Sidelki24
Nearby 24/7
Mon-Fri 9:00-22:00
As we get older, many changes occur within us, both physically and emotionally, and not coping with these changes can cause stress. The life force we once had as boys and girls is draining away like water.
In fact, although people tend to have longer life expectancies these days, the aging process can be a painful fact to live with. However, the truth is that many older people fear what they do not understand, and the situation will only get worse as the years go by.
As we age, our bones decrease in size and become weaker. This change is especially relevant for postmenopausal women and can lead to osteoporosis.
When this loss of bone mass occurs, it predisposes us to dangerous falls, which in many cases result in injury. Healing from such injuries declines as we get older. This slow healing process is due to weak immunity associated with old age. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), falls are the highest cause of injury-related death among older adults.
Your heart pumps blood at a slower rate, it increases slightly in size, and its walls may thicken.
As you age, you will experience changes in your reflexes and feelings. You may also have some memory loss. In some cases, plaques and tangles form, which can damage the brain and nerve cells. These abnormalities predispose to dementia.
Your metabolism and digestion slow down as you age. As we age, the digestive tract becomes harder and more rigid and does not shrink normally to move food to the various processing stations in the gastrointestinal tract. The result can lead to nausea, constipation and abdominal pain. The production of saliva and stomach acid also slows down. These physiological changes lead to possible choking and foodborne illness as it becomes more difficult for your body to rid itself of harmful bacteria.
You may notice that your body doesn't react as strongly to stimuli as it used to; stimulation requires much more energy and time. This results in decreased sense of smell, taste, touch and vision.
Changes in taste and smell usually lead to a decrease in appetite, which is detrimental to your health. Impaired sense of smell and taste can be dangerous. You may accidentally eat spoiled food or drinks that cause food poisoning.
When you learn about the changes that occur in your body as you age and how to cope with them, you will be better prepared to cope with them in terms of physical and mental health changes.
In this article, we'll take a closer look at the changes that are happening and how older people can cope with them. First we examine the general physical changes.
As you age, you become more susceptible to tooth decay because the enamel that protects your teeth from decay wears down. As you age, your risk of gum disease increases.
Natural gum recession predominates, causing teeth to appear long and wonky. You will often have dry mouth, which is a side effect of most medications for older adults.
As you get older, your skin begins to wrinkle and lose elasticity. This is especially noticeable in older people who smoke.
Your diet should include lean proteins and high-fiber fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Fiber helps slow down the digestive system and keeps you alert.
It is advisable to take nutritional supplements. Since you won't be able to consume all the minerals your body needs through food, some minerals, such as calcium and vitamin D, which are essential for bone health, can be absorbed through supplements. Talk to your doctor about supplements.
Drink plenty of water, even if you don't feel thirsty. As you get older, you don't feel thirsty as often as you used to, but your body still needs water. If your urine is dark and cloudy, this is a sign of dehydration. Nutritionists recommend drinking 3-5 glasses of water daily.
Eat with a friend, neighbor or family member. This will allow you to spend time with them and reconnect, and will also ensure that you are eating well and not skipping meals. It's also fun and quick to cook and clean as a team.
A study of sedentary older Americans aged 70–89 found that those who met to walk on a path twice a week (with supervision) were 28 percent less likely to become disabled compared to their peers who didn't go. This study shows that it is not too late to start, and shows the importance of exercise.
With age comes forgetfulness and other mental problems.
You can stimulate your mind:
It is important to visit your doctor regularly, undergo examinations and take tests in accordance with the recommendations. This includes:
