Keep track of when you need your next dentist appointment.
Hearing
Hearing loss is one of the most common health problems. Because it
doesn't cause pain and is not visible, many people refuse to admit that it
exists.
Hearing loss increases after the age of 50. How can you tell if
you have a hearing problem? You may have to strain to hear a normal
conversation. Or you may find yourself turning up the volume of the TV and
radio so loud that others complain.
Talk to your doctor or nurse about your hearing. They may suggest
a hearing test. Hearing aids can often help you hear better.
Vision
People aged 45 and older are most affected by vision problems. By
age 65, you should see an eye doctor for regular eye exams. Eyeglasses or
contact lenses can improve your vision. Doctors also have other methods to
improve your vision and prevent you from losing your sight.
Glaucoma
After age 45, glaucoma becomes more common than it is earlier in
life. It is a disease that can lead to problems seeing and even to loss of
vision. Early treatment—with medicine, surgery, or both—can prevent
or delay the serious vision problems caused by glaucoma.
You are more likely to get glaucoma, and you should see an eye
doctor for a glaucoma test, if you:
- Have diabetes.
- Have a family history of glaucoma.
- Are over age 65.
- Are over age 40 and African American.
Ask your doctor: How often do I need to have my eyes
checked?
Keep track of when you need your next eye doctor appointment.
Blood Pressure
High blood pressure can lead to heart disease, stroke, and kidney
disease. It is most common in African Americans and people over age 45.
Scientific evidence has shown that eating healthy foods and being
active are two ways you can keep your blood pressure under control.
Some people need to take medicine to keep their blood pressure at
healthy levels. If you take medicine, be sure to talk to your doctor about how
to take it. Do not skip any doses of medicine.
Ask your doctor:
- How often should I have my blood pressure
checked?
- What should my blood pressure be?
Keep track of your blood pressure.
Cholesterol
Too much cholesterol, which can clog your blood vessels, is a
major cause of heart disease in men and women. Cholesterol levels start to
increase in middle-aged men, in women just before menopause, and in people who
have gained weight. The risk of heart disease starts to increase in middle-aged
men and women.
Research shows that you can lower your cholesterol level and keep
a healthy level by eating the right foods, losing extra weight, and being
physically active. See the sections "Eating Right" on page 8 and "Physical
Activity" on page 10 for more information. Your doctor or other health care
provider may suggest you take medicine to lower your cholesterol.
Most experts recommend checking your cholesterol every 5 years.
Your health care provider may suggest you have it checked more often,
especially if your cholesterol is too high.
Ask your health care provider:
- How often should I have my cholesterol
checked?
- What is a healthy cholesterol level for me?
If you have high cholesterol, talk with your doctor about a plan
for lowering it.
Keep track of your cholesterol level.
Diabetes (High Blood Sugar)
Diabetes can lead to problems with vision, kidneys, and how well
your blood circulates, especially to the lower legs and feet. Most people who
have diabetes have type 2 diabetes, the kind that tends to come in middle age.
Finding and treating diabetes early can cut your risk for these problems.
The chances of getting the most common type of diabetes—type
2 diabetes—increase once you reach age 45. Almost 1 in 5 people aged 65-74
has diabetes.
You may need a blood test for diabetes if you:
- Have a family member with diabetes.
- Are overweight.
- Have had diabetes during pregnancy.
Ask your health care
provider when you need checkups, tests, and vaccines:
- Eye and dental exams.
- Blood pressure and cholesterol checks.
- Blood sugar (glucose) checks.
- Yearly flu shots.
Ask your health care
provider about ways to prevent problems:
- What is the right weight for
me? Try to stay at that weight.
- What kinds and amounts of
food are right for me?
- If you take medicine for
diabetes: How much medicine should I take? When should I take it?
- If you smoke: What can I do
that will help me stop smoking?
- How should I take care of my
feet? How do I check for loss of feeling in my feet? If there is loss of
feeling, you should report it to your doctor.
Tuberculosis (TB)
TB is a growing problem in the United States, especially among
older people. It is an infection that affects the lungs and eventually other
parts of the body. This infection can be passed from one person to the next. It
is treated more easily if caught early.
