By Mosope Ososanya. Freelance Health Writer. Medical review and editorial support by the DLHA Team.
Happy looking black couple in midlife, embracing, heads side-by-side and smiling.
The age of 40 is quite remarkable in society and health. As one grows older, the body system wears out, the bones become weaker, and it becomes more demanding for the immune system to keep the body in shape.
Forty years of your body constantly maintaining balance is a lot of work and may lead to an increased risk of chronic illness, including cardiovascular diseases, hearing and vision issues, and sexual health issues. [1]
For example, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports that only 22.4% of adults between 18 and 39 experience high blood pressure, and the percentage increases to 54.5% among the ages of 40-59 and 74.5% among people over 60. [2]
In this article, you will learn about the twelve most common health concerns in Africans over age 40 and how to prevent and deal with these health issues.
1. Chronic pain
Chronic pain is common among middle-aged adults. A study found that 1 in every 5 African adults are experiencing chronic pain. [3] Another study found that women are at a higher risk of developing chronic pain later in life. [4] Chronic pain can last ranging from months to years. It primarily affects middle-aged adults in the form of:
Arthritis: The condition that can cause stiffness and pain in the joints due to inflammation
Tendonitis: The inflammation of the tendon, the fibrous cord that attaches muscle to bone.
Spondylitis: Inflammation of the joints of the backbone. It may cause neck or low back pain.
The major cause of chronic pain in middle-aged adults is not precisely known. However, research has shown that smoking, stress, living alone, depression, financial difficulty, excessive use of alcohol, and living with pain-related medical conditions such as cancer could be a factor that causes chronic pain. [5]
Chronic Pain can be managed by taking Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers, engaging in low-intensity exercises, getting quality sleep, and reducing stress, eating healthy foods rich in calcium or an anti-inflammatory diet. An anti-inflammatory diet is an eating plan designed to reduce foods that can cause inflammation in the body. An anti-inflammatory diet usually includes, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, fatty fish, legumes, whole grain, herbs and spices.
Often simply referred to as TB, tuberculosis remains a leading cause of health issues in sub-Saharan Africa. According to the WHO, an estimated 2.5 million Africans fell ill from TB and 424,000 of them died from the disease in 2022. [6]
TB affects all age groups in Africa and adults in their most productive years (25 - 59) are most at risk. The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a contributory factor to the high rate of TB in Africa. [6]
There are two types of main types of TB; latent and active. People with latent TB show no symptoms, but at least 10% will go on to have active TB. Active TB, with the lungs being the most common source of infection, makes the affected person very sick.
Common symptoms of active TB include:
Active TB is treated with a combination of antibiotics for a period of 4 - 9 months.
While TB prevention may not be fully under your control in the Africa region, the following measures helps to reduce your risk of contracting the active form of the disease:
The risk of cardiovascular diseases increases with age. Certain things about your heart and blood vessels change. For example, your heart rate slows down as you age. These changes can put you at risk of cardiovascular diseases like;
Hypertension (High Blood Pressure): A condition where the pressure of your blood against its vessels is high.
Hyperlipidemia (HLD): A condition of high cholesterol (too much fat) in the blood.
Hypertension and HLD are significant risk factors for coronary heart disease, heart attack, stroke, and cardiac arrest.
Hypertension is caused among others by a build-up of Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL), the bad cholesterol in the blood vessels. LDL buildup causes plaque within blood vessels and makes the artery narrow. This increases the pressure as the blood flows through the vessels.
Hypertension and High Cholesterol don't usually show any physical symptoms. However, regular medical checkups can reveal your health status.
While aging is a major factor in cardiovascular diseases, smoking, alcohol, eating food with high levels of cholesterol, stress, obesity, and a sedentary lifestyle can speed up the traditional risks associated with cardiovascular disease.
Several studies have shown that people who smoke are more likely to develop severe hypertension. [7, 8, 9]
A person with high blood pressure and high cholesterol should practice healthy lifestyle habits, eat nutritious foods, and exercise regularly.
Your healthcare provider may prescribe medications to treat high blood pressure and hyperlipidemia.
Cerebrovascular disease is also related to cardiovascular disease. It include stroke and aneurysm among others. Stroke is a major health issue in sub Saharan Africa (SSA) especially in people in the 40’s to the 60’s age range. Hypertension is the most common cause of stroke in SSA.
Stroke occurs in 3 of 1,000 Africans yearly with quite high crude death and disability rates.
The risk factors for stroke are both modifiable and non-modifiable. Modifiable risk factors are those that you can control to reduce your risk, like; your blood pressure, weight, smoking habit, nutrition, activity level (exercise), alcohol and illicit drug use, etc.
Non-modifiable risk factors are those you have no control on, like; your age, sex race and family history.
As a person in your 40’s, you should be energetic and enthusiastic in watching your blood pressure and taking steps to control all the modifiable factors that may put you at risk for stroke.
