Let’s face it, we all get older and we are all susceptible to the same problems that come with age. However, everyone is different and you will experience some of the symptoms of aging more severely or less severely than others, depending on your lifestyle, diet and how much exercise get, in addition to what you might have done to take care of yourself during the course of your life. Regardless of lifestyle choices, even the healthiest among us will face some the same issues as we age and while it might seem like there is nothing you can do about it, you are mistaken. Most common aging issues can be reduced or eradicated altogether by living a better and healthier lifestyle, exercising, receiving specific medical procedures, or even mental stimulation; it is never too late to begin the rest of your life.
Beginning from as early as 35 years old, some of the most common issues you might face as you age include:
- Impaired Eyesight
- Sore Muscles and Joints
- Hearing Loss
- Memory Problems
- Incontinence
Impaired eyesight is very common as we age because of the way the lenses of the eye harden over time. Muscle and joint stiffness can begin at an early age if you haven’t exercised a lot, and hearing loss is one of the most common problems you may have to face with time. Memory issues aren’t necessarily guaranteed but can be an early indicator of more severe illnesses such as dementia. The one we all dread, incontinence, is nothing to be ashamed about and is more common than you might think.
Impaired Eyesight
There are millions of people all over the world of all ages who wear either glasses or contact lenses because their eyesight is impaired in some way, and as you get older, your eyesight may weaken as well. There are numerous conditions associated with age-related eyesight impairment such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, and cataracts. While some of these treatments can be expensive, Senior Discount Hub has more information on surgery options.
These eye issues are very common in aging and can lead to serious eye problems if not treated properly. They don’t have to mean that you should struggle with your eyesight, and if you take care of your eyes properly then they need not be an issue. They could possibly be prevented altogether if you have regular appointments with an optician who can spot the early signs of macular degeneration.
Sore Muscles and Joints
One of the most common complaints by aging people is that their muscles and joints begin to get sore and/or stiff. However, this can begin at an early age, especially if you haven’t exercised a lot in your life and you might be more prone to more severe muscle and joint issues if you have a stationary job such as working at a desk or driving for a living.
As you age, the cartilage on your bones wears thinner, ligaments shorten and the lubricating gel between bone and cartilage reduces. This is what causes you to feel stiffness in your bones and joints. Even if you are in your 30s, you can begin to feel stiffness so regular exercise, a healthy diet and vitamin supplements such as B, C, and D can help reduce the effects of a stiffening musculoskeletal system.
Hearing Loss
As with eyesight, reduced hearing is also a very common attribute of aging. The average age at which hearing loss can become an issue is around 65 to 75 and is caused by a combination of age-related changes to the inner ear, viral infections, and how you have treated your ears over the years, such as listening to loud music, which contributes to hearing loss over time.
While there’s nothing you can really do about age-related hearing loss, you can reduce the effects by practicing good ear health. Wearing earplugs around loud noises, being careful not to listen to too much loud music, and keeping your ears dry can all help prevent any extra hearing issues that might occur later in life.
Memory Problems
An issue that has become more prevalent in recent years is that of memory-related illnesses such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease that can have a severe impact on your ability to recall past events, identify where you have placed something, or even remember who a loved one is. However, there has been some amazing research into age-related memory loss illness by various medical charities and treatments are improving all the time.
Not only can certain medications help, but such things as recounting stories, important events, and playing music have all been shown to help with memory loss. But these are treatments following the event, and you can help yourself at a young age by performing simple actions every day such as eating a healthy diet, socializing, and even practicing logic puzzles or video games.
Incontinence
Perhaps the most dreaded part of aging is that of losing control of your bladder functions, and while this is associated with old age it actually isn’t related to old age and usually highlights an underlying serious issue such as stress and bladder problems, but can be effectively treated with medication and physiotherapy.
Surprisingly, one of the most effective methods of combating urinary and fecal incontinence is to drink more water (two liters per day and more in hot weather) and as with most conditions, a healthy and balanced diet is also advised, with one of the most common causes of fecal incontinence being that of not getting enough fiber in your diet.
Take Care Of Yourself
Pretty much all of the problems associated with aging can be reduced or prevented and it’s never too late to begin trying. Some parts of the body such as the eyes, joints, and ears will naturally deteriorate over time, causing problems that are to be expected, however, regular exercise, a healthy diet, and water intake are essential for overall health and fitness.
Should you commit to all of these at as early an age as possible then you are almost guaranteed to reduce some of the most common and embarrassing aging issues while staving off any negative effects as you age gracefully into your golden years.
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