Dr. Conway McLean

Time heals all wounds. Or is it time wounds all heels? If you can’t seem to remember, maybe it’s the ravages of time altering your memory. This seems understandable since the passing of time has various and sundry effects on the human body. But I have come to question the accepted beliefs that the years, by necessity, bring with them the loss of vigor, of vitality, of health.

From a professional perspective, I can tell you that the passage of time can have devastating consequences. Even the simplest problem, when present for innumerable years, will tend to become that much more dangerous and disabling. Even a simple callus, initially just a curiosity, and painless, can lead to ulceration, infection, and gangrene, when the condition has been present for years, and our bodies have lost some of the healing powers of youth.

So many bodily systems are reduced by the passing of years, from the flow of our “precious bodily fluids”, to the capacity of the brain to retain information (see the prior discussion of memory!). It seems to be an accepted fact, a predictable and natural result of our being here on earth long enough.

How often have I heard it said when talking to a patient “But I never had this problem before?”, with the sufferer apparently oblivious to the fact that they have never before been their current age. Consequently, they no longer have the capacity to heal soft tissue inflammation as well, to rush blood to a mildly injured part of the body, to maintain the tissues of the body at such a vigorous metabolic rate.

Apparently, despite a certain fixation by modern medicine towards the treatment of disease, rather than the maintenance of health, multiple studies have found it is possible to ward off the ravages of Father Time. How can such a thing be? Certainly, we have achieved a level of success, with more and more people reaching extreme old age, the so-called super aged. Centenarians are becoming more common every year, although an important question would be “to what benefit?” Is quality of live simply a matter of mathematics, regardless of whether we are fit enough to pursue a rewarding lifestyle?

Some of the changes of aging can start as early as the third decade of life, with various parameters of cardiac function declining, diminished aerobic capacity producing fatigue with even modest activities. Additionally, blood vessels begin to stiffen causing a gradual increase in blood pressure. As so many know, weight gain is common, and when combined with a loss of muscle mass, the gain is pure fat.

The clock ticks for all creatures, and with each tick comes change. That is a given, and we all need to face that fact. Father Time will take his toll. Yet, there is much that can be done to lessen and slow the declines that come with aging. It’s a matter of how we age. Clearly, genetics have a tremendous influence, but lifestyle is perhaps equally important. In that department, we have significant control.

Research shows that many of the changes attributed to aging are actually caused in large part by disuse. Exercise is not the fountain of youth, but I would say it’s the closest thing we have. Naturally, many studies confirm this. Some especially relevant ones have looked at the effects of an exercise program for a group of elderly men. The results demonstrated that so much of the decline of aging can be thwarted. From heart disease to stroke, the passing of years can be blunted, and fitness levels maintained. It takes dedication, but with a balanced, healthy diet, consistent exercise, and a little bit of luck (genetically-speaking), it is possible to live a long, fruitful life, even into your golden years.

Aging is inevitable, but it has an undeservedly fearsome reputation. No one can stop the clock, but most of us can slow its ticking and enjoy life as they age with grace and vigor. Regular exercise, along with a good diet, good medical care, good genes, and a bit of luck, can make it happen.

Dr. Conway McLean, DABFAS, FAPWHc, is a physician who specializes in treating foot, ankle and lower leg problems.