Health
14 Problems That Sneaks On You After Age 50
There is need to outsmart Your Age as you grow older. This is because more than 9 in 10 older adults have some type of chronic disease, and almost 8 in 10 have more than one. So chances are, you’ll have one sooner or later. But there are things you can do to live a healthier life.
High Blood Pressure
As you age, your blood vessels get less flexible, and that puts pressure on the system that carries blood through your body. That might explain why about 2 in 3 adults over 60 have high blood pressure. But there are other causes you can control: Watch your weight, exercise, stop smoking, find ways to deal with stress, and eat healthy.
Diabetes
Since 1980, the number of middle-aged and older adults with diabetes has almost doubled. Because of that, the CDC calls it an epidemic. Your risk of getting the disease goes up after you hit 45, and it can be serious. It can lead to heart disease, kidney disease, blindness, and other problems. Talk with your doctor about having your blood sugar checked.
Heart Disease
Plaque buildup in your arteries is a major cause of heart disease. It starts in childhood and gets worse as you age. That’s why people age 40 to 59 are more than five times as likely to have heart disease as people 20 to 39.
Obesity
If you weigh a lot more than is healthy for your height, you could be considered obese — it’s not having just a few extra pounds. It’s linked to at least 20 chronic diseases, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure, and arthritis. The highest rate among all age groups is
Osteoarthritis
At one time, doctors chalked up this disease of the joints to the wear and tear of age, and that is a factor (37% of people 45 and over have osteoarthritis of the knee). But genetics and lifestyle probably have something to do with it as well. And previous joint injuries, a lack of physical activity, diabetes, and being overweight can all play a part, too.
Osteoporosis
About half of women over 50, and up to 25% of men in that age group, break bones because they’ve lost too much bone mass, and their bodies haven’t replaced it. A couple of things that can help: a healthy diet rich in calcium and vitamin D (you need both for strong bones) and regular weight-bearing exercise, like dancing, jogging, or climbing stairs.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
This causes inflammation and blocks air from your lungs. It’s a slow-moving disease that you could have for years without knowing it — symptoms usually show up in your 40s or 50s. It can make you have trouble breathing, and you may cough, wheeze, and spit up mucus. Exercise, a healthy diet, and avoiding smoke and pollution can help.
Hearing Loss
Maybe nothing says “You’re getting older” more than having to ask, “What did you say?” Some 18% of Americans 45 to 64 have some sort of hearing trouble, and it tends to get worse as you age. Loud noise, disease, and your genes all play a part. Some medications can cause hearing problems, too. See your doctor if you’re not able to hear as well as you used to.
Vision Problems
That annoying blurriness when you try to read the small type on labels or menus isn’t the only threat to your vision as you age. Cataracts (which cloud the lens of your eye) and glaucoma (a group of eye conditions that damage your optic nerve) can harm your eyesight. See your eye doctor for regular exams.
Bladder Problems
Whether you can’t go when you need to or you have to go too often, problems with bladder control tend to happen as we get older. They can be caused by nerve problems, muscle weakness, thickening tissue, or an enlarged prostate. Exercises and lifestyle changes — drinking less caffeine or not lifting heavy things, for example — often help.
Cancer
Age is the biggest risk factor for cancer. The disease affects young people, too, but your odds of having it more than double between 45 and 54. You can’t control your age or your genes, but you do have a say in things like smoking or spending too much time in the sun.
Depression
People between the ages of 40 and 59 have a higher rate of depression than any other age group. Many people get down as health problems crop up, loved ones are lost or move away, and other life changes happen. It gets better, though. After 59, the numbers fall to only 7% of women and 5% of men.
Back Pain
The older you get, the more common this is. Lots of things can make you more likely to have it: being overweight, smoking, not getting enough exercise, or diseases like arthritis and cancer. Watch your weight, exercise, and get plenty of vitamin D and calcium to keep your bones strong. And strengthen those back muscles — you’ll need them.
