Do you take aging as a life-limiting decline in health? Growing older doesn’t mean stepping towards forgetfulness, sickness, and feebleness with wrinkled skin. Rather the feelings of helpless, uselessness, and loss of value can create a negative impact on your health. To come across the least issues related to aging, live a balanced and healthy lifestyle. Most importantly, be aware of the myths related to aging so as to not fall prey to them.

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia is the Result of Aging

We are in the month of September that is celebrated as the Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Myths should be kept at bay, which is possible by enhancing the awareness about early diagnosis.

Common myths associated with this disease are:

• BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia) occurs only in older men between the age group of 60 -70 years.
• A huge amount of water consumption can cure BPH.
• BPH causes sexual dysfunction.
• BPH is curable only by surgery.

Dr. Sudhir Khanna, a senior Consultant Urologist of Sir Ganga Ram Hospital said “In our country, almost every two out of three men aged 40 years and above suffer from symptoms due to BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia). Most of these patients ‘normalise’ their symptoms, as an inevitable consequence of ageing or attribute it solely to external factors like cold weather and drinking too much water. They suffer in silence, adopting coping behaviours, like passing urine every time they go outdoors or retire to bed, cutting down on fluid intake more than needed to mitigate their symptoms.”

He says most of the patientsvisit a Doctor when the case worsens. BPH can be cured if assessed at an early stage, which reduces the cost and morbidity. The above-mentioned myth has no practical connection with facts. (1)

Alzheimer’s Can Only Occur in an Elderly Person

Alzheimer’s disease may occur at any age despite inherited factors and age. Forgetting memories or the exact name of any person, experiencing a slowdown in problem-solving abilities, or reaction time is a common problem. These symptoms don’t imply that yourbrain is aging and you are at risk of Alzheimer’s disease. However, if your problems persist or increases, then you must take medical advice.

Related myths are:

• It can only arise in the elderly population.
• Memory loss is a symptom of Alzheimer’s disease.
• Alzheimer’s disease can lead to death.
• It is always an inherited disease.

Memory loss is a common part of aging. It also may happen for prolonged medication or ailments, nutrition deficiency, and a lot more. Maintain a good balance between mental and physical health with the right diet, exercise, and work.

Alzheimer causes malfunction of brain cells and it results in often memory loss. It is incurable. However, with early medication, a patient can live a longer life with better mental health. (2)

Anti-Aging Cream Reduces Wrinkles

We all condemn the skinny wrinkled look. Since the age of 30s, most of the people, especially women, get concerned about the wrinkles on the skin caused due to aging. (3)

Myths about wrinkles:

• An anti-aging cream can rescue one from the soaring wrinkle issue.
• Wrinkles can only be induced by aging factors.
• There are anti-aging skincare regimes.
• Moisturizers can prevent wrinkles.
• High priced cosmetics ensure the best treatment against skin aging.

Wrinkles are partly the outcome of aging,however, there is an array of other reasons behind it. Moreover, anti-aging creams have limited effect against aging of the skin.

Wrinkles can be caused due to different facial expressions, exposure to sun or chemicals, lifestyle disorders, effects of prolonged medication, and a lot more.

No skincare regime can cease wrinkles, although some certified ones do help with the reduction. Moisturizerscan just hydrate the skin; it has no reducing effect on wrinkles.

Vitamin C rich food nourishes your skin. Consumeplenty of water to hydrate the skin. Exercise regularly to tone the skin. Practise face yoga to help keep your skin firm. Always use sunscreen, as it protects your skin from the damage caused by UV rays.

Aging Promotes Sexual Dysfunction

Aging is one of the most important factors behind sexual dysfunction. However, if your sexual desires are dropping it doesn’t signify that you are approaching aging-related issues. Medications, lifestyle disorders, mental health and ailments are some potent factors. Many studies confirmed older adults that are actively engaged in sexual activities are living a better life. It serves as an emotional booster and effective exercise. (4)

Common myths:

• A certain period of sexual inactiveness ensures lifetime sexual dysfunction.
• Sexual activities are impossible in older adults.
• Erectile dysfunction is a common aging-related disorder.

If you are mentally and physically healthy without any ailments then despite aging factors you may avert sexual dysfunction.

Osteoporosis is an Evitable Disease in Elderly Women

Osteoporosis is a disease that makes the bones weak and feeble. It lowers bone density. It is often diagnosed in an elderly person. (5)

Myths:

• Only elderly women develop osteoporosis.
• Aging is the only reason for osteoporosis.
• Calcium rich diet can prevent this disease.

It is observedthat most of the women after menopause develop osteoporosis. One of the most important reasons behind this is the decrease in theiroestrogen levels.

The fact is that an elderly male can also get this disease, although, the ratio of men to women is lesser. Aging is a strong factor. Malnutrition or any other disease can lead to fracture or the feebleness of bones. Having calcium rich diet is important to strengthen bones, however, it cannot prevent the disease.

The Take-home

Inevitability is a term that we often correlate with aging. However, all the myths surrounding aging isn’t evitable. If you have any of the symptoms, which you are suspecting has arisen due to aging, then it is better not to abound by myth. Take medical help and live a healthy life to keep yourself fit and fine.

Disclaimer:

Anzen Exports’ blog posts are based just on our research from cited websites. To be best informed, we advise consulting a doctor about an ingredient or medicine prior to taking it.

Sources:

1. 1. The Indian Express
      Website – https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/health/prostate-cancer-awareness-month-september-2020-men-health-6596635/
      Date – 16^th Sept 2020
   2. Alzheimer’s Association
      Website – https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-alzheimers/myths
   3. &4. Penn Medicine
      Website – https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/health-and-wellness/2019/december/the-truth-about-wrinklesDate – 1^st Dec 2019.

   5. HSS, The PlaybookWebsite – https://www.hss.edu/playbook/4-common-myths-about-osteoporosis/#:~:text=Myth%202%3A%20Osteoporosis%20is%20a,ages%2C%20ethnicities%20and%20either%20sex.