Kiddipedia
What happens as we age ?
We often wonder what happens to our body as we age, what intrinsic processes take place and what physical changes happen to the body as the ageing process continues.
Most women reach menopause between the ages of 45 and 55, the average being around 51. So what happens to our body during menopause?
These are some of the symptoms that women can experience:
- Hot flushes, night sweats
- Aches and pains
- Crawling or itching sensations under the skin
- Irritability
- Tiredness, difficulty sleeping – wakefulness or waking hot and sweaty
As you approach menopause, the production of ‘female’ hormones (oestrogen and progesterone) by the ovaries starts to slow down.
So why is oestrogen/estrogen important?
Up until women reach menopause the hormone estrogen protects the bones in the body. Helps maintain our bone density by increasing osteoblasts, which are bone-forming cells. Thus leaving us less susceptible to osteoporosis.
Have you already been through menopause? Or Are you in the early stages of menopause? Or are you in the near stages of menopause? Keep reading to find out what next.
During menopause the role of physical activity becomes important, not only because of the plethora of symptoms that menopause produces, but also because it increases the risk for cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, decreased bone mineral density, musculoskeletal symptoms, depression and obesity—specifically through an increase in central adiposity and visceral fat mass. (Freeman 2010; Guthrie et al. 2004).
Studies have shown that incorporating an exercise program post menopause will reduce osteopenia and maintain those who are already osteoporotic. Hence the commencement of an exercise program is never too late.
Sources:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15758462
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3296386/
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