The month of pink!

October is all about Breast Cancer Awareness! This month is filled with an explosion of pink to remind you that breast cancer is a serious disease and it's important to take the right preventative measures. Being proactive is pivotal and it's the perfect time to schedule a mammogram. 

Aging women should perform a breast self-exam at least once a month. This way if you feel a lump you can make an appointment to get it checked out. Most of the time the lump won't be anything serious but it's better to be safe than sorry. 
You can perform a self-breast exam in front of the mirror, lying down, or in the shower. 

This is what you should be looking for.....

• Any lumps, thickening, swelling, or hard knots. Look for changes on one side to see if one breast matches the other and also changes in the nipple to see if there is any discharge. 
  
  Check your entire breast all the way to your armpit by using your finger and gently moving in a circular motion. 

You shouldn't always rely on a self-breast exam. Get a mammogram as it is the best way to detect early. Be proactive, and don't wait until it's too late!

Source: http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org

The most important system

As you age, your digestive system may start to slow down and it doesn't work as good as it used to, like most things when you get older. Maintaining digestive health is so important for your overall well-being. It isn't something that should just be pushed aside because if it is a plethora of health problems may arise.

So when you hear digestive tract problems what comes to mind? Heart burn? Constipation? Stomach pain? Yes, those are all things that can happen but there are many more like peptic ulcers, diarrhea, hemorrhoids, gas, irritable bowel syndrome. and gastroesophageal reflux disease. None of these are fun and in order to avoid these issues from occurring you need to protect your digestive system. Make sure to be drinking plenty of water. Just like the rest of the body, the digestive system needs to be well hydrated. Try to drink water before and after meals instead of during. Consume a diet that is high in fiber. Eat foods such as fruits and vegetables, legumes, and whole grains. This will help your body from not being constipated. Eating foods that are high in fat will slow your digestive system so stay away from those. Always get exercise in each day as this will help you maintain a healthy weight and aid in digestion. After you eat, go for a small walk as this will activate digestion. Definitely make sure to eat your meals at the same time everyday. It's important to stick to a routine as it will keep your system on the right track. 

All of these things are easy to do so make them apart of your daily routine and protect yourself from developing a digestive disorder. Yes, aging is inevitable but taking these preventative measures will help you live a longer healthy life. 

Source: https://www.everydayhealth.com

Take control of your health

Everyone dreads going to the doctor but it's better to take preventative measures now to avoid any serious problems down the road. According to the CDC, 7 out of 10 American deaths are from chronic diseases. This can be prevented if people take action towards their health. It's all about stopping the disease or illness before it starts. So now is the perfect time to get all of your health screenings done.

Here is a list of what you should check up on.

Blood Pressure: This should be done every year.
Cholesterol: Every 5 years, unless you have other conditions where this needs to be monitored more regularly. 
Colon Cancer Screening: Tested up until you are the age of 75. 
Diabetes: Every 3 years.
Mammograms: Every 1 to 2 years.
Osteoporosis: Get a bone density test for women over 65. 
Immunizations: Get a flu shot every year, a pneumococcal vaccine if you have never had one, and a tetanus booster every 10 years. 
Eye Exam: Every 1 to 2 years.
Hearing Exam: Get a hearing test if you are experiencing hearing loss symptoms. 
Dental Exam: Get an exam and cleaning every 6 months.  

The first thing you can do is to get a physical. From there, you can set up the appointments that you need as soon as possible. You will feel much better after getting these done and it's better to get things checked now so you can prevent the disease before it escalates. 

Sources: https://healthyaging.net
https://www.cdc.gov