As a result, older adults often feel cold when others are comfortable or become overheated more easily. Signals for thirst, chills, or overheating also become less reliable, increasing the risk of dehydration, heat exhaustion, or hypothermia.
Overall tolerance to temperature changes drops noticeably.
The body produces less saliva, stomach acid, and digestive enzymes. Nutrient absorption becomes less efficient, and intestinal movement slows, often causing bloating, heaviness, and constipation.
This explains why foods that were once easy to digest may now cause discomfort, gas, or a sensation that food is sitting heavily in the stomach.
This isn’t a sudden food intolerance—it’s a physical change in how the digestive system functions.
2. Balance declines on multiple fronts
From around age 75, several systems involved in balance weaken at the same time:
The inner ear loses motion-sensing cells
Muscles and joints provide less precise feedback
Vision loses depth perception and contrast
Meanwhile, the brain processes information more slowly. Together, these changes raise the risk of falls, even among physically active individuals. Continue reading…
