What No One Tells You About Midlife Health Maintenance
Midlife health maintenance is perhaps the most important because it sets you up for an easier time in your golden years. During this time, you have a final chance to remedy issues before they cause major problems as you age, from gaining weight to sleeping less due to stress.
Teeth Can Shift and Change
More than just cavities, your teeth can shift and change quite a bit over your lifetime, but it becomes most apparent around midlife. Brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash are essential for good oral hygiene and are always recommended. However, dry mouth, worn-out dental work, and gum recession can cause tooth loss. This is common, and single tooth dental implant work can remedy the problem when carried out by an experienced, trusted and reliable dentist.
You Will Gain Weight Naturally
Weight gain is one of those things a person can struggle with for decades. Men and women experience bouts of excess weight and times when they shed it and feel and look better. However, there are many changes the human body goes through during the midlife stage that can cause weight gain and make it harder to lose. Muscle mass decreases because of metabolic slowdown; however, strength training and a personal nutrition plan will help.
Hormones and Midlife Health Maintenance
Around 80% of women are menopausal by the age of 54, and as you may know, it can wreak havoc on your hormones. Estrogen in particular can drop severely and cause all kinds of problems, from undereye issues to excess visceral fat deposits. So, here’s what to know:
- Lower estrogen causes fat to shift from the hips and thighs to the lower abdomen.
- This is common and normal, but see a doctor if you have concerns about excess fat.
- A healthy diet and exercise can offset most of the weight changes from hormone drops.
Stress and Sleep are Linked
Getting too little sleep is one of the most cited reasons for stress. Disturbed sleep becomes more common in midlife as cortisol production often increases. In turn, this encourages fat storage and increases your appetite for unhealthy foods. Many people find that activities like yoga help promote a healthier sleep cycle and reduce stress, all while burning some fat. Meditation is also a powerful way to reduce stress and maintain a healthy metabolism.
Eyesight Shifts Will Happen
Regular eye exams are important, even if you don’t need glasses, because you might think your vision is normal! As you age, the eyes begin to experience macular degeneration, cataracts, and even glaucoma, which can leave you blind. However, even dry eyes and glare can cause problems. As you get older, eye muscles can also move and weaken, causing issues with vision. Even if you just need reading glasses, they can make a huge difference in your life.
Summary
Your teeth can shift and change as you get older and become a major part of midlife health maintenance. Of course, you will also experience hormonal changes, especially as a woman. If you find yourself squinting, then you definitely need to book an appointment for your peepers.