Strange Changes

Written by Diane Krieger

No one’s immortal. People of all ages know this, though most try to sweep the knowledge under the rug. For older adults, it gets harder to ignore as they’re pelted with daily reminders.

From achy fingers to crepey skin, ordinary age-related changes abound in later life. Don’t let them get you down. Though we can’t turn back the clock, we can understand what makes it tick. Here are some helpful explanations and suggestions for ways to live gracefully with common age-related changes.

Scales of Injustice

The Bad News: It’s normal to gain weight (on average, 1 to 2 pounds per year) across the adult lifespan, but stepping on the scale becomes downright scary in the autumn years. 

Why? Because metabolism slows down as you age, meaning your body burns fewer calories. No matter what your activity level, once you hit your 50s to early 60s, the USDA daily calorie recommendations drop by 200 for both men and women. This means if you continue to eat the same amount as usual, you’ll pile on the pounds. 

The Good News: Your ideal weight may be higher than you think. Research suggests carrying some extra fat can be protective later in life. According to one reputable study, older adults with the lowest risk of premature death had BMIs of 27 to 28, which would qualify as “overweight” under general World Health Organization standards. Here’s why a little more fat can be beneficial: Should you fall, the extra padding could protect against fractures. And should you become seriously ill with—say with cancer or kidney disease—stored fat can be a source of energy to help your body tolerate harsh therapies.

Feeling Crepey

The Bad News: Your face no longer has that plump, smooth glow of yesteryear. Age spots burst forth and expand. On top of wrinkles, there’s now “crepey” skin on your neck and arms. Thinner skin means easier bruising and tearing. A slight bump against the doorknob can leave ugly purple marks, and the prick of a rose thorn cuts like a knife.

Why? Once again, chalk it up to metabolic changes. As we age, less fat accumulates under the skin, resulting in dryness and thinning. UV damage also plays a part. A lifetime of limiting sun exposure and refraining from smoking can delay these changes, but ultimately the effects of time—crepey skin, easy pricking and bruising, and pigment changes—cannot be prevented. 

The Good News: Many treatments are available, and they aren’t necessarily exotic or expensive. Remember to moisturize your skin daily. For really dry skin, try ordinary coconut oil. Other popular home remedies: Massage your face, arms and legs regularly. Exfoliate with a homemade sugar-and-olive oil scrub once or twice a week. Over-the-counter products containing retinol, which helps skin cells regenerate, may actually reverse crepey skin. Collagen and biotin supplements might also help. For bruising, apply ice immediately to slow blood leaking into the surrounding tissue. Treat with topical arnica, a popular homeopathic herb known to reduce inflammation, swelling and bruising.

Achy Breaky Hands

The Bad News: Your fingers start to look knobby, and your pinkie has taken a crooked turn. Simple things like unscrewing a jar or typing on the keyboard begin to really hurt.

Why? Over the years, joints in the hands get a lot of wear and tear. A slippery tissue called “articular cartilage” covers the ends of bones, allowing joints to move smoothly. But as this cartilage gradually decreases with age, inflammation and hand pain arrive in the form of osteoarthritis, or OA. 

The Good News: There are many over-the-counter remedies for OA pain. Voltaren (diclofenac) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory gel. Arnica oil—available in cream, balm, gel or ointment—also provides pain relief. Although clinical research has yet to prove their efficacy in treating OA, many patients report tangible benefits from daily supplements of glucosamine and turmeric.

Trips to the Loo, My Darling

The Bad News: Is four trips a night normal? And why does sneezing now involve two orifices?

Why? Because your bladder becomes less elastic with age, resulting in imperfect bladder control and the need to urinate more often. In men, an enlarged or inflamed prostate can cause urinary incontinence and difficulty in emptying the bladder.

The Good News: You can promote bladder and urinary tract health by adopting new habits, such as making a pit stop regularly. Start with a restroom visit every hour, then slowly extend the amount of time between trips. Strengthen your pelvic floor muscles with Kegel exercises. It’s easy: Squeeze the muscles you’d use to stop urinating, hold it for 3 seconds, then relax for a count of three. Work up to doing the exercise 10 to 15 times in a row, at least three times a day. And avoid dietary bladder irritants, such as caffeine, acidic foods, alcohol and carbonated drinks, which can exacerbate powder-room problems.