By Anne Montague
Health worries come and go, and it isn’t always easy to tell if that odd twinge is perfectly normal. Reassuringly, when you learn how your body changes over the years, you can tell what’s to be expected and what you need to treat more seriously. That way, you can future-proof your health
If you're 40 to 50...
You're more likely to notice changes in your body as this decade progresses. Your fertility declines and you may start to experience symptoms of the peri-menopause as well as a few more general aches and pains.
What's normal
● Changes in your periods, which are likely to become longer/shorter/lighter/heavier as oestrogen levels decline and you move towards menopause. Around three-quarters of women may also experience hot flushes and other peri-menopausal symptoms like night sweats and mood swings. Very heavy periods can be helped by the Mirena coil, which releases small doses of progestogen making periods shorter andlighter and also provides contraception.
● Struggling with the small print or with reading in dim light, as the lenses in your eyes harden with age. You may well need to buy a pair of reading glasses - there are loads of fashionable ones out there.
● Wrinkles and deeper lines on your skin that can occur when it becomes drier, rougher and less elastic.
● Non-cyclical breast pain not associated with your menstrual cycle tends to be more common once you're over 40, but if the pain persists or you notice other changes, consult your doctor.
What's not...
● Lethargy, concentration problems, unexplained weight gain, sensitivity to the cold, rough, dry skin and constipation could all indicate an underactive thyroid.
● Changes to existing moles or any oddly shaped new ones. It's normal to develop a few new moles each year, but be alert to new or existing moles with irregular shapes, which grow, change shape, develop blurred edges or a mix of colours.
● Very heavy or painful periods can be a sign of fibroids - speak to your GP if you're concerned.
● Feeling tired, thirsty and going to the loo frequently are symptoms of type 2 diabetes, which becomes more of a risk after 40 - particularly if you are overweight or have a history of diabetes in the family. Ask your GP for a blood glucose test, as the latest research from Diabetes UK found that around seven million people in the UK have pre-diabetes. It's an undiagnosed condition that leaves you 15 times more likely to develop full-blown type 2 diabetes and may cause long term damage to the heart and circulatory system. If caught early, it can be reversed and your risk of developing type 2 diabetes cut by 60%.
Hold back the years
● Talk to your doctor about having a cardiovascular risk assessment. By measuring your weight, blood pressure and cholesterol levels and looking at your family history of heart disease and lifestyle factors, your doctor can calculate your risk of stroke or heart disease and suggest ways to reduce your risk.
● Have your eyes tested every two years to check your vision and detect any early signs of eye diseases such as glaucoma or cataracts, as well as conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure.
● Cut 200 calories a day out of your diet. Your metabolic rate slows every year, so even if you eat and exercise at the same rate as you have previously, weight gain is inevitable. Small changes - cutting out a few biscuits, switching to skimmed milk - will help counteract that decline.
● Do your pelvic floor exercises. They're important at every age, but particularly pre-menopause as muscles become weaker and any stress incontinence problems are likely to worsen.
● Tofu, soya yogurts and ground linseeds, sesame and pumpkin seeds sprinkled on soups, salads and cereals are all good sources of phyto-oestrogens - they may help reduce menopausal symptoms.
SOURCE: allaboutyou.com
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