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Health & condition guidance

Plain-English information about conditions that commonly affect older adults. This page is educational only and does not diagnose, prescribe or replace NHS or professional medical advice.

Diabetes Thyroid Conditions Blood Pressure Dementia Hypertension Fatty Liver Disease Obesity Cardiovascular Disease, Heart Disease & Stroke More conditions

Medical safety: Medication names below are examples, not recommendations. Never start, stop or change prescribed treatment without speaking to a qualified clinician. For urgent medical help use NHS 111; for a life-threatening emergency call 999.

Condition guide

Diabetes

About

Diabetes is a long-term condition in which blood glucose becomes too high because the body does not make enough insulin, does not use insulin effectively, or both.

Types & patterns

Type 1 diabetes; Type 2 diabetes; gestational diabetes; and pre-diabetes are commonly discussed categories. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form in adults.

How it is managed

Management can include prescribed medication, blood glucose monitoring where advised, regular reviews, balanced meals, hydration, activity and foot/eye checks.

Medication examples

Examples used in the UK include metformin, gliclazide, SGLT2 inhibitors such as empagliflozin, DPP-4 inhibitors such as sitagliptin, GLP-1 medicines and insulin. These are examples only and must be prescribed and reviewed by a clinician.

Healthy activity

Regular walking, appropriate strength and balance work, and reducing long periods of inactivity can help overall metabolic health.

Food & diet habits

Aim for regular meals, vegetables, high-fibre carbohydrates, suitable portions of protein, limited sugary drinks and appropriate portion sizes.

Condition guide

Thyroid Conditions

About

The thyroid is a small gland that produces hormones affecting metabolism, energy, temperature and heart rate.

Types & patterns

Common conditions include hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), thyroiditis, goitre and thyroid nodules.

How it is managed

Treatment depends on the cause and blood-test results. Regular blood tests and consistent medication timing may be important.

Medication examples

Levothyroxine is commonly used for hypothyroidism. Carbimazole may be used for hyperthyroidism. Other medicines may be used for symptoms or specialist treatment.

Healthy activity

Gentle regular activity can support strength, mood and heart health, but exercise should match symptoms and medical advice.

Food & diet habits

A normal balanced diet is generally recommended. Do not take iodine or other supplements specifically for thyroid disease unless a clinician advises them.

Condition guide

Blood Pressure

About

Blood pressure is the force of blood against artery walls. Persistently high blood pressure raises the risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and vascular problems. Low blood pressure can cause dizziness or falls.

Types & patterns

Patterns include primary hypertension, secondary hypertension, isolated systolic hypertension, white-coat hypertension and low blood pressure including postural hypotension.

How it is managed

Management can include home or clinic monitoring, reducing excess salt, maintaining a healthy weight, physical activity and prescribed medication.

Medication examples

Examples include ramipril, losartan, amlodipine, indapamide and other blood-pressure medicines. Choice depends on age, other conditions and test results.

Healthy activity

Regular walking and suitable aerobic or strength activity can be beneficial. People with dizziness, chest symptoms or major medical conditions should seek clinical advice before changing activity levels.

Food & diet habits

Choose a balanced diet with plenty of vegetables and fibre, moderate salt, appropriate portions and limited highly processed foods.

Condition guide

Dementia

About

Dementia describes progressive problems with memory, thinking, communication and day-to-day function. It is not a normal part of ageing.

Types & patterns

Common types include Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies, frontotemporal dementia and mixed dementia.

How it is managed

There is no single treatment for all dementia. Support often includes familiar routines, appropriate medical review, cognitive and social activity, home safety and carer support.

Medication examples

Examples used for some types of dementia include donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine and memantine. Suitability depends on diagnosis and clinical assessment.

Healthy activity

Walking, balance activity, music, social engagement and familiar activities can support wellbeing and function where safe.

Food & diet habits

Regular meals, hydration, easy-to-manage foods and a calm mealtime routine can help when memory or appetite changes.

Condition guide

Hypertension

About

Hypertension means persistently high blood pressure. It often causes no symptoms, which is why accurate measurement and regular review are important.

