The mystery of human ageing process - Focus on the reality of health challenge
The phenomenon of age and ageing is surrounded by series of connotations which vary with cultures and races. From socio-cultural stand point, age-related matters are associated with diverse beliefs in most African settings.
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These range from positive developments such as expected growth in wisdom, life experience, maturity and accomplishments to negative perceptions including witches, wizards, incapacitation and disabilities.
Whereas, ageing in reality is accompanied by functional decline of cells, tissues, and organs with a wide range of diseases. Indeed, advancing in age is the predominant risk factor for major life-threatening diseases.
Interestingly, recent work has shown that ageing in diverse animals, including humans, is amenable to measures including diet, lifestyle modification and medication that can extend lifespan and improve health during ageing. In spite of these established facts, however, issues surrounding age and the ageing process continue
A biological mystery
Ageing process remains a considerable biological mystery. The frequently raised concern among individual is: What makes us to age in the first instance? All organisms are generally maintained in their youthful states during their developments until the onset of reproduction when the effects of ageing begin to manifest.
The hallmark of the ageing feature is both complex and diverse across organisms. In man, the picture is further complicated by systemic effects, with one tissue affecting the ageing of the others.
Advanced age is commonly accompanied by poor nutrition, inefficient function of bones and muscles, diseases of the heart and blood vessels, inability to control bowel and bladder. These complex features are commonly misconstrued by members of the society. For instance, the depicted confusion and forgetfulness among senior citizens are often misinterpreted as features of witchcraft or wizardry. The implication of this is the diversion of attention away from adequate care of this sacred population.
Healthcare Implications
Successful ageing implies the ability to tolerate any of the negative effects of disease and disability, and remain functional physically, mentally, socially and psychologically.
Health advocacy to optimise opportunities for health, participation and security remain prerequisites to enhance quality of life as people age.
Interventions that improve health during ageing and increase lifespan of man are of particular interest. Indeed, good nutrition, exercise and appropriate health care can retard the negative manifestation of the ageing process. The following measures among others are being adopted to slow down ageing process while enhancing good quality of life:
Appropriate medication:
Medication in elderly individuals can be regarded as two sides of a coin: the beneficial and therapeutic effects of any given medication must be balanced against the risk that the older adults will experience. There is no doubt that many illnesses and afflictions that typically occur in the elderly population can be alleviated through appropriate pharmacological measures. The potential for beneficial drug effects, however, co-exists with an increased chance for serious adverse effects. It, thus, becomes necessary that aged individuals take prescribed medication by qualified medical experts.
Life style modification:
This covers adjustment of activity of daily living e.g. avoiding stressful activities, seeking assistance when it is necessary, ensuring proper sleeping pattern, pacing out tasks and breaking them into manageable bits. Other tips that could be of health benefits include, getting in and out of bed carefully, using correct furniture, avoiding “Peak hours” in the public gathering and taking caution while climbing stairs. All these measures do have indirect bearing on the ageing process by preventing potential occurrences that could hasten it.
Exercise participation:
Engaging in any form of exercises must be preceded by advice from qualified professionals. Prescribed exercise must encompass all the four components, namely, strength, endurance, balance and gait. The overall effects of these modes of exercises include fall, prevention, optimal heart and blood vessel function and efficient connective tissues.
Dietary Restriction:
Recent research work has revealed that reduced intake of certain nutrients, particularly specific amino acids, is very important in conferring the health benefits of dietary restriction on elderly persons. Other beneficial measures include moderation in salt and protein intake which will reduce the loss of calcium through urine, consumption of local foods rich in vitamin D which is essential for calcium absorption.
In summary, the ageing process is associated with increased prevalence of chronic diseases, disability and death. Therefore, a public health goal for older adults should focus on maintaining health, independence and function rather than diverting attention to unsupported belief. Elderly persons in our societies, thus, deserve better care and support to attain successful and active ageing.
The writer is Physiotherapist and Senior Lecturer, Department of Physiotherapy,
School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana. Korle Bu Campus.
Contact: [email protected]
