YOUR 40S

What To Watch For Now

CHANGES IN SKIN

TONE AND TEXTURE. Sun damage becomes more obvious, including wrinkles, dark spots, freckles, discolorations and blotchiness, with duller tone overall. Skin may become drier, pores tend to look larger. Collagen is starting to break down, resulting in loss of fullness.

HAIR CHANGES. For many people, this is the decade when those first gray hairs pop up. Hair texture can also become more coarse and color more dull.

VISION CHANGES. Many will start wearing readers or “cheaters,” thanks to a common condition known as presbyopia, in which the lens of the eye stiffens, making it difficult to refocus from distance to closeup vision.

WEIGHT GAIN. Unless you’ve become a major

Screenings and Tests

BLOOD PRESSURE: At least every two years couch potato, blame that extra pudge around your middle on a slower metabolism.

DECREASED MUSCLE

MASS AND TONE. Research shows that the average person in their 40s loses about 1 percent of muscle mass each year. That doesn’t sound too bad until you consider it’s possible to lose 10 percent of your muscle mass by the time you hit 50.

Fight Back

› Be vigilant with sunscreen. Wear it daily, opting for a minimum of 30 SPF, preferably higher.

› Moisturize faithfully. Use skin care products with ingredients that help improve firmness and texture, such as retinoids, antioxidants and alpha hydroxy acids.

› Schedule an eye exam if you experience blurriness or changes in vision.

› Wear sunglasses faithfully, as long-term exposure to sunlight is blamed for a higher risk of cataracts as you age.

› Make over your diet, incorporating lean protein and foods rich in fiber like vegetables, fruit and whole grains, while cutting out processed foods, saturated fats and excess sugar. If your diet doesn’t contain enough essential nutrients, consider taking supplements.

› Add weight training to your workout if you’re already exercising, and if you aren’t, start now! Include a combination of cardiovascular activity (walk, run, ride a bike) and strength training.

CHOLESTEROL CHECK: Every five years; more often if you have had high levels in the past or have diabetes, heart disease, kidney problems, etc.

DIABETES SCREENING: Every three years if 45 or older; more often if you are overweight, have high blood pressure or other risk factors

MAMMOGRAM (WOMEN): Every one to two years starting at age 40

PAP SMEAR (WOMEN): Every one to three years

EYE EXAM: Every two to four years; more often if necessary

STOOL OCCULT BLOOD TEST: Every one to three years

FLU SHOT: Annually

TETANUS-DIPHTHERIA BOOSTER VACCINATION: Every 10 years

› Include exercises such as yoga or Pilates to strengthen your core.

What To Watch For Now

Watch for health concerns from previous decades, plus:

HEART HEALTH. Ongoing stress tends to catch up to the heart in your 50s. As arteries and blood vessels become less elastic, your heart has to work harder, often leading to hypertension (high blood pressure).

BONE LOSS. Both men and women are affected by osteoporosis, which increases the risk of fracture (especially in hips, knees and wrists), but it’s more common in women. Bone density can diminish after menopause, when estrogen levels plummet.

BOWEL ISSUES. Constipation may occur, due to medications, diet and decreased physical activity.

UROGENITAL CHANGES. Both sexes can begin to experience urinary incontinence. The prostate may enlarge in men, while women often experience menopausal changes to the vagina and bladder.