Good, Bad, & Ugly of Aging

Maybe this is the wrong time of year to be worried about aging, but I find that I am anyway. We take our health for granted, until we experience those inevitable signs of aging.

Our bodies are NOT well designed for living much beyond forty. After that age, body parts go into decline. I suppose that part of our "test" is to see how well we endure aging.

Our spines are not well designed for bipedal locomotion. The lumbar-pelvic region takes a beating over time, and it slowly degenerates. The result: low back problems and pinched spinal nerves. Been there and done that.

Presbyopia is aging eye. The primary symptom is loss of the elasticity of the lens behind the pupil, requiring bifocals for proper accommodation. Another fun aspect of aging eye is something called posterior vitreous detachment. As we get older the gel-like fluid in the posterior chamber of our eye shrinks and pulls away from the retina. As it does so, it pulls debris into the eye that obscures vision. There is also the risk of retinal detachment. Been there and done that.

Presbycusis is aging ear. The primary symptom is high frequency hearing loss due to the death of hair cells near the base of the cochlea. This aging process is exacerbated by too many rock concerts while in one's twenties. Been there and done that.

The heart also ages. Plaque build-up in the arteries, caused by low-density lipids, is called coronary heart disease. High-density lipids help to cart off the low-density lipids, but unfortunately as we age, it becomes harder and harder for the body to manufacture high density lipids. Been there and done that.

Forgetfulness is the term we kindly use for normal memory loss associated with aging. Actually, we are referring to a slight impairment in the ability to form long-term memories from short-term memories. There is also an associated retrieval problem. As we age, the brain slowly dissolves, but the brain is also a great compensatory machine. Slow mental decline is just a normal part of aging. But, wisdom comes with experience, or so I claim. Been there and done that.

Of course, this list of problems could be greatly extended. Aging is not a pleasant thought, but it is something we all must face. Again, the question is: can we face it with dignity?

I am trying, but whether I am succeeding is another question. I find it embarrassing to walk with a cane at work. I grumble when my teenaged son neglects to help me take out the garbage. I get a little short with my physicians (because I think I know more than they do, but that is really debatable).

As I spend this Christmas with my family, I am going to try to make it special. I am grateful for the holiday experience, because I know things change. Aging is the evolution of the individual, and it is an unstoppable force.

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