Health problems are dangerous at any age. But when you’re over 40, it’s even more important to pay close attention to your body and catch health problems before they worsen.
This can be difficult to do—especially for those of us who prefer to push through discomfort and avoid going to the doctor unless it’s absolutely necessary. It’s important to remember not all issues go away on their own, and putting off seeing a doctor can make a bad situation worse.
Don’t let little problems escalate into serious health concerns. In this blog, we’ll explore 10 red flags that indicate it’s time to schedule an appointment with a trusted medical professional.
The Top 10 Health Red Flags For Men & Women Over 40
1. Feeling Exhausted All The Time
It’s normal to feel exhausted by life sometimes, especially after a long day of travel or a bad night’s sleep. But if you feel tired all the time and don’t know why, or your fatigue is getting in the way of your work or social life, it’s worth investigating.
Chronic fatigue is a deep tiredness that doesn’t improve even when you get 8-9 hours of sleep. Whether your fatigue is constant or worsens at certain times of the day can help doctors narrow down its cause.
Fatigue is often a signal of underlying health issues such as:
- Hormonal Imbalance
- Vitamin and mineral deficiencies
- Thyroid problems
- Infections or illnesses like the flu, mono, or Lyme disease
- Inflammatory conditions like arthritis
- Autoimmune diseases like lupus
Because fatigue can dramatically impact your daily life and quality of life, it’s always a good idea to mention exhaustion to your doctor. If your bloodwork finds nothing unusual, a sleep study could provide answers.
2. Pain
Pain is never pleasant. However, if your pain is mild or you have experienced it for a while, it can be easy to push through it or try to tune it out.
That said, pain is the body’s most effective way of telling us something is wrong. If we ignore those signals, we may overlook a serious problem.
Pain is considered to be one of the most critical red flags for physicians. New or persisting pain can indicate existing problems (like previous injuries, arthritis, or Crohn’s disease) are getting worse. Pain during rest, not relieved by changing positions, or worsening at night can indicate serious medical conditions, such as peripheral artery disease, bowel blockages, or even cancer.
Not every pain is a serious problem, of course. But speaking with your doctor when you’re hurting is always a good idea, even if you don’t think it’s a big deal.
3. Sudden Weight Loss
Weight loss is often a pleasant surprise. But if you’re losing weight despite not making any extreme changes to your diet or fitness regime, this could be indicative of underlying health problems.
Some of these issues can be easily managed with medication. Others can be serious, requiring surgeries or invasive procedures to treat.
A few of the conditions known to cause unexpected, noticeable weight loss include:
- Hyperthyroidism
- Heart problems
- Hormonal imbalances
- Issues with the pancreas
- Gastrointestinal disorders
- Certain types of cancers
Weight loss is considered “unexplained” if you lose 10 pounds or more, or 5% of your body weight, over 6 to 12 months. It’s most common (and most serious) in men and women over 65.
4. Problems Sleeping
Sleep plays a critical role in your physical and mental health. An occasional bad night’s sleep is normal. But if you are sleeping too much, too little, or having trouble falling or staying asleep on a regular basis, tell your doctor.
Sleep problems could be a sign of obstructive sleep apnea—a condition marked by loud snoring, gasping, and choking during sleep. Sleep apnea can be dangerous because it increases your risk of heart attack, stroke, and weight gain.
Along with sleep apnea, there are a number of sleep disorders known to affect your quality and length of sleep, from narcolepsy to restless leg syndrome. Other health concerns that can affect your sleep include:
- Depression
- Heartburn
- Kidney problems
- Heart problems
- Hormonal imbalances
5. Changing Moles Or Freckles
When you think about health red flags, your freckles probably aren’t one of the first things you consider. However, skin cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world, and melanoma is one of the most serious types.
It’s worth paying close attention to any changes to your skin—especially if you spend a lot of time outdoors or have been sunburned in the past. Things to look out for include a mole:
- Getting bigger and more pronounced
- Protruding, or sticking out, rather than staying flat on the skin
- Becoming irregular in shape
- Turning colors, especially to dark brown or black
If you have any mole that has changed or that fits the qualifications above, talk to a dermatologist. And take steps to protect yourself from skin cancer by wearing sunscreen when outdoors and avoiding tanning.
