Physical Development in Middle Adulthood Paper
Team B
BSHS/325
04/13/2015
Instructor: Maria Perrotta

Physical Development in Middle Adulthood Paper Middle adulthood is a time of young adulthood and late adulthood. It accompanies many changes that some people may not be prepared for or welcome with open arms. The changes that usually deal with the mind and the body gradually develop as time continues to pass. Some of the most drastic changes are the physical changes that can have a profound effect on the way a person at this stage of life view themselves.
Common health problems that evolve during this age The physical modification people in this stage of life may experience varies depending on many factors that contribute to one's health. Smoking, drinking alcohol, unhealthy eating habits and stress can all negatively affect a person's health and increase the chance of acquiring the common health issues middle-aged adult face. Common health issues include Cancer, Diabetes, Hypertension, Arthritis, High Cholesterol and Weight gain, all of which have a direct connection to one another.
Hypertension
In middle adulthood, the body starts to change and evolve in more ways than one. The metabolism starts to slow down, and health problems are more common to arise at this point. There are various common health problems that we see at this age, and a more common one is Hypertension also known as high blood pressure. The higher one's blood pressure becomes, the harder their heart has to work to pump. Hypertension can stem from a variation of things such as smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity, etc. Addressing hypertension can be done medically or with a few lifestyle changes like weight loss, stop smoking, less alcohol consumption, less sodium intake in your diet. A regular exercise regimen or a combination of both medical treatment and lifestyle change can be beneficial.
Arthritis
Arthritis is another common health problem that occurs in middle adulthood. Arthritis is when one feels stiffness and pain in their joints and has trouble moving around like they did before. According to the CDC, about 1 in every 5 American adults will have doctor-diagnosed arthritis. There are various types of arthritis such as Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid, which are two of the most commons types of arthritis. Osteoarthritis is where the cartilage loses its elasticity. Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory form of arthritis where the synovial membrane is attacked and results in swelling and pain. If rheumatoid arthritis is left untreated, it can lead to deformity. Arthritis can be assisted with medication as well as physical and occupational therapy. The occupational and physical therapy will help with maintaining the joint mobility and the range of motion, whereas the drugs will assist with the inflammation and pain that the person is experiencing from arthritis.
High Cholesterol High Cholesterol is a common health problem in middle adulthood. High cholesterol is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease that can lead to heart attacks. Modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors are two things that lead to high cholesterol levels. High cholesterol has no symptoms and should be blood tested every five years. When it comes to addressing and dealing with high cholesterol, there are two factors that seem to be highly modifiable which are diet and exercise and weight. With the diet limiting the intake of fat in your diet will help maintain cholesterol levels. You can also limit certain foods within in your diet that seem too high in cholesterol from your diet. Lifestyle changes are first line ways to reduce cholesterol levels, but if the lifestyle changes do not work and are unsuccessful there is lipid lowering drugs that may be prescribed by a physician to assist in reducing cholesterol levels
Diabetes
"Diabetes mellitus “often referred to as "diabetes," is a condition that causes blood sugar to rise to dangerous levels. When the body does not produce enough insulin or does not efficiently utilize the insulin, it provides; sugar levels increase and build up in the bloodstream. When this happen more serious health issues like damage to the eyes, kidneys, nerves or heart can occur. ("American Heart Association", 2012). Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes and is the form that was once primarily affecting middle-aged adults. Hypertension also known as high blood pressure often accompanies diabetes in middle age and puts people at risk for diabetic vascular complications. ("American Heart Association", 2012). Unhealthy eating habits, lack of exercise and other nutritional deficiencies are usually the cause of developing this disease.
Weight Gain The same unhealthy practices that contribute to diabetes also play a major part in weight gain that many middle-aged adults pick up. Some other reasons middle age adults tend to gain weight are changes with hormones that slows down the metabolism along with childbearing, retirement (being less active) and being content with life. Weight gain can occur for many reasons. However in middle age the mind and the body is not equipped to function as it once did which is why it is imperative to support the body and mind to maintain vitality and wellness.
Cancer
Having a positive outlook can be beneficial to anyone at any age even when faced with a critical health issue like Cancer. Cancer is a disease that causes the cells in the body to become abnormal then divide, spread and damage the body and overall health. Cancers of the prostate in males and Ovarian and breast in women are common in this stage of life. However with early screenings and preventative measures like diet, exercise and stress management this disease can be prevented or treated quickly to gain a better outcome. Cancer is not a death sentence even though it provokes fear in people's hearts. With the proper knowledge and application, all diseases can be concurred. Improvements in the physical health of middle age adults can happen naturally by eating healthy, replenishing the body with necessary nutrients, reducing stress and exercise.
Sexuality for Men and Women in Middle Adulthood Changes occur slowly and before you know it you are a middle aged adult. With middle age, you can find all kinds of areas on your body going south. For both women and men, our bodies break down muscles we use to have now changed loose on our upper arm. In the mornings where you use to jump up and get ready, now it takes a little bit to get out of bed. When the time is right, one of you might not be in the mood or can't perform. This is how it feels to become middle aged and experience your body changing.
