Adults who stay well hydrated appear to be healthier, develop fewer chronic conditions (such as heart and lung disease), and live longer than those who take in less fluid. Still, many older adults have trouble drinking enough water during the day. Adopting strategies like keeping water bottles close by, drinking with every meal, and eating more water-rich foods can help them meet their daily recommended amounts.
Feelings of sexual desire change for both men and women as they age. Sometimes the desire is more robust for only one partner, or desires fluctuate so much that partners are rarely in sync. Talking about these changes and exploring different ways to approach this new phase of sex can help both partners find mutual enjoyment.
There are no specific foods that directly cause gallstones, but diet can play a role, as overweight people tend to develop more gallstones than those at a healthy weight.
In general, prostate cancer that occurs after age 60 does not increase the risk of getting a second, different cancer. However, lifestyle habits that contribute to prostate cancer, like poor diet, lack of exercise, and obesity, can raise the risk for other cancers.
Scientists don’t fully understand what causes some people to get Alzheimer’s and others not. Age is the most significant risk factor, but genetics also plays a role. Alzheimer’s has no cure, so the focus is on prevention and slowing the disease’s progress once the biological changes are detected or when someone has early symptoms. Research has found that paying attention to certain factors may help, no matter a person’s age or family history. These include exercise, diet, hearing and vision, blood pressure, and mind-stimulating activities.
A 2023 study found that for people with atrial fibrillation, a program of supervised and home-based exercise may reduce the severity and frequency of their symptoms.
People with diabetes who take pain relievers known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be at higher risk of heart failure, according to a 2023 study. NSAIDs include ibuprofen, which is sold over the counter as Advil and Motrin.
A 2023 study indicates that women 65 and older are diagnosed with advanced cervical cancer more often than younger women, and they have a worse prognosis.
A 2023 study suggests that some brain changes in people with obesity appear similar to those that occur in people with Alzheimer’s disease, the most common cause of dementia.
Travel disrupts many of the body’s natural rhythms, including digestion, increasing the odds of indigestion, diarrhea, or constipation. Food and water in developing countries can be contaminated with germs that make traveler’s diarrhea more likely. Tactics to keep “traveler’s tummy” at bay include packing over-the-counter digestive aids and familiar snacks, and avoiding street food and local water and ice.