Boomer Health Mistakes

Nine Health No-No’s for Baby Boomers

In a recent Forbes.com article, there was a list, along with cutesy pictures, referencing nine mistakes that aging boomers often make that could affect their health.  With some rewording, here is that list of NINE:

1. Aversion to authority – possibly due to boomer’s earlier philosophy of “never trust anyone over 30,” it seems many people in the early stages of seniorhood^TM, particularly women, have a certain distrust of advice given regarding their health.  Many people now choose to seek more affordable options or to explore alternative treatments not yet offered in the United States, often delaying their medical treatment.  For many illnesses, seeking timely medical treatment is crucial. 

2. Mishandling of stress -  throughout adulthood,  boomers often have found themselves saddled with tremendous daily responsibilities.  It is not uncommon for boomers to spread their energies juggling a full-time career, raising a family, helping care for aging parents, and oftentimes providing all or partial care for their grandchildren.  Dr. Marie A. Bernard of the University of Oklahoma says that excess stress can increase the secretion of substances in the body that up the likelihoop of developng a heart attack, stroke, and Alzheimer’s.  It seems that if boomers are not careful, they could multitask themselves right into a myriad of health concerns.
3. Putting the blame on genetics –  In a study of boomers diagnosed with high blood pressure, 53% of those believed that genetics and not their own lifestyle choices were to blame for their condition.  Dr. Roger S. Blumenthal, Director of Preventive Cardiology at John Hopkins says, “… but really, lifestyle plays such an important role.”
4. Overlooking eye care — Growing up in a society that has come to expect convenient, quick solutions to most everything, boomers often have turned to the department store or drug store for non-prescription glasses to accomodate their changing eye needs.  Not having an eye exam with a qualified optometrist in your early 40s or 50s might cause a delay in the diagnosis of certain eye diseases such as glaucoma.  Glaucoma, which has no symptoms, may cause irreversible eye damage if left undetected. 
5. Satisfaction with present exercise regiment –  The obesity rate of adults between the ages of 35-44 years old is currently at 28% to 32%.  Just one generation ago, the rate of obesity for the same age group was between 14% to 18%.  Increasing the amount of exercise a person gets could be beneficial in controlling obesity. 
6. Ignoring aging bones –  As people age, certain hormonal changes occur causing a decline in bone strength.  Having periodic bone density screenings, taking daily vitamin supplements or consuming 3-4 dairy products daily can aid in the prevention of unnecessary bone loss. 
7. Ignoring cerebral needs –  So often boomers regard their retirement years as a time to kick back and take it easy.  According to Dr. Bernard, in studies of those who chose to lead a sedentary lifestyle after retirement compared to those who set goals and moved on to other things, the later group showed heightened sense of alertness as a result of an increase in blood flow to the brain.
8. Poor food choices — Most people now have a pretty good idea of what a healthy diet should be, but too often making poor choices regarding our diet is so much more convenient.  With the potential for boomers to live into their nineties or even hundreds, it is more important than ever that a diet rich with vegetables, fruits, and lean meats be chosen over convenient fast foods.  It’s been shown that making good food choices as we age can have a positive effect on a person’s health and quality of life in later years. 
9. “Why bother now” mentality –Boomers finding themselves out of shape or harboring an unhealthy vice might assume an attitude that making healthier choices later in life would be pointless.  That is just not true.   Dr. Bernard found that even for 90-year-olds who began a weight-lifting regimen showed beneficial results.   If a 90-year-old can begin building muscle strength and become more active as the result of beginning an exercise regimen, certainly those much younger should expect even more promising improvements.     

Quotes:

“If we threw all of our medicine into the sea, it would be that much better for our patients and that much worse for the fishes.”  Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendall Homes, M.D.

“When you see the Golden Arches, you are probably on the road to the Pearly Gates.”  William Castelli, M.D., Framingham Heart Study

“I find medicine is the best of all trades because whether you do any good or not you still get your money.” (Moliere: “A Physician in Spite of Himself,” 1664)