As the years and decades go by, changes in your health will come with age. These changes are natural and unavoidable. Although they may be hard to appreciate at times, they are inevitable and deserve understanding, patience, and respect. Certain changes in your health are a normal part of growing older. Here are health concerns to keep in mind as time passes.
1. Loss of Muscle Mass
Muscle mass is a vital part of the body's immune system and its ability to have energy. As people age, overall muscle mass declines. This loss can be more pronounced in men than women and more pronounced in men who do intensive physical activities like baseball players, weight lifters, or professional dancers than in those who do gentle aerobic activities. If you find yourself looking less and less defined as the years pass, know that it’s perfectly normal; you’re not alone in it.
2. Loss of Elasticity
The skin's elasticity is also vital to the body's immune system's ability to function. As people age, their skin loses its elasticity and becomes less smooth and less taut. The first signs of skin aging are changes in wrinkles, folds and creases, thinning of the skin, and loss of firmness.
3. Low Blood Sugar and Blood Pressure
The blood sugar (glucose) levels and blood pressure in the human body tend to be normal for a person's age. When these levels drop, they can lead to weak muscles, confusion, dizziness, or fainting. As you get older, your body becomes less able to use certain medications as effectively. This can result in medication side effects that are far too strong for our bodies or make us feel ill with uncomfortable side effects like nausea or diarrhea. Changes in the metabolism of several medications, including insulin, cholesterol-lowering drugs, and hydantoins, cause these medications to be broken down less quickly than normally metabolized. These changes in metabolism can lead to high levels of these medications in the blood that may cause side effects like nausea and vomiting. Consider having magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to ascertain your blood sugar or to rule out any musculoskeletal changes. Consider having a test performed to ascertain your blood pressure and rule out any heart problems such as a tumor or partial heart block.
4. Increased Sensitivity to Cold
As people age, the blood vessels in their hands and feet may become less able to constrict, resulting in hands and feet that are colder than normal for the body's core temperature. This may lead to decreased feeling in the hands and feet (peripheral neuropathy) and increased sensitivity to cold. The skin in older people tends to be drier, thinner, more fragile, and less elastic. This makes it more vulnerable to cuts and bruises. The skin also tends to have a lower tolerance for contact with chemicals. These changes in the skin can make a person more sensitive to sunlight.
Remember that as you age, your body will change in many respects. These changes are a normal part of growing older. As you age, it is important to be aware of the changes your body is going through and know what may affect how you feel. Are you experiencing muscle loss, deterioration of elasticity, decreased temperature sensitivity, or lowered blood sugar or blood pressure? When you experience these things, don’t worry yourself overmuch; it’s all a part of life.
