This Is How Exercise Can Fix These Common Health Problems for Men Over 50

For men, certain health problems begin to make their presence known once you hit your forties and beyond. But want to know one thing you could do that would make everything better? Medical health professionals agree, that the magic pill for many ailments is exercise.

Here are some common problems that men over 50 experience and the exercises that will reduce the risk of those problems worsening.

Prostate problems

The prostate is a small gland near the bladder. As men advance in years, their prostate often grows bigger. This enlargement that happens with age often puts pressure on their bladder which can cause men to feel the need to urinate.

Have you been taking medication or pills to help you deal with bladder problems? Prostagenix reviews show that this all-natural supplement is effective in treating prostate issues. But if you want to go a step further, exercise can help.

Heard of Kegel exercises? Vaguely recall it as an exercise women do after childbirth? You would be right. But regardless of gender, these exercises are effective at strengthening one's pelvic muscles. Stronger pelvic muscles will control that feeling of needing to urinate.

Exercising your pelvic muscles can be done anywhere at any time. To locate your pelvic muscles, the next time you use the bathroom, start urinating and then pause, mid-stream. Those muscles you feel tightening are your pelvic muscles. Tighten and release these muscles throughout the day to give your pelvic muscles a workout.

Osteoporosis

The older you are, the higher your chance of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a weakening of your bones and a decline in bone mass. Diet plays an important role in warding off the onset of this disease. The National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) says that what you eat will affect the state of your bones as you age. Foods to focus on including in your diet are those that are high in calcium and vitamin D.

But it is exercise that just might be one of the most important ways you can reduce your risk of this age-related bone condition.

Your exercise plan should include both muscle strengthening exercise, as well as aerobics. The NOF recommends dancing, hiking, jogging, jumping rope, stair climbing, and tennis. But if you have recently been ill or suffered an injury that limits your exercise capacity, then low impact exercises may be better for you.

Depression

Depression can occur in anyone, no matter their age. The source or cause of the depression may differ depending on one's age bracket. But regardless of how old you are, exercise has been shown to be effective in treating a bad case of feeling down and out.

The Mayo Clinic states that regular exercise has emotional and psychological benefits. These benefits reduce the negative emotions of depression. When you exercise, you get more confidence, a better way of coping, and more social interaction with others.

And you do not need to exercise for a long period of time in order to gain these benefits. In fact, even 5 minutes of vigorous exercise can leave you feeling less stressed. And a 10 minute walk could be just as good as a 40 minute workout in helping to relieve anxiety or depression.

Mental decline
Worried about staying sharp as the years pass? Recent studies overwhelmingly agree that exercise can ward off cognitive decline. In one study, seniors who engaged in regular exercise had a 36 percent lower risk of mental impairment than those who did not. Why? Being physically active has been linked to brain health because exercise improves blood flow. Blood flow to the brain is essential for the growth of blood cells and vessels.

Slowing down as we age should be expected. But exercise can not only reduce the rate at which we slow down, but it can protect us from dementia and other age-related mental health issues.

The type of exercise you do is less important than simply being regular. Find a plan that will be easy for you to implement and start. Naturally, you should check in with your doctor before beginning any exercise regimen. Ask what type of exercise is safe for you to engage in. Get the OK from your doctor, and then commit to your new exercise plan.

If you have neglected regular exercise for most of your life, starting now might not reverse years of disregard. But it will at least prevent certain issues from getting worse.

It is never too late to make better health choices. Start today.

This is a guest blog entry.