Over The Hill Doesn't Mean It's Over

Happy New Year Everyone!!! New Year, New age! But, over the hill doesn't mean it's over!

When you picture the life of an average person, it looks like a small hill; rising at first, then descending into a slope once you get older. Are you over 40? Have you hit your peak? Over the hill doesn’t mean it’s over.

The hill only stops being a hill once you stop seeing yourself falling off the slope. Over the hill doesn’t signify the end --- there’s still the other-half equivalent of the years before you hit your peak.

What can’t you do? What can you do? Obviously, dressing up like you were in high school and trying to pass off as a teenager is out of the question. Here are a number of ways you could pass the time, while trying to finish up the rest of that hill.

Get a Hobby – It’s never too late to be into anything. There are people who are older than 40 who still engage in hobbies like running in marathons, rock climbing, writing, building models and acquiring collectibles. Are you still fit enough to run several kilometers in one go? Do you still have the clear eyesight to keep small model parts from being lost? It’s never too late to get a hobby, not only is it a productive and enjoyable way to pass the time --- it also keeps you young!

Learn – Learning never stops --- everyday is an opportunity to know better than what you knew yesterday. It’s just a matter of having the willingness to learn. What will you use your new knowledge for? It might make things easier for you in the workplace, thus, leaving more time for you, --- or, you may just want to pass along the knowledge to your children.

Live! – It’s always a good time to be alive --- there’s no more hesitation, parts of life are within reach --- and it’s up to you to grab them. Try new things! Visit new places! Eat exotic food! The only question you should concern yourself with is --- are you going to hike down the hill, or reach the ground tumbling? Over the hill doesn’t mean it’s over.

You should fight! Let's stand besides the saying, "Over 40 and Fighting!"

An Ounce Of Prevention is Worth A Poind of Cure

Let’s not sugarcoat things: after you hit the big 4-0, life only gets a lot more complicated. Alzheimer’s, Macular Degeneration and Heart Diseases start sounding like everyday concerns, on top of thinking about the bills, the kids or the PTA meeting.

All three of the diseases mentioned above are going to be your biggest concerns when you are over 40, for the reason that, there is no widely-available cure for any of them. Should there be, then by the time you are reading this, it will still be in the experimental stages, or its price range is going to be out-of-reach for people like us.

Here are a couple of tips to fortify your defenses against those diseases with.

Alzheimer’s – Alzheimer’s is a form of dementia, which is, in essence, permanent damage to the brain. To date, there is still no known cure for this disease and the number of factors for contracting this disease simply hits most of us like a random flash-flood. We’ll never know. The best ways for staving off Alzheimer’s disease is by mental and physical activity. This strikes people who don’t undergo physical or mental challenges on a daily basis. Sociable interaction is also a plus. Foods that carry antioxidants, and vitamins C and E are also linked to lesser known cases of Alzheimer’s.

Heart Disease – There are several forms of heart diseases --- but most of them can be stopped by restraint. Restraint from living a relatively physically inactive life, restraint from cholesterol and restraint in front of alcohol or tobacco is all that is needed to lower the risks of getting heart disease. Love your heart and it will love you back.

Macular Degeneration – Unfortunately, there are still not enough studies to completely fight off macular degeneration. However, in the few guaranteed controlled observations concerning macular degeneration, a smoke-free and a fruits-and-vegetable-rich lifestyle has been shown to be less likely to develop the severe effects of macular degeneration.

It’s especially frightening to know that there are diseases that we are completely vulnerable to after 40, but the knowledge of lessening risks is key to living a disease-free life that doesn’t need cures --- for there will be no sickness.

My Battle Against Alzheimer's!

Imagine that you have a favorite book; when it was new, the edges were still sharp, the pages, crisp from the publisher --- imagine that you read that book at least once a year. Over the next few years, the once-crisp pages become crumpled, some get soaked, some get torn --- now how would you like to know the ending, not knowing how you got there?

That’s what Alzheimer’s is like --- you get to miss some of the best parts of the book --- you miss part of the story because the page just wasn’t there.

Now imagine that you give the book a plastic cover. Picture yourself carefully opening the pages, gently enough to not leave a bend in the spine. Would all those pages still be missing if you did?

