Last week we looked at some of the changes we can expect as we move into our 70s. Those we covered revolved mainly about what goes on above the shoulders, but what about further down?
What sort of things should we expect – or look out for – when it comes to matters of the heart? Or for that matter your digestive system, your immune system and your metabolism; and your muscles, bones joints? And let’s not forget your largest organ, your skin. That’s a lot of moving parts, to which many things might happen across the decade that is your 70s.
Of skin and heart in your 70s
If you’re on the verge of entering your 70s, you would have been in your mid-20s when iconic Australian band The Church released their debut album in 1981. It was titled Of Skins and Heart. Almost serendipitously, the driving force behind the band, and its main songwriter, Steve Kilbey, entered his 70s last month.
So let’s take a look at what you might expect of your skin and heart in your 70s.
First, your skin. If you’ve made it into your 70s with few or no age spots, you’ve done well. However, these are generally nothing to be concerned about. Another potential change to your skin in your eighth decade could be dryness, even to the point of itchiness.
You might also find that you bruise more easily and sweat less. Unfortunately, there’s not much that can be done about those latter two changes. However, for dry and/or itchy skin, a change to a gentler soap might help. Regular use of a moisturiser and sunscreen is also a good idea. You might even try a humidifier.
As for your heart, you probably know about the risk of blockage in your arteries through a build-up of plaque. The walls of the heart also thicken, and its valves stiffen up too, making blood flow less efficient. These changes combined mean your heart can’t beat as fast as it used during exercise or under stress.
Then there’s your heart’s electrics. These can start to glitch in your 70s, potentially causing an irregular heartbeat. There’s not much you can do about the electrical issues, but the other aspects can be addressed. You probably already know how, but it bears repeating – exercise, heart-healthy foods, and not smoking will help lower your risks.
Look out below
As you make our way further down your body, your next port of call is your digestive system. One change that could have an impact is to the lining of your stomach. It becomes more fragile, increasing your odds of getting an ulcer. And if other ailments of your 70s have resulted a high intake of aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), the risk is higher still.
One problem many people in their 70s have is constipation. At this age, your digestive system doesn’t move food through quite as well as before. Medications may also play a part. Exercise and a high-fibre diet can be a big help in this department.
The other potential impact in this area of your body is a likely slowing of metabolism. You might not feel as hungry or thirsty as you used to. This makes it all the more important that what you do eat is predominantly healthy.
Then there’s the old bladder. The sad fact is it can’t hold as much in your 70s as it did in your 20s. Chances are the muscles that support it have lost a bit of strength in that period. Sometimes these muscles can squeeze at the ‘wrong’ times, giving you an overactive bladder and a common need to ‘go’.
For many women in their 70s urine leakage is a problem. For men, the prostate playing up is pretty common at this age. In either case, a discussion with your GP is a recommended first step to resolving the underlying issues.
The most common aches and pains in our 70s
Finally, there are your bones, joints and muscles. They’re everywhere and they can all create problems in our 70s, if not before. Those problems could be minor – aches and pains – or major – bone fractures, for instance.
About one in four women over 65, and some men, have osteoporosis. That’s basically a bone-thinning disease. Thinner, brittle bones are far more susceptible to breaks. A fall that caused only a painful bruise in your 50s could put you in hospital in your 70s.
In your 70s, expect your muscles get weaker and your tendons, which connect muscles to your skeleton, to get stiffer. This will decrease your strength and flexibility. On top of this, you might lose an inch or two of height thanks to flattening disks in your back.
The good news is that exercise, especially weight-bearing exercise, can help prevent these changes. If you’re lucky, it may even reverse them.
In fact many of the health issues of your 70s, mental and physical, can be avoided or lessened through exercise. More so if you start those exercises before you get there. And, of course, a healthy diet and lifestyle overall will help too.
Your 70s will almost certainly be a decade with some challenges. The decisions you make now could influence just how difficult those challenges might be.
Are you about to enter your 70s? Are you already there? What changes have you noticed? Let us know via the comments section below.
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Disclaimer: This article contains general information about health issues and is not advice. For health advice, consult your medical practitioner.
