Health in your 50s.. expectations ?

[BookWorm45]

I'm 53 and have noticed especially during this year I've had a series of health problems. Some minor / shortlived, a couple more severe. Basically it feels like there hasn't been a week in 2023 where I've not had some item or other. THings such as - severe headache; diarrhoea; UTIs; a tooth problem; thrush; migraines; hearing loss (turned out to be partially wax build up in the ear and partially that hearing has actually worsened); knee problem; rosacea; sleep problems.

For "normal" people, e.g. not athletes or the very rich, is this just simply the way that life is once into the 50s / 60s ? Or have I had a very unlucky year ?

What would your expectations be of "normal health" in your 50s ?

I expect things may emerge in that time. There's a bit of luck involved but it's a good time to take stock of lifestyle. I'm doing my best to stay active though have less energy to do that with!

Good point about staying active - I could do more with that I know. Problem often seems to be the cycle of feeling unwell / tired means don't want to do exercise means adds to feeling unwell and tired...... and on it goes.

I'm 53 and don't expect my health to deteriorate at all! This year I've had a 24hr tummy bug and I have ongoing Achilles tendinitis but I am a runner. I do work hard at bring fit and don't feel any different to my 40's apart from no periods now, yay!

Being active at this age makes a huge difference. I'm in my 60s and rarely have health problems, I'm very active - swimming, yoga, tennis and weights.
And cleaning up your diet.
If you don't know where to start, Dr Chatterjee books and podcasts are excellent.

I find home yoga useful to get me moving again

No those issues aren't normal for me

But I am slimmer than average better diet and more exercise than average ( not saying a lot )

Also sone people find the going through menopause stage harder - leaving you a little under the weather with lack of sleep can make you pick up all sorts

I'm in my mid 60s and haven't had anything like that! I agree that being active helps. Also do you put others well being before your own?

I get that completely. I'm hoping I'll feel better as far as the energy fluctuations once I'm through menopause.

Well I'm mid 50s and have had 2 hip replacements, I've got some arthritis in my lower back, fingers and knee and I've had this cold for a month. Things definitely falling apart a little but I just crack on, staying active really important to me as is eating healthily. Expect to have aches and pains now every day but I've very much of the view that it's a bit rubbish but at least I'm here to complain about it!

Thank you all for replies - it is useful to hear how others are experiencing it ! Sounds like the common thread so far is about movement / exercise.

I suspect I will typically prioritise demands from work which will often mean less energy for other things.

As well as eating well, exercising and taking vitamins/supplements I think it's a good time to try and reduce stress in your life. Obviously some you have no control over, but stress has such a negative affect and it's a good time to start really trying to reduce it I think.

I'm 55. I have chronic thrush, adhd, UTIs, dry everything, acne, reflux, zero energy, cough for 6 months, anxiety, stiff painful joints, brain fog...plus life problems. Feel like hiding under a rock 😫

Some of those things could be menopause (UTIs, sleep).

I’m 57 and the menopause has meant a huge change in my health. The changes have been helped by medication (HRT and a vaginal pessary, twice a week, plus citrolapram for anxiety)
I wasn’t on any medication before the menopause. I’ve always been slim and active with swimming, Pilates and walking plus I’ve just started body pump classes. I also have to be really careful now with tendons and muscles as I get awful aches and pains in wrists and arms.

It’s all an inconvenience but I just get on with it.

Sorry to derail OP, but without sounding like an HRT zealot … have you tried HRT @Justwrong68? It might help with symptoms like dryness, stiffness and anxiety, and the persistent thrush and UTIs if they’re due to vaginal atrophy. Even topical HRT might help with the latter two.

I had to check your username to see whether this was my post!!

Two very successful hip replacements, but creeping arthritis in other joints now.

I take a daily vitamin supplement and spend as much times as I can outdoors, walking, swimming etc.

I have ditched all medication (HRT and painkillers), as I found that it was creating other issues. Pilates is helping me stay bendy and strong. I’m about to start weights for bone density.

Alcohol is not my friend anymore.

I’m having to work a bit harder at being healthy, but it’s working and I mostly feel good!

Have you tried HRT? It really works well for me.

I tried HRT for three months. It was great for some issues but created others. I feel better, overall, without.

I'm not on HRT, one reason being I've previously had endometriosis and was advised HRT may not be appropriate.

I find myself sometimes torn between
A) everyone feels unwell as they get older.... I'm still here, better than the alternative !
B) focus on food and movement might sort all this out, just get on with making those changes...
C) take early retirement in a couple of years so as to have time to boost my health...

No, same as age as you and I don't have any physical health issues (so far touch wood). I'm very active, walking, running and a weekly weights class. I eat a healthyish diet and I have massively cut down on alcohol to the point that I save it for holidays and special occasions (then regret it and wish I hadn't had any)

I have to work hard on my mental health at this age (prob menopause related) and doing the above seems to keep stress levels lower, reduce anxiety and also helps me sleep better.

Genetics and the luck of the draw. I know people in their 30s who are fucked and people in their 70s who do triathlons.

I've exercised all my adult life and eaten fairly well and I haven't drunk alcohol for six years but I had a lot of trauma in my childhood and 20s/30s and I think that's given me the health problems I've had in my 50s, including cancer, which I have no traditional risk factors for currently other than stress. I think you have to start a lot earlier to be okay in midlife.

I'm mid fifties and definitely noticing more minor things cropping up. I'm not overweight, eat a good diet, don't smoke/drink, walk the dog 2 or 3 times a day etc etc but there are more twinges and niggles than there were 10 years ago, definitely.

@Justbetweenus
Yes, I've been on full HRT (Estrogel, pessaries, testosterone and coil) for years, though the gp are useless with repeat prescriptions so I've been without for a few days now. My practical problems are a lot to do with it, though looking/feeling fabulous would certainly help!

@SierraSapphire That's true to an extent, but you can definitely stack the draw in your favour with a healthy lifestyle. I found the book The Body Keeps the Score helpful wrt past trauma.

There's a big difference between people my age who look after themselves and those who don't. I appreciate life can throw a curve ball and a serious condition at anyone.

I'm pushing 60, went through the menopause over 14 years ago with no problems and hardly any symptoms and I never catch colds, coughs or have the flu.

I retired early and I put my good health down to having animals, especially dogs, a wonderful and supportive husband and very importantly being outside for many hours every day.

I've also never been overweight.

Eat well, stay active, lots of fresh air and eliminate stress such as being in an unhappy relationship which contributes massively to your well being in a negative way.