Common ailments and conditions in your 50s

For many Australians, the 50s is a time of relative stability on many fronts. Perhaps your child-rearing days are behind you, and you’ve got more time to pursue hobbies or make a dent in the bucket list. Or you might be settled into your career now that you’ve climbed your way to a great role.

Healthwise, your 50s can indeed be fabulous—but you do need to keep a check on common ailments that can creep up during this decade, especially if you’re a woman. We asked our experts what to expect, so you can keep on top of your health and wellbeing.

High blood pressure and increased cardiovascular risk

When you hit 50, it’s time to take things to heart—after all, it’s a decade when postmenopausal women in particular should start thinking more seriously about the risks of high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease.

“Women do have some protection from oestrogen prior to menopause. It’s why men tend have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, but once you're postmenopausal, your risk increases,” says Dr Tessa King, Specialist Women’s Health GP at Jean Hailes for Women’s Health.

Tessa’s tip? It’s easy to get your blood pressure checked by your GP, and they can “assess your overall cardiovascular risks, by checking your cholesterol levels and fasting glucose” at the same time. It’s important to do so, as leaving these things untreated can increase your risk of heart disease, heart attacks and strokes, she says.

“Your blood pressure can be reduced through weight loss and eating a healthy diet, increased fitness, stopping smoking, and in some cases medication.” As a bonus, these changes can help prevent a whole range of other health conditions too.

The aftermath of menopause

Before you start celebrating the end of those menopausal symptoms and making it through to the other side of “The Change”, there’s unfortunately a bit of a catch. According to Tessa, research shows 50 percent of postmenopausal women experience some form of incontinence, and the same percentage report vaginal dryness—with the incidence of urinary tract infections going up in this age bracket too.

“These issues might be more common after menopause especially in a woman's 50s and 60s. However, the good news is treatment is available so talk to your health professional if you experience genital or urinary issues,” adds Tessa.

The importance of healthy bones

Radeyan Sazzad, Manager—Health Management at Australia Unity, says it’s important for women in their 50s—especially those who are postmenopausal—to be screened for osteoporosis. Many people show no symptoms for this bone loss condition until they experience an injury, such as a bone fracture.

Osteoporosis can lead to significant problems, including height loss, curvature of the spine or a change in posture, ongoing back pain and muscle spasms. “It’s why osteoporosis screening is really recommended,” he says. “Treatment includes medication, a healthy diet and weight-bearing exercise to help prevent bone loss and strengthen already weak bones.”

Keep an eye on your general health

“In the 50s, cancer-related treatments become more prevalent. For females, we see a pick-up in breast surgeries and treatments for breast cancer, along with chemotherapy procedures,” says Radeyan.

There’s also a “a big jump in gastrointestinal procedures,” he says, “so colonoscopy, endoscopy— people having issues with their digestive system is something that we see in our data.” Musculoskeletal conditions also increase, with more knee- and back-related surgeries, while treatments by optometrists, chiropractors and dentists also increase. “An interesting one is that we see a big jump in podiatry use from the 40s to 50s, with many females experiencing foot-related issues.”

General bowel screening also kicks in at this age through the National Bowel Screening Program. “You need to be doing everything you can to catch things at their earliest stage before they progress to serious disease.” This means being aware of your risks, taking all of the recommended screening tests, and working with your healthcare team (including your health insurer) to make changes and reduce potential suffering later, explains Radeyan.

What happens to your health in your 50s isn’t a significantly different to your 40s, says Radeyan. But like the 40s, the 50s can be a busy time with career, caregiving or other commitments meaning we can tend neglect our physical and mental health. It’s important, though, to be aware of your risks and health priorities, so you can keep enjoying life into your 60s—and beyond!