Be Healthy and Stay Healthy As You Age

Getting older does not equal poor health

Practice a healthful lifestyle.

Maintain a healthy weight and eat a balanced diet. This is an important part of staying healthy.  The treatment of some diseases include a balanced diet and achieving or maintaining a healthy weight. These include heart illness, stroke, cancer and diabetes.

•  Be certain to eat 5 servings of fruits or vegetables a day.

•  Be certain to eat a diet low in saturated fats and high in fiber and whole grains.

Be active.

Individuals  of all ages benefit from exercise. Being active can help –  

•  Be sure to control your body weight

•  Make certain to keep your heart strong

•  improve your blood pressure (BP)

•  decrease your risk of stroke

•  keep your bones, muscles and joints healthy

•  relieve anxiety and depression

Your activity needn’t be strenuous for you to benefit.

Walking is a good form of exercise. Do not forget to begin gradually. Talk with your main care provider before you begin any new exercise.

The bottom line – Physical activity can help you feel better and enjoy life more.

Make sure to get regular check-ups and have regular screenings.

Cancer screenings often lead to early detection.

Cervical cancer screening ought to continue until you reach 65. If you are over the age of 65, discuss the need for continued screening with your women’s health provider.

Breast cancer screening may start for women at age 40. If you’re over the age of 70, discuss the need for continued screening with your health provider.

Colorectal cancer screening generally starts when you turn 50. Screening options include –  

•  Fecal Occult Blood Testing (FOBT)

•  Sigmoidoscopy

•  FOBT and sigmoidoscopy in combination

•  Colonoscopy

If you are over the age of 80, discuss the need for continued screening with your primary care provider.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm

If you are a man between the ages of 65 and 74 and have smoked more than 100 cigarettes in your life, you should be screened. Talk with your primary care provider about a one-time screening ultrasound.

Post menopausal osteoporosis

Women aged 60 at high risk and women older than 65 at normal risk ought to be screened for osteoporosis. Consult with your primary care provider about bone-density screening.

Immunizations

Every year get your flu shot in the fall.

When you turn 65, get a pneumonia shot. (You may need a pneumonia shot earlier when you’ve certain chronic illnesses.)

Every 10 years get a Tetanus and Diphtheria immunization booster shot.

Stop use of tobacco

Smoking is the single most avoidable cause of death in the United States. Smoking increases the risk of heart illness and cancer. When you stop tobacco use, there are immediate health benefits.

Limit alcohol intake

Limit alcoholic beverages to no more than 1 drink a day for women and 2 drinks a day for men. One drink is equivalent to –  12 ounces of beer, 4 ounces of wine, 1. ounces of 80-proof alcohol or 1 ounce of 100-proof alcohol.

Be certain to keep a positive attitude and do things that make you happy.