For older people, some minor symptoms may not be diseases, but just old age.

Many elderly friends consult Huazi about health problems and tell him about their various physical discomforts in order to seek help. However, Huazi found that many of the symptoms of elderly friends were not diseases, but just physiological aging.

It is a natural law that the body functions will gradually deteriorate with age. Medicine can only cure diseases, not aging. We should accept aging and learn to coexist with some minor symptoms caused by aging. And only by facing aging squarely can we take the right approach to delay aging.

1. Elderly people tend to gain weight. As the saying goes, "money can't buy you a slim body in old age." This is because elderly people tend to gain weight more easily. Scientific research has confirmed that the metabolic rate of the human body does not change much after entering adulthood until the age of 50. However, after entering old age, the metabolic rate will drop significantly. If you cannot adjust your diet and exercise accordingly, you will easily accumulate fat and gain weight.

Obesity is the "hotbed" of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, which can cause abnormalities in blood pressure, blood lipids, and blood sugar, causing various physical discomforts. Reducing total calorie intake, increasing exercise, and promoting body metabolism are extremely important for the elderly and are important means to prevent diseases and delay aging.

2. Most elderly people are calcium deficient. The sex hormones (androgens and estrogens) of the human body are closely related to calcium absorption. After entering the elderly stage, due to the decrease in hormone levels, the human body's bone density will also decrease. Especially after menopause, women's estrogen levels drop drastically, making them more prone to osteoporosis.

When the body is calcium deficient, chronic pain in bones and muscles throughout the body may occur, as well as cramps and insomnia. These symptoms are normal for people as they age. Eating more foods high in calcium, getting more sun exposure to promote the synthesis of vitamin D in the skin, and exercising more to promote calcium deposition can alleviate symptoms of calcium deficiency, slow down the decline in bone density, and reduce the risk of fractures.

3. The memory of the elderly will decline. After entering old age, the human brain capacity will gradually decrease, the brain tissue will undergo degenerative changes and atrophy, and the memory will decline accordingly. It is normal for the elderly to become forgetful, but it does not mean that Alzheimer's disease has occurred, so there is no need to be too nervous.

Joining social groups, participating in social activities, and communicating with people are good ways to prevent memory loss. Smokers must quit smoking and avoid alcoholism. People with chronic diseases such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes should take medication to control related indicators and prevent atherosclerosis of the cerebral arteries, which can avoid blood vessel blockage and delay memory loss.

4. Healthy people also suffer from chronic diseases. As the body ages, blood vessels will inevitably harden and metabolism will be disordered. Many people will suffer from "three highs" chronic diseases such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes. Many people will worry too much and have great mental stress.

In fact, these chronic diseases take a long time to damage the body, and it takes an average of more than 10 years to induce serious diseases. Chronic diseases that can be controlled by taking medicine regularly are like eating when we are hungry and drinking water when we are thirsty. As long as they are controlled in time, they will not affect health.

Our country’s definition of a healthy elderly person also states that even if one has a chronic disease but it can be controlled with medication and does not have any other major diseases, he or she is still a healthy elderly person.

5. Kidneys need to drink more water to prevent aging. After aging, kidney function will gradually decline. Many elderly people are not sensitive to thirst, and drinking too little water will lead to reduced urination. When urine is over-concentrated, metabolic waste in urine is easy to form crystals and stones, causing damage to the urinary system.

In order to protect the kidneys, the elderly should develop the habit of drinking water regularly. Drinking about 2000 ml of water every day, divided into 8 to 10 times, sip slowly, and maintain sufficient urine volume can cleanse the kidneys and urinary system and prevent stones and urinary tract infections.

6. Elderly people will sleep less. In the China Health White Paper, a survey was conducted on the sleep conditions of people of all ages, and it was found that with aging, sleep time tends to decrease gradually. Most elderly people only sleep 6 to 7 hours a day. Some elderly friends have fewer social activities and fall asleep very early every day. They may have difficulty falling asleep after waking up in the middle of the night.

This situation is probably not insomnia, but people feel less sleep as they age. In fact, the elderly do not have to strictly "go to bed early and get up early". It may be more beneficial to health to go to bed and get up late appropriately. Because the human body's blood pressure has a "morning peak" phenomenon in the early morning, it is a dangerous time for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. It is safer to spend this time in sleep.

7. People can be old but their hearts can stay young. Compared with young people, the lives of the elderly are relatively monotonous and they are prone to anxiety and depression. This may cause autonomic nervous system disorders, leading to neurosis and symptoms in multiple systems such as cardiovascular, digestive, and nervous systems. Some elderly friends say that they have various diseases, but they have been to the hospital many times but nothing can be found. This may be the case.

Raising pets such as flowers, birds, fish, cats, dogs, and cultivating hobbies such as instrumental music, photography, and singing to divert your attention are good ways to effectively relieve your emotions. Participate in more social activities and communicate with others. Although you are old, you can always be young in your heart. Stay away from negative emotions and don't let bad moods affect your health.

To sum up, after entering old age, a series of changes will inevitably occur in physiology and psychology, and many minor symptoms may appear, but these symptoms may not be diseases, but just old age. Elderly friends should face aging, take the right methods to delay aging, learn to coexist with minor symptoms, and enjoy a high-quality life in their later years. If you find health problems, you should communicate more with your doctor. I am pharmacist Huazi, welcome to follow me and share more health knowledge.