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| Natural Age Changes | Brain and Nervous System
With age, the number of cells (neurons) in your brain decreases, and your memory becomes less efficient. Though, in some areas of your brain, the number of connections between the cells increases, perhaps helping to compensate for the aging neurons and maintain brain function. You tend to become less coordinated and your reflexes tend to become slower.
Eyes
When you get older your eyes are less able to produce tears, your retinas thin, and your lenses gradually turn yellow and become less clear. At the age of 40, focusing on objects that are close up may become more difficult. Soon after, the colored portions of your eyes (irises) stiffen, making your pupils less responsive. Such modification can make it more difficult to adapt to different levels of light. Further changes to your lenses can make you sensitive to glare, which presents a problem when driving at night. The most common problems of aging eyes this time are: cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration.
Ears
Loss of hearing is one of the most common conditions affecting adults who are middle-aged and older. As an example, one in three people older than 60 and half of all people older than 85 have significant hearing loss. In time, sounds and noise can damage the hair cells of your inner ears.
What's more, the walls of your auditory canals thin, and your eardrums thicken. So you may have difficulty hearing high frequencies. In such a way, some people find it difficult to follow a conversation in a crowded room. Alterations in the inner ear or in the nerves attached to it, earwax buildup and various diseases can all affect your hearing.
Teeth
The respond of your teeth and gums to age depends on how well you've cared for them over the years. Nevertheless even though you're meticulous about brushing and flossing, you may notice that your mouth feels drier and your gums have pulled back (receded). In the long run, your teeth may darken slightly and become more brittle and easier to break.
The majority of adults can keep their natural teeth all of their lives, but with less saliva to wash away bacteria, your teeth and gums become slightly more vulnerable to decay and infection. Ifn case you've lost most or all of your natural teeth, you might use dentures or dental implants as a replacement.
Older adults may experience dry mouth, also called xerostomia, which can lead to tooth decay and infection. Besides, dry mouth can make speaking, swallowing and tasting difficult. That’s why oral cancer is more common among older adults. Check in your dentist for oral cancer when you go for regular cleanings and checkups.
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