What Is Aging?
Aging is a natural process that happens to your body and mind over time. It is different for each individual. Countless variables – such as diet and lifestyle, health, genetics, outlook and environment – play an important role.
The aging process affects every part of your body, from your hair to your joints to your feet. Aging is at work inside your body, too. It changes tissues and organs, as well as your heart rate, blood flow, hormones and metabolic processes that energize every cell.
Geriatric (aging) experts and resources – such as the Temple University Institute on Aging – continually offer new ways to improve health and manage certain age-related challenges.
Conditions commonly associated with aging include:
- Age spots
- Alopecia (hair loss)
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Arthritis, including osteoarthritis (wear and tear)
- Atherosclerosis (cholesterol-related plaque build-up in blood vessels)
- Bone and joint conditions
- Cancer
- Cardiovascular disease (heart and blood vessels)
- Dementia, including symptoms such as memory loss, confusion and agitation
- Depression and anxiety
- Diabetes
- Enlarged prostate
- Eye conditions, including cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration and presbyopia (poor close-up vision)
- Falls and fractures
- Hearing loss
- Hormonal imbalances
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Menopause
- Osteoporosis
- Parkinson's disease
- Photoaging (skin condition)
- Sleep disorders
- Stroke and other neurological conditions
Symptoms
Symptoms of aging vary widely, ranging from fragile skin and bones to memory loss or tremors. Some symptoms – such as high blood pressure or a hormonal imbalance – can be silent while they’re causing harm. Others can start out mild but get worse over time, such as insomnia, depression or loss of sensory function, such as low vision or hearing loss.
Treatment Options
Aging treatment includes maintaining healthy habits – from diet and nutrition, exercise and social connections to regular checkups, screenings, fall prevention and medical condition management.
Your body changes over time. Nutritional or health needs change, too. Your doctor will guide you along the way. Tell your doctor about any changes or symptoms. Expert diagnosis and testing will help find problems early when they’re most treatable.
Ready for an Appointment?
If you're experiencing signs or symptoms of aging, schedule an appointment or call 800-TEMPLE-MED (800-836-7536) today.
Learn more about our doctors and care team who diagnose and treat aging.