Health Changes as You Grow Older: Brief Version

Your health will change as you grow older. It's a fact of life. Today most men live to be more than 70 years old. Women can often live more than 80 years. It is important to stay healthy, both in body and mind.

You can expect some changes in health as you get older. For example, people often need reading glasses by the time they are 40 or 50 years old. But many health problems happen because of bad habits from younger days. Taking care of your health now can keep your health from getting worse. You may even feel healthier than you did before.

Changes in looks

Skin is drier and not as elastic as people get older. Skin also bruises easier. This is especially true if you have smoked in the past or now smoke. It's a good idea to:

• Use lotions and sunscreens.
• Cover up when out in the sun.
• Relax and do things you enjoy.
• Quit smoking.

Hair may get coarser and lose color. Nails also get coarser. Take care of your hair and nails. No matter your age, take care of how you look.

Changes in physical health

As people get older, physical health changes. You may notice:

• You may have less energy. Your heart may have to work harder because of narrowed arteries or high blood pressure.
• You may be short of breath. This can be caused by smoking or smog in the air. Your lungs may not work as well as they did when you were young.
• You may have pain in your joints. If you are overweight or have had an injury to your joints, this may also cause pain.
• You may lose muscle tone and strength.
• You may have a harder time remembering things.

If you have habits that are not healthy, you may be making these problems worse. It can help if you:

• Quit smoking.
• Use alcohol in moderation.
• Eat a low-fat diet.
• Exercise.
• Lose weight.

You can make a difference in how healthy you are now and in the years to come.

Get health checkups

Follow these simple steps:

• Have a checkup once a year.
• Follow your health care provider's advice.
• Take your medicine the right way.
• Get your vision and hearing checked.

If you are a woman:

• Check your breasts once a month for lumps.
• Get a mammogram (an x-ray of the breasts) every year.

If you are a man:

• Check your testicles once a month for lumps or changes.

You should call your health care provider right away, if you are:

• Injured.
• Bleeding.
• In pain, especially chest pain.
• Numb.
• Faint or dizzy.
• Confused.

Talk to your health care provider right away, if you have:

• Stomach or digestive problems.
• Lumps, especially in your breasts, lymph nodes, or testicles.
• Constipation or problems urinating.
• Skin problems.

Don't wait for your next checkup.

Stay away from tobacco and alcohol

There are many health reasons why you should not use tobacco or drink too much alcohol.

Tobacco use can damage:

• Your heart and the way your blood circulates.
• Your lungs and cause cancer and emphysema.
• Your skin.

Alcohol can make it hard for you to think clearly. It can damage:

• Your heart, your liver, and other organs.
• The way your blood moves.

When you drink too much, you are more likely to:

• Cause a car accident.
• Hurt someone you love.

It can be very hard to quit smoking and to cut down on drinking. But it can make a difference in your health. There are programs to help. Talk to your health care provider about it.

When you retire

When you retire from work you have a lot more free time. There can also be difficult changes. You may feel you have nothing to do. You may not have as much money. Your friends may die or move away. If you become very depressed, see your health care provider. Medicine may help.

There are things you can do to prevent being lonely or depressed as you grow older. Here are some things you can do:

• Volunteer to help others. This can give new purpose and meaning to your life.
• Join activities in the community, perhaps at your neighborhood senior center or place of worship.
• Renew or build new interests and hobbies. Sort through those stamps you've been collecting for years but never had the time to put in your stamp albums.
• Eat three or four small, low-fat, high-fiber, healthy meals a day.
• Get plenty of exercise.
• Get the rest you need.

By keeping active, you can have a long and healthy life.