If you are known to be hypertensive, work with your primary care provider to manage the condition through lifestyle changes and medication as may be advised.
Diabetes is a disease condition where the body cannot regulate the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood due to a lack of insulin (type 1 diabetes) or insulin resistance (type 2 diabetes). Insulin is the hormone that regulates the amount of glucose in the blood.
As you age, your body may gradually become resistant to insulin. Although younger children can develop diabetes, it is more common in older and middle-aged adults.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 24 million adults are living with diabetes in Africa, with Nigeria accounting for the most. WHO predicts the figures to rise by 129% by 2045 (55 million). [10]
Diabetes usually has no apparent signs or symptoms until the blood sugar levels are very high. The person may experience fatigue, increased thirst and hunger.
It is advisable to take preventive measures against diabetes, especially for middle-aged adults. Some of these preventive measures include eating a nutritious diet with lots of vegetables and fiber, maintaining healthy body weight, regularly checking and monitoring blood sugar levels, staying hydrated, getting quality sleep, engaging in exercises and reducing consumption of refined sugar and Trans fats.
Osteoporosis is when the bones become weaker, thinner, and brittle. As you grow older, your bones lose their ability to repair worn-out bone tissues. This makes the bone weak and less dense and makes the person more prone to fractures. This condition is mostly common in women, particularly those who have gone through menopause and have lower levels of estrogen, a reproductive hormone that also helps regulate bone metabolism.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine Research found that women are four times more prone to osteoporosis than men. [11]
A person with osteoporosis can break a bone easily. It could be due to a fall or a minor accident. Other signs that a person may have osteoporosis include loss of height, back pain, and a hunched posture.
Symptoms may vary among individuals, and some may not show any until they fracture a bone. Osteoporosis affects everyone to a certain degree as they get older. However, certain risk factors can increase the rate of loss of bone mass.
These risk factors include the use of alcohol, lack of physical activities, and lack of calcium and vitamin D.
Another study found that regular exercise and healthy lifestyle habits may reduce the risk of osteoporosis and help patients with osteoporosis. [12]
A person diagnosed with osteoporosis should engage in exercises that may help strengthen the bones and muscles and eat a balanced diet of calcium and vitamins.
Your healthcare provider may also prescribe supplements and medication to treat osteoporosis.
Adulthood comes with its baggage of troubles. At age 40, many adults battle with thoughts of unaccomplished dreams, identity crises and several midlife crises. This explains the result of a 2024 study on adults aged 25 to 39 and 40 to 55. It was reported that adults between the ages of 40 and 55 had lower life satisfaction, and higher anger, sadness and worry than younger adults. [13]
Another study revealed that midlife is the most vulnerable phase for experiencing psychological distress. [14]
Issues that may affect the mental well-being of middle-aged adults include divorce, pressure from daily activities and traumatic events. These events may result in anxiety, depression, alcoholism, substance abuse, and suicidal thoughts.
Studies have shown there is an increasing suicide rate for adults over the age of 35, while youth below the age of 25 have lower suicide rates. [14]
Common signs that a person is going through psychological or mental distress include feelings of sadness, unexplained outbursts of emotion, especially anger, insomnia, and suicidal thoughts.
A person who is experiencing mental distress should seek help, talk to a friend and avoid bottling up emotions, practice mindfulness, pick up healthy habits, reconnect with loved ones and consult a therapist.
Therapy is an effective way to get through a midlife crisis. A medical professional can clinically diagnose depression and recommend medications to treat depression and anxiety.
Your mental health becomes more vulnerable as you age. It is essential to prioritize your mental and physical health, cut off habits like smoking, hard drugs, and alcohol, eat nutritious foods and get regular exercise.
As you grow older, your skin grows older too. Many adults in their 40s have reported skin issues, including saggy skin, acne, spots, wrinkles, eczema, etc. Aging also makes the skin more fragile to injuries and reduces the ability of the skin to heal.
Wrinkles are a normal part of aging. It happens when the skin cells cannot produce enough collagen, the protein responsible for skin elasticity. This makes the skin loose and causes wrinkles. Aging is a primary cause of wrinkles. However, several factors may speed up the wrinkling process; they include smoking, excessive exposure to sunlight, not removing makeup before bed, and stress.
Several studies have shown the relationship between smoking and premature skin wrinkling. [15, 16, 17]
The common treatments for wrinkles include anti-wrinkle cream, facelift surgery, and Botulinum injection therapy (Botox); these are common ways people correct wrinkles.
Wrinkles should not necessarily be a concern; however, these are ways to prevent wrinkles.
Adult acne is also a skin issue that affects middle-aged adults. It can be caused by excessive oil in the skin, clogging of the skin cells by bacteria or dirt, stress, female hormones, certain dietary choices, makeup or skin care products, and inflammation. Common acne treatments include OTC creams and cleansers, certain medications, which may be anti-inflammatory, antibiotics, or topical antiseptics.
