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Senior Citizens Do Shrink Just One of the Body
Changes of Aging
Shrinking height, pot belly, pencil legs - it can be
prevented
Nov. 28, 2005 - As we age, we experience decreases
in everything from hair and hearing to memory and muscle. Height is also
on the list. Starting at about age 40, people typically lose about half
an inch each decade, with some faster shrinkage after age 70. Senior
citizens may shrink as much as three inches.
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More news on Aging - click here |
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Why do we shrink, what are the consequences, and
what can we do? The December issue of Harvard Health Letter answers
these questions, says a press release issued today, which led
SeniorJournal.com to seek other answers to the changing, aging body.
What causes height loss? Fractures of the bones of
the spine can contribute, as can slouching.
What are the consequences? For many people, losing
a little bit of height doesnt cause any health problems. But severe
kyphosis (the medical term for being hunched over) sometimes affects
breathing and causes neck and back pain.
What can you do to slow down shrinkage?
● Improve your posture. Focus on exercises that
will strengthen back muscles. One involves lying on your stomach and
then lifting your head and shoulders. Yoga or tai chi are other options.
● Strengthen your bones. The other way to limit
height loss is to keep bones strong to prevent fractures. The single
best way to do that is to stay active. Getting enough calcium and
vitamin D is also important.
More Changes to Senior Bodies
Getting shorter, however, is just one of the
changes to our body that happens as we age. This is what Medline Plus,
the medical encyclopedia for senior citizens by the National Library of
Medicine and the National Institutes of Health, says about changes in
our body shape as we age.
"Many people are concerned with changes in their
body shape as they age. Although some changes inevitably occur with
aging, your lifestyle choices may slow or accelerate these changes.
"The human body is made up of fat, lean tissue
(muscles and organs), bones, water, and other substances. As we age, the
amount and distribution of these materials will change.
"Fat tissue may become increasingly deposited
toward the center of the body, including around the abdominal organs.
The proportion of body fat may increase by as much as 30%.
"As fat increases, lean body mass decreases. Your
muscles, liver, kidney, and other organs may lose some of their cells.
This process is called atrophy. Bones may lose some of their minerals
and become less dense (a condition called osteopenia, or at its later
stage, osteoporosis). Tissue loss reduces the amount of water in your
body.
"You may become shorter. The tendency to
become shorter occurs among all races and both sexes. Height loss is
related to
aging changes in the bones, muscles, and joints.
"People typically lose about 1 cm (0.4 inches)
every 10 years after age 40. Height loss is even greater after 70 years
old. In total, you may lose 1 to 3 inches in height as you age.
"This varies, however. Physical activity, a
proper diet, and treating osteoporosis can help reduce height loss.
"Men often gain weight until about age 55, then
begin to lose weight. This may be related to a drop in the male sex
hormone testosterone. Women usually gain weight until age 65, then begin
to lose weight. Weight loss is, in part, caused by a loss of muscle
tissue.
"Of course, weight loss or gain varies from person
to person, too. Diet and exercise play a large role in these changes.
"A change in total body water may make older people
more likely to get dehydrated. Pay attention to how much fluid you
drink. Body changes also play an important role in how your body uses
drugs. Thus, medication doses may need to be adjusted in older people.
"The loss of muscle mass in the legs and changes in
body shape can affect balance, contributing to falls.
"Although many age-related changes cannot be
prevented, you can take certain steps to help slow or reduce them. These
steps include exercise, avoiding smoking, and eating healthfully.
Excessive alcohol use and illicit drug use can accelerate age-related
changes.
"The picture of a hunched over, frail man or woman
with pot belly and skinny arms and legs does not happen to everyone.
Lifestyle plays a large role in how fast these age-related changes take
place."
Here are some related links from MedlinePlus
●
Aging changes in hair and nails
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Aging changes in organs, tissues, and
cells
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Aging changes in skin
●
Aging changes in the bones, muscles, and
joints
●
Aging changes in the breast
●
Aging changes in the face
Also in this issue of the Harvard
Health Letter:
A gap in Medicare prescription drug coverage
Importance of carbon monoxide alarms
The politics of diagnostic codes and smoking
News on vitamin B and the brain
Side effects of over-the-counter pain relievers
A doctor answers: If I have chest pain, when should I call 911?
The Harvard Health Letter is
available from Harvard Health Publications, the publishing division of
Harvard Medical School, for $28 per year. Subscribe at
http://www.health.harvard.edu/health
or by calling 1-877-649-9457 (toll free).
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