Now that I’m older (I’m in my 40’s) my daily battle revolves around staving off serious diseases, (and Alzheimer’s is just what I’m most petrified of) while everyone says that life starts at 40. Not that it doesn’t, it’s just that its both for enjoying myself and a time to help myself.

Here are my battle plans; my strategies on fighting Alzheimer’s … and winning.

Communication – Let your family know that you’re concerned about your personal health. Talk to your family --- this will help you realize who you’re really doing all this for. Leave notes to remind them to remind you to take your medicine/supplements.

Exercise, but do only what you can – So you think that getting into exercise is what’ll make you healthy? Yes and no. If you’re just beginning, you should start off small and not hit the big heavy weights when you can’t. Do stretches before you exercise. Have someone close by should anything happen to you. Over-exerting yourself would only lead to more muscle wear-and-tear, plus it burns off liquids that your body might need during the day.

Eat right – By that I mean going after what you love eating the best. Of course, you’d still have to look at your blood pressure. Before taking that first, big,<p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><img style="width: 459px; height: 359px;" alt="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34/barnabebarbaracon/1066730_40980898.jpg" src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34/barnabebarbaracon/1066730_40980898.jpg" /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Imagine that you have a favorite book; when it was new, the edges were still sharp, the pages, crisp from the publisher --- imagine that you read that book at least once a year.<span style=""> </span>Over the next few years, the once-crisp pages become crumpled, some get soaked, some get torn --- now how would you like to know the ending, not knowing how you got there?</p> <p class="MsoNormal">That’s what Alzheimer’s is like --- you get to miss some of the best parts of the book --- you miss part of the story because the page just wasn’t there.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Now imagine that you give the book a plastic cover.<span style=""> </span>Picture yourself carefully opening the pages, gently enough to not leave a bend in the spine.<span style=""> </span>Would all those pages still be missing if you did?</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Now that I’m older (I’m in my 40’s) my daily battle revolves around staving off serious diseases, (and Alzheimer’s is just what I’m most petrified of) while everyone says that life starts at 40.<span style=""> </span>Not that it doesn’t, it’s just that its both for enjoying myself and a time to help myself.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Here are my battle plans; my strategies on fighting Alzheimer’s … and winning.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Communication – Let your family know that you’re concerned about your personal health.<span style=""> </span>Talk to your family --- this will help you realize who you’re really doing all this for.<span style=""> </span>Leave notes to remind them to remind you to take your medicine/supplements.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Exercise, but do only what you can – So you think that getting into exercise is what’ll make you healthy?<span style=""> </span>Yes and no.<span style=""> </span>If you’re just beginning, you should start off small and not hit the big heavy weights when you can’t.<span style=""> </span>Do stretches before you exercise.<span style=""> </span>Have someone close by should anything happen to you.<span style=""> </span>Over-exerting yourself would only lead to more muscle wear-and-tear, plus it burns off liquids that your body might need during the day.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Eat right – By that I mean going after what you love eating the best.<span style=""> </span>Of course, you’d still have to look at your blood pressure.<span style=""> </span>Before taking that first, big, juicy bite off that quad-stacker burger, ask yourself, “will this be bad for my blood pressure?”<span style=""> </span>Also, eat some of them fruits and vegetables a little more.<span style=""> </span>They aren’t that bad, plus, food with Vitamin C and E can boost brainpower.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Tease your brain everyday – Solve a crossword puzzle, solve a riddle, read a book, watch a subtitled movie, listen to music or writing are good brain exercises.<span style=""> </span>These mediums are therapeutic, and helps you get more sleep, relieve tension and erase uneasiness within yourself.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://over40andfighting.com/illnessesalzheimer.asp">Take this test to know if you have Alzheimer's. My top score is 14!</a><br /></p>

I'm Starting To Feel My Age

Do you hear your bones creaking at the slightest movement? Is there a spot in the center of your vision? Are you frequently absent-minded or forgetful? Did you remember that last sentence? Then you may be settling in to your old age quite nicely.

Nicely?! That’s not good. There are predetermined notions of how people “your age” should be acting --- but who dictated it? The people who got to that age first?

It’s not really following someone else’s example --- it’s just that people “your age” (assuming you are like me, who is over 40) are notorious for the common geriatric no-no’s. Here are a couple of signs that make you feel your age.

Problem: Blurred vision --- “I can’t see!”

