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Age: 40s
Chronic diseases
Men who ate poorly and neglected their health during their youth may see chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension and heart disease creeping in when they are in their 40s. As their metabolic rate starts to slow, men who are sedentary may gain weight if they overeat. What makes it worse is that men tend to gain weight around the waist which puts them at risk of serious health problems like heart disease and stroke. If a man’s waist measures more than 94cm, it is time to lose weight.
Testosterone drop
Into their 40s, men start feeling the effects of a decline in testosterone. Testosterone is the male sex hormone produced by the testicles. It promotes the development of the genital glands and male characteristics, as well as influences a man’s growth and overall vigour. Testosterone peaks during adolescence and early adulthood. As a man gets older, its level gradually declines, typically at about one per cent yearly after the age of 30.
Symptoms include a loss of sex drive and fewer erections. Various physical changes may happen, like increased body fat, reduced muscle mass and strength and lowered bone density. If testosterone levels dip below normal, a condition called late-onset hypogonadism results.
Erectile dysfunction
The prevalence of severe erectile dysfunction (ED) appears to increase with age. About nine per cent of men in their 40s are affected by ED. By the time they reach their 60s, about 44 per cent are affected. At age 70 and above, 77 per cent have the problem, reported a 2003 study published in the Singapore Medical Journal. Men can also face ED in their 20s and 30s, but the most common cause then is stress. However, when men hit their 40s, ED may be due to more serious conditions, like atherosclerosis or metabolic syndrome.
Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions – increased blood pressure, elevated insulin levels, excess body fat around the waist or abnormal cholesterol levels – that occur together, increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes. Explaining how ED is linked to chronic diseases, a consultant said an erection is a reflex dependent on blood flow. Some chronic diseases, like atherosclerosis and hypertension, may cause the clogging of blood vessels in the body, affecting erections.
Men with ED should visit their doctor for a checkup. However, many men may be afraid to do so because they feel embarrassed. Still, the first step to the clinic must be made. It could be the first sign of a more serious disease.
Hair loss
While male pattern hair loss – hairline usually recedes at the forehead and temples – may occur anytime after puberty, it typically affects men in their 40s, said a dermatologist. About 50 per cent of men may show some signs of male pattern hair loss by the age of 40, he added. The condition, also known as androgenetic alopecia, is usually hereditary and hormonal.
It happens when dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a by-product of testosterone, damages hair follicles in men. Seeking early treatment is important. The earlier one starts, the more hair one may be able to preserve. Treatment options include minoxidil, a topical application, and finasteride, an oral drug. Hair loss usually recurs if treatment is stopped. For more advanced hair loss, hair transplantation may be required.
Ref: V10 |
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