Page 18 - Florida Sentinel 11-1-19

Health
Skin Changes
Hearing Loss
Surveys show that aging and happiness often form a U- shaped curve. The line dips slowly from your youth to your mid- dle years, then rises in your 40s and 50s. About 1 in 3 peo- ple in their 60s say they’re “very happy” -- slightly more than those under 35. Life probably taught you to savor good times and know that bad times will pass. But your golden decade can bring new challenges, like health or money worries and the deaths of loved ones.
paper or tissue. Wrinkles, age spots, creases, and bruises become more noticeable. Your sweat glands also get less active. That means you might not sweat as much, but wounds on your skin may take longer to heal.
rally die off as you get older. Infections, heart condi- tions, stroke, head injury, or certain medications also can erode your hearing. Yet 80% of people who may benefit from hearing aids don’t wear them. Even most of those who do wait more than 10 years on av- erage before they get help.
During your 60s, your first two layers of your skin - - the epidermis and dermis -- thin and flatten out. Your skin turns drier and itchier and may look like crepe
Wait ... what? Four out of 10 Ameri- cans in their 60s have trouble hearing. It’s one of the most com- mon conditions of aging. Hair cells in your inner ear natu-
Cancer Ricks
If you ever find out you have cancer, you’re most likely to get the news in your 60s. Half of breast cancers are diag- nosed at age 61 or older. For colon can- cer, the median age
Weight Gain
is 68. Older age is what’s most likely to raise your odds of having all types of cancer. Get your recom- mended screenings. Ask your doctor how often you should go in for mammogram, colonoscopy, or prostate tests.
No, getting older does not have to equal putting on the pounds. Yes, your metabolism -- how quickly your body burns calo- ries -- often slows as you age. But a
poor diet and lack of exercise probably are bigger reasons why the number on your scale climbs higher in your 60s. So get active, build more fat-burn mus- cles, and watch what you eat.
Heart Troubles
Your mid-60s and beyond are a prime time for a heart attack, stroke, or heart failure. Heart dis- ease is the No. 1 cause of death for Americans. You can’t undo the natural toll that comes with aging. But you can do a lot to keep your ticker healthier. Don’t smoke, and limit salt, sugar, and saturated fats from meats and dairy. Aim for half an hour of walking, yoga, swim- ming, or other active moving each day.
Vision Issues
By age 65, you have a 1 in 3 chance of having eye diseases like cataracts, dry eye, or glaucoma that hamper your vision. One of the biggest threats is age-related macular degeneration, which de- stroys the central part of your vi- sion you need to read or to drive. Get your eyes checked every year, even if you don’t notice a problem. Most eye diseases don’t cause pain, but they can be treated if caught early.
PAGE 6-B FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2019