Contents:
- Medical Video: Why do our bodies age? - Monica Menesini
- Various changes in the body of the elderly as they age
- 1. Skin aging
- 2. Function of the heart and blood vessels (cardiovascular)
- 3. Respiratory system
- 4. Digestive system
- 5. Kidney function
- 6. Bones and joints
- 7. Vision
- 8. Hearing
- 9. Immune system
- 10. nervous system
- 11. Hormone system
- What needs to be done to deal with changes in the elderly body?
Medical Video: Why do our bodies age? - Monica Menesini
As you get older, your physique will also age. Even so, the change in the body of the elderly is not just a wrinkled skin and a more bent body. In order for you to be able to adjust to these changes and become a healthy elderly person, first identify what changes in the elderly body often occur.
Various changes in the body of the elderly as they age
1. Skin aging
Human skin will become more wrinkled due to reduced collagen production. Collagen is a protein that functions to maintain skin elasticity. Sweat glands in the skin can also be reduced, causing an elderly person to be more prone to dry skin.
2. Function of the heart and blood vessels (cardiovascular)
Aging affects the structure of the heart and blood vessels, which also affects its function. The arteries will thicken and become hard due to the process of atherosclerosis. In addition, the heart valve can also become stiffer. This can cause the heart's endurance to decrease when exercising and doing activities.
3. Respiratory system
Lung elasticity and lung cleaning cell activity will decrease with age. As a result, lung capacity and the amount of maximum oxygen that can be inhaled will decrease. Similarly, the cough reflex decreases.
4. Digestive system
The stomach will produce lower amounts of stomach acid. As a result, the body of the elderly will be susceptible to infection from food.
While on the tongue, taste buds will reduce the amount so that the food feels more tasteless. The intestine also moves more slowly so you need more time to digest food.
5. Kidney function
As we age, the structure of the kidneys will change. The process of atherosclerosis can also attack the kidneys, causing decreased kidney function.
6. Bones and joints
Bone will begin to lose its structure, which can cause osteoporosis if no precautions are taken. The joints also experience thinning and are often inflamed. As a result, pain can arise in the bones and joints.
7. Vision
The eyepiece will become harder. As a result, the eyes will be difficult to see in dim conditions. Accommodation capabilities will also be reduced, so the elderly generally need the help of double glasses to see with focus. Visual acuity, color sensitivity, and depth perception are also reduced.
8. Hearing
There are various changes in the hearing system in old age. Starting from the reduced hearing nerve to weakening the ear structure. In the elderly, the most easily felt symptoms are hearing loss in high notes and difficulty distinguishing speech.
9. Immune system
Decreasing T cell activity in the immune system (immune system) will cause the elderly to become easily infected. In addition, even when being attacked by an illness the elderly body becomes more difficult to maintain and recover.
So, it is important for the elderly to routinely check their health and immediately see a doctor every time they have a complaint or symptom of any disease.
10. nervous system
The nervous system and brain will also change. Intellectual ability, learning speed, and psychomotor will also decrease with age. The elderly will also experience changes in sleep patterns, requiring less sleep but more often.
11. Hormone system
The endocrine (hormone) system will also change. Sex hormones will decrease (estrogen and testosterone). Other hormones can be increased, reduced, or even not affected by age. The aging process also indirectly affects the risk of increasing hormone resistance, such as insulin.
In general, also an elderly person will experience a decrease in height due to spinal compression and changes in posture. Body fat will increase while muscle mass decreases. Similarly, total body fluids are generally reduced.
What needs to be done to deal with changes in the elderly body?
Until now there is no medicine that can stop the aging process, because this is a natural thing. However, of course you can delay this so that your old age can be lived in a healthy manner. Some ways include eating healthy foods, exercising regularly, getting enough rest, and conducting regular health checks.
