Avoiding or reducing the impact of age-related health problems

Unless you\'re a very lucky individual, you\'ve doubtless experienced some health problems at various points in your life. Childhood illnesses, colds, flus and headaches are relatively minor health problems which are typically of short duration. As we age, the incidence of health problems tends to creep up in both number and severity. When you\'re young, it\'s easy to discount these far-off-in-the-future conditions. As you get older, you become more interested in avoiding such problems. Let\'s take a look at some ways you can head off or help correct these largely preventable illnesses.

Poor lifestyle choices contribute to many age-related health problems and are generally cumulative in their effects, sometimes taking decades to take their toll on your body. Poor dietary habits, lack of exercise, smoking and excessive alcohol consumption are big players in creating poor health in later years.

Just as your Mom always said, a good, healthy diet and plenty of exercise are essential to good health now and in the future. If you do smoke, it\'s never too late to quit. As for other health vices you may have picked up along the way, Mom was again right. Moderation in all things is best.

Even healthy activities, such as athletics, can lead to diseases like osteoarthritis, where joints simply wear out through use, leaving you with ongoing pain and sometimes limited movement in various parts of your body. Athletes are constantly stressing certain joints, depending on the sport. Tennis players can fall victim to bad knees and tennis elbow. Boxers, football and hockey players can suffer injuries that last a lifetime.

Athletes will do well to consult their physicians on which nutrients and foods will keep their body in top form, both now and throughout life. While engaging in sports, wear protective gear that helps to prevent injuries.

As we age, a lifetime of poor eating habits catches up, and health problems such as poor circulation, high cholesterol, respiratory problems and diabetes. It\'s never too late to start correcting or reversing the ravages of life. Eat properly, exercise and consult your health care provider on supplements which might get you back on track. If you\'re older and have chronic health problems, you don\'t need motivation. You need action. Once you decide to be proactive and start helping yourself to better health, you\'ll get results. The worst thing you can do is give up and accept your condition.

For those of you who are still young, getting rid of unhealthy habits, along with maintaining a healthy diet and getting plenty of exercise, will pay big dividends in the years to come. Believe me, you\'ll be glad you did when, in later years, your peers are struggling with arthritis and worse.

To your good health!