Medical Conditions

As mentioned previously, aging is often characterized by the accumulation of chronic medical conditions. We mentioned the musculoskeletal system and more specifically, osteo-arthritis, in the section on mobility. Similarly, the heart and circulatory system are affected by such conditions as hypertension, arrhythmias, and coronary artery disease; the endocrine system by conditions such as diabetes and hypothyroidism; the respiratory system by conditions such as chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) and sleep apnea; the vision system by cataracts and glaucoma; there can be a decline in hearing; or the neurological system can be impacted by Parkinson’s disease. These are but a few examples of conditions that affect our bodily systems. But these conditions may also have a layer of complexity in that different disease states can affect one or more systems. For instance, osteoarthritis affects one system (musculoskeletal) and can also affect mobility and cause pain. Decline in diabetic control can have an even more complex impact, such as on the cardio-vascular system (increased risk of heart attack), the renal system (renal failure), and the neurological system (tingling in the feet, cognitive decline).