What diseases are you at increased risk for at age 50?
As age increases each year, it often comes with increased responsibilities and stress. Especially for those aged 50 and above who have used their bodies for a long time, combined with age-related decline and deterioration, if they have not taken good care of themselves consistently, various diseases can easily threaten them.
Diseases you may face at age 50
Let’s see what diseases people aged 50 and above commonly face if they do not take good care of themselves.
- Coronary artery disease
As you get older, the coronary arteries gradually deteriorate. Symptoms include chest tightness, easy fatigue during exertion or exercise, shortness of breath, inability to lie flat, and incomplete lung expansion. Symptoms may occur suddenly or intermittently. This disease results from long-term cholesterol buildup, causing narrowing or blockage of the arteries, which is a major cause of acute ischemic heart disease and can lead to sudden death.
At this age, it is important to regularly see a doctor for heart and vascular health check-ups. - Diabetes
Diabetes is another common disease in our country. It can be caused by genetics and excessive consumption of starchy and sugary foods, leading to insulin resistance. The body’s ability to use sugar decreases, resulting in high blood sugar levels. Symptoms include frequent urination and thirst, needing to drink large amounts of water, and unexplained weight loss. Long-term or poorly controlled diabetes can cause complications such as blurred vision, blindness, kidney failure, and numbness in the hands and feet. However, diabetes can be managed by regularly seeing a doctor, adjusting eating habits, and exercising regularly. - Hypertension
Hypertension severely affects heart function and leads to various serious diseases such as heart failure, arrhythmia, and coronary artery disease. Patients may experience dull pain at the back of the head, dizziness, and headaches. Causes include aging, high salt intake, high stress, insufficient rest, and lack of exercise.
The danger of hypertension is that it often has no symptoms and becomes a severe chronic disease if uncontrolled. Long-term hypertension can lead to other diseases such as coronary artery disease, stroke, and paralysis.
No matter how much diseases try to threaten our happiness, they cannot do anything if we take full care of our bodies, choose nutritious foods, exercise regularly, get enough rest, engage in enjoyable activities to relieve stress, and most importantly, have regular health check-ups to monitor and keep diseases as far away as possible.
Not everyone who ages has to get sick; just don’t neglect taking care of your own health.
Dr. Thitiwut Hu
General Practice Specialist
Health Promotion Center, Phyathai Nawamin Hospital
