What’s truly working, and what I’m nonetheless determining
The older I get, the extra I understand how valuable and precarious my well being actually is. Some days, I really feel like I might scale a mountain. The subsequent, I really feel like I’m being held along with willpower and duct tape. I understand how fortunate I’m not to have something main occurring, and I don’t take that without any consideration.
About ten years in the past, I cracked my femur and tore the labrum on my left hip after a fall. Occasionally, I’ll flip too shortly and really feel like my leg didn’t get the memo. It’s not unhealthy sufficient to require a hip substitute, nevertheless it does imply I’ve to be somewhat extra conscious. Listed below are just a few of the issues I am doing to handle my well being in my 60s.
Prenuvo Complete Physique Scan at 60+
I had a Prenuvo Complete Physique MRI a 12 months and a half in the past and plan to repeat it this summer time. My aim? Catch something sneaky like ovarian or pancreatic most cancers earlier than it has an opportunity to settle in. These typically present up too late to deal with successfully.
The scan did catch a number of benign issues I didn’t find out about and a few not-so-great disc modifications in my backbone. It’s been eye-opening. I now keep away from sure actions in Pilates or yoga as a result of I do know the place I’m susceptible. That peace of thoughts has been price the price.
Carrying an Oura Ring Over 60
My good friend Tania was sporting an Oura ring once we roomed collectively in Florida just a few years in the past, and I used to be fascinated, so I ordered one. It tracks my sleep, train, and coronary heart charge and, a lot to my dismay, jogs my memory precisely how sedentary I may be some days.
It tracks the totally different coronary heart charge zones of my train so I can attempt to get my coronary heart into the coaching zone extra typically, and it additionally tracks my stress degree. It additionally tells how unhealthy it’s for my coronary heart when I’ve a glass of wine with dinner.
Glucose Monitoring With Stelo (and Why I Wanted It)
Right here’s somewhat backstory: I had gestational diabetes with each pregnancies. My infants had been large, and so was I. In actual fact, I went from 135 to 205 kilos after I delivered my first child.
They warned me then that my danger of creating diabetes later in life was greater. and effectively, right here we’re. My A1C is climbing regardless of my greatest efforts.
I switched to synthetic sweeteners, misplaced just a few kilos, moved extra, and nonetheless…it crept up. Once I noticed that my Oura ring was now in a position to monitor my blood glucose ranges with the Stelo Glucose Sensor, I ordered one to attempt. There’s a Stelo App you may obtain to maintain monitor of your glucose ranges should you don’t have an Oura ring.
It’s stunning to see what raises my blood sugar and shock…I’m very delicate to carbs (which flip into glucose in your bloodstream) and sugar.
Photodynamic Remedy for Precancerous Pores and skin Spots
I had melanoma about 20 years in the past, so I don’t fiddle in relation to sunscreen. Nonetheless, years of solar harm present up, irrespective of how diligent I’m now. (I used to be a child oil and iodine lady. And sure, I used the Beatles White Album cowl wrapped in foil to try to tan. Good, I do know.)
As of late, I’ve a rising assortment of precancerous lesions, totally on my face. I’ve had some frozen off, however that left vibrant white spots that I didn’t love.
I used to be prescribed the Fluorouracil cream to deal with them just a few years in the past, however a fast Google search confirmed some fairly scary-looking results folks take care of. My pores and skin is stupidly delicate and scars very simply, so the cream makes me nervous, so my dermatologist really helpful Photodynamic Remedy (PDT) as an alternative.
I’m scheduled for remedy quickly. From what I’ve learn, I could look fairly beat up for just a few days, nevertheless it’s price it if it helps forestall extra critical points.
“Photodynamic remedy makes use of a mixture of sunshine and a drugs known as a photosensitizer to deal with precancerous and cancerous pores and skin lesions. It targets irregular cells whereas minimizing harm to wholesome tissue.”
Right here’s hoping it’s efficient and considerably form to my pores and skin. You may additionally get pleasure from: Best Mineral Sunscreens for Mature Skin
Oral Minoxidil for Hair Loss in Ladies Over 60
Right here’s some excellent news. After years of hair shedding from telogen effluvium and feminine sample hair loss, I noticed a trichologist who really helpful low-dose oral minoxidil. It’s been a game-changer.
My hair remains to be skinny, nevertheless it not falls out in fistfuls. I did must decrease my blood stress medicine to stability it out since minoxidil lowers BP too. I’m hoping in the future it would change that medicine solely, however we’re not there but.
Nonetheless… an enormous win.
You may additionally get pleasure from studying: Causes & Treatment for Thinning Hair in Women Over 50
The Fact? It Takes a Village
To take a look at me, you may suppose I’m in fine condition. And for probably the most half, I’m. I really feel very lucky to have the well being I do have, however behind the scenes, it takes effort, analysis, appointments, and a complete lot of listening to my physique. It’s a full-time job staying wholesome as we age, and there’s no disgrace in needing somewhat assist from trendy medication (and some devices).
It’s simple to scroll social media and assume everybody else your age is getting older effortlessly, operating marathons, consuming kale, and by no means forgetting their nutritional vitamins. However the reality is, staying wholesome in your 60s is layered. There’s the stuff you may management and the stuff you simply handle the very best you may.
Sharing this isn’t about complaining, it’s about taking possession. About making knowledgeable selections and saying, “I’m doing what I can with what I’ve acquired.”
What are you doing on your well being in your 60s—or what’s one factor you want you had been doing? I’d love to listen to.
