As we age, we are all faced with certain health challenges. Not everyone will experience all of the challenges and issues of advancing age, but many senior citizens do have common complaints. Gray hair and wrinkles are perhaps the most common signs of encroaching age, and regardless of your state of health, you will likely experience both, well before you are ready!
Other signs of aging that can actually present a health challenge include changes to your bones, muscles, and joints. When people grow older their bones begin to shrink, and muscles lose flexibility and strength. Senior citizens might find it hard to maintain their balance or coordination. Calcium, vitamin D, and regular balance restoring exercises are the key to reducing the effects of these issues. Exercise can actually help to prevent injury from falls as your body becomes more flexible and resilient.
Changes in your cardiovascular system can also lead to health concerns. The heart is a muscle, and as we age, the heart must work harder to pump blood around the body. Sometimes blood vessels and arteries become stiff, which can cause high blood pressure. Physical activity is again a great way in senior living to increase heart function, as is eating a healthy diet and giving up unhealthy habits like smoking.
Another common health challenge that seniors face is decreased memory function. Cells in the brain decrease with age, making it harder to remember certain things and familiar people's names. Learning new information can take longer as well. In order to maintain your brain function for as long as possible, maintain your physical activity, proper diet, and social function while challenging yourself mentally as often as possible. Try to keep learning throughout your life as well.
Senior citizens do in fact suffer from constipation and other digestive complaints more than younger people. One of the main reasons for this is lack of exercise and not eating enough fiber. Sometimes medications are responsible for digestion problems, especially if they are diuretics or contain iron. Diabetes and IBS can increase the chances of constipation. The best way to avoid or solve a problem with constipation is to drink plenty of water, eat a healthy diet with lots of fiber, and increase the amount of physical activity in your day.
Some people find that incontinence is an issue as they grow older, and loss of bladder control can be a very embarrassing condition. Some factors make incontinence more likely such as obesity, so if this is a concern, talk to your doctor about losing weight. Pelvic muscle exercises can also strengthen the pelvic floor and prevent bladder leakage. Incontinence might also be a secondary condition caused by menopause or an enlarged prostate.
