The forties usher in a time of more concern for health issues. Perhaps aging parents need assistance, which may encourage thoughts about our own health. Despite some external signs of aging, this generally remains a healthy period of life. Increased maturity often leads to a re-evaluation of what’s really important to us, and some people experience greater dissatisfaction with the balance between work and family, especially for those working long hours. This makes stress management important for many people.
Changes in appearance, associated with normal aging, can be distressing, especially when so much media attention is paid to youth and youthful ideas of beauty. It is important to remember that health is a beauty attribute, as is confidence with the appearance of our bodies.
At this time, the body is generally in good condition, but may need occasional maintenance work and regular check-ups to ensure that all is working smoothly.
Health Checks
The following list of checks is not exhaustive but provides a general guide:
- Cholesterol – increased cholesterol levels are a major risk factor for heart disease. It is advisable to check this yearly, or more often if your cholesterol is raised.
- Blood pressure – high blood pressure, or hypertension, is also a significant risk that can lead to heart problems. As with cholesterol, a yearly check is advisable (or more frequently if you have elevated blood pressure, or are medicating for hypertension).
- Eyesight and hearing – check these every year or two. Glasses may have to be adjusted to maintain the correct strength.
- Self-examination of breasts for women and testis for men every month is advisable. If you notice any changes, always check with your GP. Although most lumps are benign, a check-up can provide certainty and peace of mind.
- PAP smear – for women, to screen for cervical cancer, should be carried out every two years.
- Diabetes checks – are necessary if there is a family history of the disease.
Your GP may recommend other tests depending on your personal history.
Back pain
Back pain is relatively common and causes many lost days at work as well as much discomfort. Simple muscle injury causes most back pain, which generally will heal itself, although the mineral magnesium may be useful for helping to relax tight muscles. Sometimes, back pain is caused by damage to the intervertebral discs. These discs are made of cartilage, which acts as a shock absorber between the bones of the vertebrae. They can become damaged, which in itself does not cause pain, as discs contain no nerves for pain conduction. However, the disc may press on a nearby ligament or nerve, which can cause pain.
Cholesterol management
Increased levels of cholesterol are a major risk factor for heart disease. This is the decade to make sure that cholesterol is well managed, in order to help prevent serious disease. Total blood cholesterol levels above 5.5 mmol/L are an indication of an increased risk of developing coronary heart disease. Levels above 6.5 mmol/L are considered to indicate extremely high risk. Around 50% of both men and women over the age of 25 have blood cholesterol levels above 5.5 mmol/L. This is due to a number of factors including diet, lifestyle and genes.
Dietary measures are obviously important, with the reduction of animal products such as fatty meats and full-fat dairy foods, and the addition of fibre-rich foods. Additionally, the use of natural products for cholesterol management, or orthodox medical drugs, may be necessary.
Fortunately, most factors that increase the risk of suffering from heart disease, such as smoking, overweight, increased cholesterol and lack of physical exercise, can be reduced or managed.
Eyes
Eye strain is common among those doing a lot of close detail work, or computer work. The herb Bilberry is particularly useful in assisting tired eyes and reducing redness. You may start to notice a decline in eyesight. Individuals with a family history of glaucoma should have a check every couple of years to test for the condition.
Male pattern baldness
The hormone essential for masculinity is also largely responsible for causing hair loss to the scalp. While testosterone promotes the growth of hair on other parts of the body, it’s activity, alongside the effects of our genetic makeup, causes hair loss at varying rates for most men. Hair loss can start any time after puberty and by 50, half of men will have significant hair loss. Whilst B group vitamins and the minerals zinc and silica are essential for hair growth, they will not be able to combat normal male pattern baldness. There are pharmaceutical products available that may help some men.
Skin care
As the skin ages, its ability to renew itself slows down, making it more susceptible to damage from the outside world, such as that from sun exposure. Less sebum is produced, causing the skin to feel drier. Antioxidants may be useful to protect the skin from damage, and evening primrose oil may help to improve the softness of our largest organ. However, great skin doesn’t mean skin without a line or a wrinkle - and lived-in, looked-after faces can look fantastic in their own right!
Weight management
As the metabolism starts to slow down, weight management can become more difficult. Having several small regular meals a day, rather than two or three large ones, can significantly improve metabolism, and aid weight loss. Regular exercise improves health and vitality as well as assisting with weight loss. If weight is very hard to shift, consider visiting your doctor to check your thyroid gland function. Above all, eat sensibly, basing the diet around plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, some good quality protein such as fish, chicken or other lean meats, and adequate fibre, from whole grains and legumes. Avoid fad diets, which can cause metabolic and nutritional imbalances. Dieting can often lead to inadequate levels of nutrients being consumed, in which case a good quality multivitamin and mineral formula is recommended. Some diets such as high protein diets may be appropriate, but need to be managed with the assistance of a naturopath or other healthcare professional.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
- Australia’s Health 2002. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
- Savidge G, Wahlqvist M, Lee D, Snelson B. Agefit, fitness and nutrition for an independent future. Sydney: Pan Macmillan, 2001.
- Haas EM. Staying healthy with nutrition. Berkley, California: Celestial Arts, 1992
- Women’s health 99/00. Guildford, Connecticut: Dushkin McGraw-Hill, 1999
- Oppenheim M. The Man’s Health Book. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 1994
- Margo J. Man Maintenance. Ringwood, Victoria: Penguin Books, 2001
