It can be difficult as you age to determine whether a new medical issue is related to your MS, or just a routine part of your body getting older. It’s always important to have a discussion with your MS care team when you’re experiencing something new. Here are some common age-related problems that can raise MS-related concerns, but are often just typical parts of the normal aging process:
- Increased risk of falls; balance issues
- Skin becomes drier and more fragile
- Bones become more brittle
- Metabolism slows; muscles lose strength, tone, and flexibility
- Heart’s pumping power and lung capacity decrease
- Appetite decreases, constipation becomes more common
- Bladder control weakens, prostate (in men) complicates urination
- Hearing and vision can decrease
- Short-term memory declines, some cognitive functions slow down