By now, you could hardly read the fine-print on shampoo bottles. You might even start to conclude that you have weak eyes. This isn’t your fault, it’s the macular degeneration. Well, it’s partly your fault --- think about it --- how much time have you been spending in front of the television, or how long do you read books? Do you take at least 30-minute breaks every 2 hours? The eye gets strained after strenuous visual activity. Ask an optometrist for a recommended eye drop to soothe eye strain, or stare at something green in-between long eye activity.

Problem: Little things annoy me! --- “Get off my lawn, you kids and your DVDs!”

Knowing much more than generations do, it’s expected that by your 40’s, you’ve found the more important stuff, the things worth caring about --- you got there by being curious and playful. Don’t let other people’s immaturity dictate your own. Cool down, count back from 10 to 1 and let the anger pass. Unless you want to be nicknamed “the ugly old fart” of the neighborhood.

Problem: My chest hurts --- “My heart, my heart!”

a.) If you feel sharp pains over your chest after your kids give you a bad report card, it’s the stress; you have to learn to let stress go, not only is it bad for your overall health, it also makes you age faster --- white hair and wrinkles. b.) If you feel pressure on the chest, followed by a radiating pain that snakes its way up the back of your neck, your throat, your jaw and your arms, then you may have a heart disease. Remember to see a physician for check-ups regularly. Exercises like aerobics or running also help ward that off, plus, it makes you feel younger!

Problem: I frequently think of how old I am.

Perception is projection --- you’re not old --- your active mind has been the same (only much more developed) since you were young --- when you keep running back to safe-zone memories to save you, then you haven’t fully accepted your age. Being over 40 isn’t “old” unless you think it is.

Are you over 40 and fighting?

How Do I Find Out If I Have A Disease?

There are dozens of serious diseases that often go unnoticed, even by the people who are closest to us. But what if we, ourselves start doubting our own well-being?

The phrase “better safe than sorry” comes to mind --- would you, dart off to the nearest hospital and get yourself checked up over nothing, or would you rather wait it out and have potential serious diseases do more damage in time?

Now that we’re over our 40s, something as minor as a discoloration, a headache or a sensation of sharp, sudden, immediately-disappearing pain could be indicators for serious diseases. But what could you do? Wait it out to get either better, or worse, or take up somebody’s time?

Here are a couple of ways to find out if you have a serious disease. The big three for people who are in their 40s:

Alzheimer’s Disease

A form of dementia, this serious illness starts off as absent-mindedness. This happens because of the natural aging process --- it also changes a person’s mental functions. Do you notice yourself forgetting more and more things frequently? Have you suddenly become moody? Couple that with light disorientation and feeling generally irritable, and you might have Alzheimer’s.

Heart Disease

This is in general --- the symptoms that are common in a number of serious diseases that are classified as heart disease. Do you feel extraordinarily fatigued, even if you haven’t done much during the day? Do you feel a sudden tightness in your chest? Do you sometimes have trouble breathing? Are you a smoker/drinker/unhealthy eater? If you answered “yes” in 4 of the last questions, then you may have heart disease. If you answered “yes” to 2-3 symptoms, then it’s time to let go of some bad habits, and actively seek out a healthier change.

Macular Degeneration

This affects the eyes. Along with the heart, the eyes are affected by the aging process. When you squint as hard as you can and is still unable to read the fine-print on anything, or, when you have blood-shot eyes even after a full night’s rest --- it’d be time to see a specialist --- one of a number of serious diseases could make your eyes permanently blurry, or damaged.

Bottom line is --- it shouldn’t matter if you prefer to go to the hospital if you’ve got even the faintest suspicion that you have one of the serious diseases --- doctors and nurses and hospitals are employed to look after the welfare of their patients, and should there be a consultation/check-up fee, it’d be a small price to pay for what might go wrong down the road.

Detecting Diseases When You're Over 40

The body is an amazing piece of hardware. It performs diagnostic on itself, 24/7, nonstop.

The slightest difference in operation is usually a sign that something has changed --- and it takes quite a bit of looking into. Sometimes we fail to notice these signals, but they’ve always been there, helping us in detecting diseases. There are different means of talking about diseases, but this is more focused on self-checking yourself.

Here are some tell-tale signs that something’s wrong --- and hopefully you spot them in time.

