No one is immune to the effects of aging! As you get older, more and more health conditions will start to show up in your life. What can be done? The first step is recognizing these problems for what they are. This blog post discusses 8 problems men face when growing older and how you can deal with them. Healthy living and lifestyle habits will help you keep these problems at bay and age gracefully.
The Problems Men Face When Growing Older
1. Low Libido
Problem:
One of the most important health conditions for men is low libido. Low sex drive can be caused by several factors; stress, anxiety, or depression from work may all lead to this problem. It can even have a psychological basis or have to do with relationship issues. Low levels of dopamine may also have an impact on libido. This is because dopamine is a chemical messenger to the brain and is responsible for sexual pleasure.
One of the main causes is the decreased production of natural testosterone. This results in the decreased production of DHT (.Dihydrotestosterone). With low levels of testosterone, the brain can’t process sex hormones correctly. This causes libido problems as well as erectile dysfunction.
How to Deal with it:
Low sexual desire in men is a common problem. It may result from: lack of sleep, too much alcohol, poor physical health, and relationship issues. As there are many causes for low sex drive there are also many treatments. These include visiting a sex phycologist for relationship issues. It may also include taking testosterone supplements for increasing the level of testosterone in the body. Testosterone supplements can come in the form of injections, gels, or patches. Go talk to your doctor!
2. Difficulty Sleeping
Problem:
As you age it becomes more difficult to get a good night’s sleep. This is because there are changes in your sleeping habits as you age. These include less REM sleep and more periods of light sleeping mixed with awakenings throughout the night.
Some factors that contribute to this problem include obesity, stress, and age. If you are overweight you are prone to sleep apnea or sleep-disordered breathing. Sleep-disordered breathing also becomes worse over time, leading to daytime fatigue, heart disease, or other health conditions when untreated.
How to Deal with it:
There are several things you can do to improve your sleep. First, try to get enough sleep each night. This means going to bed and waking up at the same time every day (even on weekends). Second, create a regular relaxing routine before you go to bed that avoids caffeine or anything with high sugar content after lunchtime. This may involve doing deep breathing or meditative exercises. Third, if you have sleep-disordered breathing and are overweight talk to your doctor about going on a diet or other treatments for sleep apnea.
3. Decreased Muscle Mass and Stamina
Problem:
As we get older men tend to lose bone and muscle mass. Men begin to lose between 3 – 5% muscle mass per decade starting when they are around 30 years old. Decreased muscle mass leads to decreased strength. This can make it harder for you to do even simple tasks like carrying furniture or walking up a flight of stairs
The loss of muscle mass and stamina due to lowering testosterone levels can make it harder for you to do any physical activity. It also results in decreased strength as well. If you suffer from muscle weakness then you are also less able to support your joints, resulting in joint pain.
The loss in testosterone also causes men’s stamina to decrease because the hormone is what fuels muscles cells.
How to Deal with it:
Men can reverse the aging process by doing the things that naturally boost testosterone and build muscle, such as getting more exercise and lifting weights. Exercises such as pushups, planks, and squats which use multiple sets of muscles also help produce testosterone. It is important to increase the amount of protein you consume and ensure that you have sufficient amounts of vitamin D and Calcium in your body. Calcium helps build and maintain bones and vitamin D helps with the absorption of Calcium.
4. Skin Changes
Problem
Another major issue older adults deal with is skin changes. With normal aging, our skin becomes thinner, paler, dryer, and more translucent. In addition, guys typically have a lower level of natural oil that can cause dryer, more scaly, or less elastic skin.
Dry skin can cause itchy skin and even irritation, especially if you are allergic to certain substances such as animal hair or dust. Itchy and dry skin is made worse by scratching.
Thinning skin is caused by many factors. The main reason for thinning skin is a decrease in collagen production which leads to loss of elasticity or resiliency, and an increase in wrinkles. Another cause is sun exposure- UV rays can break down elastin fibers on the surface layer of skin thereby causing them to dry out and wrinkle up more. Skin cells are also responsible, as they have a life span of about five years before being replaced by new cells.
How to Deal with it:
You can combat aging skin with proper skin care such as eating a healthy diet and using moisturizing lotions, creams, and oils which help keep the skin moistened and elastic. These will help ensure you do not have dry skin but will not help increase the collagen in your skin as topical collagen use will not work. Rather, eating food rich in vitamin C will increase the amount of collagen and the amount of hyaluronic, an important ingredient for collagen in the skin. You can also ingest collagen powder, which helps firm the skin and provides elasticity and hydration.
As both smoking and sun exposure age your skin and cause skin damage, it is best to quit smoking and avoid direct sunlight or wear sunscreen with high UV protection.
5. Hair Loss or Thinning
Problem:
Hair is a symbol of virility and power in our society, so it’s no surprise that many men are not happy with hair loss as they get older. The causes of male pattern baldness are not fully understood, but the most common theories point to genetic factors that are passed on from parents to offspring.
