Aging Gracefully and Healthy- Aging is a process that we will all have to go through. But there are ways to help you through this process, when dealing with the following occurrences that happen as we get older. Here are some tips.
Aches & Pains- Whether it’s an old injury that keeps flaring up or the start of arthritis, you’re more likely to feel a few aches more often as you age. Regular movement can ease pain and make your joints more flexible. Try low-impact exercises like swimming, yoga, and tai-chi. Heating pads or ice packs can help, too. If those don’t give you enough relief, talk to your doctor about over-the-counter or prescription medicines, like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Wrinkles- These show up as your skin gets thinner, drier, and less elastic. But some things can make them worse, like smoking and ultraviolet rays from the sun or a tanning bed. To ease these signs of aging, protect your skin from the sun, and if you smoke, quit. Some skin products, like moisturizers or prescription retinoids, might make wrinkles less noticeable. But you’ll need to give them time to work — most need 6 weeks to 3 months to show results. A dermatologist can help you know what would work best for you.
Dry Skin- Sun protection and quitting smoking will help this problem, too. So, will watching how much alcohol you drink — it can dehydrate you. It’s a good idea to keep showers or baths to less than 10 minutes and to use warm water instead of hot. Then put a heavy, oil-based moisturizer all over your body right away.
Loss of Muscle- Many people lose strength and endurance as they get older, but the reason isn’t really about the aging process. Many people just stop working key muscles. The phrase “use it or lose it” applies here, so see if you can start weight training to build up your strength. Regular exercise, like walking, gardening, or swimming, can help, too. Aim for at least 30 minutes a day — you can split it into two 15-minute sessions if that works better for you.
Sleep Changes- Your need for shut-eye doesn’t change as you age, but your ability to get it can. Older people tend to have a harder time falling asleep, have shorter stretches of deep sleep, and wake up more often in the middle of the night. Coffee and alcohol can cause those issues, so cutting back on those can help. And it’s important to keep health conditions that can affect your sleep, like high blood pressure or GERD, under control. Talk with your doctor if you often have trouble sleeping.
Weight Gain- As you get older, you don’t burn calories like you used to. But you can counter that slower metabolism by being more active and watching what and how much you eat. Make fruits, vegetables, and leaner protein key parts of your diet. Also, limit sugar and foods that are high in saturated fat. And keep an eye on portion sizes.
Stay on Top of Your Health – Most older adults have at least one health problem, like heart disease or diabetes. If you do, it’s important to go for regular checkups, keep your prescriptions filled, and follow all your doctor’s instructions. Checkups are key even if you don’t have a health condition, so you can spot any issues early and get tips for staying healthy.
These are just a few tips that can help you be able to enjoy life as you get older.
We at On Call Medical Clinic obtained this information from the WebMD website, we hope this information will be helpful to our older patients as they are aging gracefully and healthy,Please remember we are here when minor injuries or illnesses occur that your primary care physician is not available. Please visit our website at https://www.oncallclinic.com to learn more about all the medical and skin care services we offer.