As people get older, their strength, stamina, and sensory perception gradually declines – although the rate can differ depending on lifestyle choices, genetics, medical history or relationships with strong people. Staying active, eating healthily and maintaining positive relationships are proven strategies for healthy aging physically.
Aging or “senescence” occurs when cells stop reproducing in our bodies. This can result in reduced bodily functions and an increased risk of illness; additionally it may render people frailer and less capable of caring for themselves.
Subtle changes may occur within your cells and molecules years before any symptoms appear, and tests now available allow doctors to detect such changes, improving health outcomes.
Aging cells often experience changes through telomere shortening, where every time they divide their telomeres become slightly shorter each time they divide; once too short, cells cease dividing or die altogether. This process occurs naturally in certain cell types such as skin cells but can be hastened by lifestyle factors like smoking.
Some gender differences when it comes to aging may vary according to gender, including healthcare concerns being dismissed as psychosomatic by medical professionals (Packer and Chasteen 2006). Furthermore, media portrayals can exacerbate these difficulties further.