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Breaking down sensory changes -

You need a certain amount of stimulation before your brain registers sensations, and that threshold level increases with age. Meaning the older you get, the more input you need to make sense of your surroundings. But this doesn’t have to compromise your quality of life.

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Vision -

Aging affects every area of the eye. The cornea becomes more sensitive and vulnerable to injury. Also, the pupil begins to respond more slowly to variations in light and darkness.

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Eye changes -

The lens can harden, which changes the path of light into your eye. Eye muscles begin to degenerate, which impacts your ability to rotate your eyes.

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Protect your eyes -

Wear sunglasses with lenses that block UV and UVB radiation. It's also recommended to wear goggles to shield your eyes against liquids, irritating mists, fumes, and chemical splash.

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Lubricate your eyes - Get enough sleep to keep your eyes lubricated. Also, don't forget to hydrate your eyes with eye drops during the day, especially if you work in front of a computer.

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Exercise - Exercise regularly to maintain appropriate blood flow to your eyes.

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Consume a healthy diet -

Research has shown that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, and low in fat and cholesterol, can prevent vision loss.

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Keep it bright -

Using brighter lighting throughout your home, plus bright lamps for tasks like reading, can help boost your vision. You might also install motion lights that turn on when you enter a room, since aging eyes have a harder time adjusting to darkness.

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Consult your eye doctor/optician - Consult with your eye doctor to ensure your eyes are moist enough. This helps to reduce blurry vision, making it easier to see so you can drive safely and read efficiently. Make sure you also have prescription glasses if needed.

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Hearing -

Aging also changes the structures in your ear. You might not be able to pick up sounds as easily, and you might also notice difficulties in maintaining your balance. This is all connected.

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Beware of tinnitus -

In addition, many people notice periodic ringing or buzzing, known as tinnitus. These changes can trigger negative health effects such as isolation, cognitive impairment, and depression.

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Wear ear protection -

If you’re in an environment where you have to yell to be heard, you should be wearing ear protection. This applies even if you don't yet have hearing loss.

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Don’t forget to remove ear wax -

Wax buildup increases with age, so having the wax removed can dramatically improve your hearing.

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Lower the volume on devices -

Control background noises that make hearing harder. For example, if you're trying to talk to someone, turn off the TV or lower the volume of your music.

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Maintain a healthy weight -

Diabetes puts you at risk for hearing loss. Protect your hearing by maintaining a healthy weight, and managing your blood pressure and blood sugar levels.

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Taste and smell -

Taste and smell go hand in hand, and they both fade as we age. The sense of smell diminishes because there are fewer nerve endings and less mucus in your nasal cavity.

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The five tastes decline -

Taste buds decrease in size and number, and your sensitivity to each of the five tastes begins to decline. The five tastes are sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and umami.

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Avoid smoking and alcohol -

No big surprise here! Avoid smoking and alcohol, as both can sabotage your taste buds.

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Beware of certain medicines -

A variety of over-the-counter and prescription medications also impact smell and taste. Consult with your doctor as to whether there are alternative medications that don't present the same side effects.

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Beware of certain conditions -

Some medical conditions can affect your ability to taste, so make sure you manage things like high blood pressure and inflammatory bowel disease.

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Add more intense flavors to your foods -

Some ingredient to consider include sharper cheeses, sun-dried tomatoes, onion, garlic, and flavored vinegar.

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Use less salt -

Rather than adding salt, which can raise blood pressure, or sugar, which adds calories, give your food some flavor with herbs and spices.

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Careful with colds and allergies -

Try to avoid colds by frequently washing your hands. And if you have allergies, try to limit contact with whatever you're allergic to.

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Careful with certain cleaning products - Don't use cleaning products and other chemicals with strong fumes.

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Touch -

Aging impacts the nerve endings involved with pain, pressure, temperature, and vibration. As you age, you may have more difficulty sensing extreme cold or heat.

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Older people are more vulnerable -

This means when you finally do sense the pain, your reaction time isn't as fast. Older people are therefore more vulnerable to cold and burn injuries, as well as pressure ulcers.

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Invest in massages and hand creams -

There’s not much you can do to slow down a declining sense of touch. Instead, try to support your skin and nerve endings by indulging in a monthly massage, and slather on lotions and oils.

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Move your body -

Also, the more your body has the experience of moving, the more those receptors will stay active and useful.

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Bottom line -

Don't automatically assume that a decline in your senses is just part of growing older. Any sudden change can be a warning sign of a disease or condition that needs treatment. Always speak to a medical professional.

Sources: (National Geographic) (MedlinePlus) (RUSH)

See also: Things that are damaging your hearing, and how to protect it

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