Aunt Li just passed her 70th birthday, and she muttered in her heart, she stood in front of the mirror, looked left and right, and always felt that something was wrong.
Yes, I used to walk and the wind was blowing under my feet, but now it's like stepping on cotton, soft, and the taste, how is it getting heavier and heavier, and eating light things is like chewing wax.
On this day, Aunt Li met her old friend Uncle Wang, who she hadn't seen for many years, in the park, this Uncle Wang looked much more energetic than her, and as soon as the two sat down, Aunt Li couldn't help but complain: "Lao Wang, do you think I'm really old?" Why is this body not as good as day by day? ”
When Uncle Wang heard this, he laughed, patted Aunt Li on the shoulder and said, "Lao Li, don't think so, in fact, people are not old, and age does not matter, the key depends on whether you have these performances." ”
As soon as Aunt Li heard this, she immediately came to her senses, can these performances really tell if I am old?
With the improvement of living standards, people's life expectancy is getting longer and longer, and the age of 70 is no longer the end of life, but a new starting point.
But how do you stay healthy and energized at this new beginning?
The key lies in some of the manifestations of our body.
01
Researchers at the University of Cambridge published a far-reaching study in the journal Nature, in which they followed 10 newborns for 81 years, an unprecedented long-term study.
The results showed that the population structure and differentiation pattern of hematopoietic stem cells in the human body would change significantly after the age of 70.
These stem cells are key to maintaining healthy blood and immune systems, and their aging means that our ability to heal ourselves is greatly diminished, and we are naturally more susceptible to various age-related diseases.
Further studies have shown that the incidence of cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and respiratory diseases increases significantly after the age of 70.
The information comes from a survey of 100,000 people in the Chinese Journal of Epidemiology over a 10-year period.
This data not only reveals the main health challenges faced by older people, but also highlights the importance of preventive measures.
02
Aging is not only a physiological phenomenon, but also the result of the interaction of psychological and social environmental factors.
Although aging is irreversible, the specific manifestations of aging can manifest themselves in a variety of ways.
If you show the following 10 signs in your body, you may be "old":
1. Walking speed slows down
This is usually due to factors such as weakened heart and lung function, loss of muscle mass, joint problems, etc.
Slowing of walking may also indicate an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
2. The taste is on the heavy side
As we age, the number and sensitivity of the taste buds decrease, leading to the need for stronger flavors in older adults to satisfy the palate.
This can lead to excessive intake of salt and sugar, further affecting health.
3. Loss of height and weight
Decreased bone density and atrophy of the intervertebral discs are the main causes, and these changes can affect the overall structure and function of the body.
4. Eyes are easily tired
Aging weakens the elasticity of the eye muscles and reduces the lubrication of the eyeballs, resulting in tired eyes and sensitivity to light.
5. Increased blood pressure
Blood vessels gradually lose their elasticity, and the burden on the heart increases, often leading to high blood pressure, which is one of the common health problems in old age.
6. Change in sleep habits
Older people often experience changes in sleep patterns, such as frequent awakenings during the night, which is associated with decreased melatonin production.
7. Difficulty eating
Decreased swallowing ability and relaxation of facial muscles can make older people face more challenges when eating, such as choking easily or having difficulty chewing.
8. Constipation and urination problems
As we age, bowel movements slow down, which may lead to constipation, while problems with the prostate or urinary system may cause frequent urination.
9. Slow recovery from the disease
Older people have weakened immunity, and once they get sick, they recover much more slowly than when they were younger.
10. Easy to fall
Osteoporosis and weakened muscle strength are the main causes of falls in older adults, which increases the risk of fractures.
03
Old age is not always synonymous with decline, and many older people are still able to maintain good health through an active lifestyle and proper medical management.
According to the Chinese Standards for Healthy Elderly, the following four characteristics are important indicators to judge whether an elderly person is healthy:
1. The three major indicators are normal
Normal blood pressure, blood sugar, and lipids are essential characteristics of healthy older adults, indicating that the metabolic system of older adults is still in good working order.
2. Walk fast
Being able to walk at a speed of more than one meter per second is generally an indication of good cardiorespiratory fitness and musculoskeletal fitness.
3. Good grip strength
Grip strength is a visual indicator of muscle condition, and good grip strength usually means a lower risk of disability and better ability to live in daily living.
4. The uric acid level is normal
Normal uric acid levels can prevent gout and related metabolic diseases and protect kidney and joint health.
Age is not the only factor that determines whether we age or not, it is also about how we treat our bodies and mindsets.
As long as we maintain a healthy lifestyle and a positive and optimistic attitude, we can enjoy a good old age.