5 Things That Happen to Your Body as You Grow Older
Whether you like to think of it as a gift or a privilege, there’s no denying the fact that growing older has its unique set of challenges. As the human body moves through time and progresses in age, specific changes are expected to take place. These changes can be daunting and even downright scary. The tasks you were able to accomplish in a few minutes might take longer to complete, and you might even start to experience pains and aches where there were none before.
Below are five critical transitions that your body goes through as you grow older, and tips on how to manage the same effectively and gracefully:
1. Your hormone levels fluctuate.
Hormones are your body’s chemical messengers. They ensure the right signals are communicated throughout your body, thus guaranteeing optimal physiological function. As you celebrate more birthdays, you may begin to experience hormonal imbalances. A hormonal imbalance refers to the production of too much or too little of a hormone. For most people, it’s the latter.
Hormonal fluctuations can be managed with hormone replacement therapy, whereby bioidentical or synthetic hormones are introduced in the body to make up for the deficit.
2. Your body shape changes.
As you grow older, your body undergoes a process known as atrophy, which is the loss of muscle mass. With the loss of muscle mass and fat tissue, your skin may become thinner and wrinkled. The outcome is that you may start to look less supple or lean than you did in your twenties. Certain lifestyle habits, including smoking and drinking excessively, can exacerbate this process. Staying physically active even just by walking and jogging and maintaining a healthy diet can keep you looking younger for longer.
3. You may start to experience digestive disorders that you didn’t have before.
Your body is essentially a well-coordinated machine. Even if this machine knows how to renew itself, years of use can take a toll on it. With age, it’s typical to experience a slower metabolism rate and other structural changes, which may result in constipation and other disorders. You must be careful with what you eat or put in your body as you grow older. If you notice symptoms of a problem, contact a professional for help. Early intervention can help you live your sunset years without discomfort.
4. Your sexual wellness may take a beating.
Remember the hormonal imbalances we talked about before? These can wreak havoc on your sexual health. Declining levels of progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone often result in reduced libido in both males and females. If you’re keen to enjoy your sexual intimacy post-retirement, you should look into hormone therapy.
5. Your weight fluctuates.
Weight fluctuation as you age is related to the loss of muscle mass, decreased metabolism, and hormonal imbalance, among others. Depending on the factors at play, your weight problems may swing either way—on the higher or lower sides of the scale. If your weight is causing you issues, you should look into healthy weight management options that allow you to achieve your ideal weight without overwhelming your body.
Youplushealth is a facility based in Beverly Hills, CA that can help you to navigate the changes that come with aging smoothly. Youplushealth provides custom anti-aging treatments that take into account your medical history and unique needs.