Ms. K who turned 93 Today, I visited a 93-year-old patient with a bouquet in my hand to celebrate her birthday. She was born on January 13, 1916. She often says she does not want to die
and keeps yearning to work forever.
She worked as a nurse during her youth and after she got married earned her own income by making kimonos for others until she turned 80. According to her own words,
she had experienced the sweets and bitters of life. At 80 she fell and was told that she had a brain tumor. When we met, she was not able to recognize me and could not speak well. In about several weeks afterward, she regained her speech and the tumor disappeared. She is what is called Akita beauty with a smooth and soft complexion. Though she has lived in Kansai for many years, she speaks with a lively Akita accent. When she smiles, she looks extremely attractive.
Ms. S, a centenarian
Ms. S is my eldest patient. She was born on March 15, 1909 and is now approaching her 100th birthday. She first came to my clinic for rheumatism but last year she fell at the entrance of her house. Fortunately, she suffered no bone fracture. Whenever I visit her to check her condition, she impresses me with her astonishingly quick recovery. Even today, she prepares the breakfast misoshiru (miso soup) with various vegetables for her family. Her memorization is remarkable, giving correct and quick answers to such questions as what day it is, or who he or she is. To my question as to the secret of her vigor, she says “Not to worry too much about anything.” Both of these elders are extremely cheerful and sunny, a result of coming through bitter and hard times.
Willpower to face and cope with challenges
It is reported by a newspaper that back in 1963 we had 153 centenarians. Now the number has risen to 36,000. This marks the highest rate all across the world. Forty years from now, in 2050, the figure will reach 700,000! Three cheers to those who are in their 60s now! These days, elderly people do care about how they are dressed and look. They are fashion-conscious. Moreover, they are really vigorous, and cannot be classed among the “old people.” Those who live long vigorously have strong willpower and enthusiasm.
A 102-year-old man from Iwate prefecture began at age 99 to participate in track and field events. Last year, he broke the world record in the shot put, marking 5.11 meters. What underlies the vigor of these elderly people is their exuberant spirit, which often surpasses that of the young people. Let us give some thought based on Oriental medicine to the source of these elderly people’s eagerness to bravely confront any challenge.
Congenital vigor – power of the kidneys
In Oriental medicine, the secret of longevity resides in the kidneys. The kidneys are considered the source of congenital vigor. All the renal functions are related to the
kidneys, and support our life power. So, they are closely connected with our hair and bones and also with ears, waist, and reproductive organs. Weak kidneys are related to weak bones, lack of hair luster, early appearance of grayish hair, ringing in the ears, involuntary urination, etc., all related to urination or infertility. These symptoms are all related to the aging phenomena. Those who have strong kidney functions, are patient and perseverant.
The older one gets, the weaker the functions of the kidney grow. Those who live long are generally blessed with proper kidney functions. They make efforts not to use kidney functions wastefully. Kidney functions are wastefully expended by, for example, excessive sex activity, lack of sleep, excessive intake of salt, or too much work to attend to.
Acquired characteristics
Rendering assistance to the functions of the kidneys is the spleen. The spleen has a very close relationship with the stomach, digesting the things in the stomach and sending the nourishment to all corners of the body. The spleen tends to support other organs upward, and therefore, its weakening may cause such problems as gastric ptosis, abdominal ptosis, prolapse of the uterus, dizziness, etc. The spleen is also closely connected with the sense of taste, the lips, feet and hands, and the skin, controlling the amount of blood to be distributed in the body. As a consequence, malfunctioning spleen may cause us to lose or gain weight no matter how much or how little we eat. It may also cause taste disorder, sore mouth or tongue, or abnormal bleeding and anemia. Moreover, the spleen is known as a fount of wisdom. The owner of a well-functioning spleen tends to be quick-witted. On the other hand, if it fails to work well, absentmindedness, depressive psychosis, autism, misdemeanor, impetuousness, etc. may follow. Thus, the spleen is a most important organ in the body system. It can be said, therefore, that people who enjoy longevity in good health are equipped with extremely well-functioning spleen and stomach. Then, what sort of living style promotes the ideal functioning of the spleen? Observe the following four pieces of advice.
1)Refrain from immoderate eating and drinking.
2)Walk as much as possible (about 10,000 steps a day).
3)Stay off sweets and too much rice cake and the like.
4)Stop worrying too much about anything.
These four principles may sound very simple in words, but actually they are quite hard to practice. Aren’t they?
