Aging Gracefully Today: Common Health Problems Associated with Aging

We all age differently, each at our own pace. And though our own genetics have a lot to do with how we age and our health in later years, many eldery citizens share many of the same health issues.

At the end of the day, it’s better to be proactive with health so that you won’t suffer from a number of health problems that can range from mild to severe later in life. But, no matter how well-prepared you are, some issues are bound to arise as you age. 

The fact is, a number of health problems can be dealt with with proper care, and many of these issues won’t cause you to lose significant life quality. Additionally, most of the more mild problems won’t land you in a nursing home. And thankfully so, because neglect and abuse in nursing homes can happen and happens often. 

Here, we’ll discuss a few of the more common health issues that are associated with aging.

Eyesight

As we age, our vision deteriorates. And this can present a huge problem later in life when you’re older and less agile. 

In fact, most of the injuries that you’re prone to sustain when you’re older are often due to impaired vision.

For example, late at night you might have to get up for a drink of water, or to use the restroom. But with impaired eyesight, you might not be able to see as well, or you may not be able to find your glasses. This can often result in tripping or falling, or bumping into walls. 

But keeping regular visits with your eye doctor can assist when you begin to notice impaired vision. Additionally, corrective surgery is also possible, but more than 70 percent of older adults suffer from some degree of impaired vision. 

Bones & Muscles 

It’s not as commonly known, but our bones tend to shrink in size as we get older. In addition, our bones also become less dense, and this can significantly reduce bone strength. 

Unfortunately, we also lose a great deal of strength when we get older as well. Our muscles lose flexibility and suffer from weakened endurance, and this can affect balance and coordination. 

However, there are many steps that you can take to promote healthy bone and muscle health as you age.

Sufficient amounts of calcium are recommended as a daily supplement in order to maintain healthy bones and muscles. In fact, the recommended daily dose of calcium is about 1000 milligrams for adults below the age of 65. And this daily dosage should increase thereafter to at least 1200 milligrams per day. 

Additionally, allowing for plenty of Vitamin D and physical activity also keeps bones and muscles in better health, no matter your age. 

Weakened Bladder

If you’ve ever had to wake up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom, you know this can ruin a good night’s sleep. But as you get older, this tends to happen much more frequently.

As we age, our bladders often lose elasticity. And this usually results in frequent urination in older age. 

Additionally, a weakened bladder may make it more difficult for the bladder to completely empty itself. And this can result in urinary incontinence in more severe cases. 

If you notice frequent urination beginning to occur, you can attempt to mitigate this by avoiding diuretics such as coffee, alcohol, acidic foods, or carbonated beverages. And you can also perform what is known as Kegel exercises. 

Kegel exercises strengthen the pelvic floor muscles and can greatly aid in maintaining a strong and healthy bladder as you age. 

Sexual Health

Men reach their sexual peak in their late teenage years. And after age 40, testosterone levels naturally tend to decrease. And this can result in poor erection quality or impotence in the more advanced cases.

For women, hormones shift and vaginal dryness can occur with age, and this can make sex an uncomfortable act. But just becasue both women and men go through these changes doesn’t mean that you have to give up sex altogether.

Regular exercise is one of the best defenses against poor sexual health. In fact, exercise improves the release of sexual hormones, flexibility, state of mood, and cardiovascular health. And all of these factors weigh heavily on sexual health at any stage of life.

If you notice your sexual prowess or your libido deteriorating, understand that this is a natural part of aging. And talking to your doctor about options and remedies is the best strategy going forward.  

We can’t stop the effects of aging. But this doesn’t mean that we have to suffer due to common ailments. With preventative measures, you can mitigate any symptoms associated with aging that you might have. But you should always check with your doctor prior to attempting any remedies.