Let us take a look at normal aging symptoms and what happens to you as you age. Aging is something that nobody on earth is immune to unless you die young, so best you equip yourself with all the knowledge you need so that you can age as gracefully as you can.
Normal Aging Symptoms
In the grand scheme of things, our time in this world is rather short. Some people die too soon while others may live into their 80s, 90s or even over 100. Even those who reach triple digits would likely say life is short. The saying goes that only 2 things are certain: “Death and taxes.” Arguably, you could add a third and that would be aging.
Getting older can take us off guard, things start to change and if we do not adjust to them, we could have problems in the near future. It is therefore important to understand the normal aging symptoms and what we should expect.
External Signs Of Aging
As we age, we start to physically start to notice changes to our appearance which can include graying of hair or new wrinkles appearing.
According to Harvard Medical School as we get older our hair follicles begin to produce less color. As a result, hair starts to grow white rather than the natural color we have had our whole lives. There is no certain timeframe in which this starts to happen, it is different for everyone. (https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/hair-turn-gray-2017091812226).
According to the Mayo Clinic, wrinkles are a natural part of the aging process. As we age our skin loses its elasticity and produces lower levels of natural oils. This dries the skin and may cause the appearance of wrinkles. Additionally, as we age fat layers near the skin diminish and can lead to loose skin.
Internal Changes As We Age
According to the Mayo Clinic as we age there are a number of internal changes that occur in our bodies that may impact our health. Blood vessels, for example, stiffen as we get older increasing the risk for cardiovascular problems. Your heart has to work harder to pump blood and this can lead to high blood pressure and heart problems. Other organs that are affected can be the intestines and bladder which undergo changes that diminish their optimum functioning. (https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/healthy-aging/in-depth/aging/art-20046070).
Our eyesight may deteriorate as can our hearing. As we get older our frequency range for hearing decreases meaning we can no longer hear high-pitched sounds. The eyes become less adaptable as we age meaning they may struggle to focus in changing light conditions and may be sensitive to glare.
Stay active. Walk, run, swim, as even a little moderate exercise each day can help you stay at a good weight and keep your blood pressure down.
Eat lots of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to keep your heart healthy. Manage stress. Get enough sleep. 7 to 8 hours of rest each night can help repair and heal your heart and blood vessels.
Physical Changes As We Age
As we get older the vigor, we enjoyed in our youth starts to diminish. Our bones actually shrink as we get older and become weaker. Therefore, older people may be more prone to broken bones from falls that decades earlier would seem insignificant. Our muscles also lose their elasticity and strength as we get older meaning that our physical strength diminishes.
With our bones being more delicate and our muscles losing strength this can mean we are not as steady and stable as we once were. Older individuals often suffer from problems with coordination and find themselves more prone to injury, especially if they have a fall.
Mental Changes
As we age cellular replacement slows down which means that the production of new healthy cells is not as rapid as when we were younger. This can have an effect on the brain causing memory issues or slowed cognitive abilities. The effects of cardiovascular disease can also impact the oxygen levels reaching the brain which can worsen cognitive weaknesses. Our brains require oxygen to work efficiently and if they do not get enough, they can be sluggish and less sharp.
Final Thoughts
There are a lot of changes that go along with aging, some are noticeable others can be more subtle. The thing we must understand, though, is that there are ways to combat and slow many of these changes if we choose to do so.