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Growing old, staying healthy

Follow simple tips and you can keep a number of age-related physical ailments at bay, says HEMA VIJAY

As a woman grows older, she should be conscious about her weight, as being overweight can lead to diabetes and heart problems

Fitness and friendship An evening walk with a companion will help improve mental and physical well being

Like machines, our bodies age, suffer wear and tear, and eventually break down. Women may not be from a different planet, but do face the risk of a unique set of age-related ailments. But with proper care and by staying alert to tell-tale symptoms, quite a number of age-related physical ailments can be put away or at least held at bay.

To begin with, thyroid diseases are more common in women than in men. They can also hasten menopause. Besides, symptoms of hyperthyroidism such as non-menstruation, hot flashes, insomnia and mood swings may be mistaken for early menopause. “Women with a family history of thyroid or other immune-system problems such as insulin-dependent diabetes need to get their thyroid tests done even in their thirties,” says Dr. S. Murthy, endocrinologist. “If you encounter chronic backache or easy fractures, it is indicative of bone mineral loss or osteoporosis and can be detected by a Bone Mineral Density (BMD) test”, advises Dr. P.G. Sundararaman, endocrinologist. Overweight women are particularly prone to developing diabetes. Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT) can detect diabetes and is advised for all over thirty.

Degenerative joint disorders recognised by chronic pain in joints (in the knee, neck or lumbar regions) start occurring when women enter their mid thirties. Rheumatoid arthritis (characterised by inflammation or swelling), and psoriasis arthritis accompanied by skin lesions and joint pain begin to set in, in the thirties. “Weight reduction and physical exercise can go a long way in pre-empting it,” says Dr. V. Krishnamurthy, consultant rheumatologist.

Nearly twice as many women die of heart disease and stroke as from all forms of cancer, including breast cancer. But many women fail to recognise it and describe it as aching, tightness and pressure, rather than pain. “The chief symptom of heart attack is an intense left-sided chest pain that might radiate to the neck and down the left arm, and abnormal sweating. There might be irregular heart beats and giddiness too,” informs Dr. Prem Sekar, Interventional Cardiologist.

“With menopause, women lose the protective influence of their reproductive hormones, the bad cholesterol level goes up, the good cholesterol level comes down, which increases the risk factor for heart diseases,” warns Dr. K. Jayanthi, consultant cardiologist. Another factor to keep a watch for is polycystic ovaries, which is commonly observed in women with heart disease.

“Be wary of any abnormal discharge from the breast or vagina or a lump in the breast, and consult a gynaecologist or family physician immediately”, advises Dr. Hema Thirunarayan, family physician. “A monthly breast self-examination is mandatory and can be easily learnt from a physician,” she adds. If you have a family history of breast cancer, an annual mammogram is a must. Get an annual PAP smear test once you are 40 to detect uterine cancer. Any abnormal, lower abdominal distension, pain, or vaginal bleeding can indicate complication in the ovary or uterus, which can be confirmed or negated through tumour marker tests. Other common cancers such as those occurring in the colon, intestine and stomach occur more frequently in peri-menopausal women.

“As a woman grows older, she should be particular about the kind of food she eats. She should also be weight conscious, as being overweight can lead to diabetes and heart problems,” says Nirmala Jesudason, consultant dietician. The diet should be high in fibre, moderate in calories and low in fat, especially saturated fats. Omega 3 fatty acids, found in fish and fish oil and in soya bean and walnuts are advised. “While she should drink plenty of milk for strong bones, the milk should be low fat or skimmed. For cancer prevention, eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, and green tea, which contain phytochemicals and antioxidants.”

Last, and perhaps, most important, women need to start a daily fitness programme lasting at least half an hour, be it yoga or sports; this simultaneously keeps your body and mind healthy. “Old age is a time when bodily ailments raise their head. Concurrently, children are no longer dependent on her and depression can easily set in. To prevent it, women should learn to look beyond the family and keep other relationships and perhaps ties with a social network or an NGO alive,” suggests Dr. Lakshmi Vijaykumar, consultant psychiatrist. Granted, all this will consume a little of your precious time now. But it might well be worth it, when you consider the good health and productivity it will bestow on your later years.

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