Regardless of your gender and current health conditions, after the age of 50, your body changes. Nobody is able to stop the natural aging process. With age, your risk for certain health conditions increases. Your body becomes weaker and more susceptible to chronic illnesses. The age of 50 is a perfect time to become more mindful of your health and issues that can develop.
Keep reading to learn about common body changes that your body undergoes at 50.
1. Your brain becomes weaker
When you age your brain becomes weaker. Your brain is like a muscle that you need to train to stay in good shape. If you neglect brain training, it shrinks and becomes weak. The best way to keep your brain healthy is to do new things and break the monotony of life. While routines may be comfortable, it can also cause your brain to become dull. You can read books or learn something new to maintain your brain health.
2. Your skin changes
Your skin ages as well as the entire body. Your skin sags and the appearance of cellulite become more prevalent. These changes appear because of the drop in collagen levels in your body and a lack of estrogen.
If you want to slow down the skin aging process you need to fill your diet with collagen-rich foods. You can drink more bone broth or add collagen powder to your smoothies. This can help you promote skin health and reduce the risk of joint problems.
3. You can develop dry mouth
Dry mouth is a common health concern of people over 50. Seniors are often forced to take medications that cause dry mouth. It can be medications for issues like high blood pressure, Parkinson's, arthritis, diabetes, and other ailments. Dry mouth can increase your risk of gum disease, tooth cavities, and mouth fungal infections.
There are several methods that can help you fight dry mouth. To relieve this condition you can chew sugarless chewing gum. It stimulates saliva production in the mouth. Other ways to keep your mouth healthy is to drink plenty of water and practice good oral hygiene.
4. You can develop foot conditions
By the time you reach your 50, your feet may trek 75,000 miles or even more. Every year your feet become more susceptible to a variety of disorders. Many seniors develop foot deformities like hammertoes, bunions, and osteoarthritis. Underlying health conditions can increase your risk of conditions like diabetic foot ulcers and gout.
You don’t need to endure the pain associated with these conditions and squeeze your feet in shoes that are too tight. If you have foot problems, you need to visit a foot doctor to get treatment.
5. You lose muscle fiber
After the age of 50, you start losing muscle fibers faster than others. There are two types of muscle fibers. These are fast-twitch muscle fibers and slow-twitch fibers. You lose fast-twitch muscle fibers two times as fast as slow-twitch ones. This must alert anyone who wants to keep their independence after the age of 80. Fast-twitch muscle fibers are responsible for helping you regain your balance if you lose it.
To prevent fast-twitch muscle fibers loss, you need to include exercises that target your fast-twitch fibers in your routine. The stimulation of these fibers is critical to ensure a better quality of your life after the age of 50.
6. You become susceptible to pelvic floor disorders
More than half of women over 50 experience pelvic floor dysfunction. This can cause a variety of other health problems. The symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction include organ prolapse, low libido, bladder issues, and vaginal dryness.
To prevent pelvic floor dysfunction you need to train pelvic muscles. It is crucial to train them as well as other muscles of your body. Lack of training and age-related changes make you susceptible to pelvic floor dysfunction and other health issues.
7. You become prone to calcium deficiency
Calcium deficiency is a common problem for people after the age of 50. This makes your bone fragile and more likely to fracture. Calcium deficiency increases your risk of osteoporosis, bone pain, and tenderness.
You need to be mindful of your bone health and get at least 1,200 mg of calcium per day. Include more foods rich in calcium like dairy in your diet. If you don’t like dairy foods, opt for calcium supplements. Remember that you need to take calcium supplements with vitamin D. This vitamin promotes the absorption of calcium.
8. Your eyesight weakens
The older you become, the worse your eyesight gets. After the age of 50, it can become hard for you to see in the dark and judge distance or depth. This can impact your ability to drive, especially at nighttime.
It is very important to stay on top of your eyesight and visit an ophthalmologist regularly. The doctor can help you improve your eyesight. This will improve the quality of your life significantly.
9. Your short-term memory becomes worse
The decrease in short-term memory in one of the biggest changes in cognitive function. This can impact simple daily tasks and decrease the quality of your life. Because of the cognitive changes, some people may have a slower reaction time and poor body awareness.
To maintain short-term memory you need to be socially active. By spending time with your friends, you can maintain and improve cognitive functions. It is also crucial to move more and perform memory exercises for seniors. This will help you stay on top of your cognitive health after the age of 50.
Your golden years are a perfect time to become more mindful of your health. You need to be attentive and visit your doctor regularly to prevent severe conditions. Your body needs additional care after 50. By taking care of your body, you can ensure a better quality of life and longevity.
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