What is aging ?

Old age (aging)  is a continuous set of time dependent processes that generally mirrors chronological age but is highly variable and individualized. Unlike development and maturation, changes associated with aging reduces a person's ability to function, maintain survival, and have a high quality of life.The lifelong process of  growing older occurs at cellular, organ or whole body level throughout the life span.

What are Physiological changes in aging?

Many of the physiological changes associated with aging results from a gradual loss.        Wonder what's considered a normal part of the aging process? Here's what to expect as you get older.

Age related changes in Cardiovascular Systems

The most common change in the cardiovascular system is stiffening of the blood vessels and arteries, causing your heart to work harder to pump blood through them. The heart muscles change to adjust to the increased workload. Your heart rate at rest will stay about the same, but it won't increase during activities as much as it used to. These changes increase the risk of high blood pressure (hypertension) and other cardiovascular problems.

Age related changes in Pulmonary

Respiratory efficiency is reduced with age. They are unable to compensate for increased oxygen need and are significantly increasing the amount of air inspired. Therefore, difficulty in breathing is usually common especially during activities.  Expiratory muscles become weaker so their cough efficiency is reduced and the amount of air left in the lungs is increased.

Old Age related changes in Bones , Muscles & Joints

With age, bones tend to shrink in size and density, weakening them and making them more susceptible to fracture.  Muscles generally lose strength , endurance and flexibility causing affect your coordination , stability and balance.

Old Age related changes in Brain ( CNS & Cognition )

As we age, we naturally lose cells. This is even true in the brain. Memory loss occurs because of the number of brain cells decreases. The brain can compensate for this loss by increasing the number of connections between cells to preserve brain function. Reflexes may slow down, distraction is more likely and coordination is affected.

Age related changes in Digestive System

Swallowing and digestive reflexes slow down in old age. Swallowing may become harder as the esophagus contracts less forcefully. The flow of secretions that help digest food in the stomach, liver, pancreas and small intestine may also be reduced. The reduced flow may result in digestive issues that weren’t present when you were younger

Age related changes in Sensory

All five senses become less efficient as the person ages.

• As for vision, acuity becomes poor and elders have presbyopia, or the inability to focus or accommodate due to inflexible lens which can start as early as age 40. Loss of peripheral vision, atrophy of lacrimal glands, and difficulty in discriminating similar colors like blues, greens, and purples are common.
• Elders over age 65 start having gradual loss of hearing, a condition called presbycusis. It is more common in men. Hearing loss is greater in the higher frequencies than the lower.
• Older people have poorer sense of taste and smell and are less stimulated by food than the young. Sense of smell commonly declines more than sense of taste. This is the reason why changes in appetite are common in elders.
• Lastly, older people become less sensitive to sensations of pain, touch, and temperature because they lose skin receptors gradually.

Old Age related changes in Kidneys and Urinary Tract

Kidneys may become less efficient in removing waste from the bloodstream because your kidneys get smaller as they lose cells as you age. Chronic diseases such as diabetes or high blood pressure can cause even more damage to kidneys.

Urinary incontinence may occur due to a variety of health conditions. Changes in hormone levels in women and having an enlarged prostate in men are contributing factors that lead to urinary incontinence

Age related changes in Skin

Old age, your skin thins and becomes less elastic and more fragile, and fatty tissue just below the skin decreases. You might notice that you bruise more easily. Decreased production of natural oils might make your skin drier. Wrinkles, age spots and small growths called skin tags are more common.

 Knowing what to expect and taking steps to counterbalance the effects of aging can help you maintain a young spirit and an independent life. A healthy diet, regular exercise program, and positive attitude can help delay the onset and slow the progression of many age-related changes.