What Are Some Normal Signs of Aging?

8 normal signs of aging and what to do about them

1. Skin

Skin changes that occur as you age include:

To slow or prevent premature skin aging, you can take the following precautions:

2. Eyes

As you get older, you may experience vision problems and are at greater risk of developing:

• Presbyopia (condition in which the lens becomes stiff and does not readjust to refocus from distance to near vision)
• Cataracts (condition in which the lens becomes clouded)
• Glaucoma (condition in which pressure in the eye increases and causes damage to the optic nerve)

Consult a doctor if you observe the following symptoms:

3. Ears

Hearing loss is common in older adults, especially after the age of 60. Age-related hearing loss is called presbycusis and is characterized by difficulty hearing high-frequency sounds or following a conversation in a crowded room.

If you experience symptoms such as ear pain, drainage, or rapid hearing loss, it may be a sign of a tumor or infection and should be examined by your doctor.

4. Teeth

Normal signs of aging in the teeth include:

Since you are at a higher risk of tooth decay and infection as you get older, take care of your oral health by:

• Brushing your teeth twice a day
• Flossing regularly
• Visiting your dentist for regular checkups

5. Heart

Changes in the heart seen with aging include:

• Stiffening of the blood vessels and arteries
• Heart muscles work harder
• Changes in heart rate and blood pressure

You can combat some of these adverse effects by:

• Exercising regularly
• Eating a healthy diet
• Quitting smoking
• Managing stress
• Getting enough sleep
• Limiting or avoiding alcohol

6. Bones, joints, and muscles

Aging can affect your bones, joints, and muscles in the following ways:

• Reduced bone density
• Weakened bones that are more susceptible to fractures
• Loss of muscle strength, endurance, and flexibility

You can prevent age-related problems with bones, joints, and muscles with the following tips:

• Get adequate amounts of calcium:
  • Up to 1,000 mg for adults under age 51
  • Up to 1,200 mg daily for men over 71 years and women over 51 years
• Get adequate amounts of vitamin D:
  • 600 international units (IU) for adults under age 70
  • 800 IU for adults over age 70 years
• Exercise regularly to help build strong bones and slow bone loss
• Avoid smoking and limit alcohol

7. Digestive system

Digestion is not drastically affected by aging. However, your digestive system may slow down, which can cause:

You can improve your digestion with:

8. Bladder and urinary tract

Age-related changes to the bladder and urinary tract may include:

Ways to promote urinary tract and bladder health include the following tips:

• Never hold your urine
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Avoid smoking
• Do Kegel exercises at least three times a day
• Eat a diet high in fiber
• Avoid bladder irritants that can worsen incontinence:
• Acidic foods
• Caffeine
• Carbonated beverages
• Alcohol