Changes in Women For women as early as the age of 35 signs of menopause can occur. Menopause can show up between the ages of 35 to 50's years of age. The transition can take two to five years to bring on menopause. Women will start to see gray hairs appear; crow's feet and breast aren't so perky. The women's body is changing the female genitalia may become smaller; also breast may become smaller as well. With all this going on in the women's body, there is even more going on inside with the female organs. Going through menopause the female organs changes they start to die. The ovaries get small and no longer produce eggs to be fertilized. The uterus shrinks and hardens. But most women who are going through menopause have few if any disturbing symptoms. I do believe that it differs from women to women on if they are sexually active at this age. I know quite a few people in the 35 to 50's age group including myself, which is still sexually active. Still consider ourselves to believe we are still young.
Changes in Men For men as well as early as 35 to 60 years old the "midlife crisis" can take over the male. This is the same as menopause but for males the correct term for it is male climacteric. Male menopause is caused by two factors biological and psychological. The man begins to show signs of getting older like their hair begins to turn gray and fall out. He starts to notice the wrinkles around his eyes, and mouth. While the male is worrying about what the outside looks like the insides are decreasing and changing. The changes start in the heart and work its way down to the reproductive system all the way down to the gastrointestinal tract. The male production of testosterone decreases that are a natural male hormone that helps stimulate the sex characteristics, such as hair growth and prevents deterioration of the sex organs in later life. The sex gland in men is the first organs to suffer the blow of age (chapter 10, p.424).
Compare the constructs of female menopause and the male climacteric Through the decades, menopause has been something that has been looked at only to happen to women. Hot flashes, fatigue, infertility, mood swings and so forth. The symptoms females experience during menopause it has been reported men have in the past and still today experience the same symptoms. Men have been experiencing these symptoms for years but have attributed them to getting old, and some men just found it best not to report the symptoms. Symptoms of menopause are psychological and physical, therefore, can be compared to the female's mid-life crisis syndrome menopause. This segment will look at what is menopause? And contrast the different symptoms if any that women and men experience in these life-changing events.
Female Menopause Menopause is a normal condition that women of every culture experience as they get older. Menopause can be described of the many changes women go through just before or after she stops menstruating and fertility. This marks the end of her reproductive period. The stage happens in the 40s and 50s, but the average age is 50s. The physical and emotional symptoms that come along with menopause are the inability to sleep, hot flashes, fatigue, feeling sad, anxiety and many more.
What is male menopause? Male menopause or what are also known as male climacteric deals with the hormonal, physiological and chemical changes that happen in all men from all cultures. They usually start experience these symptoms as early as the age of 40-55. It's a physical condition accompanied with psychological, interpersonal and spiritual dimensions. Symptoms men may experience during this time are depression, nervousness, tiredness and fatigue, poor concentration, increased body mass/fat, erectile dysfunction, decreased bone and muscle mass plus many more other symptoms. As we look at what menopause is for both male and female, there seems to be a lot of similarities. Men experience what women experience. Even though for years menopause has only been viewed as a women problem, but we can now put a name to the life changes men have been experiencing right along.
The effect of stress, gender, and cultural differences on healthy living Stress is a major factor that can affect healthy living in an individual. Stress is a feeling of tension or pressure that can cause mental and physical abnormalities, as well as negative emotional effects.
Gender
An individual's gender can also affect the way that an individual copes with stress. Men under stress tend to place less emphasis on how they manage stress while women tend to place more serious emphasis on the way that they handle their stress. Research has also proved that prolonged periods of stress causes a hormone known as cortisol to be released to decrease cell function. American Institute of Stress. (2011).
Stress
Stress is a factor that can also vary by society. In some organizations, individuals may use stress as a motivating factor in their life. In other cultures, stress may be viewed as a result of an individual doing making mistakes or a form of Karma for wrong doings. Therefore, stress can be reduced or prevented according to how an individual views a situation or subject. Nevertheless, stress in any individual can have a major effect on healthy living according to how an individual view and cope with their stress. Learning and teaching coping skills and how to recognize and reduce stress is important and necessary to improve and maintain healthy living.
Conclusion
Middle adulthood is a natural stage in life. Although many physical and cognitive changes occur during this time, many people in this stage of life are confident content, and happy. With all things there are pros and cons; likewise with middle adulthood there are things that one may face that are not pleasant. However with a positive mindset and a real support system anything can be overcome.

References
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Sherita, H. G., Wang, N., Klag, M. J., Meoni, L. A., & Brancati, F. L. (2003). Blood pressure in young adulthood and the risk of type 2 diabetes in middle age. Diabetes Care, 26(4), 1110-5. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/220155992?accountid=35812
(Biological Aspects of Young and Middle Adulthood, chapter 10, p. 417 and p. 421,424)
Liebmann-Smith, J. (1992). Male Menopause: Fact or fiction? American Druggist, 205, 48-53. The decline men experience is due to a hormonal decline as in female menopause.
Zastrow, Charles, and Karen Kay Kirst-Ashman, "Chapter 10: Biological aspects of young and middle adulthood.” Understanding human behavior and the social environment. Australia: Thomas Brooks/Cole, 2007.Npag.web
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American Heart Association. (2012). About Diabetes. Retrieved from http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/Diabetes/AboutDiabetes/About-Diabetes_UCM_002032_Article.jsp
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/