According to the National Center for Health Statistics, alcohol and other drugs are among the leading causes of death in the elderly population. To the american organization, this number represents the change in habits and customs of adults, which results in the abuse of harmful substances for the body.
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Knowing what are the main causes of death in the elderly can help in the prevention strategies to be adopted by individuals together with health professionals. Check below:
Alcohol and other illicit drugs
Over the past 20 years, according to the National Center for Health Statistics, drug and alcohol overdose deaths have tripled in people over the age of 65.
As the organism makes the metabolism of the substance in a different way, as we get older, if before a person consumed a certain amount without harm, that same amount can cause intoxication or drunkenness over time of years.
Heart diseases
Heart diseases are also among the main causes of death in elderly people over 65 years old. People at reduced risk for developing heart disease live an average of 10 years longer than the population at risk.
An unhealthy lifestyle and high blood pressure can contribute to heart disease, as can advancing age, smoking, high cholesterol and diabetes.
Cancer
Age is the biggest factor responsible for the development of cancer cells. Currently, more than 60% of people diagnosed with cancer are aged over 65 years.
Age becomes a risk factor because it increases the likelihood of cells reproducing with mutations, which favor the development of cancer cells. Unhealthy lifestyle also influences the appearance of cancer cells.
COVID-19
The COVID-19 virus is lethal for a large part of the elderly population, as they are less resistant and do not have the same ability as young people to recover from serious illnesses.
Obesity
Obesity compromises the body's physical function, both in the upper and lower extremities, and reduces the individual's ability to carry out normal activities of daily living. This has a negative impact on health, such as an increase in cholesterol levels, the development of heart disease, etc.
Hypertension
In 2013, high blood pressure was responsible for 360,000 deaths in the United States. Because it is a silent disease, it has no symptoms and can cause massive heart attacks.