5 Men's Health Problems After 40

Turning 40 is an important milestone in every man's life. It is the time when you realize that you're in the middle of your life, you start paying more attention to your health and appearance and think about the possible future health issues sneaking up on you. Unfortunately, some of the roots of these issues (poor diet, irregular sleep patterns, lack of physical activities, inherited diseases, etc.) were planted in your younger days, but there are others that can be prevented or alleviated. Health issues in your forties shouldn't be taken lightly, even when they seem insignificant, as they can be symptoms of something more serious. It is important to know some of the most common problems men face, in order to stay cautious and alert.

Hypertension
Hypertension aka high blood pressure often appears as men enter their 40s, and the risk grows as they turn 45. High blood pressure implies that your systolic reading is over 140 and your diastolic is over 90. Sometimes you won't even notice you have this problem until you complete a regular medical checkup, but over time that pressure can damage your arteries and lead to more serious problems. In addition to age and gender (men are more prone to hypertension), there are other factors that might impact development of this conditions such as genetic disposition, diet and lifestyle (smoking, stress, alcohol, etc.).

Heart Disease
Closely connected to the previously mentioned hypertension, heart diseases are becoming a huge risk for men turning 45, but if you were not living a healthy lifestyle or if you haven't taken any precautionary measures before, 40 is the right time to start. If you're not born with a heart condition, you may develop one due to age, smoking, obesity, hypertension, inactive lifestyle and high levels of cholesterol. Preventing such an outcome means changing the bad habits and finding some time to de-stress.

Gynaecomastia
Gynaecomastia or "man boobs" is more than just an issue of aesthetics, It can indicate a hormonal disorder or simply lead to poor self-image and depression. It can be caused by illnesses or some specific drugs and it can be a part of aging process, without any known cause. It is a fact that this problem is affecting men as we can see an increase in cosmetic surgery procedures in Sydney and other cities across Australia, where one of the most frequent demands by men in their 40s is gynaecomastia surgery.

Enlarged Prostate and Prostate Cancer
Prostate is one of the most frequently discussed health concerns for men approaching their 40s. The only known cause of prostate enlargement is age, and the symptoms may or may not appear when you reach this age. Prostate cancer was believed to be "old men's disease" which affects 65-year olds or older men. Although it is not as frequent in younger men, it can still happen, so regular prostate screenings after you turn 40 are vital, as early detection can save your life.

Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction can happen at any age, due to stress or some other health issues, but it becomes more present in men over the age of 40. The inability to obtain or maintain an erection can be caused by injuries, depression, anxiety, certain diseases and side effects of some medications. The most important thing to know here is that erectile dysfunction can be medically treated (there are medications that can be prescribed), but that it can also be influenced by certain lifestyle changes. Healthier and more balanced diet, as well as quitting smoking and being more physically active, can contribute to the solution.

With age comes a great deal of health risks, and it is very important to keep an open eye for any threatening symptoms. Another crucial thing to know is that lifestyle changes are always a good way to prevent a disease and ease its symptoms, no matter how old you are.

Read More