatoid arthritis - autoimmune disorder
Caregiver Approach or Treatment: Range of motion exercises
Support sleep
Bathing
Dressing
Hygiene
Positions
Bathroom
Heart Disease
Definition: Conditions that affect the heart
Causes: Varies by type. Cardiovascular disease - fatty plaques in arteries

Arrhythmia – high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, drug
abuse, stress
Signs & Symptoms: Chest pain, tightness, pressure, discomfort

Shortness of breath
Numbness, weakness or coldness
Pain in the neck, jaw, throat, upper abdomen or back
Abnormal heart beat
Types: Heart attack, Stroke, Heart failure, Arrhythmia, Heart valve problems
Caregiver Approach or Treatment: Diet,

Exercise
Signs of heart attack or Arrhythmia
Cancer
Definition: abnormal cells divide uncontrollably
Causes: mutational changes to DNA within cells

Signs & Symptoms: Fatigue Lump
Weight changes Skin changes
Bowel or bladder habits Cough or trouble breathing
Swallowing Hoarseness
Indigestion Muscle or joint pain
Fevers or night sweats Bleeding or bruising
Types: Many - breast cancer colon or rectal cancer
kidney cancer leukemia
lung cancer melanoma
pancreatic cancer prostate cancer
Caregiver Approach or Treatment: Safe and Comfortable

Assist with hygiene, dressing, eating, toilet, transport
Vitals (blood pressure, temperature, heart rate)
Respiratory Disease
Definition: affecting organs and tissues that make gas exchange possible
Causes: Low immune system Climatic conditions

Smoke exposure Lung development
Infections
Signs & Symptoms: Wheezing Continuous cough

Chest tightness Swelling in toes and fingers
Throat ache Blood with cough
Types: : Asthma Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD),
Chronic bronchitis Emphysema
Cystic fibrosis Pneumonia
Pleural effusion
Diagnosis and Caregiver Approach or Treatment: Comfort, prevent chocking, no
smoking, oxygen,
Alzheimer’s Disease
Definition: progressive mental deterioration
Causes: Unknown
Signs & Symptoms: Memory loss, visual and spatial issues, impaired reasoning
and judgement
Types: Early onset and Late onset
Diagnosis and Caregiver Approach or Treatment: feed, bathe, dress, interact,

supportive, encourage decisions
Osteoporosis
Definition: density and quality of bone reduced
Causes: loss of bone mass
Signs & Symptoms: No symptoms early stages

Back pain
Loss of height
Stooped posture
Bone fractures
Types: primary, secondary,
Diagnosis and Caregiver Approach or Treatment: Calcium and phosphorus supplements

Range of motion exercises
Assist in movement
Diabetes
Definition: blood glucose too high
Causes: Type 1 – Immune system attacks insulin producing cells

Type 2 – Overweight, inactivity or DNA
Signs & Symptoms: Increased thirst and urination Increased hunger

Fatigue Blurred vision
numbness in hands and feet Sores not healing
Unexplained weight loss
Types: Type 1
Type 2
Diagnosis and Caregiver Approach or Treatment: Education

Correct diet
Monitor
Foot care
Influenza and Pneumonia
Definition: Influenza (flu) - highly contagious viral infection
Pneumonia - infection of inflammation of lungs
Causes: Influenza – virus spread by respiratory fluid, or surfaces
Pneumonia – variety of bacteria, viruses and fungi
Signs & Symptoms: Influenza - fever, dry cough, chills and sweats, loss of appetite,
stuffy nose, body aches, diarrhea, headache, sore
throat, and nausea.
Pneumonia - coughing with phlegm, fever with chills, absent
appetite, confusion, chest pains worsening with
breathing or coughing, headaches, shortness of
Types: Bacterial pneumonia breath, and fatigue.
Viral pneumonia
Fungal pneumonia
Diagnosis and Caregiver Approach or Treatment: water, prop up, warm and cool patient,
optimize fluids, supplemental oxygen, promote rest, prevent further infection
Depression
Definition: a condition of intense sadness lasting for many days or weeks
Causes: stress, genetics, brain chemistry imbalance, female sex hormones, circadian
rhythm disturbance, poor nutrition, grief or loss
Signs & Symptoms: Feeling sad, anxious, or empty; Hopeless or pessimistic; Guilty,
worthless, or helpless; Not enjoying things; Loss of concentration, memory, or making
decisions; Sleeping too much or too little; Appetite changes, Gaining or losing weight; Feeling
restless or irritable; Thoughts of suicide or death
Types: Major Depression - interfere with ability to work, sleep, concentrate, eat, and
enjoy life.
Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia) - less severe, last a long time (>2
years).
Minor Depression - less severe, does not last long.
Diagnosis and Caregiver Approach or Treatment: encourage communication, remove

dangerous objects, promote positive
behavior
Oral Health
Definition: keeping mouth clean and healthy - brushing and flossing
Causes: increased gum recession that exposes root surfaces and increased use of
medications that produce reduced saliva
Signs & Symptoms: cavities and tooth decay can lead to difficulty
maintaining a healthy diet, low self-esteem, and other health conditions
Types: dental caries gingivitis

periodontitis oral cancer
Diagnosis and Caregiver Approach or Treatment: provide oral care

Shingles
Definition: viral infection – painful rash
Causes: varicella-zoster virus (same as chickenpox)
Signs & Symptoms: pain, burning, numbness or tingling, sensitivity to touch,

red rash, blisters, itching, fever, headache, sensitivity to
light, fatigue
Types: one type
Diagnosis and Caregiver Approach or Treatment: relieve discomfort and pain,

encourage eating, provide sleep
environment
Submitted by Amor Canlas
To Ms. Josephine Maico

Common Diseases of The Elderly

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Common Diseases of the

Causes: Varies by type. Cardiovascular disease - fatty plaques in arteries

Signs & Symptoms: Chest pain, tightness, pressure, discomfort

Caregiver Approach or Treatment: Diet,

Causes: mutational changes to DNA within cells

Caregiver Approach or Treatment: Safe and Comfortable

Causes: Low immune system Climatic conditions

Signs & Symptoms: Wheezing Continuous cough

Diagnosis and Caregiver Approach or Treatment: feed, bathe, dress, interact,

Causes: loss of bone mass

Signs & Symptoms: No symptoms early stages

Diagnosis and Caregiver Approach or Treatment: Calcium and phosphorus supplements

Causes: Type 1 – Immune system attacks insulin producing cells

Signs & Symptoms: Increased thirst and urination Increased hunger

Diagnosis and Caregiver Approach or Treatment: Education

Diagnosis and Caregiver Approach or Treatment: encourage communication, remove

Types: dental caries gingivitis

Diagnosis and Caregiver Approach or Treatment: provide oral care

Causes: varicella-zoster virus (same as chickenpox)

Signs & Symptoms: pain, burning, numbness or tingling, sensitivity to touch,

Types: one type

Diagnosis and Caregiver Approach or Treatment: relieve discomfort and pain,

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