Eye Sight!!

After the age of 40, changes in vision start occurring. Difficulty seeing clearly for reading and close work is among the most common problems adults develop between ages 41 to 60. Presbyopia, normal aging change in the eye's focusing ability, continue to progress over time. However there are various factors that particularly increase the risk of a person to develop eye and vision problems. They are:

• Chronic ailments such as diabetes or high blood pressure.
• Family history of glaucoma or macular degeneration.
• A highly visually demanding job
• Work in an eye-hazardous occupation.
• High cholesterol, thyroid conditions, anxiety or depression, and arthritis for which you take medications, many of which have ocular side-effects.

The most common eye problems that one can suffer from with age are:

• Difficulty reading
• Floaters.
• Cataracts (gradual clouding of the eye's lens)
• Glaucoma (an increase in pressure in the eye that leads to damage of the optic nerve)
• Macular degeneration

Apart from regular eye tests and wearing the correct glasses, you can do several things to keep your eyes as healthy as possible:

• Eat well. Eating plenty of vegetables and fruit will benefit your overall health and may help protect against some conditions such as cataracts and age-related macular degeneration
• Wear sunglasses. Strong sunlight can damage your eyes and may increase your risk of cataracts. Wear sunglasses or contact lenses with a built-in UV filter to protect your eyes from harmful rays. Read more about protecting your eyes (and skin) from the sun.
• Quit smoking. Smoking can increase your chances of developing conditions such as cataracts and AMD.
• Stay a healthy weight. Being overweight increases your risk of diabetes, which can lead to sight loss. Check if you're a healthy weight.
• Use good lighting. To see well, your eyes need three times as much light when you're 60 as they did when you were 20. Increase the daylight in your home by keeping windows clean and curtains pulled back. Make sure you have good electric lighting too, especially at the top and bottom of stairs so you can see the steps clearly. For reading or close work, use a direct light from a flexible table lamp, positioned so the light is not reflected by the page and causing glare.
• Exercise. Good circulation and oxygen intake are important for our eye health. Both of these are stimulated by regular exercise. Read more about how much exercise you should do.
• Sleep well. As you sleep, your eyes are continuously lubricated and irritants, such as dust or smoke that may have accumulated during the day are cleared out. Here are 10 tips to beat insomnia.

For more information and tips, log on to our website Old Age Solutions

Constipation!!

One of the most common things we see, certainly as people are getting into their 60s and 70s, may be a change in bowel habits, predominantly more constipation. Older people are five times more likely to complain about the symptom than younger people, possibly because of an undue concern about their bowel movement.

What Causes Constipation?
Doctors do not always know what causes constipation. It may be a poor diet, not getting enough exercise, or using laxatives too often. Reasons for constipation include:

• Diet: Low fiber or high fat diet cause constipation.
• Many older people don’t drink enough water and other fluids. Water and other liquids help people stay regular.
• Using too many laxatives and enemas: Our body develops a habit of laxatives and as a result may forget how to work on its own. Heavy use of laxatives can cause diarrhea.
• Lack of exercise. Inactivity or long periods in bed due to illness or following surgery may cause constipation.
• Holding back bowel movements. Ignoring an urge to have a bowel movement can lead to constipation.
• Medical conditions. Some problems, like stroke, diabetes, or a blockage in the intestines, can cause constipation. These disorders may affect the muscles or nerves used for normal bowel movements. A doctor can test to see if the problem is medical. Medical problems can often be treated. Another condition related to constipation is called irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). IBS is a common disorder of the intestines that involves pain, bloating, and constipation or diarrhea.
• Medications. Some medicines can lead to constipation.

Just like any other health problem, prevention is the best medicine when it comes to keeping your digestion running smoothly. Here are a few tips that can help you protect your digestive health and your overall well-being:

• Check your meds: Talk with your doctor to see if your medications could be causing any digestive symptoms.
• Stay active. Exercising at least 30 minutes, 5 days week can help prevent many age-related health problems. It will also help keep you regular and decrease the risk for colon cancer.
• Eat more fiber. Foods high in fiber, including fruits and vegetable, whole grains, and beans also tend to be high in nutrients and low in fat. High-fiber foods can help prevent constipation.
• Drink plenty of fluids. 4 liters of water every day is recommended by doctors generally.
• Manage your weight. Maintaining a healthy weight can decrease the risk of many health problems and hence reduce medications that may cause constipation.
• Get regular health screenings. In old age, it is specifically more important to visit the doctor regularly and discussing about the health related problems.

For more information on constipation visit our website Old Age Solutions