Most frequently asked health questions

Written by Trudie McConnochie for Australian Seniors

With so much health information out there, it can be hard to know what’s reliable. And since everybody is different, how do you know what information you should or shouldn’t take on board?

To help you get accurate information about your health, we shared some of your most common questions with the experts. Celebrity GP Dr Sam Hay, geriatrician Dr Simon Grof and sports and exercise physician Dr Mohammad Jomaa, all guests on the fifth season of the Australian Seniors Life’s Booming podcast, share information to help you take charge of your health.

I feel fine, why should I see my doctor?

Many people think of their doctor as someone they visit only when they’re sick, but if you see your doctor regularly for check-ups, you’re giving yourself the best possible chance of avoiding getting seriously unwell in the first place, says Dr Hay.

“In general, over the age of 50, I like to see patients every single year for a check-up because we want to pick up very early the major risk factors for the big things that are going to cause problems down the track: heart attacks, strokes and diabetes.”

Should I vape to help quit smoking?

If you’ve been a long-time smoker, you’ll be well aware that quitting can be tough – but it’s absolutely worth doing, says Dr Hay. However, he warns there are significant risks with vaping. “I’ve definitely seen a drop-off in cigarette smoking and an increase in vaping and a complete misunderstanding about the risks of vaping. One of the biggest risks is that we don’t really know what these chemicals do when they’re vaporised and you inhale them.” And of course, the best option is not to smoke at all.

 What vaccinations may be considered?

The reason additional vaccinations are recommended for people over the age of 50 is because your risk of serious disease – and complications from serious disease – is much higher. As a starting point, here are the vaccinations Dr Hay talks about:

Influenza

“We need it every year because protection starts to drop off quickly and it’s a virus that changes and mutates.”

Pneumococcal disease

“As we age, we get a higher risk of lung conditions and lung infections.”

COVID

Beyond the primary course of vaccines recommended by the Department of Health, Dr Hay says it’s worth getting boosters if you’re at high risk of COVID, such as if you have pre-existing health conditions or you’re looking after people who are at risk of COVID. “This is a conversation to have with your doctor, to determine what your risk is.”

In addition, vaccines for shingles, as well as boosters for vaccines you may have received in childhood such as diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis, are often recommended after the age of 50 – chat to your GP for advice.

How do I get started with exercise?

Exercise and our fitness levels are the primary definers of how long and how well we live in later life, says Dr Jomaa. But getting started can be a challenge – especially if you haven’t exercised before. He recommends working with an exercise physiologist or sports physician to get tailored advice for your needs. Remember: you don’t have to become an exercise junkie – even small amounts of exercise done regularly will have a huge benefit.

“If you’re someone who’s completely sedentary, there are lots of studies that show anywhere between an hour to 90 minutes of walking per week can massively improve your health factors and improve the quality of your life,” he says.

What exercise should I be doing?

Dr Jomaa says there are three core exercise components that you should focus on in the second half of your life: cardiovascular exercise, strength training and stability exercises. He recommends everyone does at least 30 minutes a day of “moderate intensity” cardiovascular exercise, or approximately 3,000-4,000 steps of brisk walking. This can help reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes and dementia.

Strength training means working your muscles against resistance, such as your body weight, resistance bands or dumbbells (for example by lifting weights or doing push-ups). This is important for the health of your bones, joints and muscles. From the age of 65 onwards, it’s important to engage in a range of activities throughout the week that involve building muscle strength, such as climbing stairs or safely lifting objects.

The third form of physical activity, stability exercise, is a form of “insurance” against mobility issues and falls as we age, says Dr Jomaa. “The best way to get involved with stability exercise is to just join a local tai chi or yoga or pilates, or any other mat-based mobility exercise program local to you,” he says. But if you aren’t inclined to do this, there are many balance exercises you can do that have the same benefits.

Am I too young to see a geriatrician?

A geriatrician is a doctor with specialist training on the health of older people, Dr Grof explains. “We diagnose and treat age-related medical conditions, and the age usually is above 65.”

Even so, Dr Grof adds, a person’s age is “somewhat irrelevant”. “It’s more about their social history, what they’re able to do on a day-to-day basis, where they live, what they can get up to.

We’ll spend time with you, and we’ll have a plan and we’ll work that plan out together. You’re not going to be put in a home just because you see one of us, I promise you that.”

As we age, we do have more comorbidities and resulting ailments, he says. “These include some heart problems, some breathing problems, and problems with the bowels. And when you were younger, that didn’t seem to bother people too much, but with the accumulation of these, it can be quite difficult to manage as we get older.”