Health issues often seem like a fact of life, particularly as we get older. Some health conditions common in older people include high blood pressure or diabetes, depression, and oral health problems. Here are three issues to be aware of and how they impact our lives.
Hearing Loss
As you age, it is common to develop issues with hearing. However, it’s worth noting that these days, hearing issues are becoming a lot more common and developing far earlier than they used to. For instance, research shows that personal listening devices, even during our younger years, can negatively impact hearing. Loud noises can also cause sudden or permanent hearing loss. Noise-induced hearing loss is painless and usually happens over time. Symptoms of hearing loss are increased concentration, muffled sounds, and avoidance of social events. Without treatment, such as hearing aids or cochlear implants, hearing loss will get gradually worse over time.
Chronic Pain
Chronic pain is a common, complex, and distressing problem that has a profound impact on society and individuals. It is now a concern in developed countries due to lifestyle choices and work environments. One of the most common forms of chronic pain during work time is repetitive strain injury, also known as RSI and repetitive motion disorder. RSI is a general term used to describe the pain felt in muscles, nerves, and tendons caused by repetitive movement and overuse. Companies and corporations should provide ergonomic furniture options, such as standing desks, laptop stands, and monitor stands, that could provide a tremendous benefit to employee health and wellness.
Obesity
Obesity is becoming more of a problem for every country because most people are not getting the right diet that their body needs to stay at a healthy weight. Communities are continuing to buy into the myth that healthy food is more expensive than unhealthy food, regardless of evidence. While chia-seed smoothies are expensive luxury food, basic nourishment like carrots, lentils, potatoes is cheap. There are also socio-economic factors (income, education, employment, community safety, and social supports) at play that affect our ability to make healthy choices. For instance, people on low incomes are more likely to buy calorie-dense foods instead of fruit or vegetables because they are more filling. Raising awareness of the health risks associated with obesity while still treating people with dignity and respect can encourage ALL people to achieve and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
This is part of a series about aging in the twenty-first century.
GLOBAL HEALTH AGING 
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