How Does HIV Change as You Age? 5 Things to Know
Nowadays, people with HIV can live long and healthy lives. This can be attributed to major improvements in HIV treatments and awareness.
Currently, nearly half of people living with HIV in the United States are ages 50 or older.
But as you get older, living with HIV can present additional challenges. It’s important to take extra precautions to maintain both physical and mental health, even if HIV medications are working.
Here are five things to know about HIV as you age.
You may be at increased risk for age-related diseases
People living with HIV may still deal with the chronic conditions and physical changes that come with aging. Research shows that people with HIV also have a higher risk for chronic non-HIV diseases compared with those without HIV.
Despite enormous improvements in treatment, living with HIV over time can cause stress on the body. Once HIV enters the body, it directly attacks the immune system.
The immune system is then constantly active as it tries to fight off the virus. Years of this can produce chronic, low-level inflammation throughout the body.
Long-term inflammation is associated with many age-related conditions, including:
- heart disease, including heart attack and stroke
- liver disease
- certain cancers, including Hodgkin’s lymphoma and lung cancer
- type 2 diabetes
- kidney failure
- osteoporosis
- neurological diseases
You may be at increased risk for cognitive disease
HIV and its treatments can also affect the brain’s function over time. StudiesTrusted Source show that older people with HIV have an increased risk for developing cognitive impairments, including deficits in:
- attention
- executive function
- memory
- sensory perception
- information processing
- language
- motor skills
Researchers estimate that between 30 and 50 percentTrusted Source of people with HIV will experience some form of neurocognitive decline. The decline may be mild to severe.
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You may need more medications
Older people with HIV may take several medications. These can be for treating HIV and comorbid conditions, like diabetes, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, and heart disease.
This puts older people with HIV at risk for polypharmacy. This is the medical term for the use of more than five different types of drugs at a time. People taking several medications may have a higher risk for:
- falls
- interactions between drugs
- side effects
- hospitalizations
- drug toxicities
It’s important that you take your medications as prescribed and on schedule. Always inform your doctor of all the medications you’re taking.
You may experience more emotional problems
The stigma of HIV can lead to emotional problems, including depression. Older people with HIV may have a sense of lost community and social support. Experiencing issues with cognition can also lead to depression and emotional distress.
As you get older, it’s essential that you find ways to maintain your emotional health. Stay connected with loved ones, engage yourself in a fulfilling hobby, or consider joining a support group
HIV can make menopause more challenging
Women usually go through menopause between the ages of 45 and 55, with an average age of 51. More research is needed, but women living with HIV may experience menopauseTrusted Source earlier.
Some evidence also suggests that menopause symptoms may be more severe for women living with HIV, but research is limited. This may be related to the immune system’s response to HIV or the production of hormones that affect menopause.
Common menopause symptoms include:
- hot flashes, night sweats, and flushing
- insomnia
- vaginal dryness
- weight gain
- depression
- memory problems
- reduced sex drive
- hair thinning or loss
Read More At https://www.healthline.com/health/hiv/hiv-and-aging#steps-to-take Source of Blog Content.