Health checks in your 40s that could save your life
All of a sudden, we’ve grown up!
It’s over thirty years since I joined the 3RRR family presenting Health Trip. So it shouldn’t be a surprise that those listeners from way back then, like the station itself, have grown up.
I love seeing my ‘old’ clients, even after a 20 year hiatus. A couple of decades on life has changed. Relationships, jobs, families and homes are rarely the same. So too, our health. Instead of helping clients recover from late night gigs, they’re now more likely to see me about fatigue, menopause, gout, diabetes or even cancer. As confronting as it is, we’ve officially ‘grown up’.
The gender gap
Unlike women who tend to have regular health checks throughout their life, younger men are the least likely to see a GP. Quite often men don’t have a regular doctor until their mid 40s, when high blood pressure, diabetes, joint pain and mental health issues are more likely to develop.
Despite women seeking medical help more frequently, they’re more than twice as likely than men to have their health problems dismissed or trivialised. Often women in their 40s are told that perimenopause is the cause of any new symptom, which can delay crucial investigations.
One thing men and women have in common in their 40s and 50s is while they mightn’t feel old, they no longer feel young. The way we live and take care of ourselves, impacts our physical and mental health more than ever. Regardless of gender, it’s time to be proactive take responsibility for your wellbeing, starting with the 40+ health check!
Ready or not: The 40+ health check
Have you noticed your body doesn’t bounce back the way that it used to in your teens and twenties? Big nights out, lack of sleep and injuries are harder to recover from. Regardless of your lifestyle or perceived risks, these regular check-ups could literally save your life.
The 40-plus health check: when was the last time you?
Consulted a dentist or dental hygienist?
Gum disease may be an early risk factor for heart attack and Type 2 diabetes. As digestion begins in the mouth, the oral microbiome plays a role in gut health generally.
Had your blood pressure taken?
Although women have increased risk of developing high blood pressure around and beyond menopause, for men cardiovascular issues increases from their 30s. The signs of high blood pressure may begin with vague symptoms like feeling tired. Read more about high blood pressure.
Read more about hypertension and lifestyle tips to lower your blood pressure
Tested your blood sugar?
Are you less active than you’d like to be, put on some belly fat or have a history of gestational diabetes? From a simple finger prick at the local pharmacy to more extensive blood tests through your GP, it’s easy to monitor for signs of Type 2 diabetes, which when caught early may be reversible
Had a skin check?
The southern sun takes its toll on our skin. Have you calculated your melanoma risk?
Been to the optometrist or eye specialist?
A curse of our 40s is that vision begins to change. But beyond needing reading glasses, an eye check can also identify early signs of glaucoma, cataracts and macular degeneration.
If the answer is ‘never’ or ‘not for years ‘to any of the above questions, you know what to do. Book that check up with the appropriate health professional; today.
Lifestyle
At this age, life can be feel incredibly pressured with work, family and other commitments. We tend to be more sedentary and eat out more. It can feel like there’s not enough time to do the things we know will make us feel better. But are you hitting even the barest minimum lifestyle guidelines?
Exercise
The government health guidelines recommend a minimum of the following types of exercise a week:
2.5 to 5 hours of moderate intensity physical activity (e.g. walk, golf, mowing the lawn or swimming) and 1.25 to 2.5 hours of vigorous intensity physical activity – such as jogging, aerobics, fast cycling, soccer or netball. Plus additional muscle strengthening activity at least twice a week.
Track your activity for a month and see if you’re reaching these minimum targets. If not, buddy up or set some personal goals. Walk, dance, swim or reconnect with the type of exercise you previously enjoyed. If you have chronic health issues that make movement painful or challenging you may be eligible for subsidised sessions with an exercise physiologist, physiotherapist or osteopath.
Alcohol
Be honest, how much do you drink and how frequently?
While the official guide cautions to restrict alcohol to no more than 10 drinks a week and not exceed 4 serves a day, keep in mind these are ‘standard drinks’. This can be much less than a regular can, stubby or pint of beer or a glass of wine, and most pub or home serves are greater than ‘standard’.
If you enjoy alcohol, take a break or get out of the habit of drinking every day. Stick to 1 or 2 drinks, once or twice a week.
Also be aware that alcohol can also interact with many drugs, including those prescribed for high blood pressure and depression, as well as exacerbate menopausal symptoms
Smoking/vaping
If you’re in 40s and still smoking or vaping any substances, it’s time to get help and stop. There’s no good news for your heart and lungs and many other health issues including vascular dementia. Hypnotherapy can help reduce cravings and change behaviour.
Mental health
Take this quick depression/anxiety/stress test and see how you score/
A shocking fact is that the highest proportion of deaths by suicide occur in mid-life. This peak, especially in men in their 40s and 50s, hit me personally when an old friend took his life a few years ago. He’d never been previously diagnosed with depression and his death took us all by surprise. If the questionnaire indicates any degree of mental health concerns, please take it seriously and follow the prompts on how to get help.
Don’t ignore free health screening
An American friend was shocked, “Your government sends you a free bowel screening kit every two years after turning 50?” It was the kind of socialised medicine, potentially saving thousands of deaths a year, that a US citizen can only dream of.
As much as we might feel icky about doing the home test, it’s simple and life-saving. Recently a 52 yo friend was diagnosed with metastatic bowel cancer. Like 60% of men his age, after receiving the test in the post he threw it out.
Regular screening for breast and cervical cancer, is also available.
It’s recommended that all men over 50 have a prostate check every two years, but unfortunately there is currently no government-sponsored screening program yet. Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australian men and if caught early (Stage 1) is 100% survivable. A family history of prostate, bowel or ovarian cancer can substantially increase your risk.
Need help living your healthiest life or dealing with new health challenges?
Most of us could benefit from some expert advice and encouragement to achieve lasting changes. I can support you to make lifestyle tweaks as accessible as possible and prescribe the minimum of targeted herbs or nutrients necessary to help you feel better.
All my consultations are online via Zoom, which makes working with ‘old’ clients around the country or the world, even easier. If this is your first consultation or you’d like a one-off wellbeing plan, please book an Initial Naturopathy. But if we’ve worked together at any time in the past, you might only need to book a regular follow-on session, so email me first.
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