Health Problems Over 40s Adults Face: What You Should Know

Health Problems Over 40s Adults Face: Many people say that life begins at forty, but this is also the time where your body becomes more at risk from health problems. In today’s modern world, most people have hectic schedules, unhealthy habits, and are inconsistent with their health care, which can lead to many conditions such as hypertension, gum disease, and kidney stones.

Regular screening for common illnesses is crucial as most conditions go unchecked and only start showing symptoms at an advanced stage where treatment is more challenging. It is essential that you frequently discuss your health and family history with a healthcare provider to enable them to assess your risks better and determine which screenings or treatments you need in order to prevent, catch early, or treat any health conditions you may be at risk from or already have. This guide will help you understand the health problems you may face when you are over 40 and what you should know about these conditions.

Overactive Bladder

As you age, your bladder can change; bladder muscles can thicken with age, reducing its capacity and the nerves that help the bladder function might not work as well. However, there are many ways you can improve an overactive bladder and incontinence, such as Kegel exercises, vaginal estrogen cream, and in some instances, injections of Botox in the bladder.

Perimenopausal Symptoms

When women reach their mid-40s, some will begin to experience perimenopausal symptoms, a transitional phase leading up to menopause. While perimenopause isn’t an illness, the symptoms can impact the quality of your life, such as irregular periods, heavy bleeding, hot flashes, and mood swings, and many women don’t always realise they are experiencing perimenopause until visiting a doctor. During perimenopause, women will undergo hormonal changes before entering the menopause stage, which is why the symptoms can be disruptive to your daily life. However, in the same way as treatments for menopause, hormone therapy can help alleviate some of these symptoms in some patients.

Gum Disease

As you age, you become more at risk of many conditions, one of which is gum disease. The first stage of gum disease is reversible and is called gingivitis; however, if left untreated, gingivitis can lead to a more severe and destructive form of gum disease called periodontitis. Regular dental checkups and periodontal examinations are vital as many people show no warning signs for gum disease, and only an expert will be able to spot the changes in your mouth, such as Pure Dentistry, a dentist in Brisbane.

Treatment methods for gum disease depend on the type and how far the condition has progressed, but good oral hygiene is the first step to preventing periodontal disease. Ensuring you brush twice a day, floss daily, and eat a balanced diet is only part of good oral hygiene, as you also need to schedule regular dental visits to secure a lifetime of healthy smiles.

Kidney Stones

Kidney stones can occur at any age, but they are more common in people over 40 years old and are described as being extraordinarily painful. Kidney stones are bits of minerals that can form in your urinary tract, and while tiny, passing them can cause the individual significant pain. Dehydration, alongside other risk factors such as a changing diet, can increase your risk of developing stones. While they typically pass through your system on their own, in some cases, surgery may be required to remove them. Keeping a balanced diet and ensuring your drink plenty of fluids each day are the best ways to prevent kidney stones or reoccurrence. Furthermore, while anyone can develop kidney stones, men are more at risk than women of developing this condition.

Urinary Tract And Prostate Infections

Once you reach 40, there is an increased chance of infections in both men and women. In women, there is an increase in urinary tract infections due to the changes to the vagina’s pH and thinning vaginal walls that come with aging, but UTIs can be cleared up with antibiotics. To prevent urinary tract infections, you must stay hydrated and remember to urinate before and after sex. There is a rise in the risk of prostate infections in men, especially if they have a sedentary lifestyle.

Major symptoms vary, but many men experience frequent urination, burning sensation when they urinate, pain in the testicles, pain around the anus, and general pain between the pelvic bone and belly button. In the same way as UTIs, antibiotics are the first step in clearing up the infection. Still, doctors also recommend that men ejaculate more and stand more frequently alongside proper hydration to prevent reoccurrence.

Food Allergies

It may seem strange, but developing food allergies isn’t something that is restricted to childhood. Over the years, allergists have been discovering more adults than before are forming food allergies, with shellfish and tree nuts among the main offenders. Research is still ongoing as to why there is a sudden increase in allergies in adults over 40. Still, some possibilities may include the widespread use of antibiotics, which can disrupt the gastrointestinal environment.

As experts are uncertain as to what is causing adult-onset allergies, prevention is impossible except in the case of the lone star tick, as a bite can lead to red meat allergies. Suppose you begin to notice allergic reactions when eating, such as difficulty breathing or skin irritations. In that case, you must visit your doctor or an allergist to determine the cause before it progresses.

Osteoarthritis

Around your 40s, as the cartilage around joints wears away, osteoarthritis can occur, which leads to achiness and discomfort. Many people who practise physically demanding sports or have manual jobs are predisposed to osteoarthritis and find their problems begin in the lumbar, cervical spine, hips, and knees, and the thumb’s basal joint, although this is more prevalent in women. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. While it is typically an age-related condition, a balanced diet and weight-bearing exercise are good to prevent it.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes pain and swelling of the joints, and while this condition can occur at any age, the risks increase significantly in those over 50. The usual role of your immune system is to fight off infections to keep you healthy, but when you develop an autoimmune disease, the immune system starts attacking your healthy tissue. When you develop rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system targets the lining of the joints, which leads to inflammation and joint damage.

Although rheumatoid arthritis typically targets smaller joints, such as those in the hands and feet, it can also affect larger joints, such as the hips and knees. There are no know causes for rheumatoid arthritis, but research suggests that those who have a family history of the condition or smoke are more at risk of developing it. However, with early detection and proper treatments, most people who develop rheumatoid arthritis lead full and active lifestyles before the condition progresses to cause permanent joint damage and deformity.