Maxwell Ademeyi

LIFE BEGINS at 40, as we often say, but when you’re past 50 some ailments can announce themselves suddenly and painfully. And aches and discomforts you might not worry much about when you’re younger could be a sign of bigger problems in middle age. Some of the issues to be concerned about after 50 may include:

Heart attack

A 50-year-old man has a one in two chance of getting heart disease at some point. The most common signs are chest pain, shortness of breath and pain in your back, shoulders, jaw or neck. You might also feel sweaty, dizzy, or like you’re going to throw up. Your risk is higher if you are diabetic, hypertensive, have high cholesterol, are overweight or obese, and if you smoke and drink alcohol.

Stroke

This is when blood doesn’t get to parts of your brain like it should and those brain cells start to die. Symptoms can include sudden weakness or numbness in your face, arms, or legs, you may lose your bearings or get confused, and have trouble speaking. You can lower your risk if you keep your blood pressure in check, eat a low-cholesterol diet, manage your stress, exercise and quit smoking.

Aneurysm

An aneurysm happens when the wall of an artery gets weak and bulges outward. If that wall gives way it can lead to serious internal bleeding or a stroke. Symptoms can include pain, nausea, dizziness, clammy skin and a rapid heartbeat. Many of the lifestyle changes you make to lower your risk of heart disease and stroke can make you less likely to have this condition.

Gall bladder stones

These are hardened chunks of bile, a fluid that helps your body get rid of waste. They get stuck on the way out of your gallbladder, a small organ below your liver. They can range in size from a grain of sand to a golf ball and can cause severe pain in your upper belly or behind your belly button. You’re more likely to get them if you’re obese, have diabetes or Crohn’s disease, or don’t exercise.

Acute pancreatitis

Sometimes, gallstones can set this off. It’s inflammation of the pancreas, which makes enzymes and hormones like insulin that help with digestion. It causes severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting and a fever, and can be life-threatening. It also can be caused by heavy drinking, high levels of calcium, or a kind of fat called triglycerides.

Fractures

These can happen at any age, but your bones may become brittle as you get older and be more likely to break. A loss of bone is known as osteoporosis, and it’s especially common in older women. Calcium and vitamin D can help slow it or stop it from getting worse, and certain drugs can help you keep bone, or even help you rebuild it.

Vertigo

If you suddenly find yourself dizzy, you might have vertigo. It can happen if tiny crystals in your inner ear, which help you control your balance, get moved around. You’re more likely to get it as you get older, probably because the crystals aren’t held in place as well.

Retina detachment

Your retina is a light-sensitive layer in your eye that tells your brain what you see. If it p