Seen a doctor lately?

Health issues you should focus on by or before you turn 50

We’ve all said it at some point since our late 30s — and more than a few times, probably. “I’m not as young as I used to be.”

Its utterance is usually inspired by a sore back from lifting furniture or a throbbing knee resulting from a brisk run or walk.

But do we really take that phrase to heart? As your body ages, there are far more things than achy muscles and joints to worry about, especially if you’re approaching or have already surpassed age 50. And, the sooner you start worrying about them, the longer and better you’re likely to live.

BLOOD PRESSURE & CHOLESTEROL

For men and women in their 40s and 50s, one of the biggest life-threatening health problems is also one of the most overlooked and untreated, says Dr. Van J. Stitt Jr. of Gaston Family Medical Center. It’s high blood pressure, also known as hypertension.

“It’s the reason for a lot of other problems,” Stitt says. “Often times, what happens is their blood pressure has been high all along and they haven’t been to the doctor.”

The same is true with cholesterol, says Stitt: “Most people don’t know what their cholesterol levels are. The same is true with high blood pressure. These are the two things to examine right up front, and it’s even more important if there is a family history of cardiovascular disease.”

Recent estimates indicate that as many as one in three Americans has high blood pressure. What’s worse is that many folks have it for years and don’t even realize it or don’t take it seriously. High blood pressure can lead to stroke, heart attack, heart failure and even kidney failure.

While the public may be more aware of the dangers of high cholesterol, many folks are still clueless when it comes to what their numbers are and what they should be. Knowing those numbers can be the difference between life and death, especially for those who have a family history of heart problems.

“We don’t pay enough attention to that and it’s the main reason (many boomers) will end up with heart problems,” Stitt says.

BLOOD GLUCOSE

Your blood glucose levels are another number you should keep up with as you get older. A blood glucose test can detect if you have hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia or, most importantly, diabetes. It’s estimated that 21 million Americans have diabetes. Even worse, many don’t get early treatment.

“The vast majority of diabetics don’t even know they are until it gets severe,” Stitt says. “It’s important to get a test to find out.”

A glucose test measures the amount of glucose, a type of sugar, in your blood. Normally, blood glucose levels increase after you eat. The increase causes the pancreas to release insulin so blood glucose levels don’t get too high. However, glucose levels that remain high over time weaken the immune system and decrease blood flow to the muscles and nerve endings.

THE THYROID

By age 50 or 60, Stitt says many women can expect to have problems with their thyroid. Usually, it becomes either over-active or under-active — that is, either too many or too few thyroid hormones are being produced. Either one is bad news.

Stitt says an over-active thyroid can cause faster than normal heart rate and can even change the rhythm of the heart. If left untreated, it can lead to atrial fibrillation, a condition that effects the two small upper chambers of the heart and increases the chances of blood clots and stroke.

An underactive thyroid can also lead to heart problems.

The good news is, like high cholesterol, doctors can conduct a simple blood test to check the health of your thyroid and many thyroid problems are easily treatable.

OSTEOPOROSIS

Another big issue for women entering their boomer years is the loss of calcium, which can eventually lead to weak and brittle bones.

“Doing the test for osteoporosis is important,” says Stitt. “Women start losing calcium sooner than men do and they start off by not having as much in the first place.”

Stitt also says women may not realize that the roots of osteoporosis begin earlier, not later, in life. “Past 30, they start to lose some of that calcium,” he says. “By the time they’re 50, they’ve lost most of it.”

PROSTATE HEALTH

It’s a topic many men are understandably reluctant to discuss, but ignoring it can be a fatal mistake.

Stitt says white males should get a prostate exam by age 50, but black males should think age 40.

“The disease is more aggressive in black males than white males,” says Stitt. “Most of the time, prostate cancer grows slowly, but in black men it grows more quickly and reaches the bone quicker.”

If you’re in the age range, ask your doctor about a PSA test. It’s a blood test that can determine if the PSA — a protein produced by the prostate — levels in your blood are higher than normal. If they are, it could indicate the presence of cancer. Another test to consider is a DRE (digital rectum exam). It can sometimes detect some cancers missed by a PSA test.

COLON HEALTH

This is another topic men, as well as women, probably would rather not discuss. But again, ignoring it can be fatal. The incidence of colorectal cancer is slightly higher for men than women, but is highest among African-American males.

Stitt says a colonoscopy is a must for anyone turning 50, and folks with a family history of colon cancer should probably have it done sooner than 50.

“The best thing is to get evaluated,” Stitt says.

AND FINALLY …

Stitt says another big health concern as boomers age is depression and anxiety. As we get older, the stresses of having to deal with an aging body can take a toll psychologically. “A lot of time, there’s an emotional part to growing old, especially for men,” Stitt says.

Depression can creep in without you even knowing it, and both it and anxiety can contribute to other health problems. So, as you get older, stay positive and stay on guard.