Menopause isn't always the last hurdle faced by women of a certain age. If you're female and over 65, here are just a few facts to prepare you for the health concerns that might be in your future.
Your Bone Density Will Decrease
Frail bones aren't just a myth associated with aging. Your bone density decreases as you get older, and once you're over 65, that can translate to the increased threat of osteoporosis. Not only can osteoporosis be a painful and stressful condition, but it also comes with bigger risk factors for women in particular. According to AlgaeCal, women are twice as likely as men to suffer bone fractures caused by osteoporosis. Take care of your skeletal system by eating foods or taking supplements with lots of calcium.
You'll Have to Fight Back Against Arthritis
The bad news is that arthritis is one of the most common ailments found in senior citizens. The good news is that you can take steps to both slow it down and lessen its effects. Losing weight is a big help, and studies have shown that shedding just 10 pounds can help you lower your risk of osteoarthritis in weight-bearing joints like the ones found in your knees. You can also perform simple exercises to keep your body loose and limber instead of stiff and painful.
Your Weight Can Become an Issue
While obesity can cause health problems at any age, it's especially concerning for the older generation. This is because you're 45 percent more likely to have something called metabolic syndrome, a collection of risk factors that include things like high blood pressure, high blood sugar and high amounts of belly fat. Metabolic syndrome can lead to everything from diabetes to heart disease, so do yourself a favor and cut back on the calories.
You'll Need to Take Care of Your Eyes
There are a number of vision problems experienced by women aged 65 and older, including cataracts and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). If you find yourself squinting to read the newspaper, it's time to visit an optometrist. While some degree of vision loss is normal as you get older, significant drops in visual acuity should be checked out by a professional. If you develop something like glaucoma, you can start a treatment program to halt its spread, but you won't be able to regain any eyesight that you might have lost before that.
You can't stop the wheel of time, but you can prevent it from affecting your health in unexpected ways. Forewarned is forearmed, so use this knowledge to keep living your life as a healthy, active senior.