Disease of the Month: Common medical conditions affecting the elderly

It results in an inflammation and/or deterioration of bones and their joints. Arthritis affects nearly half the elderly population and is a leading cause of disability.

Elderly arthritis sufferers may have more than 1 of 100 forms of arthritis, all resulting in varying degrees of pain and discomfort.

Although this condition has more than 100 different forms, probably the most common is known as Osteoarthritis. This affects around 8 million people in the UK.

This type of arthritis often develops in people who are over 50 years of age, athough it can occur at any age as a result of an injury, another joint-related condition or just general wear and tear.

The most common complaint reported for this type of arthritis is pain and suffering in the area. Although it can be confined to one area, there are also cases where it gets worse, spreading to different locations.

Osteoarthritis initially affects the smooth cartilage lining of the joint. This makes movement more difficult than usual, leading to pain and stiffness.

The cartilage lining of the joint can then thin and tissues within the joint can become more active. This can then lead to swelling and the formation of bony spurs, called osteophytes.

In osteoarthritis, the cartilage (connective tissue) between the bones gradually erodes, causing bone in the joints to rub together. The joints that are most commonly affected are those in the hands, spine, knees and hips

Alzheimer's disease

There are currently around 465,000 people with Alzheimer's in the UK and it is estimated that a further 62,000 people are developing Alzheimer's each year.

The term "dementia" describes a loss of mental ability associated with gradual death of brain cells.

Alzheimer's is the most widespread form of dementia, and is, unfortunately, incurable. In most cases, this particular disease is found in people at least 65 years of age, but there are rare examples of seniors who have been diagnosed before this time frame.