IT'S only normal to change a little from mid-life – greying hair, wrinkles, aching limbs and the odd ‘senior moment’.
But some symptoms usually associated with ageing shouldn’t just be brushed off as getting older.
“As you get older, you might find yourself struggling to multitask or forgetting words or names you’re usually familiar with,”; says Dr Imran Khan, Lead Practitioner at Bupa Health Clinics.
“This can happen even to healthy older adults. It occurs because of small changes that happen to your brain as you age.”;
But in some cases, the true causes of certain symptoms can be far more serious than you realise – even if a condition is related to ageing.
Most importantly though, they can also be treatable.
Below are seven symptoms to look out for which we shouldn't ignore.
GETTING SHORTER
From your fifties, height can start to decline, according to research published in the journal BMJ Open.
“However, if you spot a significant reduction in height, it could be a sign of osteoporosis,”; says Dr Khan.
Osteoporosis weakens the bones making a person more vulnerable to fractures or breaks – which can have a huge impact on someone’s life.
A past study published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research found that women over 70 who lose two or more inches in just two years have a 21 per cent higher chance of fracturing a hip in the following two years than women who lose less height, indicating an increased risk of osteoporosis.
Plus, research conducted in 2021 by the University of Gothenburg found that women who lose an inch or more of height in their fifties are more than twice as likely to die of a stroke than a woman who doesn’t lose any height.
Women are more at risk of osteoporosis than men as a result of losing bone rapidly in the first few years after menopause. But it does occur in men and younger people too.
Other causes of losing height can be natural ageing such as loss of muscle mass, cartilage thickness and bone density.
“Genetic factors can make you more prone to height loss too,”; Dr Khan says.
“These changes often happen slowly over time, so it’s not easy to detect them.”;
What next?Treatment involves medicine to strengthen the bones, calcium and vitamin D supplements. These supplements are also advised to prevent the condition, as well as exercise, giving up smoking and limiting alcohol.
WEEING AT NIGHT
Nocturia, where you frequently wake up in the night and need to pee, tends to increase with age.
“Needing to wee during the night affects over half of adults once they reach 50,”; Dr Khan says.
“[But] if you need to wee more than twice in the night, you should discuss this with your healthcare professional.”;
It coud be a symptom of diabetes, heart disease or prostate issues, he says.
Prostate cancer causes the need to urinate more often, trouble starting to urinate and waking up more at night to urinate.
“Natural enlarging of the prostate in men can lead to more frequent urination – this is a normal part of ageing,”; Dr Khan says.
An enlarged prostate is not harmful but because its symptoms cross over with prostate cancer, it is still worth seeing your GP.
What next?Symptoms of an enlarged prostate may get better with lifestyle changes such as drinking less caffeine and using bladder training techniques. Otherwise, medication may be an option, or surgery for severe cases.
Know your risk for prostate cancer by using this calculator: prostatecanceruk.org/risk-checker. Certain risk factors like age and genetics cannot be controlled but the easier it is found, the more options a man has to manage the disease.
LOSS OF APPETITE
Ageing can make us less interested in food.
But, according to Dr Khan, if this change is permanent, it’s not a normal sign of ageing.
“You might find that your tastes change as you get older, and you don’t love your favourite foods as passionately as you once did,”; Dr Khan says.
“But sometimes, losing your appetite suddenly can be a side effect of medication, or sign of an underlying health condition, so it’s always best to get yourself checked by a health professional.”;
Feeling sleepy all the time isn’t a normal part of ageing, though it affects around 20 per cent of older people
Dr Imran KhanLead Practitioner Bupa Health Clinics
These health conditions include an infection, says Dr Samantha Wild, Clinical Lead for Women’s Health and GP at Bupa Health Clinics, as well as; digestive conditions which may make it painful to eat; diabetes, which causes fluctuating blood sugar, potentially affecting appetite; and even cancer.
“The cancer itself or the treatment can affect appetite, particularly if you’re feeling unwell or in pain,”; says Dr Wild.
What next? If you’ve noticed your appetite seems to have disappeared, visit your GP who can help you get to the root of the problem.
ACHES AND PAINS
‘Aches and pains’ are a normal part of ageing – but when is the time to worry?
If you’ve moved a lot more than usual or put extra strain on your muscles and joints then you might feel a little sore, and this tends to fade away.
However, Dr Khan says that gradual or dull pain can also be a sign of osteoarthritis, which is relatively common in older adults.
Osteoarthritis is the most prevalent form of arthritis and a leading cause of adult chronic pain and long-term disability.
Dr Khan says: “You might experience stiffness in the joints of your hands, knees or hips, but it’s possible to have it in other places, too.”;
If pain is sudden, especially if it’s in your chest, hands or feet, it should always be reported to a health professional.
Dr Wild adds: “Sharp pain in the chest, hands or feet could be a symptom of pericarditis, which is inflammation of the lining around the heart, often following a viral infection. In rare cases, it may be a symptom of rheumatic fever.”;
Chest pain can also signal a blood clot in the lungs or angina meaning you should call your GP fast.
