Do you want to stop aging? Is it possible to live and not age?
ABSOLUTELY NOT! Everyone who is living ages every day from the newborn baby to the eighty-year-old. However, normal aging isn’t a disease process. Dementia, osteoporosis, hypertension doesn’t have to be a part of your life. Normal aging will bring about changes, but these changes aren’t diseases.
Let’s briefly talk about what a person can expect during the aging process. We will explore normal aging and its impact on the digestive, urinary, nervous, and cardiovascular systems. Additionally, we will look at how aging affects our appearance and mobility.
DIGESTION
Many of the changes associated with digestion are disease processes that occur among the elderly population. It is normal to have decreased gastric acid secretion which impairs absorption of vitamin B12 and prevents infections. Stomach acid also assists in the digestion of protein.
URINARY
As we age everyone has their run to the bathroom experience. The bladder capacity is decreased during the aging process and there is also a reduced functioning of the kidneys. Awakenings during the night stimulated by a need to empty are also more common in older adults.
NERVOUS
Loss of neurons (nerve cells) affects memory. Oftentimes people are worried about developing Alzheimer’s or some other form of dementia. Please keep in mind all memory loss doesn’t indicate dementia. When a person walks into the room and forgets why they needed to enter it’s not a big deal. However, if a person forgets their way home please consult a doctor. As a caregiver for a mature adult please seek assistance if your loved one is experiencing physical or emotional symptoms that’s uncommon.
CARDIOVASCULAR
Heart muscle cells experience a significant loss of mass while having an increase of fat and connective tissue. Aerobic capacity, the ability of the heart and the lungs to get oxygen to the muscles, is lowered. Many older adults have diagnoses of congestive heart failure, cardiomyopathy, and peripheral artery disease however these conditions aren’t part of the normal aging process.
APPEARANCE & MOBILITY
The lessening of collagen in the skin in addition to the loss of flexibility possibly contributes to the loosening of the skin. Hair can turn gray and become thinner. Changes in the joints and flattening of the arches could contribute to height loss. Bone strength is reduced greatly effecting mobility.
PROACTIVE AGING
There is great news about aging! When a person prepares to age it’s, a beautiful process growing older can be exciting and vibrant. Many of the diseases commonly associated with aging are linked to poor lifestyles choices in nutrition, exercise, and environment. Its never too early or late to live a healthy lifestyle. Beginning early will increase your chances of having less problems as you age. However, if you are older implementing healthy living will positively impact your life and the lives of your loved ones.
TIPS TO AGE BACKWARDS
- Control your diet! Eat enough amounts of protein, fruits, and vegetables. Fiber intake is important since it lowers the risk of constipation and impaired nutrition.
- Kegel exercises can strengthen your bladder. Bladder training, urinating on schedule, allows you to gradually increase the amount of urine you can hold with ease.
- The brain grows new cells when it is treated with care. Six simple ways to grow new brain cells:
- Reduce stress
- Eat Omega 3s
- Keep learning
- Get plenty of sleep
- Put down alcohol and drugs
- Gobble up flavanols like blueberries and dark chocolate that are rich in antioxidants
- Our bodies are designed to move. Exercise improves every aspect of our body. Physical activity at least thirty minutes a day that increases the heart rate is recommended. Swimming, walking, or bicycling can get you started moving and help your body fight infections.
Begin turning the clock back today and age to health!
About the Author: Cassandra Hill owns and operates Holistic Living Consulting LLC, a wellness business, helping women embrace physical and emotional wellness. Additionally, Cassandra is the Author of He Restoreth My Soul Triumph through Adversity. She is a Certified Wellness Coach through the Spencer Institute and holds a Master’s degree in Gerontology.
Featured image courtesy of medicalnewstoday