Aging with grace: Body changes (Part 3)
Aging affects everybody. We all remember that day when we could no longer recover from all-nighters as well as we used to. Ever had a big meal and was still able to go on and on after? There probably came a point when you felt lethargic after heavy meals. Aging affects us all. In the first part of this article series, we examined the aging process. In Part 2, we examined the different changes in the body as we aged. This is the continuation:
Eyes
Vision is definitely affected as we get older. The ability to see in the dark and see small objects may decrease. Common problems include cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration.
Ears
Excessive noise throughout your lifetime can cause hearing loss as you age. Many older adults have difficulty hearing higher pitched voices and sounds, trouble hearing in busy places and more frequently accumulating earwax.
Hair, Skin and Nails
As you age, your skin becomes more dry and brittle, which can lead to more wrinkles. The fat layer under the skin thins, which results in less sweating. This may seem like a good thing, but it makes you more susceptible to heat stroke and heat exhaustion in the summer. Hair and nails grow slower and become brittle. Hair will thin and turn gray.
Weight
Decreasing levels of physical activity and a slowing metabolism may contribute to weight gain. Your body may not be able to burn off as many calories as it once could, and those extra calories will end up being stored as fat.
While you can’t prevent aging, you can prepare yourself for the various effects of aging, both outside and inside the body. Next week, we will continue with how to age gracefully through ample movement.