Signs and Symptoms of Aging

Aging is accompanied by a wide variety of signs and symptoms. Changes associated with aging do not impact everyone in the same way or at the same age, but there are some similarities across the population such as mild cognitive loses and declines in sensory perceptions. In addition, outward manifestations such as the thinning of skin are also common. Other signs and symptoms of aging include sensory changes. For example, there may be a reduction in the acuity of smelling, sight, hearing and the sense of smell. Hearing for example, may be impacted by the fact that high-pitched noises are more difficult to discern. In addition an aging person may detect difficulty distinguishing words when there is background noise present.

Signs and symptoms of aging may impact vision as well. For example, changes to the eye may lead to a reduction in peripheral vision, and the there may be difficult in focusing from near to far and visa versa. The lens may also cloud and focusing for near objects may be problematic. The eye might become yellowed somewhat making certain colors less readily identifiable. For instance, while red and orange might remain vivid, blue may be more difficult.

Bone mass may be reduced is some people. In particular, women may be vulnerable to osteoporosis. At the same time, ligaments may be stiffening and pain in the hands and feet may become more common. There are also often more problems associated with circulation. The heart may in fact slow down somewhat and become less efficient. Constipation may become more frequent in older persons. This can occur due to changes in the bowels, but can be aggravated by medications that are frequently prescribed to older adults as well. Blood vessels also suffer from reduced plasticity and blood may pool in the extremities resulting in edema. Other common signs and symptoms of aging include wrinkling of the skin and loss of muscle mass.

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