What Are the Signs of Growing Old?

Wrinkles are a sign of aging.

No one wants to get old. You move slower, your body aches, and you don't remember things as well as you used to. But if you learn the symptoms early on, you may be able to combat a few of them.

Skin

As we grow older, our skin loses its moisture and elasticity. This, combined with sun damage, will cause wrinkles to form.

Hair

Hair color will change as we grow older. This occurs due to inactive melanin, or pigment, in the hair.

Strength and Height

As we age we lose muscle mass, which decreases our strength and energy. The skeleton also begins to shrink after the age of 35, slowly reducing our height.

Eyes

Eyesight worsens as we get older. It is difficult to focus on objects up close and we create lfewer tears, which causes dry eye.

Balance

The nervous system is affected with age. It is difficult to maintain balance and and our reflexes are slower. This can be dangerous in certain circumstances, such as driving.

References

• Signs of Aging
• Mayo Clinic: What to Expect As You Get Older
• Scientific American: Why Does Hair Turn Gray?

Resources

• American Academy of Dermatology: Turning Back the Hands of Time