Normal Ageing

Everyone will grow old. Normal ageing brings about changes in the body and the mind, but many symptoms are not normal and may be due to diseases, which can be treated or remedied. Therefore the elderly and carers should learn about normal ageing, so as to be prepared and to distinguish between disease and normal ageing, and seek proper and early treatment for diseases.

Changes related to normal ageing

Lifestyle modifications

Symptoms you should not ignore

Vision

  • Impaired vision due to Presbyopia (usually correctable by lens).
  • Overflow of tears due to blockage of drainage ducts.
  • Dry eye

 

  • Check for Presbyopia, and wear suitable lens.
  • Seek doctor's advice on the need for eye drops. Do not use without doctor's prescription.

 

  • Sudden onset of eye pain, red eye or impaired vision: it may be due to Glaucoma.
  • Visual impairment that cannot be corrected by spectacles------it may be symptom of Cataract.
Hearing
  • Hearing loss

 

  • Install telephone with loudspeaker.
  • Consider hearing aids.

 

  • Sudden onset of hearing impairment.
  • Secretion from the ear------this may be due to ottitis media or externa.

Sensation

  • Blunted touch sensation, especially near the tips of fingers and toes.
  • Blunted temperature sensation.

 

  • Wear well-fitted shoes and take good care of the feet. Inspect for wounds regularly.
  • Pay attention to the weather forecast and wear suitable clothes.

 

  • Sudden loss of sensation or muscle power in one or more limbs------this may be due to stroke.

Heart-lung function

  • Mild shortness of breath which does not affect normal daily activities.

 

  • Maintain regular and suitable exercise.
  • Do not compare the current exercise tolerance with the previous abilities.
  • Quit smoking as it can worsen the breathless-ness.

 

  • Shortness of breath at low exercise level (such as walking on level ground) and wheezing. These may be due to chronic bronchitis, asthma or heart failure

Digestive system

  • Constipation

 

  • Eat a fibre rich diet with more vegetable and fruit.
  • Maintain regular exercise.

 

  • Sudden change of bowel habit, e.g. alternative diarrhea and constipation.
  • Blood or mucus in stool.

Urination

  • More frequent urination at night.

 

  • Avoid fluid intake 1 hour before sleeping.

 

  • Difficulty or pain while passing urine------these may be due to urinary tract infection.
  • (For men) Difficulty in urination, terminal dribbling, feeling of incomplete bladder emptying------these may be due to prostate disease.

Memory

  • Mild impairment of memory or learning ability.

 

  • Mark important appointments on the calendar or memo book.
  • Maintain regular social activities.
  • Continue to learn new things at your own pace.

 

  • Impairment in cognitive functions e.g. Difficulty in calculation and logical thinking, or getting lost in familiar environment------this may be due to dementia.

Muscles and joints

  • Joint pain, especially in knees and in the obese.
  • Increased forward bending of the spine.

Avoid overloading the weight-bearing joints:

  • Reduce weight
  • Avoid carrying heavy objects
  • Suitable strengthening exercise

Prevention of bone degeneration:

  • Drink at least one glass of milk per day to absorb calcium.
  • Regular exercise.
  • Quit smoking.
  • Maintain correct posture.
  • Severe or persistent joint pain.
  • Joint deformity.

Sexual function

  • Reduced sex drive.
  • (For men) More time is needed to achieve and sustain erection of penis.
  • (For women) Vagina may be painful during intercourse because of reduced secretion.

 

  • Understand more about the normal process of ageing to reduce unnecessary anxiety.
  • Consider assistive devices, such as vaginal lubricants.

 

  • (For women) Abnormal vaginal bleeding after intercourse------this may be due to cervical cancer.
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