10 signs your body is aging faster

Bisi Abiola
6 Min Read
Photo: Creative Commons
Ten signs your body is aging faster, though noticeable after age 45 for men and after age 55 for women, can be managed. These include memory loss, painful joints, slow walking, a weak hand grip, dehydrated skin, a fat waistline, easy bruising, sun spots, vision problems, and struggles with climbing stairs. 10 Signs your body is aging faster and how to control them are explained further below:

Memory loss

10 signs your body is aging faster

Mild memory loss is often associated with aging and can begin as early as the 40s. For instance, memory changes may make it difficult to recall names or remember where you kept your car keys or wallet.  However, many cases of Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia happen after age 65.  And dementia is not a normal part of aging. Help keep your brain sharp by adapting your lifestyle to include healthy eating, social activity,  and exercise.

Painful joints

10 signs your body is aging faster

Your chances of osteoarthritis as you get older are higher. But not everyone gets stiff and painful joints. Painful joints in men occur after the age of 45, and in women after 55. Although there is no cure, you can slow down its progress. An hour of exercise a week may help. Include aerobic exercise, flexibility, and strength training. See your doctor first before you start.

Slow walking

When your walking pace starts to slow down while in your 40s, this may be a sign that you’re aging faster than usual. Since walking is one of the easiest exercises you can do, start with a walking program to improve your steps. Begin with five minutes a day and steadily build up to 30 minutes. Try to work up to 100 steps a minute. To make it easier, wear supportive walking shoes. Also, walk with a friend to remove boredom and make the walk more interesting.

Dry skin

10 signs your body is aging faster

As you age, your skin produces less oil and is prone to dryness and dullness, particularly after age 40. So to prevent dry skin: 1. Take short baths or showers with warm water. 2. Clean your skin gently and moisturise properly. 3. Drink plenty of water. 4. Avoid spending more time in dry air. See a dermatologist if your skin is dry and itchy after trying these measures to rule out any health issues.

Sun spots

These are brown or white spots that often appear on the face, hands, arms, and thighs, especially in people over 50. These sunspots are harmless and are caused by years of being in the sun. But see your doctor if they are black, change shape, bleed, or have a rough border. Always wear sunscreen and cover up when you’re in the sun to help prevent them. Likewise, avoid outdoors between 10 am and 2 pm when the sun is strongest.

Weak hand grip

Your hand grip strength weakens in your 50s. You find your hands have to work harder opening a jar or bottle. Or your grip of the steering wheel isn’t as strong as it used to be. You can improve your hand grip through hand grip exercise or wringing water out of your laundry. However, early or sudden loss of your grip strength could be a sign of arthritis, nerve damage, or another health issue. If that’s the case, see your doctor.

Easily bruised

10 signs your body is aging faster

Easy bruising is common after age 60. Your skin gets thinner, and blood vessels also get more fragile. Even some medicines can lead to more bruising. Most bruises are harmless and go away on their own. However, see your doctor if: 1. You often have lots of large bruises, especially on your chest, back, or face. 2. You started bruising after beginning a new drug.

Struggle to climb stairs

10 signs your body is aging faster

We get tired sometimes and struggle to climb the stairs. But when climbing is more frequent as you get older, perhaps it’s because you don’t exercise regularly. And if that’s the case, check with your doctor, and then slowly add stair-climbing to your routine. Besides, you could also have pain or balance issues, or medication could be to blame. Therefore, see your doctor to rule out heart problems or arthritis.

Pot belly

Normally, body fat tends to shift to your waistline as you get older. This is especially true for women after menopause. So, no matter your age, a pot belly (thick waist) can come with health problems like heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Your risks are higher with a waist more than 35 inches if you’re a woman or more than 40 if you’re a man. Hence, regular exercise and a healthy diet are ways to trim down and stay fit.

Vision problems

After you hit your 40s, you’ll likely have trouble seeing things close-up, like reading a menu. It’s called presbyopia. Sometimes, aging brings more serious issues like glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration. To reduce your risk: 1. Wear sunglasses that protect against UVA and UVB light. 2. Stop smoking. 3. Eat healthy. Exercise. 4. See your eye doctor for annual checkups.

https://www.nhc.com/blog/how-to-naturally-reverse-aging-by-20-years-6-proven-methods

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