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​​​​Learn About Common Conditions

Find out more about some of the common chronic conditions faced by seniors in Singapore today, their signs and symptoms, and treatment options. Get caregiving advice on taking care of loved ones with stroke or cancer also. If you are taking care of a loved one with dementia or mental health conditions, you can also find out more about the conditions, and the support available to help your loved one live well in the community.

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Common Chronic Conditions

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  • The kidneys play many important roles, the key of which is regulating substances in your body. This includes the amount of salt and water, waste and toxins, acid levels, and salts and minerals.
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  • Chronic Lung Disease is also known as Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) or Chronic Obstructive Airway Disease. It is a progressive disease that affects breathing, and the problem will worsen over time. Unlike asthma, this condition is irreversible and usually worsens over time.
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  • When you have diabetes, your body does not release the right amount of insulin to help absorb glucose properly. This means a lot of sugar is left in your blood. If left uncontrolled, diabetes can affect the heart and blood vessels, causing heart disease and stroke. Small vessels in the eyes, kidneys and nerves can get damaged too.
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  • If you are hearing impaired, it can mean you are partly or completely unable to hear in one or two ears. Learn more about the different levels of deafness, and ways to treat the condition.
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  • You may have heart failure if the muscle in your heart becomes very weak and cannot pump blood throughout the body. This causes blood to flow more slowly, and when the condition worsens, you will find it harder to breathe. Fluid also builds up in your lungs, causing you to cough and wheeze.
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  • A person has high blood cholesterol when they have a lot of lipids, or fat, in the blood. This is a risk factor for stroke and coronary heart disease, which is the No. 2 cause of death in Singapore, after cancer.
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  • Constantly high blood pressure puts a lot of stress on artery walls. This can lead to further problems, such as a heart attack, heart failure, stroke, kidney failure and even blindness.
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  • People with osteoporosis have bones that are very brittle, and even a bump or fall can seriously injure them. Also known as a “silent disease”, it is a fast-growing problem in Singapore, especially for older people.
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Stroke

Stroke happens when blood supply to the brain is interrupted, leading to brain damage. A common effect of stroke is a physical disability which may linger on. Learn how to be prepared at home for your loved one's everyday life.
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Cancer

The term “cancer” refers to a group of diseases characterised by abnormal cell growth. Unlike normal cells, cancer cells divide and grow uncontrollably, and these excess cells form a mass of tissue called a tumour.
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