It is quite obvious that aging changes your body in a variety of ways. It is easier to live a longer, healthier life if you are aware of your body and take care of it appropriately. The Mayo Clinic offers some thoughts on the different changes that you experience, whether you realize it or not.
Your heart becomes less efficient at pumping and your blood vessels lose their flexibility. Eventually this can turn into high blood pressure or heart disease. Eating a healthy diet and getting plenty of exercise can help control it.
When you are in your 20s, your bones stop growing. As you age, you may get shorter since your bones shrink. Bone density can lessen, and muscles and joints become less flexible. Some of this can be lessened with weight training and medication.
Your digestive system slows down as you age. This can lead to constipation, weight gain, and loss of appetite. Fruit, vegetables, and drinking plenty of water can help.
On the other end of the spectrum, your kidneys lose some of the ability to remove waste, and many older people lose control of bladder function to some extent. Medications can help in some cases.
The brain changes as you get older as well. The brain loses some of the neurons that transmit information, and the memory tends to fade. Reflexes may also slow down, causing you to become clumsier. Oftentimes, some brain cell connections will increase to help compensate.
Even your senses change. Eyes get cloudy and you may need glasses when you did not before. Hearing loss is also common, making it hard to follow a conversation. There are options for both, including surgeries, implants, and glasses or hearing aids.
In your mouth, you may be more prone to infections or tooth decay. Getting regular dental checkups will catch most problems before they become uncorrectable.
Your skin and hair change as you get older, becoming thinner and losing flexibility. You may see your hair turn grey and wrinkles form. Sweat glands become less efficient, so you need to drink more water when outside for extended periods. Just under half of all people will have skin cancer by the time they are a senior, so keep watch on any changes in your skin.
Your actual needs for sleep usually will not change, but you might find it harder staying asleep. You may find yourself needing to stay in bed longer or taking a nap during the day to get the same amount of rest.
Your metabolism slows down with age, which can make it a lot easier to but on weight. If you have not already, you will want to talk to your doctor about a diet and exercise routine that will help you maintain a healthy weight.
Even though your entire body changes as you age, that does not mean that you cannot live a long and healthy life. Once you are aware of the possible changes and things you can do about them, you can take steps to keep your body in as good of shape as possible. Simple things like adjustments in your diet, getting adequate exercise, and seeing your doctor often can make all the difference.
