During your life, you can develop different health issues but the risk of health problems increases as you get older. When you reach the age of 50 your body becomes more vulnerable to chronic and long term health conditions. For this reason, you need to become more attentive to your health and be prepared for all the conditions you may face. 

Below are 9 health problems that you may face after the age of 50.

1. Incontinence

Both men and women after the age of 50 become prone to incontinence. This includes leaks, urgency, and more frequent urination. It causes some people to decrease the amount of fluid intake. In the long run, this can overburden the kidneys. You can try kegel exercises to improve bladder control. This will help you avoid embarrassing accidents. 

2. Joint problems

Joint problems are a common issue for people over 50. The most susceptible to damage are weight-bearing joints like hips, knees, ankles, and the lower back. When you reach 50, these joints become fragile due to wear and tear. This condition is known as joint degeneration. It is important to take care of your joints to ensure the quality of your life when you reach the age of 50.

Don’t perceive the joint pain like a part of getting older. Pain can be a symptom of degenerative joint disease, osteoarthritis, or rheumatoid arthritis. To prevent the development of the disease, you need to notify your physician about joint pain.

3. Lower libido

When you are over 50 you can lose sexual interest in your partners. Your libido may lower during menopause. This happens because of decreased hormone levels. Decreased hormone levels can cause vaginal dryness, tightness, and pain during sex. Menopause symptoms can also make you less interested in sex.

For men, the loss of sex drive can be related to an underlying condition. Issues like depression, stress, alcoholism, and fatigue often cause loss of sex drive in men.

4. Slower metabolism

If you aren’t eating healthily your digestive process becomes affected. This can decrease your metabolism and cause nutrient deficiency. You need to eat healthy food and increase more energy-boosting proteins. Include more healthy fats and fiber in your diet to ensure good digestion and metabolism. 

5. Brittle bones

Bone density naturally decreases as you age. This can lead to osteopenia and osteoporosis. Osteoporosis develops because of wear and tear increasing the risk of fractures. It is important to increase your intake of calcium and vitamin D as you become older. These nutrients promote bone density and decrease the risk of osteoporosis progression.

Along with bone, your teeth also become more fragile and vulnerable to dental issues. It is important to practice good oral hygiene and visit the dentist regularly to prevent tooth loss. Thankfully, innovative dentistry offers a great way to replace a missing tooth. 

6. Susceptibility to stress

Stress is inevitable. When you get older you become more susceptible to stress. Over time stress can cause apathy, a lack of joy, and decrease the quality of your life. If you find yourself stressed, talk about it with a family member or a therapist. It is important to lower stress levels. Chronic stress is a risk factor for many serious conditions, especially when you are over 50. 

7. Sleep disorder

Sleeping problems are a common problem when you are over 50, especially for women. When you enter menopause, your estrogen levels drop. It can cause unexplained symptoms like daytime sleepiness, weight gain, chronic neck pain, and grinding of the teeth. The drop in estrogen levels can also tighten your airways and deprive your body of oxygen during a night’s sleep. This can make you wake up several times during the night causing insomnia. 

If you are over 50 and experience similar symptoms, it is time to schedule an appointment with your physician. The doctor can help you regulate hormones and improve night’s sleep. 

8. Shrinking

Shrinking is one of the unexpected problems that you can face after the age of 50. As you become older, you lose height. This happens because discs between the vertebrae lose their water content and elasticity. The cushions between the bones in the spine become less spongy and more flattened. Another reason for shrinking is a spine curving or compression fracture. A compression fracture is a condition when the bone breaks and collapses on itself. 

You can become lower by several inches compared to when you were younger. You need to get your height and weight measured during your annual physical exam. 

9. Loss of energy

Another common issue for people over the age of 50 is a lack of energy. This can happen because of hormonal imbalance and lead to other health issues. The loss of energy can cause a chain of reactions like poor performance in the gym, lack of effectiveness at work, depression, and an inability to do simple everyday tasks. By balancing hormones you can improve your energy levels. If you feel that your energy levels diminish, let your health care provider know about it. 

It is crucial to take care of your health at any age. But when you reach 50, you need to become especially attentive. When you are over 50, unexpected health problems can plague you, decreasing the quality of your life.