Health issues can strike men at any age and stage, but as you get older, you might find that you’re beset by an increasing number of medical problems. By the time you hit midlife, you may have a range of health complications. The important thing is to remember that you’re not alone. As the male body ages, it becomes more susceptible to an array of medical issues. Here are just a few of the more common ones, and some suggestions to help you tackle them.
Erectile dysfunction
Sexual problems of any kind can be embarrassing to talk about, and it’s easy to feel isolated and ashamed if you develop difficulties in the bedroom. However, these issues may be much more common than you realise. For example, it’s estimated that around half of men aged between 40 and 70 have erectile dysfunction (ED). This refers to the inability to get and maintain an erection.
Physical causes of ED can include a narrowing of the blood vessels to the penis, hormonal changes, surgery or injury. Meanwhile, psychological issues such as relationship problems, anxiety and depression can also result in ED. Fortunately, help is at hand. There are now medicines available that can give firmer and longer-lasting erections. For example, you can head to trusted websites like onlinedoctor.lloydspharmacy.com to request a prescription for Levitra. This works in a similar way to Viagra and Sildenafil, and when taken 30 to 60 minutes before sex, it can remain effective for around four to six hours.
These medicines can help to boost your confidence and they can prove effective at treating anxiety-related ED. However, bear in mind that they will not address any underlying medical causes like high blood pressure or diabetes. If you think your sexual problems have a physical basis, it’s important to seek information and advice from a medical professional.
High blood pressure
In the UK alone, around 16 million people have high blood pressure (hypertension) and once you enter middle age, you are at an increased risk of this. After all, while the cause of most cases of hypertension is unknown, there a number of risk factors – and age is one of them. Other dangers include eating too much salt, not doing enough exercise, being overweight, drinking large amounts of alcohol and smoking.
If your blood pressure readings on separate occasions consistently come out at 140/90mmHg or above, you have hypertension. This is not something to ignore. Bear in mind that, if left untreated, high blood pressure can increase your chances of suffering a heart attack or stroke. In some cases, doctors recommend medication to help bring blood pressure under control. However, lifestyle changes can also lead to an improvement. For example, your doctor may advise you to lose weight, cut back on your salt and caffeine intake, stop smoking, reduce your alcohol consumption, exercise regularly and eat a healthy diet.
Weight gain
If you’ve noticed that your waistline has started to expand since you entered your midlife, you can rest assured you’re not alone. Unfortunately, it’s harder to stay trim as you get older. Between the ages of 30 and 40, people tend to experience changes in their metabolisms that predispose them to putting on extra weight. Also, lots of people find they do less exercise as they get older, often because they don’t have time to hit the gym or head out for a jog.
However, it’s important to make an effort to stay in shape. Health risks associated with obesity include type 2 diabetes, stroke, coronary heart disease and certain types of cancer. To help ensure you stay slim, it’s important to eat a healthy diet and to keep active.
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