Health Matters in Middle Age

It seems the more years we have under our belt, the more we become fascinated with the topic of our health – or the lack of it.

In my small group of friends, we noticed it was getting so out of hand every time we got together that we set ourselves a rule: discussion of health matters was to be limited to just 10 minutes of our catch ups!

One of the “joys” of middle aged and beyond, is that it seems we are never 100% healthy anymore!

Whinging about my health

For example – even though I feel fine, I still have to see a doctor every six months to get a prescription which keeps my chronic depression under control. This also necessitates monthly trips to the chemist.

Just this week I had to trot off to the doctors as I have swimmer’s ear (so no aqua aerobics for me for two weeks, boo). However it turned out my blood pressure is up, so that has become a bit of a priority requiring a number of follow up tests over the next week or two.

My ankle has been a bit tender ever since I wore high heels to a funeral several weeks ago – plus I have an unsightly corn on one of my toes – so I really should see my local podiatrist.

I know my lower wisdom teeth are impacted, but I’m terrified of getting them removed (especially after my brush with death last time I was under a general anaesthetic) so I’m playing ostrich with that one (at least until it becomes painful!).

I have bursitis in my right shoulder, which has thankfully settled down – no thanks to the cortisone injection – rather, due to “mousing” left handed, and aqua exercises; and I have to moisturise my skin every day to stop the dreaded middle aged itch.

Oh, and even though I had two years of allergy injections, I still use a spray every night to keep my hay fever symptoms under control.

Then there are the several annoying (but harmless) skin tags on my upper torso which need to go – I accidentally pinched one with my bra strap the other day, and boy was it painful!

Regular Health Checks

And I haven’t even started on all the boring but essential health checks that I really should organise, such as:

• a mammogram;
• skin cancer check (especially after I had a Squamous Cell Carcinoma on my nose last year);

• a visit to the dentist;
• and actually using the bowel cancer screening kit I got sent as a 50th birthday present from the government.

It seems I no sooner get one of my health matters under control, than something else needs attention!

On the up side – I’m actually in pretty good health, despite all my whinging. And at least I don’t have to worry about:

• pap smears – since I had a hysterectomy five years ago;
• anemia – see above 🙂 ;
• and my bones – they’re in great shape, according to the bone scan I had done last year!

There’s no “ten minute rule” here on the blog, so now it’s your turn – which health matters are troubling you, or do you really need to follow up on?