Dementia
Alzheimer’s, a form of dementia, usually doesn’t pop up until 65 or so. One in 9 people that age or older have Alzheimer’s, but the rate rises to 1 in 3 for ages 85 or up. Some risk factors (like age and heredity) are uncontrollable. But evidence suggests that a heart-healthy diet and watching your blood pressure and blood sugar might help.
Health
NAFDAC Shuts Maiduguri Market Over Sun-Dried Drugs After Flood
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has ordered the immediate closure of the Gomboru drug market in Maiduguri following severe flooding that submerged the area and contaminated the drugs sold within the market.
In a statement posted on its official X handle, NAFDAC disclosed that the decision was made after reports surfaced that contaminated drugs, which had been washed and sun-dried for resale, were being sold at the market.
“After the recent flooding in Maiduguri that submerged the Gomboru drug market where contaminated drugs were washed and sun-dried for resale, the @DGatNAFDAC ordered the immediate closure of the market to conduct a thorough shop-to-shop removal of these compromised drugs,” the agency wrote.
The flooding, which ravaged Maiduguri, was triggered by the rupture of the Alau dam on the Ngadda River, located 20 kilometers (12 miles) south of the city.
The floodwaters claimed at least 30 lives and displaced 400,000 residents, leaving large parts of the city and surrounding areas in devastation.
NAFDAC’s intervention is aimed at safeguarding public health by preventing the sale and consumption of contaminated drugs.
The agency has mobilized teams to inspect the market and ensure the removal of all compromised pharmaceutical products.
Health
Cholera Outbreak: Rep Oseni Urges Residents to Prioritise Hygiene, Safety Measures
Engr. Aderemi Oseni, Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) and the lawmaker representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency of Oyo State has expressed deep concern following the recent outbreak of cholera cases in the state.
Cholera, a highly contagious bacterial infection transmitted through contaminated water and food, poses significant health risks, particularly in densely populated areas with inadequate sanitation.
Oseni urged residents of Oyo State, especially those in his constituency, to prioritise hygiene practices and strictly adhere to recommended safety measures, emphasising the critical importance of proactive measures to halt the disease’s spread.
In a statement issued on Monday by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, in Ibadan, the state capital, the lawmaker underscored the necessity of maintaining clean water sources and practicing proper sanitation methods.
“Cholera outbreaks can be significantly reduced if we all take responsibility for our hygiene habits and ensure our surroundings are clean,” he stated.
The APC chieftain also stressed the urgency of seeking prompt medical attention at the first signs of symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting, which are characteristic of cholera.
“Early detection and treatment are crucial in combating cholera and preventing its spread. Access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation are fundamental rights that must be upheld, especially during health crises like this,” he asserted.
Oseni further called for unity and collective action in combating the cholera outbreak.
He expressed confidence that through concerted efforts and vigilant adherence to preventive measures, communities can contain and ultimately overcome this challenging public health issue.
“By working together, maintaining vigilance, and prioritising hygiene practices, we can effectively mitigate the impact of cholera on our communities,” the lawmaker concluded.
Health
Ondo Resident Doctors Begin 14-Day Warning Strike
Resident doctors at the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (UNIMEDTH) in Ondo State have initiated a 14-day warning strike, as confirmed by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).
The strike action, led by the association’s President, John Matthew, highlights various grievances, notably the non-payment of seven months’ salaries to new members.
Matthew added that the strike also addresses the non-payment of palliative to House Officers since February, the failure to disburse the February Hazard Allowance despite prior assurances from the state government, and the ongoing shortage of staff due to resignations.
Matthew lamented the drastic decrease in resident doctors, citing a decrease from 150 doctors to a mere 26 in recent months.
In response to the situation, he urged management to prioritise the full payment of arrears owed to members, immediate payment of the February 2024 palliative to house officers, and prompt disbursement of the February hazard allowance.
The association further called for urgent measures to address the critical shortage of clinical manpower within the institution.
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