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"People
often focus on career and financial objectives when they're
young, but it's important to keep health the No. 1 priority,"
says Paul Takahashi, M.D., a specialist in geriatrics at Mayo
Clinic, Rochester, Minn. "The reality is, as you get
older, if you don't have your health, you can't enjoy what
you've worked for."
Not
all diseases and conditions are avoidable, of course. But
many of the most serious ones can be prevented by making good
decisions each day about:
- Eating
healthy
-
Being physically active
-
Maintaining a healthy weight
-
Getting regular medical care, including preventive health
maintenance
-
Paying attention to your body
-
Having reasonable expectations for yourself
-
Making your health a priority doesn't necessarily mean giving
up favorite foods and activities or becoming concerned about
your health to the exclusion of other things. It's about
keeping your life balanced and making sure that self-care
is as important as meeting other responsibilities.
Preventive care: Managing your health risks
If you
want to live a longer and healthier life, it can help to know
what your specific health risks are and how to manage them.
Conditions that commonly lead to premature death include heart
disease, cancer, stroke, high blood pressure and diabetes.
The good news is that many risk factors for these diseases
are determined by personal health habits — behaviors
that you can change.
Here's
a list of health tips that could save your life:
# Get
regular checkups. Many risk factors and diseases are highly
treatable when detected early. Regard your doctor as an ally
to help you identify specific health risks and take appropriate
action.
# Monitor your blood pressure. High blood pressure (hypertension)
is called the silent killer because it usually has no symptoms.
Try to keep your blood pressure below 120/80 millimeters of
mercury (mm Hg). Although you can't cure high blood pressure,
you can control it.
# Get periodic screenings for specific cancers. Tests such
as a colonoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy or barium enema for
colorectal cancer should be done every year after age 50 —
sooner if you've had colon polyps or have a family history
of colon polyps or colon cancer. Your doctor might recommend
other tests every five to 10 years.
# If you're a woman, you should also have cervical cancer
screenings (Pap tests) every three years. And if you're a
woman over 40, you should have a mammogram every year. Regular
screening for breast and cervical cancer saves lives.
#
Tell your doctor about all of the medications you're taking.
Include herbs, dietary supplements, over-the-counter medications
and prescription medications. When combined, some drugs and
herbs have dangerous interactions. Also remember that aging
can change your tolerance for many drugs and may increase
some side effects.
# Kick the smoking habit. Smoking causes more premature deaths
than any other lifestyle behavior.
# Exercise regularly. Regular exercise can reduce your risk
of heart attack. Aim for 30 minutes or more of moderately
intense aerobic activity, such as brisk walking, biking or
swimming, most days of the week.
# Eat less saturated fat and cholesterol. These two dietary
villains increase your risk of developing heart disease. It
might prove helpful to have your cholesterol checked at least
every five years, and more often if you're on medication.
# Drink alcohol in moderation — if at all. For women,
this means no more than one drink a day. For men, it means
no more than two drinks a day. The older you are, the less
you should drink.
# In the vehicle, buckle your seat belt. If your vehicle has
air bags, keep 10 inches between your chest and the center
of the steering wheel.
# Protect yourself from the sun. Decrease your risk of skin
cancer by using sunscreen or wearing sun-protective clothing
when outdoors.
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