Women are more adept at recognizing worrisome symptoms and getting them checked out. It’s a fact. However, as we age it’s more difficult to tell a normal aging symptom from something we should pursue. A back twinge here, a headache there and a dodgy knee tweaking can overwhelm us and suddenly we feel old. We think of our youth and our physical prowess then. Perhaps you were a runner, a gym bunny, or a Pilates goddess, and things are just not the same!
But there’s no need to give up being physically active. You might not be able to run a marathon anymore, but you can still enjoy a Zumba class, some yoga and the occasional bicycle ride. It’s imperative to stay active as long as possible. Exercise lifts our mood and being outdoors can help regulate our body clock for sleep.
We do need to keep a closer eye on our health as time goes on. Whether we like it or not, age comes with greater health risks. Following are the essential health risks that every woman should know about and actively work to keep at bay.
STROKE
The risk of stroke increases with age and you can be classed as high risk if you are obese, sedentary and smoke. If you are reading this with a cigarette in hand, put it out now. Suffering a stroke can result in brain damage, limited bodily functions, slurred speech and even death. The debilitating effects cannot be underestimated. However, you don’t have to bury your head in the sand and succumb to the risks. You can be proactive.
Take the first step by cutting out refined carbs, sugar laden snacks and start eating more fruits and vegetables. For more info on the link between nutrition and the risk of stroke make an appointment with your doctor. Then keep going by revolutionizing your diet by eating brain food. This means cutting down on saturated fats, getting your cholesterol in check and lowering your blood pressure.
As you are working on fine tuning your eating habits you may also make an effort to become more active. A brisk thirty minute walk every day can give you the cardiovascular workout you need. If aches and pains are troublesome, a leisurely stroll around the park can help ease tender joints and tight muscles.
DEMENTIA
Losing mental capacity with age is a terrifying thought. As we age, our cognitive abilities do tend to decline. Our ability to find words and remember names becomes noticeable. We have more trouble paying attention and multi-tasking. We still do, however, have the capacity to learn new things, expand our vocabulary and create new memories. The extent to which our brain cells deteriorate determines whether or not it will be called dementia.
We all forgot the odd thing or two. We go into the kitchen for something only to discover we’ve forgotten why we went in there? Or we go on a frantic search for our glasses only to discover they are on our head or around our neck. This is normal, even if a little embarrassing. It becomes more serious when you begin repeating stories, forgetting significant names or not remembering your way home. While not everything is within our power to control, there are steps we can take to lower our risk of dementia.
Eating well wards off all sorts of illnesses and ailments and there is a specific type of food that is proven to cut the risk of dementia. Oily fish is a wonderful brain food to add to your diet. Add your favorite salmon dish or mackerel salad to the menu once or twice a week. Nuts are an excellent source of Omega 3 oils, proven to be excellent at lowering your risk of dementia.
In addition, maintain your social circle and go out once or twice a week to the theater, a movie or for dinner with friends. Conversation stimulates your brain, and your mood will improve as well. Exercising your mind is also vital. Grab a Sudoku, do the crossword in the newspaper every day, enjoy a board game in the evening and read books.
You might even want to enroll in an evening course at a local college. Learn how to decorate cakes, enhance your basic French skills or join an art class. By being proactive and embracing new experiences, you are naturally challenging your brain.
CANCER
The risk for developing cancer increases with age. To stay one step ahead, make sure your physical health is in as good a state as possible. Quit smoking, cut down on your alcohol intake and get eliminate processed food from your diet. While you may think that life is too short and that the odd vice isn’t worth giving up, weigh the pros and cons of this belief. Tomorrow does come.
Red wine has been debated by medical professionals for decades. Some say it is good for your health, others suggest that any alcohol consumption is bad for you. The consensus at this time seems to be that a glass of red wine each day with your evening meal can lower cholesterol and decrease the risk of cancer. Just don’t allow the glass to turn into a bottle.
Avoid overcooked food. If you enjoy a steak every now and then, don’t eat it well done or charred. This can generate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), that has been shown to dramatically increase your cancer risk.
We may believe that cancer is dictated by our genes, and to a certain extent, it is. However, there are other causes as well and being proactive will lower your risk either way.
If you spend a lot of time in the sun, make sure you use sunscreen and apply it often. Use at least a factor 30 to prevent harmful UV rays from penetrating your skin. It only takes one or two significant sunburns to dramatically increase your risk of developing melanoma at some point in your life.
As we grow older it may feel like we have a whole lot more to worry about. If, however, we eat a healthy diet, minimize alcohol consumption, exercise our brain, quit smoking and stay active, most ailments can be kept at bay.
