Around four million people in the UK have an undiagnosed hearing problem, according to recent research from Hidden Hearing. 'Because the ear is such a complex organ, it's subject to wear and tear,' says audiologist Peter Sydserff. 'One in two people over 60 will report that their hearing isn't as sharp as it once was.'
What can I do about it? Book a hearing test. Your GP will be able to write you a referral for an NHS test. Or you can book a free test at Hidden Hearing throughout September. Can't bear the thought of wearing hearing aids? 'Banish those distant memories of elderly relatives wearing big beige boxes with wires poking out,' insists Sydserff. 'The audiologist can talk through the may different solutions available, including the latest wireless technologies and aids that are invisible when worn in the ear canal.'
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Believe it or not, this isn't necessarily inevitable - or irreversible. 'Yes, our bodies do change as we get older and we may start to experience a loss of motion in the joints,' says pain expert and consultant clinical psychologist Dr Anna Mandeville. 'But it's questionable whether these changes are simply to do with ageing. Our everyday behaviour plays a big part, too. Because we spend so much time sitting, for example, we gradually lose flexibility in the lower spine, pelvis and hips.'
What can I do about it? Keep moving! 'One of the best anti-ageing strategies is to keep putting our muscles and bones through a good workout and doing regular weight-bearing exercise,' says Dr Mandeville. 'This helps maintain bone density and supplies ligaments, muscles and bones with the nutrients and oxygen they need. Yoga is perfect for this.'
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Natural ways to ease joint pain
Nearly one-third of people with persistent pain try to soldier on despite their discomfort, according to a recent survey by Deep Relief. 'Chronic pain is a challenge and can often result in the loss of valued activities and depression, meaning we may become fearful of even trying certain things in case it makes the pain worse,' says Dr Mandeville. 'But this can be a vicious circle: when our mood is lower, pain signals are "up-regulated" by the brain, and pain can seem even worse.'
What can I do about it? Don't just keep popping the painkillers. Speak to your GP about other options. 'You can ask for a referral to a chronic pain clinic,' says Dr Mandeville. 'These clinics are often multidisciplinary and have psychologists, physiotherapists and nurses. Many also run pain management programmes that provide in-depth support.'
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Pain and how to cope with it
'Our eyesight tends to deteriorate as we grow older as our eyes start to lose some of the elasticity that allows us to focus on things close-up,' explains optometrist Francesca Marchetti from the Simplyhealth Advisory Research Panel. 'That's why so many of us need reading glasses over time. Failing health can also lead to a deterioration in eyesight - so other illnesses can sometimes be picked up for the first time during an eye test.'
What can I do about it? Book an eye test. You'll get the prescription you need in order to see better. Sorted! Still need convincing? 'Vision changes can often occur gradually without you being aware of them,' says Marchetti. 'Something as simple as not having the right lens prescription can lead to a driver being below the DVLA's vision standards.'
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'As we age, many things happen which we have to work hard to counteract,' says Dr Gill Jenkins, GP and member of the Simplyhealth Advisory Research Panel. 'Our metabolic rate slows, making it harder to burn off calories and stay the same weight, even if we eat the same things and remain active. By middle age, our connective tissues and muscles aren't as firm. Everything starts to sag. Excess calories are deposited as fat.'
What can I do about it? Work harder! 'Switch to a diet that's more plant-based and low in carbohydrates and saturated fats and do more exercise,' says Dr Jenkins. 'You may not have the same stamina you had 20 years ago, but that doesn't mean you can't do it at all. Aim for 30 to 45 minutes of exercise, three to five days a week.' Tempted not to bother? Bear in mind that having a waist measurement of more than 31in (37in for men) can put you at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, among other serious conditions.
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Avoid gaining weight as you get older
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Age is one of the biggest factors affecting the amount and quality of sleep we get. Not only do we sleep for less time, but we also experience lighter sleep than we did when we were younger. So that means we're more easily disturbed - by noise, pain, a restless partner, the need to pee and so on. Menopause symptoms, such as night sweats and hot flushes, also cause disturbed sleep - as can certain prescribed medication, such as HRT.
What can I do about it? Loads! The trick, of course, is to first find the reason why you're not sleeping so well. If it's due to external factors such as noise, for example, the solution could be something as simple as wearing earplugs. Other self-help tips - going to bed at the same time each night, avoiding alcohol and caffeine in the evenings and using the bedroom only for sleeping and sex - can all be of benefit. But if the problem persists, see your GP. Remember, nobody is able to function properly on too little sleep.
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See all of our advice on the menopause
Stay healthy as you get older
Urinary incontinence affects around one in three women in the UK - but the vast majority simply suffer in silence, according to the recent Quality of Life survey by Always Discreet. It can become more of a problem after the menopause due to weakened pelvic floor muscles - partly as a result of declining oestrogen.
What can I do about it? Tighten up! You can strengthen your muscles 'down there' by doing regular pelvic floor exercises. There's really no excuse as you can do them any time, anywhere, and nobody even need know. 'Do them at least three times daily and you'll have more control when you need it,' says GP Dr Sarah Jarvis. Not sure how to do them? Find out here
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Urinary incontinence: get the facts
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This could be a hint of things to come. Almost one in three people over the age of 60 will suffer one or more falls each year, according to research by Deep Heat. The problem? It's often down to - you guessed it - an age-related decline in muscle mass and bone density. Poor vision and side effects from commonly prescribed medication may also be to blame.
What can I do about it? Exercise - again! In particular, tai chi is effective in preventing falls and boosting mental wellbeing, according to research published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. It works by improving balance and coordination. Another fitness tip? 'Maintaining strength in the thighs is critical,' says personal trainer Toby Garbett. 'The moment we lose the ability to squat, we're unable to get off the loo independently.' Now, what more encouragement do you need? Get squatting!
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Loss of libido affects around 30 per cent of women at some point. It's particularly common as we grow older - due to the decline in sex hormones around the time of the menopause, as well as other age-related health problems. And sometimes, the desire is there but sex itself is less enjoyable. Lower levels of oestrogen can cause a decrease in blood supply to the vagina. The result? Lack of lubrication, which makes sex uncomfortable.
What can I do about it? If the problems down to dryness, you can address it very easily by using a vaginal lubricant. Also, avoid using fragranced products when you wash 'down there', as they can aggravate dryness. Still suffering? Speak to your GP. There are lots of effective ways to address the problem - from localised HRT to counselling.
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Don't panic! If the blood is bright red in colour, chances are it's down to haemorrhoids - aka piles - which becomes more of a problem as we grow older. This increased risk is partly due to fact that the body's connective tissues tend to weaken with age. Other risk factors include lack of exercise, being overweight and not eating enough fibre.
What can I do about it? Lots! Various creams and ointments - such as Anusol and Germoloids, available from chemists nationwide - should help clear the problem up now. And if you eat more fibre, drink plenty of water, stay active and try not to strain when you're on the loo, you should stop it recurring in future. But if the problem remains or the blood is darker in colour, do see your GP as soon as possible to rule out any more serious causes.
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Piles: get the facts
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Posted by 11280Adrienne Wyper
Posted by 11320Carol Muskoron