5 Health Conditions That Affect Baby Boomers & 5 Ways to Avoid Them

The Baby Boomer generation is aging. And while they continue to thrive and embrace the beauty of it all, it’s still important to stay in the know about health conditions that often make an appearance. It’s true, genetics and other factors will play a role, but adopting healthy habits now can significantly reduce the risk of developing problems later. Let’s stay proactive! Here are 5 health conditions that commonly affect Baby Boomers and how to stay ahead of them.

1. Heart Disease

Adults over 60 are at a much higher risk for things like heart attack, stroke, and heart failure. In fact, heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women over the age of 60. To reduce the risk, Boomers should start prioritizing heart-healthy habits now! Here are some proactive choices you can begin making today:

• Quit smoking.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Exercise regularly (check out Senior Fitness with Meredith if you’re not sure where to start).
• Eat a balanced diet rich in fruits, veggies, whole grains, and lean proteins.
• Learn how to manage stress.
• Don’t forget to keep up with your regular check-ups with your doctor!

2. Diabetes

In the last 20 years alone, the number of adults who have diabetes has more than tripled (according to the CDC). Baby Boomers have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, which is when your body either doesn’t produce enough insulin or resists insulin. Diabetes often leads to an increased risk of developing health conditions like high blood pressure, kidney disease, and cardiovascular disease (among others). Maintaining an active lifestyle and limiting processed sugars and refined carbohydrates in your diet are just a couple of ways you can try to stay ahead of diabetes. Here are some more proactive choices that can help:

• Incorporate regular exercise into your routine. Walking is always good!
• Maintain a healthy weight (talk to your doctor about what this means for you).
• Opt for whole foods instead of refined ones.
• Annual screenings can help detect diabetes early.
• If you already live with diabetes, then regular blood sugar monitoring is essential to staying well!

3. Arthritis

Arthritis, a condition causing joint pain and stiffness, affects a lot of Baby Boomers (particularly osteoarthritis). It’s caused by the wear and tear on joints over time. And, though it affects over 32.5 million Americans, women over the age of 50 are most likely to develop this annoying ailment. Regular physical activity, such as low-impact exercises like swimming, walking, or yoga can help manage symptoms and help you maintain joint flexibility and strengthen supporting muscles.

4. Cancer

Baby Boomers are at an increased risk of developing certain types of cancer, such as breast, prostate, lung, and colorectal cancers. Screenings like mammograms, colonoscopies, and prostate exams are essential to early detection. There’s really no one good answer as to how you can lower your chances of developing cancer. Rather, there are lots of healthy choices you can make and maintain to lower your risk. This includes:

• Eating a balanced diet.
• Regular exercise.
• Avoiding smoking (need help quitting after 55?).
• Avoiding excessive alcohol consumption.
• Protecting your skin from harmful UV rays by using sunscreen and avoiding excessive sun exposure.

5. Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis develops when bone mineral density and bone mass decrease, or when the structure and strength of your bones change. Weakened bones mean harder falls and easier breaks. To prevent osteoporosis, make sure you’re giving your body enough calcium and vitamin D. And, of course, eating a healthy diet and exercising helps too.

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