Dr. Arthur Inoshita, MD, Geriatrics
3003 Loma Vista Road, Suite B
Ventura, CA 93003
805-652-1520
Dr. Kapoor Sandeep, MD, Geriatrics
12311 Ventura Boulevard
Studio City, CA 91604-2509
818-762-1167
Dr. Liao Shang C, MD, Geriatrics
1532 Saviers Rd.
Oxnard, CA, 93033
805-483-8211
Ventura County Public Health
Senior Case Management, Geriatrics
2125 Knoll Dr., Suite 200
805-654-7600
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Your Health as You Become Older
Natural changes with age
Regardless of how long you live, time takes a toll on the organs and systems in your body. How and when this occurs is unique to you. Some typical changes to expect as you age include:
Cardiovascular system
Over time, your heart muscle becomes a less efficient pump, working harder to pump the same amount of blood through your body. Also, your blood vessels become less elastic. Hardened fatty deposits may form on the walls of your arteries (atherosclerosis), narrowing the passageway through the vessels. The natural loss of elasticity, in combination with atherosclerosis, makes your arteries stiffer, causing your heart to work even harder to pump blood through them. This can lead to high blood pressure (hypertension).
Bones, muscles and joints
Your bones reach their maximum mass between ages 25 and 35. As you age, your bones shrink in size and density. One consequence is that you might become shorter. Gradual loss of density weakens your bones and makes them more susceptible to fracture. Muscles, tendons and joints generally lose some strength and flexibility as you age.
Digestive system
Swallowing and the motions that automatically move digested food through your intestines slow down as you get older. The amount of surface area within your intestines diminishes slightly. The flow of secretions from your stomach, liver, pancreas and small intestine may decrease. These changes generally don't disrupt your digestive process, so you may never notice them. But you might notice more constipation.
Kidneys, bladder and urinary tract
With age, your kidneys become less efficient in removing waste from your bloodstream. Chronic conditions, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, and some medications can damage your kidneys further.
About 30 percent of people age 65 and older experience a loss of bladder control (urinary incontinence). Incontinence can be caused by a number of health problems, such as obesity, frequent constipation and chronic cough.
Women are more likely than men to have incontinence. Women who've been through menopause might experience stress incontinence as the muscles around the opening of the bladder (the sphincter muscles) lose strength and bladder reflexes change. As estrogen levels decline, the tissue lining the tube through which urine passes (urethra) becomes thinner. Pelvic muscles become weaker, reducing bladder support.
In older men, incontinence is sometimes caused by an enlarged prostate, which can block the urethra. This makes it difficult to empty your bladder and can cause small amounts of urine to leak.
Brain and nervous system
The number of cells (neurons) in your brain decreases with age, and your memory becomes less efficient. However, in some areas of your brain, the number of connections between the cells increases, perhaps helping to compensate for the aging neurons and maintain brain function. Your reflexes tend to become slower. You also tend to become less coordinated.
Your Sight as You Become Older
Please do not be discouraged is you experience a gradual failing of sight as you age! It's true you'll be less able to focus on close objects as you get older, but most people should have good sight into their 80s or 90s. A number of eye problems are more likely to occur as you get older. The following common conditions may occur.
Common conditions
Floaters: Small, dark, floating marks on your sight - they are usually harmless, although may be a nuisance. However, if they change or you experience bright flashing lights at the same time, go to your eye doctor immediately, because these signs may be indicators of more serious problems.
Cataracts: Cloudiness of the lens in the eye. Cataracts affect approx. 70% of people over 85. Cataracts occur as a result of ageing but are more common after trauma or if you suffer from diabetes.
Cataracts cannot be treated by drugs. Only surgery is effective. Cataract surgery involves removing the affected lens and possibly replacing it with an implant lens.
Glaucoma:
Glaucoma is caused by an increase in the eye pressure. If Glaucoma is untreated, the retina and nerves become damaged and sight worsens. Some older people experience pain and redness.
Glaucoma can be treated by drugs that lower the pressure. Surgery may also be necessary to help fluid in the eye drain correctly.
Age-related macular degeneration: This is a change in the center of the eye causing slow loss of central vision. In most cases it isn't treatable, but it doesn't usually lead to complete loss of vision.
Other causes: Damage to the fine blood vessels in the eye can cause loss of vision. Certain conditions, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, make this damage more likely. For this reason, it's important to keep chronic conditions well managed.
What can you do?: If you notice your vision is deteriorating, it's important to visit your doctor or local eye hospital. The eye is a sensitive organ and prolonged problems can cause severe visual loss, even blindness.
How to improve your sight: You can make the most of the sight you have in the following ways:
- Make sure you have good lighting in your home. Generally, you need brighter lighting as you get older.
- Use low-vision aids, such as magnifying glasses, large print books, talking books and Braille stickers.
- Mobility training and guide dogs are a valuable source of help to many people.
- Talk to your doctor about support, training and counseling.
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