Over 50?
Time to get a little selfish about your health

Ah, I can see it now…You wake up one morning and find yourself over 50 and ask yourself, “How the heck did I get here so fast?” Believe me, it creeps up quicker than we’d all like.

Many of us, and me included, are now finding that our kids have grown up and many have families of their own now. Hopefully, the college tuition expenses are over and the “bleeding” has stopped somewhat. Perhaps your nests are empty or emptying.

“What do I do now?” you ask.

Well, for starters, it’s a great time to start thinking about yourself a little more, especially in terms of your health. When asked by friends and co-workers why, over the past few years, she was taking such determined steps to improve and maintain better health, my wife’s answer to them was, “I want to be around to enjoy my grandkids and be physically fit enough to accompany them to places like Cedar Point and Disney World.”

Remember when you turned 30 and your metabolism started to nose-dive? Then there was 40 and the gut started to nose-dive? Like it or not, our bodies are changing and aging, so the sooner we get going on improving and maintaining good health, the better. Many people fear getting old and their bodies quitting on them, and it happens, as sure as the sun rises. The more fit we can remain into the “golden” years, the better quality of life each of us will experience.

This column isn’t a mandate for exercise; we all know how vitally important it is. It is, though, a call out to all who read this to get a little selfish about yourself and your health.

So, what’s out there for you to take advantage of? Plenty.

In this day and age, there are a multitude of free services “out there” offered by hospitals and health systems designed to evaluate a person for risk factors and tendencies for health problems before they occur or become serious.

For example, ProMedica and the Jobst Vascular Institute have teamed up across Toledo to offer free “vascular screenings” for signs of trouble in major arteries and veins. Most of these tests are non-invasive and require appointments.

Similarly, Mercy Health Partners offer screenings at their respective facilities, which, among many others, evaluate prostate health. They also have a website for the community to explore, and a section that transmits “Podcasts” on important topics such as robotic surgery for heart, prostate and gynecological procedures. You simply log on and listen.

Another important test, especially for post-menopausal women is the Dexa-scan; a test which measures bone density and the risk factor for developing osteoporosis. It, too, is non-invasive and offered almost anywhere in Toledo. One need only call his/her local hospital and get all the information needed.

You see, things like high cholesterol, hypertension (high blood pressure), prostate and breast cancer and colon cancer can go undetected for long periods of time until they become difficult-to-impossible to cure or treat adequately. Many times this happens because people are too busy caring for everyone else but themselves. Frequently, simple screening procedures can detect problem areas very early on. You just need to take advantage of them.

There are opportunities to take advantage of regarding evaluations for potential health problems, and that’s the best time to discover them, when they can be dealt with.

So, when you gaze around the empty nest, or get a call from your kids asking, “what are you up to mom/dad?” You can say; “I’m getting selfish. I’m taking back my health.” It’s “me” time.

Chisholm’s expertise in nursing, orthopedics and surgery spans more than 30 years. For more information on orthopedic-related topics, visit www.bone-and-joint-pain.com. Submit questions or comments to Ken at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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