Unexplained weight change – Should you have an unbelievable shift in weight, from either losing/gaining weight too quickly, it is a sign that helps in detecting diseases. If you’re on a diet, it could mean that it’s working all too well, and maybe a little restraint is needed. But if you’re eating the same volume daily and still experience a sudden shift in weight --- you may be sick. A suddenly-bulbous stomach could be an indicator of fluid building up inside the abdomen.

Paralysis, difficulty breathing, weakness, tingling, pain, numbness – Any of these could help in detecting diseases --- an underlying cause might be present. It could be signs of a stroke, or a heart condition that you’re unaware of. Think back --- did you eat a little too much oily food? Did you start taking new medicine? Consult your physician --- it could be high blood pressure, or a blood clot inhibiting blood flow.

Unusually black, tarry stools – These may instantly scare you, but before jumping to conclusions that it’s a cancer, black, tarry stools are usually from internal bleeding caused by ulcers. Do you get stomach aches when drinking milk or soda? Ask a doctor for ulcer cures, because you’d have to stop the bleeding first. After you get that sorted out, plan out meals that are lower on acids, and maintain a proper schedule for eating. There are also some antacids that act as a cure for ulcer, which thicken the lining of the stomach.

A sudden, sharp headache – In detecting diseases, sudden pain where there was none is a big indicator of a disease or illness lurking just under the surface --- a sudden sharp headache could be a sign of bleeding in the brain. Although very unlikely, brain aneurysms can happen. Getting that treated just in time could be the difference between living to tell the tale … and otherwise.

A lump – Never rule out a lump. A lump is, in detecting diseases, one of the most obvious signs that something has changed. Depending on which part of the body develops the lump, it could either be serious, or benign. Should you notice an unusual lump in your body --- consulting a physician is always the best option.

Should you feel like you are detecting diseases on yourself, remember to keep emergency numbers by the phone.

5 Most Common Age-Related Diseases

Reaching your 40’s is no easy feat; bad health choices, bad habits, bad diets aside, the potential for age-related diseases is the biggest hurdle of our age.

By the time you get to your 40’s, a headache isn’t just a headache anymore --- it could already be a symptom for some disease your grandfather might’ve had, and an afternoon’s rest wouldn’t entirely cure you from that.

For your pleasure (and our caution), here’s a little preview of what not taking supplements, not exercising and not eating right might bring:

Type II Diabetes – Have you noticed ants flocking around the toilet after you’ve just pee’d? Have you been gaining / losing weight unusually? Then you might have Type II Diabetes. When the body is unable to process the sugar and carbohydrates in food, it might be a sign to be cautious. Excessive thirst, urination, sweating, unusual digestive problems and your vision starts to blur --- might be the symptoms of Type II Diabetes. Fret not, if you are in your 40’s, it’s just the onset of the illness, and a visit to your physician is in order.

Alzheimer’s Disease – Is the most common type of dementia. It is incurable, degenerative and most often, terminal. Are you becoming absent minded? Do you feel disoriented a majority of the time? Do you often get mood swings? These are the symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease. These symptoms are often mistaken for “old age,” but if you notice that your memory loss is too bad to ignore, seek a physician for an opinion.

Degenerative Arthritis – Over time, the cartilage in-between the bones break down, causing massive friction between the joints, which causes pain. Sometimes spurs or even a new bone develop where the cartilage used to be, these are extremely painful, and may even lead to a joint not moving ever again. Keeping a healthy weight in your 40’s can help ward off these effects. See your physician for the ideal weight for your age.

Heart Disease – Chest pains and shortness of breath are often tell-tale signs that something’s wrong with the heart. There might be blockage, or high-blood-pressure-dut-to-an-unhealthy-diet might’ve thrown your body off its balance. Exercise, supplements and proper dieting can prevent this.

Destructive Eye Diseases – These vary from glaucoma, to cataracts, but Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD) progression is wildly dependent on a person’s nutrient intake. A supplement with the combination of Vit C, Vit E, Beta Carotene and Zinc have 17%-20% chance of slowing down the progression.

There are other, scarier age-related diseases that aren’t mentioned here, but all stem from a lifestyle of excess and lack of nutrients. Get some tests done and visit your doctor to confirm your deficiencies. Get that fixed and you might just find that these are the ways on how to help yourself.