Trying to understand myself and the changes in my body which had become more obvious day by day, I did some reading and jotted down some pertinent points ....
Most internal functions decline with aging. Even though most functions remain adequate, the decline in function means that older people are less able to handle various stresses, including strenuous physical activity, extreme temperature changes in the environment, and disorders. This decline also means that older people are more likely to experience side effects from drugs. Some organs are more likely to malfunction under stress than others. These organs include the heart and blood vessels, the urinary organs (such as the kidneys), and the brain.
Bones tend to become less dense. Thus, bones become weaker and more likely to break. Certain bones are weakened more than others. Those most affected include the end of the thighbone (femur) at the hip, the ends of the arm bones (radius and ulna) at the wrist, and the bones of the spine (vertebrae).
Muscles cannot contract as quickly because more fast-contracting (fast-twitch) muscle fibers are lost than slow-contracting (slow-twitch) muscle fibers. Regular exercise to strengthen muscles (resistance training) can partially overcome or significantly delay loss of muscle mass and strength
By age 75, the percentage of body fat typically doubles compared with what it was during young adulthood. Too much body fat can increase the risk of health problems, such as diabetes. The distribution of fat also changes, changing the shape of the torso. A healthy diet and regular exercise can help older people minimize increases in body fat.
The heart and blood vessels become stiffer. The heart fills with blood more slowly. The stiffer arteries are less able to expand when more blood is pumped through them. Thus, blood pressure tends to increase.
In the large intestine, materials move through a little more slowly. In some people, this slowing contributes to constipation.
No one can avoid the changes that come with aging. I suppose I just have to practice healthy eating, exercise and keep a positive attitude.
