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
|
- 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
|
- 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.
|