HealthcareFive Health Issues That You Need To Look Out For As You Get Older

As much as we would like to pretend otherwise, we all start to notice the effects of aging once we hit our 40s. Those morning jogs start to become a little tougher, those big heavy late-night dinners start to become a little harder to digest, and the length of time that we can read without needing to reach for our glasses gets shorter and shorter. It’s a natural part of getting older, but that doesn’t mean that you should just ignore them. In fact, as you get older it is more important than ever that you keep a close eye on your health and watch for those classic problem areas. Here are just a few that you should keep tabs on.

Diabetes

This is a very common condition that a lot of people will suffer from as they get older. Type 2 diabetes can come about if your blood glucose levels are too high. According to airoop, diabetes is directly linked to gum disease. You should be particularly careful if someone in your family has suffered from type 2 diabetes, but it’s not just a hereditary issue. You can cut down your chances of suffering from it by taking regular exercise and losing weight. Try to keep as much sugar, fat, salt and processed meat out of your diet as you can and remember that alcohol is a big contributing factor. If you are already facing this disease, make sure you’re getting treatment for it. You can purchase discount prescription drugs from Canadian pharmacies.

Arthritis

If you’ve started to notice a lot of stiffness or pain in your joints, then you should talk to your doctor and see if you might be suffering from arthritis. Again, this is a very common affliction, but you can manage your symptoms by staying active (without pushing yourself too hard) with regular exercise. Keeping your joints moving will help to relieve a lot of the pressure symptoms. Try to eat a balanced, healthy diet (eating oily fish is a good choice if you are looking to boost your bone and joint health) as being overweight will put more strain on those suffering joints and try to avoid putting your joints through any unnecessary stress.

Dental Issues

We all do our best to take good care of our teeth, but the fact is that our pearly whites come in for just as much wear and tear as the rest of us. As you get older, you may start to notice that dental issues flare up a little more easily, so it’s really important that you keep to a good dental hygiene routine. Make sure that you are brushing twice daily, use dental floss, and try to avoid those high sugar and acidic foods and drinks.

It’s also very important that you see your dentist regularly so that they can spot any issues before they flare up. If you’re thinking about some cosmetic dental surgery or just want a check-up, you can explore your dental treatment options with Pure Dentistry in Mt Gravatt. Find more about various dental treatments including dental treatment under general anaesthesia to dental care for children.

Cancer

Now, we all know that no one wants to think about this one, but the fact is that as you get older the more likely you are to be at risk from one form of cancer or another. It’s estimated that roughly one in two people will develop cancer of some type during their lives, and you need to know what the warning signs are. It is very important that you check for any lumps or bumps. Talk to your doctor if you notice a new mole or that an existing one has changed shape, if you are going through any unexplained weight loss, and especially if you notice any blood when you cough, vomit, urinate or pass a stool. The sooner that cancer is spotted and treated, the better chance you’ll have of getting past it.

Heart Disease

We’ve already talked about type 2 diabetes, but there’s another lifestyle-related illness that more people in their 40s and over need to keep a careful eye out for. Heart disease puts a huge number of people at risk, but that risk can be managed. As we get older, our hearts need to work harder and harder to keep our blood pumping. The more fatty foods we eat and the less exercise we get, the more strain we put on our hearts. Do your best to maintain a healthy lifestyle and cut out as much sugar and fat as you can.

Cutting down on alcohol will help, and if you are a smoker, you should absolutely try to quit. If you want to keep tabs on your health, check your blood pressure and cholesterol regularly. High blood pressure and high cholesterol can lead to several other health issues and put you at risk of diabetes and strokes. If you experience shortness of breath or chest pains, it’s very important that you seek medical attention as soon as possible.