As the human body ages, will it gradually begin to feel that its physical strength is not what it used to be? Many people even believe that aging is inevitable, so “physical deterioration” is expected. Experts point out 7 common aging myths. You may have a negative attitude and miss the possibility of staying healthy!
According to the World Health Organization, if you want to delay aging, you can increase physical activity and improve your diet, which can effectively solve many elderly problems, such as reduced physical strength, increased body fat, high blood pressure, and reduced bone density. However, some studies have pointed out that presupposing the expectation that one’s health will be poor will actually make the body deteriorate faster!
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Myth 1. Physical deterioration is inevitable
As people age, it is generally believed that their physical condition will deteriorate, but deterioration is a different mentality than aging. A study shows that people who have low expectations about aging will accelerate the destruction of their health in terms of mentality and behavior. For example, they are less willing to seek medical treatment or change their lifestyle habits.
These negative people will live 7.5 years shorter than the elderly people who live happily. On the contrary, if they maintain a positive attitude, they will help to make better living habits and health, and their life span will be improved. Live longer and be happier.
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Myth 2. The elderly should not exercise
Many people think that “elderly people do not have physical strength and do not need to exercise” or “they reduce exercise because they are worried about falling.” These are actually wrong myths. Proper exercise can keep the body and mind active, enhance muscle strength, reduce fat, and improve health. mental health.
Researchers once conducted 42 weeks of weight training on 142 adults aged 60-80 to enhance “dynamic muscle strength, muscle size and functional ability.” The results found that in addition to delaying disability, regular exercise can also prevent Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease risk.
But of course there are certain age-related diseases (such as osteoporosis) that should avoid high-intensity exercise, but the vast majority of older people can find gentle exercise, such as Tai Chi, walking, croquet, etc., and find Belong to the type of exercise that suits you.
Myth 3. Older people need less sleep
The relationship between age and sleep needs is not absolutely related to age. Because the sleep of the elderly may be affected by many factors, including circadian rhythm disorders, health conditions and drug use, they may have shallow sleep, difficulty falling asleep, Short sleep duration.
Conditions such as osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and heart failure, or taking beta-blockers, bronchodilators, corticosteroids, decongestants, and diuretics can also disrupt sleep. .
But even so not everyone needs less sleep. According to CDC recommendations, people aged 61 to 64 need 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night, while those over 65 need 7 to 8 hours per night. If you don’t get enough sleep, Depression, confusion, tension, anger, fatigue and irritability can result.
Myth 4. Only women have osteoporosis
According to medical research, osteoporosis is more common in women, but it is not limited to them. For example, men and people of different ages may also suffer from osteoporosis. Remember to maintain proper nutrition, calcium and vitamin D intake, and regular exercise are crucial to prevent osteoporosis.
The International Osteoporosis Foundation estimates that globally, about one-third of women over 50 have osteoporosis, but there are still two-thirds who do not have osteoporosis, and about one-fifth One percent of men will also experience fractures related to osteoporosis.
Myth 5. The older you get, the more likely you are to have dementia.
Aging does not necessarily lead to cognitive decline, and dementia is not exclusive to the elderly! According to research, maintaining regular physical activity, managing cardiovascular and other high-risk factors, understanding healthy eating and lifelong learning have been proven by many studies to be beneficial in reducing the risk of cognitive decline.
According to the World Health Organization, about 5-8% of the world’s population over the age of 60 suffers from dementia. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, as long as diabetes, obesity, smoking and high blood pressure can be controlled, cognition can be reduced. Risk of reduced capacity.
Myth 6. There is no point in quitting smoking when you are old.
Many smokers take this sentence as an excuse to refuse to quit smoking, thinking that it is useless to quit smoking when they are old, but in fact this is wrong. The NHS clearly explains, “No matter how long you smoke, no matter how many cigarettes you smoke every day, once you quit smoking, your health will start to improve.”
If you can successfully quit smoking, the harm caused by smoking in the past can still be recovered to a considerable extent, and the effects will appear 20 minutes after you stop smoking, and the longer you stop smoking, the more obvious and positive the effects will be.
Myth 7. You don’t need to enjoy sex when you are old
Many people think that as they get older, their sex life is no longer what it used to be, and they even think that they shouldn’t think about having sex when they get older. The risk of erectile dysfunction (ED) and vaginal dryness does increase with age, but for most people, these problems can be overcome.
Although the sex life of the elderly is no longer as fast and violent as the youth, and the sexual desire is no longer as high as the youth, as long as you consult a urology clinic, use hormonal drugs, aphrodisiacs such as Viagra, or use lubricants, you can help achieve erection or enjoyment Better sex and a better mind.
1. Source:Medical myths: All about aging
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2024-01-05 12:30:55
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