Health and Aging
Traditionally, aging is associated with gradually declining health. The risk of developing heart disease and stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, type-2 diabetes and other chronic conditions all increase with age. There are several underlying aspects of aging that may influence your level of wellness. These include:
- Immune health
- Hormone Imbalance
- Mental decline
- Declining bone and muscle strength
Adopting healthy behaviors and developing preventative strategies to prevent the onset of these health concerns can reduce your likelihood of struggling with other health problems as you age. Anti-aging medicine is one strategy that is proven to delay the onset of age-related health decline.
Aging and Physical Health
There are a collection of physical concerns that often present themselves with age. Muscle and bone becomes weaker, increasing your risk of developing an injury. The immune system becomes compromised, making you more susceptible to illness and lengthening the amount of time it takes to heal from illness or injury.
In addition, the cardiovascular and digestive system also go through a series of changes, making you more susceptible to weight gain, type-2 diabetes, heart attack and stroke.
Age also increases your risk for:
- Metabolic syndrome
- Arthritis
- High blood pressure or Hypertension
- High triglycerides or poor cholesterol health
- Osteoporosis
- Vision and hearing loss
As you age, your risk for developing certain cancers may also increase. This includes your risk for lung, breast and prostate cancer, in particular. If you have a family history of one of these conditions you may be at an additional risk for the condition.
Aging and Mental Health
Approximately one-in-five adults experience some sort of mental health concern after the age of 55. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, less than three percent of adults over 55 get the mental health support they need with age.
The most common form of mental health issues are:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Dementia
Of these conditions, depression is the most prevalent, making it an especially large concern among mental health and anti-aging specialists.
Adopting preventative strategies can reduce your risk of developing mental and physical decline with age. When it comes to aging, the best defense is a good offense. Take steps to improve your health with age before more severe symptoms set in. Anti-aging therapy and functional medicine are two resources that can support you in this process.