Turn 50 (or more) is the time to put to work all your hard-earned knowledge about healthy living. You know when you should be teste...
You know when you should be tested. They know the importance of exercise and good nutrition. You probably feel and look better.
However, the half-life will mean special challenges for women's health. The good news is that none of these problems you need to prevent a dynamic and productive life to live - in the coming decades. To stay healthy, avoid these six common mistakes Mid health and beyond.
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1. They ignore heart health.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women, and the risk increases as a woman ages. Menopause does not cause cardiovascular disease. Rather, it is the bad old habits in life such as smoking, obesity and lack of exercise, which can take over a toll on the health of the heart in the 50s and women, according to the Association American Heart start.
A September 2015 shows issued by the CDC in the "old heart" against the biological age that women have heart, on average, which is five years older than the actual chronological age is. If a woman of high blood pressure (140 mm Hg or more), which as it is "age" of her heart 18 years or older, the report said.
But the good news is that it's not too late to change habits that increase the risk of heart disease, according to Leslie Cho, MD, director of the Cardiovascular Center at the Cleveland Clinic Women.
"Despite some damage may already be done, the evidence will point to the fact that more changes with respect to the exercise, eat smart to lose weight and stop smoking whatever your age, get her heart" cho said.
In fact, a study of the German Center for Cancer Research of 9,000 people aged 50-74 showed that heart attack and stroke risk can be reduced by 40 percent during the first five years to throw those cigarettes.
This is also the time that they hold with cardiovascular tests such as blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol to ensure. "Prevention and early detection, if the problems can be easily treated, help, an active woman and healthy hold," Cho said.
Do not be afraid or ashamed to ask for help. "If you have problems with movement or weight loss and control of blood pressure, do not think you have to do it alone," she said. "Talk to your doctor. He or she can help you."
2. captures the misery of menopause.
One of the biggest mistakes women during this time is to think that they have to learn to live with the symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes, insomnia and vaginal and urinary problems.
Although that short-term use of hormone therapy help many women some of the menopause face serious problems has been shown not all women are a candidate or you want to take hormones, such as reproductive endocrinologist Barbara Soltes, MD, of the Point Medical Center, University of Chicago , "But that does not mean they have to suffer, because there are other help available," he said.
For example, hot flashes cause problems, menopause published American Society the results in what really works to cool the heat. After their cognitive behavioral therapy (including relaxation techniques, learn more positive about the strategies of menopause and sleep to feel) can reduce the severity of hot flashes. Clinical hypnosis has good evidence also.
Bladder problems such as stress or urge incontinence can be helped with medication, equipment and behavior change, according Soltes that women who advises to consult a doctor with a special interest in menopause when fighting menopause.
3. Do you think that sex is more.
sexual frequency may decrease with age, but a study in the New England Journal of Medicine published, even had shows between 75 and 85 years Sex two or three times a month, with more than 20 percent of sex at least once a week.
However, sex change by hormonal imbalances in menopause, vaginal dryness, and the potential of pain during intercourse can result. But excess products Lubricants counter can help with current recipe certified estrogen after Kat Van Kirk, family therapist and licensed marriage and in Lihue, HI sexologist clinical. (Yoga, Kegel exercises and pelvic floor physiotherapy can some women, help sexual function to improve, according to the North American Menopause Society.)
It is important for women to remember that sex "... can be extremely beneficial for our body, mind and soul," Van Kirk said, often pelvis muscle tone, improve the well-being healthier vaginal tissues and a better psychological quality.
Despite the challenges, improve sex with age because women no longer fear pregnancy and couples have less stress in financial occupations or situations, he added.
4. They believe that weight gain is inevitable.
Here's the real story: The risk of weight gain increases due to advanced age, which does not mean extra pounds are inevitable. But you have to work harder to maintain your weight and lose weight, according Soltes hurry Medical Center.
In fact, so-called reducing energy costs during menopause due to muscle loss and hormonal changes. "If you eat the same things and exert the same amount as in the thirties, you can still gain weight," said Soltes. "Women do not want to hear that, but the biology."
A good starting point is the recommendation of the American Heart Association 150 minutes moderate week, divided in 30 minutes of exercise five times a week or smaller increments of 15 minutes twice a day, Cho, the Cleveland Clinic said.
Although exercise is great, you have a little smarter to eat well. A study published in the American Journal of Health Promotion has followed with a mean age of three, the monitoring of eating habits, general health and lifestyle almost 200 women. Researchers found that women who were as likely set between 138 percent to approximately six pounds or more in middle age do not change their eating habits.
The solution is more fruits, vegetables and lean protein to eat and to be aware of what you put on your plate, said Soltes.
5. their sense of "purpose" is lost.
"Goal" provides the structure of our lives, says psychiatrist Niranjan Karnik, MD Medical Rush University Centre. And if retirement or other related problems loom age, some people lose their sense of "purpose" and positivity, which leads to poor health and sense of well being, poor, he added.
Be "target" in middle age and beyond does not mean that you can change the world strive to have - even if you think you can, why not try? Rather, "... It is only in daily life to make sense", or gardening, learning a new language, to start a volunteer at an animal shelter or even a new career if you like, Karnik said.
It is these little things that can pay dividends. A study of 6,000 people who were part of the Midlife in the study of the United States, found in 14 years of follow-up study in the participants a lower risk of death, which had a purpose in life and a good social relations.
A study by the Rush University showed "target" in later life cognitive decline slowed by 30 percent. Other studies show "Target" reduces the risk of heart failure, Alzheimer's disease and may even make it more likely to follow someone healthy lifestyle person.
6. skip these new tests.
For now, some diagnostic tests - think PAP, blood pressure, cholesterol - are part of your healthy routine life. But once you enter 50 (and beyond) is recommended by your doctor that others, such as colon cancer screening (over 50) and the detection of bone density (65). If we do not choose to have a mammogram in the forties, start now. Working Group Preventive Services recommends that women aged 50 to 74 have a mammogram every two years from 50. The American Cancer Society Women mammograms at the age of 45 and they begin recommends and all years to 55 years, they begin every two years.
Check out this list of screening and vaccines considered.
