Your health in your 40s

It is recommended that we always pay attention and check for any changes on our bodies on a regular basis. But once you are in your 40s, it is even more important to make regular visits to your GP for proper medical examinations and screenings.

Make self-exams part of your routine:
- On top of doing monthly self-examinations, women in their 40s should contact their GP immediately if they notice changes in their skin, breasts and their monthly cycle.

- Monitor your weight and keep track of your eating habits to help prevent the onset of lifestyle diseases. Consult your GP if you are experiencing unexplained weight loss or rapid weight gain.

- If you are often feeling fatigued, bloated, are often constipated or struggling with a low sex drive, visit your GP for medical screenings.

Prevention is better than cure
- Women over the age of 40 should have a mammogram done every 1 to 2 years, depending on their risk factors, to check for breast cancer.

- Have a physical exam every 1-5 years to detect diseases such as diabetes. If your blood pressure is above 135/80, your health care provider should be able to test your blood sugar levels for diabetes.

- Have an eye exam every 2 years. Once you turn 45, make sure that your health care provider checks for glaucoma. Glaucoma is the second most common cause of blindness.

- There are no symptoms in the early stages of osteoporosis. Many times, people will have a fracture before learning that they have the disease. It is recommended that women under age 65, who have risk factors for osteoporosis, get screening for osteoporosis.

- To detect cervical cancer, PAP smears should be done once every 2 - 3 years. Pelvic exams may be done more often to check for other disorders. If your Pap smears have been normal three times in a row, your doctor may tell you that you only need a Pap smear once every 3 years.

- Visit your GP for a thyroid blood test especially if you often experience fatigue, cold intolerance, constipation, and dry, flaky skin.

Lastly, make sure you go for all your necessary vaccines to keep Influenza and other illnesses at bay.

Ask your doctor for recommendations on how to prevent the onset of chronic diseases like high blood pressure, kidney diseases, arthritis and how to look after your mental health.

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