Entering the club of the 40s triggers both positive and negative emotions, one wants to have the youthful swagger, but the body restricts the feelings.
Apart from the overwhelming physiological changes, at 40, ladies tend to notice several body changes, her bone health isn’t what it used to be in her 20s, some develop diabetes and hypertension owing to poor lifestyle.
Before you cut your 40th birthday cake, you must look at the six common health problems that are waiting for you with open arms.
So, let’s find out:-
#1 Perimenopausal Symptoms
Usually, around the 40 mark, most women begin to experience perimenopausal symptoms. While perimenopause isn’t an illness or disease, many symptoms such as heavy bleeding, irregular periods, and hot flashes are no less than that.
The perimenopause stage is usually six to eight years before a lady enters the menopause phase, which means the end of their menstrual cycles.
Typically, the average age of menopause is 51 in American women, while some have their menopause way earlier than this.
So, to clear the doubt whether you are in perimenopause or menopause phase, an ELISA kit is handy. It determines the amount of Follicle-stimulating hormones in the blood. If the FSH levels are higher 30 mIU/mL or higher and the woman has had a menstrual period for the past twelve months, it is suggested that she has reached her menopause.
It is advisable to consult a gynecologist before taking this test.
#2 High Cholesterol Levels
Our body has two types of cholesterol; one is the good cholesterol that helps build healthy cells, while the other is the bad cholesterol that leads to heart diseases.
With high levels of bad cholesterol — fat deposits — in your blood vessels, the blood flow through the arteries is impacted.
Undergo the lipid profile cholesterol test, if it is not as per the recommended levels, then it’s time to take big measures towards your good health. These include limiting your junk food intake, doing exercise, and giving up bad habits like smoking.
#3 Urinary Tract Infection
Not just the women, the men too have to deal with many kinds of infections as they get into their 40s. In women, urinary tract infection is quite prevalent. This is mainly because of the thinning of the vagina walls and pH value changes with age.
Antibiotics are often recommended by the doctor, if the patient experiences symptoms —burning sensation, small amounts of urine, and urine appears red.
Prevent urinary tract infection in the first place itself, just by remembering to pee before and after having sex.
#4 Osteoarthritis
Generally, around 40, Osteoarthritis occurs in most women. It has also been seen that people with Osteoarthritis include twice the number of women compared to men.
The symptoms of this problem generally appear in the early 40s, and they become severe and start to affect the lifestyle as soon as a woman enters menopause.
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. You can prevent it from developing by having a healthy diet, power-packed with all the necessary nutrients, vitamins, and minerals.
Do regular exercise and yoga to stay fit even in the 40s.
#5 Hypertension
In today’s fast-paced, stressful work environment, hypertension, or high blood pressure has become a part of our lifestyle.
Although you may not count this as a significant health problem, if unchecked, this prolonged condition may contribute to heart attacks, strokes, and even kidney failure.
The best strategy to manage your blood pressure is to reduce sodium intake significantly; healthy adults must limit sodium to 2,300 mg per day.
Another mantra to lead a healthy life is doing exercise; even morning walks for half an hour can help. And don’t forget to have a well-balanced diet.
Monitor your blood pressure, if it is still not getting under your control even after making lifestyle changes, speak to your doctor to prescribe you medications.
#6 Anxiety or Depression
Besides physical changes, mental health is also affected in the 40s because of myriad reasons such as financial anxiety, raising kids, aging parents, and even appearance changes that can make you lose your inner peace.
All these make you psychologically vulnerable. If you, too, have early symptoms of anxiety or depression, open up with your best friend or seek therapy.
Let’s Wrap Up
To stay physically and emotionally healthy even at 40, eat a healthy diet, maintain your weight, be physically active, have six to seven hours of sleep, and always keep a smile on your face.