If acne persists or raises a concern, consult a dermatologist or your health provider for further diagnosis. Symptoms like loss of hair, loss of weight, and irregular menstrual cycle accompanied by acne could be a sign of an underlying condition like PCOS, etc.
The sexual health of both males and females is affected as they cross into midlife. Aging may cause the wear and tear of reproductive organs.
As you age, there is a decrease in blood flow, nerve sensitivity, and hormonal changes, which may lead to sexual health issues. Low libido (sexual desire) is a common issue for both men and women.
Some male sexual health issues include:
Middle age female may experience sexual health issues like
Many other factors can lead to sexual and reproductive health issues in middle-aged males and females. The most common ones include stress, poor or unhealthy diet, smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, underlying medical conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular diseases, neurological disorders, STIs or infections, anxiety, depression or genetic predisposition.
It is best to consult a healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and to determine the underlying cause of specific sexual and reproductive health issues, and treatment can be given.
Ways to prevent reproductive health issues are:
Perimenopause usually sets in a woman's mid-40s, while menopause occurs in the late 40s. Menopause is a stage that marks the end of the female reproductive cycle. In premenopause, a woman will show no physical symptoms like irregular cycles, but there may be some hormonal changes unknown to her.
Premenopause is followed by perimenopause. In perimenopause, a woman experiences symptoms like irregular periods, hot flashes, and sleep disturbances. After that, menopause sets in.
Menopause begins when a woman has missed her period for over 12 months.
Perimenopause is caused by a decline in the production of the female hormone estrogen, making the ovaries unable to release eggs and menstruation ends.
Perimenopausal hormonal changes come with symptoms like irregular or heavy periods, weight gain, headaches, low sex drive, UTIs, muscle aches, heart palpitations, increased cholesterol levels, and vaginal dryness.
Perimenopause is a stage that cannot be avoided. However, symptoms can be managed by eating a healthy diet, undergoing hormone therapy, regular exercise, practicing effective stress management, quitting smoking and alcohol and getting quality sleep.
Your healthcare provider may prescribe medications and dietary supplements to help you cope with perimenopausal hormonal changes.
The eyes and ears are important organs that may develop problems as one grows older.
Age-related hearing loss or Presbycusis happens as a person ages. It affects about 35% of adults between the ages of 60-70 in Africa. [18]
Presbycusis is rare in people in their 40’s. But men and women in their 40’s may have hearing problems like;
Early warning signs and symptoms of hearing difficulties include:
If you experience hearing issues of any nature, it is best to get a hearing checkup from your healthcare provider. Indeed, it is appropriate to make a hearing check part of your annual health check process.
The following are ways to prevent hearing loss:
The eyes may also develop age-related eye problems like:
Age-related vision issues usually become worse if untreated. For example, Presbyopia usually sets in at age 40 and gets worse from age 60. [19]
Other age-related eye issues include:
Symptoms of Age-related eye problems includeL
Age-related eye problems can be treated using eyeglasses, contact lenses, medications, eye surgeries or eye drops. Your healthcare provider will diagnose your condition and recommend the best treatment options.
Lifestyle changes that helps in maintain good eye health throught life include:
The eyes and ears are sensitive organs that should always be cared for, so they would remain healthy into older age.
Aging comes with a higher risk of urinary system issues including kidney and bladder diseases. Common urinary system diseases include:
Symptoms of urinary system issues may vary for specific diseases, but some common symptoms include:
Urinary system diseases can be treated using antibiotics, urinary retention medications, anti-inflammatory drugs, bladder relaxants, high frequency ultrasound therapy and surgery.
Urinary system issues can be prevented by practicing safe and healthy urinary system habits. A few include:
Several chronic illnesses like osteoporosis, sexual health issues, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and wrinkling of the skin have been associated with middle age and old age. As Africans age, these health challenges can impact their quality of life.
By understanding these common health concerns, individuals can take steps to prevent and manage them effectively. Essential actions include; good nutrition with lots of fruits, vegetables and fibre plus regular exercise, prioritising mental health and knowing your health status at every point. Regular medical check-ups and screening would reveal any underlying medical conditions. With these, Africans over 40 can enjoy healthy and productive lives.
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Related:
How to Deal With Joint Pains - Tips for Africans
Seven Common Communicable Diseases in Africa: Causes and Control
Cardiovascular Diseases and Heart Attack in Africa
Stroke in Africa: What you need to know
Management of type two diabetes in Nigeria
5 Common Skin Diseases in Africa
Erectile Dysfunction in Nigerian Men
12 Top African Women's Health Issues and How to Take Action
5 Practical Tips for Good Eye Health
Published: July 16, 2024
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