By Joseph A. DeBlasio, Jr., M.D.
They say you’re only as old as you feel.
So how do you stay feeling good as the candles on your birthday cake start to multiply?
One simple way, no matter your age, is to check in with your doctor at least once a year—even if you’re healthy.
As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports, regular health exams can help identify health concerns before they start. They also can help find problems early, which may offer you a better chance for treatment and a cure.
Penn Medicine Princeton Medicine Physicians is a network of physician offices dedicated to excellence in primary and specialty medical care. Providers include board certified internists, family medicine practitioners, geriatricians, hospitalists and nurse practitioners who specialize in preventive, routine and acute care for adults and children.
In addition to regular health exams, there are other steps you can take to stay healthy through the decades, including certain screening tests and vaccinations.
Your 20s and 30s
It’s never too soon to start taking charge of your health, and now is the time to put healthy habits in place so you have a strong foundation for years to come.
Begin by adopting a healthy diet and committing to an exercise routine that meets the recommended 150 minutes of moderate physical activity each week.
If you smoke, the sooner you quit your risk for lung cancer later in life will decrease.
And don’t forget about sleep. Lack of sleep has been linked to health conditions such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and obesity. Establishing healthy sleep habits now can help ward off disease later. Most adults need at least seven hours of quality sleep a night, according to the CDC.
Your 20s and 30s are also an opportune time to establish a relationship with a primary care provider and start monitoring your blood pressure as well as your cholesterol and blood glucose levels. The results of these tests can alert you and your doctor to any problems that may lie ahead.
Your 40s
The 40s are the new 30s, right?
Well, yes and no.
Even if you’re healthy and have taken care of yourself in your 20s and 30s, your body starts to change.
Your metabolism may not be what it used to be, and that number on the scale may start to creep up. You might be reminded of that old ski injury when your knee starts to hurt walking up the stairs.
Cholesterol, blood pressure and blood glucose levels also tend to increase with age.
If you haven’t already, it’s time to establish a healthcare routine. See your doctor for annual physicals and discuss your risk factors and screenings for certain diseases, including cancer and heart disease.
Make any course corrections now before hitting the half-century mark.
Your 50s
While there are certain health risk factors you can control, age isn’t one of them. Which is why in your 50s health screenings are more important than ever.
The CDC recommends that both men and women of average health begin regular screening for colon cancer starting at age 50 and continuing to age 75. However, the American Cancer Society recommends beginning at age 45. Your doctor can help determine what is right for you.
In addition, the CDC recommends that women ages 50 to 75 should have a mammogram every one-to-two years depending on their risk factors, to check for breast cancer. Women younger than 50 should talk with their doctor about their risk for breast cancer and whether to begin screening earlier.
Moreover, most women experience menopause in their early 50s. Hormonal changes cause uncomfortable symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats and decreases in estrogen can increase the risk for heart disease and osteoporosis.
Men can also be affected by changes in hormones, especially decreases in testosterone that can contribute to bone and muscle loss and erectile dysfunction.
It’s important to note that erectile dysfunction can be a red flag for heart disease. Men who experience erectile dysfunction should share their concerns with their doctor.
Your 60s
Vaccines are key to protecting your health throughout your life, but they are critical as you grow older and become more susceptible to complications from illness.
Consider that the CDC estimates that between 70 – 85% of flu-related deaths occur in people age 65 and older.
To protect against the flu, the CDC recommends that everyone age six months and older get the seasonal flu vaccine each year. Additionally, adults over age 65 should also receive a pneumonia vaccine.
The CDC also recommends that older adults get vaccinated against the shingles virus. There are currently two different types of shingles vaccines – one that is administered in your 50s and the other that is administered at age 60. Your doctor can help you decide which is right for you.
Oh, and that joint that’s been hurting? Now is a good time to discuss your pain with an orthopaedic surgeon to determine ways to treat it. Joint pain is often caused by osteoarthritis, which is the most common reason to have joint replacement surgery, an option that offers relief from pain and can help keep you moving and active.
Your 70s, 80s and Beyond
You go for regular health screenings, manage any health conditions, eat a healthy diet and lead a healthy lifestyle.
What else is there to do? Protect your bones!
According to the CDC, each year more than 300,000 people 65 and older are hospitalized for hip fractures—the majority of which are caused by a fall.
To help prevent falls and fractures, be sure to undergo screening for osteoporosis and work with your doctor to identify ways to keep your bones – and the muscles that support them – strong.
In addition, take steps to make your home safer. Eliminating tripping hazards, installing grab bars in the bathroom and putting railings on both sides of the stairs are a good start.
And regardless of how many candles are on your cake, remember the old adage: It’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.
To find a physician with Penn Medicine Princeton HealthCare System, call 888.742.7496 or visit www.princetonhcs.org.
Joseph A. DeBlasio, Jr., M.D., specializes in internal medicine and is a member of the medical staff at Penn Medicine Princeton Health.