11 Changes in the body of the elderly you need to deal with

As you get older, your physique will age too. Even so, the changes in the body of the elderly are not just skin wrinkles and bodies that are increasingly bent. So that you can adjust to these changes and become a healthy elderly person, first identify what changes in the body of your elderly person often occur.

Various changes in the body of the elderly as they get older

1. Aging skin

Human skin will become more wrinkled due to reduced collagen production. Collagen is a protein that functions to maintain skin elasticity. The sweat glands in the skin can also be reduced, making an older person more prone to dry skin.

2.The function of the heart and blood vessels (cardiovascular)

Aging affects the structure of the heart and blood vessels, which contributes to its function. The arteries will thicken and become hard due to atherosclerosis. In addition, the heart valves can become stiffer. This can lead to reduced cardiac endurance when exercising or doing activities.

3. Respiratory system

Lung elasticity and lung cleaning cell activity decrease with age. As a result, lung capacity and the maximum amount of oxygen that can be inhaled are reduced. Likewise, the cough reflex is diminishing.

4. Digestive system

The stomach will produce stomach acid in smaller amounts. As a result, the elderly's body will be susceptible to infection from food.

Whereas on the tongue, the number of taste buds will be less so that the food will taste more bland. The intestines also move more slowly, so it takes you longer to digest food.

5. Kidney function

As people age, the structures in the kidneys change. The atherosclerosis process can also attack the kidneys, causing decreased kidney function.

6. Bones and joints

Bones will begin to lose their structure, which can lead to osteoporosis if precautions are not taken. The joints also experience thinning and often become inflamed. The result can be disruptive pain in the bones and joints.

7. Sight

The eye lens will become harder. As a result, it will be difficult for the eyes to see in dim conditions. The ability to accommodate will also be reduced, so that 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 reduction in the auditory nerve to the weakening of the ear structure. In the elderly, the symptoms most easily felt are hearing loss in high notes and difficulty distinguishing speech tones.

9. Immune system

Decreased activity of T cells in the immune system will cause the elderly to become susceptible to infection. In addition, even when an elderly person has a disease, it is more difficult for the elderly to maintain and recover.

So, it is important for the elderly to have regular health checks and immediately see a doctor whenever they have complaints or symptoms of any disease.

10. Nervous system

The nervous system and brain will also undergo changes. Intellectual abilities, learning speed, and psychomotor abilities will also decrease with age. The elderly will also experience changes in sleep patterns, requiring less but more frequent sleep.

11. The hormone system

The endocrine (hormone) system will also undergo changes. Reduced sex hormones (estrogen and testosterone). Other hormones may increase, decrease, or even are not affected by age. The aging process also indirectly affects the risk of increasing hormone resistance, for example insulin.

In general, an elderly person will experience a decrease in height due to spinal compression and changes in body posture. Body fat will increase while muscle mass decreases. Likewise, total body fluids are generally reduced.

What needs to be done to deal with the changes in the body of the elderly?

Until now, there is no medicine that can stop the aging process, because this is something that happens naturally. However, of course you can postpone this so that your old age can be lived in a healthy manner. Some of the ways include eating healthy foods, exercising regularly, getting enough rest, and carrying out regular health checks.

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