What are the primary causes of death for individuals who are 85 years or older? There are hundreds of causes of death among people of all old age, but amongst all of them are the common and the ones that might surprise you.
However, over the years the list has changed from what it used to be in the ’80s, and there has been a slight reduction in the death rate caused by these conditions, all of which can be traced to advancements in healthcare, research, and technology.
Here, you’ll be provided with not only the primary cause of death for individuals who are 85 years old or older but also prevention tips.
Let’s get started!
Primary Causes of Death For Individuals Who Are 85 Years or Older
1. Skin Cancer
Skin cancer, colon cancer, breast cancer, and other kinds of cancer fall into this category. Also, bone marrow diseases and other malignant, both of which cause leukemia can be placed in this group too.
Compared to the general population or age group, older adults are at more risk, there is no research yet to make the cause of that clear.
However, lifestyle plays a significant role in the cause of many cancers irrespective of the age group. One of the few ways that may reduce the risk of developing cancer is maintaining a healthy lifestyle, taking more fruits, eating vegetables and engaging in physical activity, and then reducing alcohol intake.
2. Heart Disease
Unlike cancer, heart disease is caused by more than lifestyle, it’s hereditary. However, there’s been a depletion in the heart disease death rate over the years. This is caused by no other than advancement in technology and medicine.
When it comes to heart disease, there are risk factors such as family health history, age, race, and ethnicity you don’t have control over. Nevertheless, the majority of the risk control that contributes to heart attacks and increases the risk for heart diseases can be managed.
Getting your diet under control, quitting smoking, the balance of stress levels, putting abdominal obesity under check, hypertension control, watching out for the sign of diabetes at the early stage will help control the risks of heart disease, thus, preventing death.
3. Cerebrovascular Disease
Cerebrovascular disease can be referred to as a group of disorders or diseases that cause the restrictions of the flow of blood to the brain, or brain hemorrhage.
Obesity, diabetes, smoking, hypertension are the common risk factors for stroke, but poor diet and lack of exercise can get it escalated.
Like every other condition on this list, there is a need for emergency treatment. Taking part in rapid assessment and health maintenance are important right from when the symptoms start to emerge.
Getting your diet under control, quitting smoking, the balance of stress levels, putting abdominal obesity under check, hypertension control, watching out for the sign of diabetes at the early stage will reduce your risks.
4. Chronic Lower Respiratory Diseases
These types of respiratory diseases affect the lung tissues, circulation of blood in and out of the lung or airways.
Chronic Lower Respiratory Diseases is not limited to heart attacks, there are many types. Which has all together accounted for more than 1 million deaths in the US in 2010, according to a report from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI).
Under Chronic Lower Respiration, there’s asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, interstitial lung disease, pulmonary hypertension, cystic fibrosis, chronic pneumonia, and lung cancer.
And they are managed with various therapy based on severities; oxygen therapy, medications, inhalers, steroids, pulmonary rehabilitation, and in rare cases, surgery.
Not smoking, maintaining a healthy diet, and engaging in regular exercise are important when it comes to prevent or delay the progression of any type of chronic lower respiratory disease.
5. Accidents
While most of us think cancer, heart disease, cerebrovascular disease are the only primary causes of death for individuals who are 85 years or older, very few realize accidents is another serious health challenge for seniors.
Falls makes up more than half of the accident seniors face in and outside their various homes. Simple falls can result in traumatic brain injury, scrapes, fractured bones, soft tissue injuries (e.g., sprains, strains, and bruises). Though the seriousness of a fall determines the level of fatality, proper hospitalization can help regain the level of functionality enjoyed before the fall.
Subsequently, suffocation, poisoning, car accidents are the next in the category of fatal accidents seniors suffer. The best way to minimize the hazard that accidents can cause is to prevent them and engage in exercise programs to maintain strength. – Facebook