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Over 50? These Problems Can Sneak Up on You
Outsmart Your Age
More than nine in 10 older adults have some type of chronic
disease, and almost eight in 10 have more than one. So chances
are, you’ll have one sooner or later. But there are things you can
do to live a healthier life.
High Blood Pressure
As you age, your blood vessels get less flexible, and that puts
pressure on the system that carries blood through your body. That
might explain why about two out of three adults over 60 have high
blood pressure. But there are other causes you can control. To do
so, watch your weight, exercise, stop smoking, find ways to deal
with stress, and eat healthy.
Diabetes
About one in 10 Americans have diabetes. Your chances of getting
the disease go up as you get older. Diabetes can lead to heart
disease, kidney disease, blindness, and other problems. Talk with
your doctor about having your blood sugar checked.
Heart Disease
Plaque buildup in your arteries is a major cause of heart
disease. It starts in childhood and gets worse as you age. In the
40-to-59 age group in the U.S., 6.3% of men and 5.6% of women have
heart disease. Between ages 60 and 79, heart disease cases go up to
nearly 20% of men and 9.7% of women.
Obesity
If you weigh a lot more than is healthy for your height, you
could be considered obese — it’s not having just a few extra
pounds. It’s linked to at least 20 chronic diseases, including
heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure, and
arthritis. Nearly 45% of Americans ages 40 to 59 are obese.
Osteoarthritis
At one time, doctors chalked up this disease of the joints to
the wear and tear of age, and that is a factor. But genetics and
lifestyle probably have something to do with it as well. And
previous joint injuries, a lack of physical activity, diabetes, and
being overweight can all play a part, too.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis causes your bones to become weak and could lead to
fractures. It affects about 54 million Americans age 50 or over. A
couple of things that can help: a healthy diet rich in calcium and
vitamin D (you need both for strong bones) and regular
weight-bearing exercise, like dancing, jogging, or climbing
stairs.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
This causes inflammation and blocks air from your lungs. It’s a
slow-moving disease that you could have for years without knowing
it — symptoms usually show up in your 40s or 50s. It can make you
have trouble breathing, and you may cough, wheeze, and spit up
mucus. Exercise, a healthy diet, and avoiding smoke and pollution
can help.
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Hearing Loss
Maybe nothing says “You’re getting older” more than having to
ask, “What did you say?” About 2% of Americans ages 45 to 54 have
hearing loss that is “disabling.” That goes up to 8.5% for those
ages 55 to 64. Loud noise, disease, and your genes all play a
part. Some medications can cause hearing problems, too. See your
doctor if you’re not able to hear as well as you used to.
Vision Problems
That annoying blurriness when you try to read the small type on
labels or menus isn’t the only threat to your vision as you age.
Cataracts (which cloud the lens of your eye) and glaucoma (a group
of eye conditions that damage your optic nerve) can harm your
eyesight. See your eye doctor for regular exams.
Bladder Problems
Whether you can’t go when you need to or you have to go too
often, problems with bladder control tend to happen as we get
older. They can be caused by nerve problems, muscle
weakness, thickening tissue, or an enlarged prostate.
Exercises and lifestyle changes — drinking less caffeine or
not lifting heavy things, for example — often help.
Cancer
Age is the biggest risk factor for cancer. The disease affects
young people, too, but your odds of having it more than double
between ages 45 and 54. You can’t control your age or your genes,
but you do have a say in things like smoking or spending too much
time in the sun.
Depression
Depression is one of the most common mental disorders in the
U.S. among people 18 and over. Some people get down as they age,
when health problems crop up, loved ones are lost or move away, and
other life changes happen.
Back Pain
The older you get, the more common this is. Lots of things can
make you more likely to have it: being overweight, smoking, not
getting enough exercise, or diseases like arthritis and cancer.
Watch your weight, exercise, and get plenty of vitamin D and
calcium to keep your bones strong. And strengthen those back
muscles — you’ll need them.
Dementia
Alzheimer’s, a form of dementia, usually doesn’t pop up until 65
or so. Some risk factors (like age and heredity) are things you
can’t control. But evidence suggests that a heart-healthy diet and
watching your blood pressure and blood sugar might help.
Sources Reviewed by
Brunilda Nazario,
MD on August 19, 2020
This tool does
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