What next?Always call 999 if you have chest pain that is sudden with the following symptoms – as this could indicate a heart attack:
- Severe or crushing type of pain
- Pain that radiates to the arms, jaw, neck or back
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness or fainting
- Confusion, panic or anxiety
- Sweating
- Nausea or vomiting
Osteoarthritis is managed with physical therapy, pain relief medications, weight management, and in severe cases, joint replacement surgery. A healthy weight, staying physically active, and avoiding joint injuries can help prevent the condition.
DAYTIME SLEEPINESS
“Once you reach the age of 65, the amount of sleep you need reduces slightly,”; Dr Khan says.
“Your sleep changes as you get older – more time is spent in light sleep, and less time is spent in deep sleep.”;
But he says older adults should still get between seven and eight hours of sleep a night.
Shuffling or dragging your legs when walking can be a telltale sign of Parkinson's progression.”;
Dr Khan
“Feeling sleepy all the time isn’t a normal part of ageing, though it affects around 20 per cent of older people according to the Sleep Foundation,”; says Dr Khan.
“Constant fatigue could be a sign of an underlying health condition, like cardiovascular issues, sleep apnoea or cognitive changes, such as early onset dementia.
“With age, various medical conditions and the need to take medication may increase. These can impact your ability to sleep well.”;
What next? If you’re getting enough sleep yet you regularly feel tired throughout the day despite no change in your lifestyle, then book an appointment with your GP, especially if resting doesn’t alleviate it.
Cardiovascular issues are managed with a heart-healthy diet, exercise and stress reduction. These lifestyle changes also help with sleep apnoea.
For the latter, a CPAP machine – a mask you wear over your mouth at night – may be prescribed.
CHANGE IN WALK
Another more subtle sign of dementia is a change in your walk.
It could also indicate Parkinson’s disease.
“Parkinson’smay affect how well you’re able to walk, balance and multitask,”; says Dr Khan.
“Shuffling or dragging your legs when walking can be a telltale sign of the condition’s progression.”;
Every hour, two people in the UK are told they have Parkinson's, according to Parkinson’s UK, so it’s more common than you may think.
Most people get a diagnosis after the age of 50, with the average onset being around 60 years old.
Walking may become harder as you age.
“For example, your leg, upper body or back muscles may have lost strength, or you might experience stiffness in your hips or ankles,”; says Dr Khan.
“These changes might be down to injuries or health conditions, such as arthritis, which may make you less inclined to want to move.”;
What next?A GP would refer you for specialists tests if Parkinson's is suspected. Treatment for Parkinson's aims to maintain quality of life for as long as possible. It may include physiotherapy and medication.
The condition needs lifelong treatment as it progresses and you may have to eventually change how you do simple tasks. Some people don't need any treatment if it is early days and their symptoms are mild.
FORGETTING EVENTS
We all forget things sometimes and as we age, these memory blips may become more frequent.
But when does it cross the line from normal ageing, to something worse?
There are currently around 982,000 people living with dementia in the UK and by 2024, this number is expected to rise to 1.4 million, according to Alzheimer’s Society.
“If you can remember what you’re trying to recall, but it just takes a little longer, that’s not usually anything to worry about,”; says Dr Wild.
“However, if you’re struggling to remember recent events, conversations or where you’ve put things, you might be worried it’s the early signs of dementia.”
What next?Dr Wild says when symptoms start affecting your daily life; “for example, you can’t complete simple tasks that you’ve done many times before, speak to a health professional”.
“Your GP will discuss any existing medical conditions, medications you’re taking and your current symptoms,”; says Dr Wild.
“To understand your symptoms further, they may give you a special questionnaire and carry out an examination and basic tests to help rule out any other potential causes of your symptoms.
“If your GP suspects that you might be having cognitive problems, they’ll refer you to a specialist such as your local memory clinic or older person’s mental health team, to assess you further.”;
Is it ageing or dementia?
Dementia – the most common form of which is Alzheimer's – comes on slowly over time.
As the disease progresses, symptoms can become more severe.
But at the beginning, the symptoms can be subtle or mistaken for normal memory issues related to ageing.
TheUS National Institute on Aginggives some examples of what is considered normal forgetfulness in old age, and dementia disease.
You can refer to these above.
For example, it is normal for an ageing person to forget which word to use from time-to-time, but difficulting having conversation would be more indicative of dementia.
Katie Puckering, Head of Alzheimer’s Research UK’s Information Services team, previously told Flying Eze: “We quite commonly as humans put our car keys somewhere out of the ordinary and it takes longer for us to find them.
“As you get older, it takes longer for you to recall, or you really have to think; What was I doing? Where was I? What distracted me? Was it that I had to let the dog out? And then you find the keys by the back door.
“That process of retrieving the information is just a bit slower in people as they age.
“In dementia, someone may not be able to recall that information and what they did when they came into the house.
“What may also happen is they might put it somewhere it really doesn't belong. For example, rather than putting the milk back in the fridge, they put the kettle in the fridge.”;