LISTEN: The Real Dangers Of Sun And Booth Tanning – The Dr. Kris Podcast
6. New Or Worsening Headaches
As mentioned above, pain is the body’s best way of communicating, and headaches are no different. Many of us experience the occasional headache from time to time, typically when we skip a meal or miss our daily cup of coffee. But a sudden and unusually painful headache, or a new constant headache, can be important to bring up to your doctor.
Headaches can be a sign of small, easy-to-treat problems. They can also indicate an underlying medical problem that needs attention. They can be caused by:
- Poor diet
- Stress
- Muscle tension
- Poor quality sleep
- Dehydration
- Poor posture
- High blood pressure
- Sinus problems
- Brain injury
- Imbalanced hormones
7. Subtle Changes In Your Vision
As we age, our prescriptions will naturally change. As you age, you will likely need more light to see properly, develop problems with glares (particularly while driving), see colors start to desaturate, and produce fewer tears.
However, some vision changes go beyond aging vision and can indicate an untreated, underlying problem. Blurry vision that develops out of nowhere could be a sign of diabetes or low estrogen levels. High sugar levels can actually cause fluid to build up in your eye’s lens, which can blur your vision or cause nearsightedness.
Other vision problems to watch out for include:
- Cloudy vision – which can indicate cataracts
- Dark spots at the edges of your vision – a sign of glaucoma
- A spot in the center of your vision – an indicator of macular degeneration
- Flashes of light – which could be a sign of detached retinas
These eye problems often become more common with age.
8. A Persistent Cough
Coughs are common, particularly in the spring and autumn months, when allergies become more prominent here in East Texas. Often, a cough isn’t anything to worry about. However, if your cough lasts more than three weeks, it could be a sign of something that needs treatment.
A cough that won’t quit can be a sign of:
- An upper respiratory infection
- Asthma
- Acid reflux
- Bronchitis
- Pneumonia
- Lung issues
- Heart problems
9. Changes In Urine Or Bowel Color
Bathroom trips are something we don’t typically like to think about. However, they can clue you in on whether something isn’t right with your help.
If the colors of your bowel movements are yellowish, this can indicate a build-up of fat in the stool, a common symptom of gallstones and pancreatic problems. Dark or black stools can indicate internal bleeding.
In the same way, the color of your urine is important to watch out for. Dark yellow urine indicates dehydration. Urine of a brownish color can reflect problems in the liver, and urine with a red or pink hue could show problems with the urinary tract system or the kidneys.
10. Problems With Intercourse
Pain during intercourse can be embarrassing to bring up to your doctor. However, you deserve a healthy sex life regardless of your age or life situation.
While pain during intercourse could just be a sign of age-related dryness, it could also indicate problems like:
- Endometriosis
- Urinary tract infections
- Hormonal imbalances, particularly estrogen
- Yeast infections
- Sexually transmitted diseases
- Problems like ovarian cancer
Pain during sex isn’t the only red flag to watch out for. Most men don’t want to talk or even think about erectile dysfunction (ED), but it could be a signal of a lack of blood flow. This can indicate trouble in other parts of the body, too, such as the heart and the brain. ED is another major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and should prompt further evaluation even without other risk factors.
Optimize Your Health & Your Quality Of Life With The Resurge Clinic
No one wants to think about developing health problems. However, if you are experiencing any of the red flags mentioned above, it’s a good idea to let your doctor know. A few simple tests could rule out more concerning health problems and improve your quality of life.
At The Resurge Clinic, it’s our mission to help men and women live life to the fullest, regardless of their age. We offer a variety of services designed to boost your health and your confidence, from bio-identical hormone replacement therapy and peptide treatments to weight loss programs and sexual wellness treatments.
Don’t let your age slow you down. Schedule an appointment with our team, and let’s work together to optimize your health, so you’re better prepared to handle whatever life throws your way.
