diyhealth.com

Aging Symptoms

Aging: Symptoms


Top Symptoms

1. Decrease in energy and vigor

A significant fall in the energy levels is a symptom of aging. It is known that a fall in the energy is followed by changes in the cardiovascular system and a restricted blood flow. This naturally leads to decrease in the ability of the heart to pump blood. As a result, the person is left with a feeling of fatigue with a lesser capacity for physical exertion.ย 

2. Tendency to get easily tired

This is another significant symptom of aging. With a decrease in the ability to get involved in physical activities, the person tends to get adapted to a lethargic lifestyle. This makes a person prone to getting tired easily. When you are increasingly getting older, the enzyme system begins to slow. At this stage, the amount of energy supplied to the heart is decreased. Lack of energy in the heart makes it difficult for it to pump blood efficiently throughout the arteries, veins and capillaries. Hence, all the organs wonโ€™t get the needed oxygen and nutrients. This will manifest as a tendency to get tired.ย 

3. Change in sleeping patterns

The changes in sleep patterns is another part of aging. The major factors contributing to sleep disorders in aging are physical illness, side effects of certain medications, and changes in social life, or emotional imbalance due to death of a loved one. The sleep disorders are accompanied with a decrease in the quality of life. This can further lead to premature death in certain severe cases. Insomnia and disrupted sleep in elderly people is a common side effect caused by many chronic medical conditions which may include arthritis, congestive heart failure, depression and gastroesophogeal reflux disorder. The sleeping problems with age must not be left unnoticed considering it to be a normal part of aging. Proper sleep is a must at every age.

4. Decreased memory

Another sign of aging is a fall in the memory. This happens as the brain loses its muscle strength to remember the things. Certain significant changes in the lifestyle, health habits, and daily activities can be adopted to overcome the impact of aging on the memory. However, it does not affect the activities that a person is engaged in since childhood. It has no impact on the ability to do the things that one normally does like the wisdom and knowledge acquired from life experiences, a personโ€™s innate common sense, and the ability to form reasonable arguments and judgments.

5. Behavioral changes

There is a decline in the cognitive abilities with normal aging. You would experience change in the fluid abilities. These include speed and problem solving. However, it wonโ€™t have any effect on the knowledge and expertise gained until old age. Some of the risk factors can be controlled such as hypertension, diabetes, and levels of activity. Aging brings the transformation of the human organism after the age of physical maturity accompanied by regular transformations in appearance, behavior, experience, and social roles. Psychosocial aging is a result of the disuse of previously acquired skills, change in the ability to adapt due environmental variables, loss of internal and external resources, and the genetic influences over the life span.

6. Skin and hair changes

The skin and the hair changes are the initial signs of aging. With aging, the skin begins to sag. Aging skin generally appears thinner and translucent. The dryness accompanied by wrinkles gets noticed easily. There is a significant loss in the body hair. Graying hair is another most common sign of aging. This occurs as the hair follicles produce less melanin. The hair begins to lose protein and become thin. The impact of aging on the hair include thinning of subcutaneous fat hair shafts, which get more prone to damage such as breakage and split ends.

7. A significant decrease in vision and hearing

It is commonly seen that both vision and hearing loss are the consequences of aging. These are generally seen to occur together. This is termed as sensory loss. It is defined as a decreased ability to respond to stimuli. Sensory loss with aging is inevitable, but there are measures available to overcome it, such as hearing aids and lenses. It is observed that age-related eye changes begin as early as in the 30s. Aging eyes normally produce fewer tears. Dry eyes are quite uncomfortable. The cornea becomes less sensitive, and hence the injuries may not be noticed.

8. Changes in bowel function

Aging also has a significant impact on the digestive system. Aging is commonly associated with an upset stomach or lack of appetite. It is fairly common to have less frequent bowel movements and to experience constipation. This occurs due to the changes in tissue and muscles. This can be avoided by eating a well-balanced diet and an increased fluid intake. It is important to add bulk to the diet in order to thicken loose stool and decrease its amount. It is recommended to increase fiber intake by 30 gm daily. You diet should include whole wheat grains and bran as well.ย 

9. Sexual dysfunction

Aging is also depicted through a loss of sexual desire. This further hampers the frequency and pattern of performance. This can be controlled to a certain limit by sharing feelings and closeness with your companion. There is a considerable decline in the sexual function with age. This also has an effect on the quality of life. The main cause for this is any kind of disease or a functional decline due to decreased interest in sexual activity in the old age. Older men generally suffer from erectile dysfunction which has a great impact on their sexual involvement.

10. Changes in menstrual cycle

A change in the menstrual cycle in females is an alarming symptom of aging. For a woman, aging brings a combination of changes in the hormone levels, physical and psychological. Menopause is normal in a woman’s aging process. After a certain age, the ovaries stop releasing eggs and the menstrual periods stop. This is generally experienced around the age of 50 years. It is preceded by irregularities in the menstrual cycle.

11. Abdominal obesity

Sudden weight gain in the abdominal region is another symptom of aging. This is the result of non indulgence in any kind of physical activity and long sitting hours. It is known that as men age, their levels of free testosterone decline, and there is an increase in the levels of estrogen and insulin. This is because aging men convert much of their testosterone into estradiol, which is a form of estrogen. Moreover, in women, the relationship between excess body fat, testosterone, estrogens and progesterone is a more complicated issue.

Today's Top Articles:

Scroll to Top