Comorbidities refers to the occurrence of two or more diseases in a person at one time. While the existence of these multiple health conditions may be unrelated, in many instances – and particularly in relation to chronic diseases – there is some association between them. The prevalence of comorbidity is high, with 80% of the elderly population having 3 or more chronic conditions.
Comorbidity is associated with decline in many health outcomes and increases in mortality and also in the use of healthcare resources. Conditions described as comorbidities are often chronic – (long-term) conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure. People with more comorbid conditions are usually in poor physical and mental health, and display poorer functioning following treatment.
Susceptibility to chronic disease are influenced by factors such as genetic composition, nutritional and immunologic structure, presence of disease or medications, and psychological makeup.
The following conditions are frequently encountered in older people:
- Hypertension
- Cardiac Failure
- High cholesterol
- Diabetes Mellitus
- Obesity
- Psychiatric disorders
- Mobility problems
- Poor cognitive function
- Falling, injuries and incidents
- Poor healing of wounds
- Malnutrition
- Communication problems
- Thyroid disease
- A decrease in the activity in the immune system.
- Osteoporosis
- Hepatitis
- Vitamin Deficiencies:
B12
Vitamin D - Metal Deficiencies:
Iron
Zinc
Selenium - Cancer:
Mamma
Skin
Prostate
Lungs
Cervix
Colon - Infections:
Urinary tract
lungs
HIV
Tuberculosis
