Uncle Li, who just turned 60 this year, has always felt that his body is quite tough after retirement. However, recently, he always feels chest tightness and shortness of breath, and he can't sleep well at night, and even sometimes feels dizzy. Although he always felt that he was just getting old and inevitably feeling a little unwell, the doctor's reminder made him realize that these symptoms were not simple old age problems, but could be a sign of some underlying serious disease.
Why is life after the age of 60 a "high-risk period"?
With the passage of time, the complex physiological functions of the human body are slowly entering the natural aging trajectory, and in this process, the excellent performance of the immune system is irresistibly weakened, and its ability to defend and protect against external threats is quietly decreasing. This means that with the overall decline of physiological functions, especially the significant decline in the immune system's defenses, the elderly group is more likely to become a vulnerable target for the invasion of various diseases, and the health risk increases significantly. From cardiovascular diseases to respiratory diseases to diabetes and cancer, the incidence of chronic diseases in all systems of the body increases significantly after the age of 60.
At the same time, due to the significant decline of various body functions, the elderly are often difficult to detect and take effective measures to intervene and deal with health problems in time due to slow perception or inconvenience, which may delay the treatment time. This not only makes them more vulnerable to health crises, but also makes it more difficult to treat diseases. Therefore, doctors especially remind the elderly to be sensitive to changes in the body, especially the appearance of the following five symptoms.
1. Chest pain or tightness
Pain or suffocation in the chest is a hallmark sign of an abnormality in the health of the cardiovascular system. Especially when older people feel a feeling of pressure in the chest, a burning sensation, or pain extending to the shoulder, arm, or jaw, it may be a precursor to angina or even myocardial infarction. At this time, it is important to see a doctor immediately for tests such as an electrocardiogram and an ultrasound of the heart to rule out the possibility of heart disease.
Common causes of chest pain:
Coronary heart disease: narrowing or occlusion of the coronary arteries, resulting in insufficient blood perfusion of the myocardium, which in turn induces symptoms of chest pain.
Myocardial infarction: A sudden blockage of a blood vessel in the heart causes partial myocardial necrosis, causing severe chest pain.
Angina pectoris: chest pain caused by insufficient blood supply to the heart muscle, often after activity.
2. Persistent dizziness or vertigo
Dizziness or vertigo in older people may be due to low blood pressure, anemia, cervical spondylosis, or insufficient blood supply to the brain. However, persistent dizziness or vertigo, especially when accompanied by tinnitus, hearing loss, or blurred vision, may indicate a more serious problem, such as cerebral infarction or cerebrovascular disease such as intracerebral hemorrhage.
Common causes of dizziness:
Hypotension is an abnormally low blood pressure level in the body, which directly affects the blood supply to the brain, leading to a lack of oxygen to the brain, which can cause uncomfortable symptoms such as dizziness, dizziness and even syncope.
Anemia: Decreased hemoglobin, which leads to a decrease in the ability to transport oxygen, causing dizziness.
The degenerative process of the cervical spine, including the bulging of the intervertebral disc and the abnormal hyperplasia of bone, causes the adjacent nerve plexus and vascular network to be compressed, hindering the smooth flow of blood and the accurate transmission of nerve signals, and then induces a series of clinical symptoms such as dizziness, neck discomfort and reduced range of motion.
3. Persistent cough or difficulty breathing
Cough is a common respiratory symptom, but if the cough persists for more than three weeks, especially if it is accompanied by bloody sputum or difficulty breathing, a high level of suspicion is required. This may be seen as a warning sign from the body that there is a risk of potentially serious respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, and tuberculosis. Timely visit to a medical institution for professional chest X-ray or CT scan examination is an effective way to detect potential health problems early, help doctors to formulate targeted treatment plans, and promote early recovery of patients.
Common causes of persistent cough:
Chronic bronchitis: inflammation of the bronchial tubes caused by long-term smoking or air pollution.
Lung cancer: Cancer caused by the proliferation of malignant cells in lung tissue, typically characterized by a persistent cough that may cough up a mixture of blood and sputum.
Tuberculosis: a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection, typically characterized by a prolonged and refractory cough.
4. Unexplained weight loss
A sudden loss of weight, especially without deliberately losing weight or changing eating habits, can be a sign that there is something serious wrong with the body. Diabetes, thyroid disease, tumors and digestive disorders can all cause rapid weight loss. If there is unexplained weight loss, the elderly should seek medical attention immediately for a thorough physical examination and related examinations.
Common causes of weight loss:
Diabetes mellitus: Caused by a lack of insulin secretion or its reduced efficacy, resulting in the inability of the body to effectively convert and utilize glucose, resulting in abnormal weight loss.
Hyperthyroidism: An excess of thyroid hormones in the body, which leads to an abnormal increase in metabolic rate, which in turn leads to unexplained weight loss.
Tumors: Malignant tumors consume large amounts of nutrients, leading to rapid weight loss.
5. Significant memory loss
Memory loss is a common problem in older people, but if memory loss is significant and even affects daily life, it can be an early symptom of Alzheimer's disease (Alzheimer's disease) or other cognitive impairment. With timely early diagnosis and efficient treatment intervention, we can effectively curb the trend of deterioration of the disease, win more opportunities for patients to recover, and greatly improve the quality of their daily life and inner satisfaction.
Common causes of memory loss:
Alzheimer's disease, as a chronic degenerative disease of the nervous system, is characterized by a continuous and irreversible gradual decline in memory and cognitive function, which has a profound impact on patients and their families.
Vascular dementia: cognitive impairment due to cerebrovascular disease, often accompanied by memory loss.
Depression: Low mood and high mental stress can also affect memory.
How can I prevent and respond to it?
The elderly should maintain good living habits, pay attention to a balanced diet, moderate exercise, and conduct regular health check-ups to detect and deal with health problems as soon as possible. At the same time, family members should give more care and attention to the elderly to help them maintain their mental health and good living conditions.
After the age of 60, life enters a new stage, which is also a "high-risk period" for health. Timely attention to changes in the body, especially the appearance of five key symptoms, can help the elderly detect and cope with health problems early and improve their quality of life. The doctor's reminder and the family's care work together to protect the health of the elderly, so that they can enjoy their old age in peace. #长文创作激励计划#