Tips for healthy ageing

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Extract from the article: Newborns and children are fragile and more exposed to disease. This is also the case for the elderly. While children's vulnerability is due to their embryonic immune system, in the case of the elderly it is due to a reduced capacity of the immune sys

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Newborns and children are fragile and more exposed to disease. This is also the case for the elderly. While children's vulnerability is due to their embryonic immune system, in the case of the elderly it is due to a reduced capacity of the immune system as a result of their advanced age. Hence the need to monitor the health of the elderly.

When we look at families, the elderly are a burden on their offspring because of their state of health. In rural areas, they are virtually left to fend for themselves, victims of hunger, thirst and disease. Being old should not be synonymous with condemnation. Today, the challenge at international level is to achieve societies in which older people are in good health and also participate in social and economic life.

Diseases of the elderly

The biggest health problems are cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks and strokes, oral disease, osteoporosis, fractures caused by falls, dementia, depression, cancer and malnutrition. To remedy this, it is vital to opt for preventive measures.

Staying healthy in old age

Admittedly, it will be difficult to avoid all the "diseases of old age", since some of them are genetic, but it is possible to avoid most of the gloomy procession of diseases that plague the elderly.Firstly, by leading a healthy lifestyle in their youth and then changing their lifestyle from the age of 40 for men and 35 for women.

Healthy living in your youth

From the age of 40 onwards, everyone should live a healthy lifestyle. This means avoiding tobacco and alcohol, and getting plenty of exercise, especially walking.You also need to eat a healthy, balanced diet that is suited to your body.Give preference to fruit and vegetables.Avoid animal fats. Limit salt consumption. Avoid white sugar.Avoid a sedentary lifestyle.

Lead a normal social life. Have a spiritual and meditative life, and make love regularly if possible. Avoid stress. Avoid self-medication.  If possible, have a check-up at least once a year. Your state of health in old age is the consequence of the life you led when you were young.

Okinawa and its centenarians

The global example is the centenarian existence of the inhabitants of Okinawa in Japan.This is because of their healthy and fulfilling lifestyle.  After the age of 60, a life riddled with illness and endless expenses is out of the question. This is the great challenge of the century.It's up to each and every one of us to take charge of our own lives and lead healthy, long lives.The public authorities also need to take this issue to heart by initiating policies, strategies and activities to promote the health of the elderly.

Elom AKAKPO