People often ignore the age of 40 considering it to be just a number, but health experts say that this is the period when gradual changes start taking place in the body. The effects of staying up late at night, wrong eating habits and stress may not be visible immediately, but after the age of 40, these habits start having a negative impact on the body. In such a situation, regular health check-up can be the most effective way to detect serious diseases in their early stages.
**Big changes take place in the body after the age of 40**
Dr Shaili Mahajan told TOI that after the age of 40, many biological changes start taking place in the body of men. Metabolism slows down, hormonal changes occur and the effects of long-standing lifestyle habits become visible on health. In Indians, genetic factors and the stress associated with urban life further increase these challenges.
**Diabetes problem**
Diabetes is a disease that can harm the body for a long time without showing any symptoms. Weight gain, lack of physical activity and stress are considered to be its main reasons. Dr. Mahajan says that relying only on fasting blood sugar test is not enough. The HbA1c test provides information about the average blood sugar level of the last two-three months, which can better understand the risks associated with pre-diabetes and diabetes.
**It is important to pay attention to heart health**
It is very important to pay attention to heart health. Often, heart problems develop without obvious symptoms for years. Research from the National Library of Medicine shows that heart disease is the leading cause of death among adults in India. According to Dr. Shaili Mahajan, heart related problems start occurring in Indians at a younger age as compared to the people of western countries. Therefore, regular checking of lipid profile and blood pressure can detect future risks in time.
**Vitamin deficiency is also a reason**
Apart from this, Vitamin D and Vitamin B12 deficiency has also become a common problem among Indian men. Symptoms such as persistent fatigue, muscle weakness and difficulty concentrating are often attributed to age or stress, when in reality they may be due to nutritional deficiencies. According to Dr. Shaili Mahajan, deficiency of Vitamin D can weaken the bones and adversely affect the absorption of calcium.
Tests that should not be ignored
After the age of 40, regular checkups of prostate, liver and kidneys should not be ignored. Symptoms of many prostate related problems are not visible in the initial stages. Similarly, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and kidney disease often progress without any symptoms for a long time.
