Very often it is changes in our general health and wellbeing that make us aware we’re getting older. A quick look in the mirror reveals a face we no longer recognize as our own, and our bodies change what they will tolerate. While we are no longer as young as we are, I see these signs as a gentle reminder to reconsider how we’re taking care of ourselves, and what tweaks it might be wise to start making to slow the slide.
For many this means reconsidering what we eat and how much exercise we get. Many illnesses that can appear at midlife, such as heart disease and cancers, and there are diet and exercise recommendations to help prevent these occurring. Generally these recommendations include a low fat, high fruit, vegetable and whole grain diet, reducing caffeine and alcohol intake, stopping smoking and avoiding second hand smoke, and getting 30-60 minutes of aerobic exercise 5-7 times each week.
It can also mean an acceleration in annual screenings and checkups, and the realization that they are getting more important to remember. These include:
• Blood Pressure Checks – Every two years
• Breast Cancer Screening – Have a mammogram and clinical breast exam every year from age 40. If you have an increased risk of breast cancer, you may be advised to have earlier or more frequent screenings.
• Cervical Cancer Screening – Have a Pap test every year, or a more specialized liquid-based Pap test every 1-2 years. Also request a DNA-human papillomavirus virus (DNA-HPV) test every three years.
• Cholesterol Screening – Every five years after age 20. (You will need to fast overnight before this test.)
• Colorectal Cancer – There are several tests offered and should be had from age 50 onwards. These include: fecal occult test, a barium enema with x-ray, sigmoidoscopy (rectum and lower colon exam) or colonoscopy (whole colon exam) at time intervals recommended by your doctor. (No, they aren’t fun, but don’t let your embarrassment get in the way of your health!)
• Diabetes Testing – Get screened every three years starting at age 45, or sooner if you’re overweight and/or have a family history of diabetes.
• Osteoporosis Screening – Ask for a bone density test at age 65, or earlier if you have risk factors for osteoporosis.
• Skin Cancer Screening – Get checked each year, and also look at your moles each month to look for changes.
The benefits of all these tweaks are that, despite public opinion, we still have several decades of good health available to us. It is worth taking the time needed to get our bodies checked, and our behaviors adjusted, to get and keep us in the best possible shape for the future.
The pages in this section offer basic information about lifestyle changes you may want to make to improve your overall health and well being, and concerns you might have. The material here is for your information to bring health concerns that affect midlife women to your attention, and is not intended to replace medical advice. Visit your doctor if you notice any symptoms.