You are at greater risk for TB and may need a TB test (called a
PPD) if you have:
- Been in close contact with someone who has
TB.
- Recently moved from Asia, Africa, South America, or the Pacific Islands.
- Kidney failure, diabetes, HIV, or
alcoholism.
- Injected or now inject illegal drugs.
Breast Cancer
As women get older, their chances of getting breast cancer
increase. In fact, most breast cancers occur in women over the age of 50.
Research shows that the best way to find breast cancer is to get a
mammogram. This is an x-ray test that can find a breast cancer when it is so
small that it cannot be felt. Most breast cancers are treated more easily when
found early.
All women aged 50 and older should have a mammogram every 1 to 2
years. This recommendation is based on scientific evidence. Ask your doctor how
often you need a mammogram. Make sure to tell your doctor if your mother or a
sister has had breast cancer. If so, you may need to have mammograms more often
than other women. Your doctor may also examine your breasts.
Ask your doctor:
- How often do I need a mammogram?
Keep track of your mammograms.
Cancer of the Cervix
All sexually active women are at risk for cancer of the cervix.
Most deaths from cancer of the cervix can be prevented if the cancer is found
and treated early. A Pap test can find cancer of the cervix early—while
it's easier to cure. This simple test saves lives.
Based on scientific evidence, women need to have a Pap test every
3 years, some more often. Set a date with your doctor to get a Pap test.
Your doctor may suggest stopping Pap tests if:
- You are over age 65 and have had regular,
normal Pap tests.
- You have had a hysterectomy.
- Tell your doctor if you have had genital warts, a sexually
transmitted disease (STD), multiple sex partners, or abnormal Pap tests. If so,you may need Pap tests more often than other women.
Ask your doctor:
- How often do I need a Pap test?
Keep track of your Pap tests.
Colon Cancer
Colon cancer is the second leading cause of death from cancer.
Older men and women are more likely to get colon cancer than those who are
younger. But if caught early, colon cancer can be treated more easily.
Effective tests are available to find colon cancer. However, many people do not
take advantage of these tests.
Starting at age 50, you should have tests to detect colon cancer.
This advice is based on scientific research. The tests you may have are:
Fecal Occult Blood Test—To test for small amounts of
blood in your stool. This test should be done yearly.
Sigmoidoscopy—To look inside the rectum and colon
using a small, lighted tube. Your doctor will do this in the office or clinic.
This test should be done once every 5 to 10 years. Tell your doctor if you have
had polyps or if you have family member(s) with cancer of the colon, intestine,
breast, ovaries, or uterus. If so, you may need to be tested more often.
Ask your doctor:
- How often do I need these tests?
Keep track of your tests.
Oral Cancer
Oral cancer includes cancers of the lip, tongue, pharynx, and
mouth. Most oral cancers occur in people over age 40 who use tobacco or
alcohol. People who are in the sun a lot also are at risk for cancer of the
lip.
If you chew or smoke tobacco and drink a lot of alcohol, you may
want your dentist to examine your mouth for signs of oral cancer during your
regular dental checkup. You may also need to see your dentist more often.
Scientific evidence shows that you can help prevent oral cancer by
not smoking and cutting back on the amount of alcohol you drink. If you are
outdoors a lot, you should use a sunblock on your lips.
Ask your health care provider:
- How often should I get dental checkups?
Keep track of your dental visits.
Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is most common in men over age 50, in African
Americans, and in men with a family history of prostate cancer.
Tests such as a rectal exam and PSA (prostate-specific antigen)
blood test can help detect prostate cancer. Based on research, it is not yet
clear whether these tests save lives.
Ask your doctor:
- What are the pros and cons of tests for
prostate cancer?
Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United
States. Most skin cancers can be cured, especially if they are found and
treated early.
You may need to have your doctor examine your skin if:
- You have many moles (large freckles).
- You have been in the sun a lot.
Ways to help prevent skin cancer:
- Limit the amount of time you spend in the
sun, especially between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
- Wear clothing that protects you from the
sun.
