What Are Some of The Most Common Health Concerns For People Over 50?

They say that 50 is the new 40, and that 40 is the new 30, and while that is all well and good on paper, the simple fact of the matter is that as we do grow older, we generally find ourselves more susceptible to a wide range of health issues which wouldn’t have bothered us decades ago.

While you can’t stop the passing of time, you can slow down the ill effects of aging and growing older by taking better care of your body, your mind, and your health in general for that matter.

While there are certain things you can do to look after yourself, as you do grow older and hit the dreaded 50, you will find yourself more at risk to a selection of age-related health conditions, which we will be discussed below.

Here’s a look at four of the most common health concerns for people aged 50 and above.

Arthritis

One of the most common health concerns for people as they do grow older is arthritis.

Arthritis is a common health issue that affects the joints, causing them to be swollen, inflamed, and painful. Arthritis can affect anybody, though generally it tends to affect older people simply because the longer a person has lived, the harder their joints have been used.

Arthritis can cause people to become stiff and immobile, and it can make seemingly mundane tasks such as bending down, or straightening your arm, a very painful ordeal.

Once a person hits 50, their chances of suffering from arthritis increase noticeably, and this only increases further as they grow older. As many as one in two adults will suffer from arthritis by the time they reach age 65.

Incontinence

Okay, this may be slightly embarrassing for some, but it is unfortunately a part of everyday life for a lot of people once they hit 50, and the topic in general is incontinence.

Incontinence doesn’t mean that a person literally urinates on themselves and empties the entire contents of their bladders, it simply means that they may experience a little “leakage” or they experience the urge to urinate on a regular basis.

The best way to combat incontinence is to practice Kegel or pelvic-floor exercises on a daily basis.

Osteoporosis

As if arthritis wasn’t bad enough for your joints, a similar condition is osteoporosis and it too is a real health concern for those aged 50 and over age 50.

Osteoporosis is a condition in which the body struggles to produce enough new bone mass to prevent damaged and lost bone mass. The older we get, the harder the body finds it to keep up. The end result is weaker and more brittle bones which become damaged more easily.

Common signs of osteoporosis include a loss of height, brittle bones more susceptible to breaks, and joint pains.

A lack of energy

Finally, once you do reach 50 or older, you may find yourself struggling with a lack of energy compared with how you felt a decade back or so.

One of the main reasons why people suffer from a lack of energy is due to the fact that their hormones are on the decline. A drop in stable hormone levels can lead to suppression of the metabolism, as well as various other health issues.

The best way to combat a lack of energy is to have your hormones tested, to eat healthy foods, stay hydrated, get enough sleep, and avoid relying on stimulants such as caffeine.

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