How to Deal with it:
There are options to deal with hair loss and thinning, including hair transplants and topical treatments that stimulate the scalp (such as minoxidil), as well as cosmetic changes or additions such as hair transplants or hairpieces.
A drug called Finasteride can also be taken daily in tablet form. Both Finasteride and minoxidil are FDA-approved and both may take up to a year to see results and must be taken consistently. Minoxidil (Rogaine) is available over the counter in the US but you will need a prescription for Finasteride.
Alternately you may choose to get hair follicles transplanted to give you more hair on the top of your head. It is best to explore your options with a doctor who specializes in hair loss. Also, see 17 Hair Loss Treatments for Men to explore your options in detail.
To deal with hair loss, many men opt to get their heads shaved or cut in shorter styles that don’t require as much upkeep. This has become fashionable for men over the last few years and may be the best option for you.
6. Weight Gain, especially around the waistline
Problem:
As the metabolism of older adults slows down they gain weight. The ability for men to maintain a healthy physique becomes more difficult as they age and as their daily activities decrease. This is made worse as they continue eating poorly as they had when they were younger.
While some people may experience a general increase in abdomen fat with age, men often tend to store this excess weight around the waistline as opposed to on the hips or thighs.
How to Deal with it:
The best way to deal with weight gain is to adopt a healthy lifestyle that incorporates cardiovascular exercise and strength training. Men who struggle with their weight should also try to avoid high-carbohydrate foods such as pasta, rice, or bread which tend to be calorie-dense without much nutritional value.
Achieving a healthy weight is accomplished by balancing what one eats with the amount of energy one expends. If a person consumes more calories than they use, then it will be stored as fat leading to weight gain or obesity.
A healthy diet can be achieved by avoiding packaged and processed foods, eliminating or moderating the amount of alcohol consumed, and getting a good night’s sleep.
7. Increased risk for prostate cancer and cardiovascular disease
Problem:
Another of the chronic health conditions men face is the increased risk of prostate cancer and cardiovascular disease and the decreased ability to fight these types of illnesses.
The prostate increases dramatically after the age of 50. and is considered a result of hormonal changes that occur when men age. This affects up to 50% of men over 50.
Additionally, cardiovascular or heart disease can be accelerated by a lack of exercise and unhealthy eating habits, which are common for older adults.
How to Deal with it:
The risk of prostate cancer is reduced by healthy eating habits and screening. A healthy lifestyle, including a proper diet and regular exercise, will also reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by keeping blood pressure in check
Talk to your doctor about being screened for prostate cancer if you are over 50 years old.
Also, be sure to talk with them about any symptoms that may suggest heart problems or high blood pressure.
8. Reduced cognitive function and mental health
Problem:
As we age, we experience a natural decline in our cognitive function. This is caused by several factors including the decrease of enzymes that play an important role in energy metabolism and the accumulation of proteins called beta-amyloid plaques on neurons which can disrupt their ability to communicate with one another. Many environmental factors can also contribute to diminished cognitive function.
The mental health of a person also deteriorates as they grow older and the risk for developing depression increases exponentially if an individual has previously suffered from this issue.
Alzheimer’s disease is a physical condition that can cause memory loss and other cognitive symptoms. However, it does not usually develop until later in life. Research suggests the risk of Alzheimer’s disease in older adults can decrease by keeping a healthy weight and exercising regularly.
.How to Deal with it:
One way to stave off these issues is to stay mentally and physically active. Engaging with friends in conversation, playing games, or doing puzzles can help. Staying in the workforce longer may also be helpful for your mental health, provided you enjoy your work.
Regular physical activity is also beneficial as it helps to prevent cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure. These can contribute to cognitive decline. Regular exercise has also been shown to improve mood and increase levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the body – an important enzyme that promotes neuron growth.
Conclusion: Combat Health Problems with Healthy Living
If you want to live a long and happy life, you must take care of your body. You need to understand the health problems men face as they get older so that you can combat them! From low libido and difficulty sleeping to weight gain around the waistline, there are many changes in physical capability as we age. Understanding these potential health conditions help us keep our bodies healthy for years to come with simple lifestyle adjustments like dieting and exercising regularly. Do any of these 8 common health risks sound familiar?
Chronic Health Conditions
If you have had any of the above-mentioned problems or other medical conditions that have plagued you, such as poor oral health, hearing loss, or poor general health for a continued period of time these are considered chronic conditions. If you have chronic health conditions which prevent you from maintaining good health make sure you visit your doctor regularly.
To learn more about how to combat men’s problems, take a look at Regain Your Edge: Mental Toughness and Passion for Life.
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The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the support and guidance of your physician when you are unsure about any health issues.
