MIDDLE AGE
BODILY CHANGES
In middle age, there are obvious changes in the external appearance of the individual. The tendency to gain weight has been strengthened. People are fond of food during this period. Even if they see that they are getting fatter and getting sick because of this, they can’t help themselves from eating. In adolescence, fat covers 10% of the body, while in middle age, it covers 20% of the body. Due to this lubrication, the abdomen and hips enlarge; chest and shoulders also narrow. In addition, lubrication causes the body to change its posture and slow down its movements (Schiamberg, 1985:547).
In this period; Our skin, which is our largest organ, becomes thinner as it loses some of its elasticity and natural oils. For this reason, sagging is seen in some parts of the skin. Although sagging is less in areas where the muscles can be kept firm and tense, sagging of the skin is inevitable in some areas such as the face. In addition, with thinning of the skin, veins and spots become more prominent.
The skin begins to dry and there is a decrease in the amount of perspiration. Although there are no wrinkles at the beginning of this period, they appear towards the end. This is a natural consequence of aging (Mayo Clinic, vol 1 p.244) p.
Especially in men, changes in hair are observed in middle age. Generally, most people in their 50s have gray hair. This graying starts at the temples and gradually spreads upwards. The forehead begins to open; baldness occurs (Mayo Clinic, vol 1 p244).
Among the senses, the most obvious change due to aging is vision. Individuals around the age of 40; suddenly becomes aware of the changes that occur, such as narrowing of the pupil, adaptation to light, and lens adaptation. Almost half of adults before the age of 65 wear glasses. After the age of 65, nine out of ten adults wear glasses.
Under the age of 25, the decrease in hearing is very low, at 1%; however, this rate increases after the age of 45. Most of the hearing loss occurs at high frequencies. Men hear lower frequencies better than women, and women hear higher frequencies better than men. After the age of 50, men suffer more hearing loss than women. This may be because men are more exposed to occupational noise than women.
Decrease in taste becomes evident after the age of 50. The reason for this is that the sense of taste receptors, first in the cheeks and then in the root of the tongue, begin to decrease. Sensitivity to sweets in old age is three times less than in young adulthood.
Sensitivity to smell also decreases significantly after the age of 40. A 60-year-old’s ability to distinguish odors is half that of a 20-year-old (Schiamberg, 1985:548).
In the middle age period, there is a significant decrease and slowdown in movements. The signs of aging in behavioral function that Welford mentions are:
- There is an increase in reaction time. Response time is the time between the individual’s reception of a stimulus and his response to it. As the individual ages, the response time to stimuli increases. In addition, an increase in the time it takes an individual to do a job is also seen.
- There is an increase in the performance variability of the individual with age.
- Significant decline in success is seen in the construction of more complex tasks; because there has been a decrease in the capacity of the brain to accumulate and transmit information due to aging.
As a result of this; middle-aged individuals cannot show the necessary quickness in the tasks that need to be done quickly. There is a slowdown in their movements (Schiamberg, 1985:548).
middle age; Chronic diseases, which are long-term and incurable diseases in humans, are more common than acute diseases, which are short-term and treatable diseases. Joint inflammation after the age of 40, diabetes mellitus, especially in men aged 50-60, are chronic diseases that are frequently seen.
In addition, problems with the circulatory system may occur during this period. As we age, various changes occur in the heart and blood vessels. The elasticity of the heart muscle and blood vessels is reduced. Metabolism also cannot produce the energy necessary for the heart. The heart’s pumping ability gradually decreases and the heart has to work harder to do the same job.
The heart becomes smaller, its weight decreases. There is a decrease in the cells that control the function of the heart and enable it to contract. It can narrow in the blood vessels that feed the heart. This can result in angina (chest pain) or a heart attack. Prolonged elevation of blood pressure causes hypertension (high blood pressure).
Despite these gradual changes in the circulatory system with aging, our heart still has the power to meet our body’s needs (Mayo Clinic vol 1 sy242-243).
The changes in the digestive system are not very obvious and may not be noticed until the end of middle age. Swallowing movements in the esophagus gradually slow down; however, this phenomenon is too slight to be noticed. There is also a slowdown in the movements that allow the digested food to progress in the intestines.
As a result of the change in the shape of the protrusions on the inner surface of the intestines, there is a decrease in absorption. There is a decrease in secretions that help digestion secreted from the stomach, liver, pancreas and small intestine. Although these changes are insignificant, they do not cause any problems in the digestive process. Constipation due to insufficient water intake is also quite common (Mayo Clinic, vol 1 p243).
