Aging often brings undesirable signs such as wrinkles and gray hair, but few people know how aging will affect their heart, teeth, sex life, and overall health quality. When you advance in age, you will start experiencing problems that were not prevalent in the years past. For instance, women may experience vaginal dryness and men, erectile dysfunction. The good news is that you don’t have to live with these symptoms since your trusted age management specialist Valhalla offers treatment to manage symptoms and improve your quality of life. Below is what happens in various body systems as you age.
The digestive system
Structural changes in the large intestines occur as you age, resulting in constipation in an older adult. Sometimes constipation may also be due to eating a low-fiber diet, not drinking enough fluids, and lack of exercise. Medical conditions such as diabetes and medications like iron supplements and diuretics might also contribute to constipation. Providers recommend eating a healthy diet rich in high-fiber foods and including physical activity in your daily routine to prevent constipation. Holding in a bowel movement for too long can cause constipation, so be sure not to ignore the urge.
Cardiovascular system
As you age, the heart works harder to pump blood due to the stiffening of the blood vessels and arteries. As a result, the heart muscles adjust to the increased workload. Your heart rate may remain about the same at rest but won’t increase during physical activities. These changes increase your risk of cardiovascular problems such as high blood pressure. Specialists recommend eating healthy foods such as whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and lean protein sources like fish. You want to avoid foods rich in salts and saturated fats.
Bones, joints, and muscles
Bones often become porous as you age, putting you at risk of fractures even with the slightest movements. You may develop a stooped posture and even become a bit shorter. Other age-related problems such as osteoarthritis can also contribute to problems with your bones, causing symptoms such as pain and limited range of motion. Your provider may recommend dietary sources of calcium, including dairy products, to promote bone and joint health. If you don’t get adequate calcium from foods, ask your provider about calcium supplements.
Bladder and urinary tract
The elasticity of the bladder lessens as you age, causing you to urinate more often. When the bladder and pelvic floor muscles weaken, you may have problems emptying your bladder or have urinary incontinence (loss of bladder control). Incontinence varies in severity, from occasional urine leaks to a strong urge to urinate that you can’t get to the toilet in time. The problem is common in older women, but men with an enlarged or inflamed prostate can also have incontinence. Other times urinary incontinence may be due to other factors such as obesity, alcohol consumption, and nerve damage from diabetes.
The good news is that you can promote bladder and urinary tract health by going to the toilet regularly, quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, doing kegel exercises, and avoiding bladder irritants like caffeine.
Consult your specialists at Advanced Surgeons to know how you can benefit from age medicine.