The 7 health signs that prove you’re officially getting older
7 health signs that make you feel like reversing the clock
Most of us have at some point wished we could turn back the clock to when we were wrinkle-free and could drink more than two glasses of wine without a hangover the next day.
But ageing is a gift, and there’s a certain wisdom that only comes with experience.
While you might not be thrilled by every change that comes with getting older, some things are a natural part of entering that next stage of life.
Dr Babak Ashrafi, GP at Superdrug Online Doctor tells Metro the subtle signs that show you’re officially getting older.
You’re waking up more during the night
Remember the glory days, when you were a teenager, and you could sleep well past noon, or fall asleep at the drop of a hat?
According to Dr Ashrafi, changes to sleep can be one of the less obvious signs of ageing, from waking up more often and waking up earlier than you used to, to struggling to fall asleep in the first place.
‘Our sleep can naturally change as we age, and we may spend less time in deeper stages of sleep,’ he tells Metro.
This is in part due to how the body produces fewer sleep-promoting hormones such as melatonin and cortisol over time, along with biological shifts in the internal body clock (the suprachiasmatic nucleus).
However, Dr Ashrafi stresses that ‘regularly struggling to fall or stay asleep shouldn’t automatically be dismissed as “just getting older”,’ and if your issues are persistent, you should seek advice from a medical professional.
Your libido isn’t what it used to be
It’s not just juggling the responsibilities of being a ‘grown up’ that make sex less of a priority as we age.
Dr Ashrafi says libido often declines over time, with hormones playing a major role.
In men, it can be due to the fact that progesterone levels tend to decline gradually,’ while for women, oestrogen and testosterone levels drop sharply during perimenopause and menopause.
That said, there may also be a number of other factors behind it, including stress, sleep, medication, and health conditions.
‘If you’ve noticed a significant change in your libido, particularly alongside symptoms such as fatigue or erectile difficulties, it’s worth discussing this with a professional rather than assuming age is the only explanation,’ he adds.
You’re noticing changes in your erections
Naturally, this one only applies to those with a penis, but erectile difficulties can become increasingly difficult with age. Again though, they shouldn’t necessarily be accepted as an inevitable part of getting older.
‘Occasional difficulty getting or maintaining an erection is common, but if it happens regularly it’s worth seeking medical advice,’ Dr Ashrafi explains.
‘Erectile dysfunction can have psychological causes, but it can also be associated with physical health issues, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
‘In some cases, it can be an early prompt to look more closely at your wider cardiovascular health.’
Your blood pressure starts creeping up
When we’re young, many of us take healthy blood pressure for granted, and would never so much as think about visiting the doctor to get it checked. But once you’ve acquired a few extra birthdays, you need to keep an eye.
Dr Ashrafi says you might even feel ‘perfectly healthy’ while your blood pressure is slowly increasing, because sometimes, it doesn’t cause noticeable symptoms.
‘Blood vessels naturally become less flexible as we age, which is one reason our risk of high blood pressure can increase,’ he says.
‘The difficulty is that you often won’t know your blood pressure is high unless you check it.
winnowing your numbers and having them checked regularly is an important part of looking after your long-term cardiovascular health.’
Ideally, a healthy adult should aim for less than 120 mm Hg systolic (top number) and less than 80 mm Hg diastolic (bottom number).
Your cholesterol levels change
Even if you’re still eating just as healthily as you used to, and nothing’s changed with your diet, cholesterol levels can still change with time.
Age can impact it, as can genetics, diet, activity levels, and other health conditions.
There aren’t usually any obvious symptoms, either, which makes testing particularly important.
Dr Ashrafi says: intensifying raised cholesterol gives you an opportunity to make lifestyle changes and, where necessary, discuss treatment before it contributes to more serious cardiovascular problems.’
You’re finding it harder to maintain the same weight
When you’re in your teens or early 20s, you likely never considered that, in the future, your weight might begin to creep up despite your habits staying the same.
How do you feel about the signs of ageing?
- I embrace them as a natural part of life.
- I find them concerning and try to prevent them.
- I’m indifferent; they don’t bother me.
Dr Ashrafi says that this is typically down to how our bodies lose muscle mass with age — which can be more of an issue if you have a sedentary lifestyle.
Because muscle uses energy, this can affect how many calories your body needs,’ he says.
‘Maintaining muscle through regular resistance exercise, alongside staying active and eating a balanced diet, becomes increasingly important.’
You need longer to recover after exercise
Unfortunately, even those of us who stay active can’t escape the hands of time, and while most of us feel a little achy after a workout, it’s standard to feel even stiffer as the years go by.
‘Recovery can take longer as we get older, but that doesn’t mean you should stop challenging your body,’ Dr Ashrafi continues.
‘Regular exercise is one of the best things you can do to support healthy ageing.
‘A combination of cardiovascular activity, resistance training and mobility work can help maintain muscle, bone health and cardiovascular fitness.’
What can I do now to help myself age gracefully?
We all know of someone with an absolutely fierce grandparent, usually in their 90s, who is still going strong.
And while some healthy ageing does come down to genetics (studies suggest at least 20 to 30% of it is genes alone), it’s also influenced by the healthy habits you build throughout your life.
You’re never too young to start, either.
Dr Ashrafi suggests all the classic tick-box habits, including regular exercise, a balanced diet, good-quality sleep, refraining from smoking, drinking alcohol in moderation, and keeping on top of all your GP checks.
He concludes: ‘Prevention is particularly important because conditions such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol may not cause noticeable symptoms.
‘Getting into the habit of knowing your key health numbers and seeking advice when something changes can help you take action earlier.’
Credit: Metro UK
