A wide range of changes occurs in the human body as we begin to age. The aging process cannot be stopped, however, there are a number of ways you can reduce the effects of the aging process to make yourself feel healthier and happier. The changes that occur are not necessarily an indication of a disease or health problem, it is just the way the human body responds to time and years of exertion. Even if you are currently in tip-top shape and put emphasis on living a healthy lifestyle, that doesn’t mean that some of those run-of-the-mill senior health threats are going to be avoided. Expecting these bodily changes will help you know which common symptoms and conditions to watch out for, so you can take the steps to prevent or treat them right away.
Expected Changes In The Human Body As You Age
Bones And Muscles: As we age, our bones become less dense due to the lack of calcium (which gives bones strength). The body begins to absorb less calcium from foods, therefore weakening our bones and joints. Your bones may shrink in size making them more susceptible to injuries such as fractures. Your muscles begin to lose their mass and become weaker while your joints suffer from normal wear and tear causing inflammation and pain.
Skin: Our skin is one of the very first signs of aging, and one of the easiest parts of the aging process to treat and prevent. Wrinkles and fine lines will begin to appear as your skin loses its elasticity and volume. It will become thinner and more fragile making it easier to bruise and develop skin tags and age spots. There are many skin care treatments and products out there to help prevent the skin from aging to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Body Shape: With the changes occurring to the shape and strength of your bones, your body stature will respond to these changes as well. Body stature can become shorter and the curvature of the back may be altered. Increased muscle loss and a slower metabolism may also occur resulting in increased fat redistribution to the abdominal and buttocks area of the body. Maintaining an ideal body weight will also become more difficult.
Memory: Minor memory problems that come with age do not always constitute dementia or Alzheimer's disease. Minor lapses in memory such as forgetting where you left your phone or forgetting what time your dentist appointment is at are all normal parts of aging.
Vision: As we age, the lenses in our eyes slowly start to lose their shape resulting in vision problems. Our eyes also begin to lose the ability to produce an adequate amount of tears causing irritating symptoms of dry eye syndrome. You will need to visit your optometrist more frequently as you get older (once per year if you are 65+ years of age) to prevent these vision changes from occurring as well as detecting common eye diseases such as cataracts in their early stages.
Hearing: Changes in the nerves of hearing and the ear structure can contribute to age-related hearing loss. Higher frequencies will become harder to hear.
Teeth And Gums: Teeth can become brittle and weak with age and our gums can begin to recede (pull back) from our teeth. These changes can result in gum disease, tooth decay, bad breath, and tooth loss. Some people require dentures or veneers to help them enjoy meals and feel confident about their smiles.
Immunity: The body's immune system slowly starts to weaken with age. This makes us more susceptible to infections and diseases as we get older. The blood cells that fight off these diseases and infections (white blood cells) are not as effective anymore.
Calgary Senior Medical Clinic
We all know that aging will cause wrinkles and gray hair. But, it is also important to be aware of other changes that affect our health that come with the dreadful aging process. To make aging less stressful and more comfortable, it is important that you educate yourself about all of these bodily changes so you can stay on top of the signs and symptoms to treat the problem right away. Visit your doctor regularly (that includes your dentist and eye doctor) to help ensure that certain health problems do not sneak up on you.
Signature Medical Clinic is a comprehensive clinic for medical care relating to senior health and general health issues. Our team is focused on ensuring that our patients are fully equipped with all of the support, information, and care they need in making informed decisions regarding their health. We treat senior patients with the utmost care and compassion they deserve while ensuring that they stay informed about their health and treatment options. We strive to ensure that our senior patients can live happy, healthy lives in optimal health. If you would like to learn more about our Senior Health services, book an appointment with our Calgary Health Clinic by calling (403) 454-7550 or by filling out our online contact form.
FAQ
Q: As a senior, how often should I visit my doctor?
A: As you age, the recommendation to see your doctor increases. It is recommended that you visit your doctor at least twice per year or as many times as your doctor recommends.
Q: How do I keep track of all these changes occurring in my body as I age?
A: Visiting your doctor or regular check-ups is the best way to keep track of your health and the changes that occur with age.
Q: What are some services that your clinic provides for senior care?
A: Our dedicated General Practitioners at Signature Health Can:
- Monitor and test seniors’ physical and cognitive health over time
- Provide senior-specific immunizations
- Provide a prescription for medications
- Management of ongoing health conditions and more!
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