Starting from birth, our body goes through an extraordinary number of changes. Even as young as adolescence, the body will journey through a series of events known as senescence where certain functions start to decline. These can be noticeable changes.
Many diseases and illnesses start in the musculoskeletal system. This occurs at around age 35. While our perspective is one of, “just old age setting in,” these occurrences such as arthritis, joint inflammation and bone deterioration are actually diseases. Unfortunately, these cannot be completely prevented. However, by practicing healthy habits such as avoiding tobacco, excessive drinking, you can combat some of the early onset of these diseases.
Get a Checkup
Routine physical checkups are essential for your health. By assessing your family history and maintaining records of your past illnesses, your doctor can make a stronger prediction of any issues that might present themselves and offer preventative measures you can implement. Your doctor will also be able to diagnose any immediate problems more quickly since they’ll have background information on your health history.
Get an Eye Exam
One of the more common results of senescence is presbyopia. Our eyes simply refuse to focus on objects that are close. We see this more and more in those under the age of forty. Much of this can be attributed to eye strain from work or play environments. Some people will talk about how they’ve had this condition “since they were a kid.” This only confirms that heredity can come into play where senescence is concerned.
Get Your Hearing Checked
Many people will notice that deafness starts to become apparent after the age of 40. Again, this could be due to genetic history or environmental influences.
Known as presbycusis, you may find that you no longer like to attend concerts that you used to enjoy. Presbycusis usually starts by reducing our ability to discern between high pitches. As we age, the pitch range wears down and diminishes. As your hearing changes, you no longer hear your favorite music in the same way and so, your affection for it will, sadly, also disappear.
Along with these changes in tone, many of the consonants we hear change as well. Harder plosives, such as K and Ch become difficult to hear. People may start to sound inarticulate. If you have ever been accused of mumbling by someone who is older, it’s probably because their hearing has diminished to the point that you sound inaudible.
Trying to live with hearing loss can make you feel frustrated, irritated, and lonely. Fortunately, Assistive Listening Devices or hearing aids have made great strides in the past decade. Using a device may seem like a slap in the face but the benefits outweigh the humility. You’ll be able to carry on conversations with friends and family. You’ll also be able to hear anyone that may be trying to warn you away from danger.
Clean Up Your Lifestyle
So far, we’ve discussed aging as a natural occurrence, yet there are many instances where senescence is an unnatural event. Lung cancer that’s caused by smoking or working in an environment with second-hand smoke or other toxins would be considered an unnatural cause.
Keep Exercising
Obesity can be considered a natural cause. During middle age, the body starts losing about three percent of its muscle mass every year. Sarcopenia means, “lack of flesh” and can occur in about ten percent of all people over the age of fifty. While severe, it does point out the necessity of maintaining an effective workout routine throughout our lives.
By embracing a healthy lifestyle, as opposed to fighting it as if we were teenagers, we can recognize the effects of aging on our body and be ready to address the issues as they arise. Doing so keeps our minds and deeds on track, bringing peace of mind to ourselves, our friends, and our loved ones.
