What’s Normal Aging?
Medically Reviewed by AJAY AWASE | Written by Ajay, PharmD, IGNTU
From your skin and bones to your eyes and heart, you have a great deal of control over how you feel as you age.
Normal Aging .Knowing what changes with ageing are normal and what isn’t will help you enjoy a better physique. You may also try to slow down or even reverse these changes by taking some easy steps.
Key Aspects of Normal Aging
| Aspect | Changes |
|---|---|
| Physical | loss of muscle mass, alterations in hearing and vision, decreased bone density, and diminished flexibility. |
| Cognitive | Deterioration in problem-solving, memory, and focus. |
| Emotional | Emotional swings, like elevated anxiety or despair. |
Your Heart Works Harder
Normal Aging.The arteries and blood vessels in your body stiffen with age. It takes more effort for your heart to pump blood. High blood pressure and other cardiac issues may result from this.Normal Aging
Try this out:
Normal Aging.Continue to move. Engaging in any kind of moderate activity, such as swimming, running, or walking, can help you maintain a healthy weight and lower your blood pressure.
Consume a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in order to maintain heart health. Control your tension. Make time to sleep. Getting 7 to 8 hours of sleep per night can aid in the healing and repair of your blood vessels and heart.
Your Skin Feels Different
Normal Aging.Perhaps you’ve noticed that your skin is less supple and dryer than it used to be. This is because as you get older, your skin produces less natural oil.
Normal Aging.In addition, you lose some of the fatty tissue that lies just beneath the skin and sweat less. That may appear thinner as a result.
Additionally, you can see skin tags, wrinkles, age spots, and microscopic skin growths.
Try this out:
Warm baths and showers are better for your skin than hot ones.
Normal Aging.When you’re outside, put on protective gear and sunscreen. Examine your skin frequently, and report any changes, such as the appearance of moles, to your doctor.
This is just another compelling argument for smokers to attempt quitting. Wrinkles may result from it.
You Find It Harder to See and Hear
It could be difficult for you to focus on close-up items. It’s possible that you’ll need reading glasses going forward. Maybe you get more glare in your vision or have trouble adjusting to sudden changes in light.
Regarding your hearing, you could find it difficult to hear high frequencies or to follow discussions in a noisy place.
Try this out:
Regularly have your hearing and eyesight examined. When you’re outside, shield your eyes with sunglasses. To shield yourself from or filter out loud noises, use earplugs.
Your Teeth and Gums Change
It’s possible that you’ll notice your gums receding from your teeth. Certain medications cause a dry mouth sensation. You may be more susceptible to infections and tooth decay if you have dry mouth.
Try this: To remove food and plaque from in between your teeth, brush twice a day and floss once. It’s the most effective strategy to stop tooth loss and gum disease. See your dentist for routine cleanings and examinations as well.
Your Bones Become More Brittle
Your bones start to weaken as early as your 40s and 50s. They grow more fragile and less thick. Your chance of breaking increases as a result.
You may even notice that you appear shorter. In fact, you may actually become one to two inches shorter starting in your 40s. That is the result of your spine’s disks contracting.
You may notice stiffer joints. As we age, the cartilage and fluid that line our joints may erode or diminish. Arthritis may develop as the tissues separating your joints deteriorate.
Try this out: Aim for adequate intake of vitamin D and calcium. Vegetables like kale and broccoli, dairy products, and almonds are good sources of calcium for your diet. Supplemental calcium may also be advised by your physician.
Because it facilitates the body’s absorption of calcium and preserves bone strength, vitamin D is essential for bone health. Some individuals are able to obtain adequate amounts of this vitamin through exposure to sunlight. Egg yolks, sardines, tuna, and fortified foods like milk and many cereals can also provide it. Consult your physician if you require any supplements.
Going to the Bathroom
It could be more difficult for you to manage your bladder. We refer to this as “urinary incontinence.” An estimated 10% of adults 65 and older experience it.
When they cough or sneeze, many of these patients leak a small bit, but some lose a significant volume of urine before they can reach the restroom. Menopause may have an impact on women. An enlarged prostate in men may be the problem.
Additionally, you may have noticed that your regularity has decreased. Certain illnesses, such diabetes, might cause intestinal slowdown. Constipation is a side effect of some medications. These include medications for depression, Parkinson’s disease, blood pressure, and seizures. Moreover, opioid painkillers and iron supplements may cause constipation.
Try this: Consult your physician if you frequently feel the need to “go.” Most of the time, symptoms are manageable or even curable.
Steer clear of drinks, alcohol, caffeine, and acidic meals. These may exacerbate the illness.
Kegel exercises have the potential to improve bladder control by strengthening the pelvic floor muscles. As though you were holding your poop, squeeze. After five seconds of waiting, take a five-second break. Repeat this four or five times back, multiple times during the day.
Consume a lot of high-fiber foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, to prevent constipation. Sip a lot of water. Make an effort to work out each day. It might facilitate bowel movement.
It’s Harder Getting Around or Staying Strong
Weakness and decreased activity might result from the loss of muscular mass that comes with age.
Give it a go: Engage in mild exercise on a daily basis, including light weightlifting or brisk walking. It will support healthy muscular growth and function. Find out from your doctor how much exercise is appropriate for you.
Consume a lot of fruits, veggies, and lean meats like chicken and fish. Sugar and foods high in saturated fat should be avoided. and consume fewer servings. Most likely, you no longer require as many calories as you formerly did.
Your Sex Life Changes, Too
A woman’s vaginal tissues grow thinner, drier, and less elastic throughout menopause. It could lessen the pleasure of having sex. Breasts can appear smaller and less full as a result of tissue and fat loss.
Men may have trouble getting or maintaining an erection as they get older. This could be brought on by medication side effects as well as other medical issues.
Try this out: Consult your physician. In order to reduce physical symptoms or increase your desire for sex, they can prescribe drugs.
The clock cannot be turned back. But as we age, we may make the most of our bodies if we take good care of them, are patient, and adjust our lifestyle.
