The Surprises of Aging
Posted April 7, 2009 1:26 PM
Invisible Changes
But many of the issues of aging are not visible to the eye.
Bone density and muscle strength decrease, as does our reaction time, Palmer said. The lenses of our eyes become more dense and less elastic, which makes it harder for our eyes to change focus quickly. That is where bifocals come in.
As men and women lose hormones that affect the immune system, including testosterone and estrogen, their ability to fight infection decreases, they are sick more often, and they take longer to recover from illnesses.
The gastrointestinal system slows down when we get old, Palmer said. "When you talk to old people, everyone focuses on their bowels." With age comes increased risk of hernias, reflux and constipation. We don't taste food, smell odors or sleep as well when we get old.
And then there's that brain thing. The size of the brain shrinks, Palmer said, and the blood flow to the brain can be decreased by hardening of the arteries. Therefore we don't think or reason as well.
When it comes to aging, Celestino said, we can't change our genes, "at least not now." What we can do is avoid the sun and cigarettes, exercise regularly, eat smart, maintain a good body weight and get enough sleep
And grow old gracefully.
Source: YellowBrix, Winston-Salem Journal
Comments (12)
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Posted June 16, 2009 9:22 PM
You should have titled this article "Depression 101". You have to live under a rock not to know that exercise and healthy eating is good for you. As I approach my 60th birthday next week, this article did no more than to make feel like crawling under that rock and I look pretty good!
Posted June 16, 2009 2:40 PM
This article forgot to mention that one should stay out of the sun for great skin! I think good genetics does have a bit of an influence, also.
Posted June 16, 2009 2:40 PM
This article forgot to mention that one should stay out of the sun for great skin! I think good genetics does have a bit of an influence, also.
Posted June 9, 2009 1:35 AM
eat healthy food - you can learn to cook and season healthy food so that it's yummy; continue to exercise and walk or run, if possible to stay trim and strong; keep your mind sharp - read about subjects which interest you or have never explored before - participate in new and interesting endeavors - the body and mind will change - it's inevitable - there is no magic to deter the changes - however, if you care for your body and mind, you will experience a difference - i am 80 years old and have practiced what i've advised all my life when able - people tell me all the time that i don't look anywhere near my age and that i have a much younger attitude and spirit than a woman of my years - also, cultivate friendships with some younger people - it truly helps keep your mind and attitude young -
Posted June 8, 2009 11:35 PM
thanks all you "on the ball" people out there who exercise, eat healthily and feel good about yourselves -- and not let some negative article distort your view of how we should age. it's all in the mind. i'm 51 and yes, some little aches i've never had before creep up but that just propels me to go into more ACTIVE mode with the body.... working that limb or painful area even more. i was 48 and weighed 104 lbs - just 3 yrs ago - the healthiest i'd ever been in my life -- drank moderately, ate organically and exercised daily. the sex life wasn't bad either. cut to now, at 51: have gained 12 lbs [lack of carbs for 3 yrs caused me to gorge on peanut butter & jelly sandwiches like they were going out of style!], still have awesome BP {110/62}, great HDL/ liver and kidney function, great skin [people tell me i look 38], am well into menopause and the only thing i'll complain about is too little sex. a guy as healthy and well rounded as I would be nice to have around so we can work our bodies in- and out- of the bedroom. you are definitely as 'old as you feel' and i'll be putting on stilettos to go dancing til i'm too old to bend over to buckle them.
Posted June 4, 2009 3:37 PM
how can you slow all this down.. is there some something we can take with collagen in it... Ineed to know
Posted April 11, 2009 10:16 AM
Gee Janice Gaston, I'm with the other girls here. I think I look fabulous at 62. The things that you describe can happen but to a lesser degree if you watch what you eat and exercise. Happiness and laughter play an important role also.Think yourself healthy.
Posted April 10, 2009 4:31 PM
I really like this article. There are many things - changes - in me that I thought were something wrong. Now after reading this I find that they are perfectly normal and I am A-OK. Old and pretty beat but normal!! Thanks for the article.
Posted April 9, 2009 5:08 PM
I'm 70, so what would you have me do if I haven't deteriorated as you have written? People think I am 45 to 50. My BMI is 23.5. My BP is 100/60.
I think articles like you wrote are cruel. Anyone who has a brain knows if he/she is out of shape and fully understands what to do if they are not. Whether they do something about it...or not...is up to them to decide.
I think your article may have been meant to be helpful but you should consider your audience more carefully. Many of us take good care of ourselves. Make that many MANY.
I can't say that I am shocked because AOL often publishes articles that are not helpful and can be mean and cruel. Your's is one of those.
Posted April 9, 2009 4:47 PM
I'm 63,do step aerobics,pilates,yoga,powerwalking,hiking & weight training.Gym membership for over 30 years & lifetime membership in Weight Watchers. I never smoked or drank .I have NO WRINKLES,NO BOWEL PROBLEMS, not too much gray hair & can still wear tank tops & shorts because I'm well toned. People think I'm in my 40's. I'm surgically post menopausal & fought off that sudden weight gain thanks to weight watchers & WATCHING THE CARBS. Over the years I've watched my contemporaries gain massive amounts of weight,get knee replacements,deal with bad backs,high blood pressure ( MINE IS 92-100/60.Same as high school)diabetes, acid reflux,bowel problems,etc. Every one of them is sedentary,smokes,eats anything not nailed down, & does not exercise or care too. I will NOT let that happen to me !
Posted April 9, 2009 4:12 PM
Great, is there anything else more depressing you want to add. I will say exercise and good food does make difference. I am 58 and people think I am still in 40's. I think they are being nice. I have to say I feel good.
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