Types & patterns

Primary hypertension develops over time. Secondary hypertension has an identifiable cause such as another condition or medication. Isolated systolic hypertension is common in older adults.

How it is managed

Lifestyle measures and prescribed medicines may be used together. Blood pressure targets should be individualised by a clinician.

Medication examples

Common medicine groups include ACE inhibitors, ARBs, calcium-channel blockers and thiazide-like diuretics.

Healthy activity

Regular moderate activity can help blood pressure and cardiovascular fitness.

Food & diet habits

Reducing excessive salt, maintaining a healthy weight and eating a varied diet rich in vegetables, fruit and fibre can support blood-pressure management.

Condition guide

Fatty Liver Disease

About

Fatty liver disease occurs when excess fat accumulates in the liver. It is often associated with overweight, Type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol and metabolic risk factors.

Types & patterns

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a current term for the common metabolic form. Alcohol-related liver disease is a separate condition.

How it is managed

Treatment focuses on the underlying cause and risk factors, including weight, diabetes, cholesterol and alcohol intake, with clinical monitoring where needed.

Medication examples

There is not one routine medicine that cures simple fatty liver. Clinicians may treat diabetes, cholesterol, blood pressure or other related conditions.

Healthy activity

Regular activity and gradually increasing fitness can help reduce metabolic risk.

Food & diet habits

A balanced calorie-appropriate diet, less ultra-processed food and sugary drinks, and gradual sustainable weight loss when advised may help.

Condition guide

Obesity

About

Obesity is a complex long-term condition involving excess body fat that can increase the risk of diabetes, heart disease, sleep apnoea, joint problems and liver disease.

Types & patterns

Clinicians assess weight together with factors such as BMI, waist measurement, health conditions, mobility and individual risk.

How it is managed

Support may include nutrition changes, physical activity, behavioural support, treatment of contributing conditions and, for some people, specialist weight-management treatment.

Medication examples

Prescription weight-management medicines may be considered for some people under NHS or specialist criteria. They should never be started without medical supervision.

Healthy activity

Activity should be realistic and progressive: walking, chair-based exercise, strength work and reduced sitting time can all contribute.

Food & diet habits

Focus on sustainable habits: regular meals, vegetables, protein, fibre, portion awareness and reducing energy-dense processed foods and sugary drinks.

Condition guide

Cardiovascular Disease, Heart Disease & Stroke

About

Cardiovascular disease affects the heart and blood vessels. Risk is influenced by blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, weight, age and family history.

Types & patterns

Conditions include coronary heart disease, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, peripheral arterial disease, stroke and transient ischaemic attack (TIA).

How it is managed

Risk reduction can include managing blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes, stopping smoking, activity and taking prescribed medicines consistently.

Medication examples

Depending on diagnosis, medicines may include statins, blood-pressure medicines, antiplatelets, anticoagulants and medicines for angina or heart failure. These require clinician supervision.

Healthy activity

Cardiac or stroke rehabilitation plans may include walking, strengthening and graded activity. Follow specialist advice after major events.

Food & diet habits

A heart-healthy pattern usually emphasises vegetables, fruit, whole grains, legumes, fish or other suitable proteins, and less salt and highly processed food.

Also common in later life

More conditions and concerns

Arthritis

Joint pain and stiffness can make dressing, cooking, cleaning and mobility harder. Pacing, suitable activity and practical help can protect independence.

COPD & breathing conditions

People may need slower pacing, rest breaks and practical help with daily tasks. Sudden severe breathlessness requires urgent assessment.

Chronic kidney disease

Management may involve blood tests, medication and individual fluid or dietary advice. Caregivers should follow the person’s clinical plan.

Parkinson’s

Movement, balance, speech and everyday tasks can change over time. Routines, pacing and timely medication are often important.

Frailty

Frailty can increase the impact of illness, falls, dehydration and reduced mobility. Small changes in wellbeing can be important to notice.

Depression, anxiety & loneliness

Emotional wellbeing matters. Routine, social contact and professional support can all be important; urgent mental-health concerns should be escalated appropriately.

For reliable UK medical information, visit NHS Conditions.