As people age, the elasticity of the bladder may decrease, which leads to the need to urinate more frequently. The bladder muscles may also weaken, causing loss of bladder control. Factors such as being overweight, nerve damage, certain drugs, and caffeine or alcohol consumption may also contribute to urinary incontinence.
In men, an enlarged prostate may also contribute to the loss of bladder control and difficulty emptying the bladder. Furthermore, the kidneys lose tissues, decreasing the number of nephrons available to filter waste material in the blood.
These changes in the bladder and kidneys may lead to urinary tract infections and chronic kidney disease. To counteract this, you can practice pelvic floor exercises (Kegel exercises), avoid substances that can irritate the bladder, and frequently go to the toilet on a regular basis.
Memory and Cognition
Memory functions change when neurons atrophy and the brain experiences a decrease in the number of neural connections. After all, the volume of the brain decreases by a few centimeters yearly after the age of 65. This can be due to age-related brain cell dropout as a result of programmed cell death, However, procedural, primary, and semantic memory, are well preserved with age. Skills, ability, and knowledge that are over-learned, well-practiced, and familiar, like vocabulary or general knowledge, remain stable with age.
These changes in the brain can lead to changes in behavior as well. The areas of the brain that are most affected are the frontal cortex (verbal ability and executive functions like planning and organizing), parietal cortex (visual-motor performance), and the medial temporal area (long-term memory). Aerobic exercise, proper diet, and cognitive stimulation are essential to combating the changes caused by aging.
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