Harvard Health Content API

Nutritional deficiencies become more common as women get older. Vitamins B12 and D, iron, and calcium are among the most common deficiencies with age. It’s important for women to be checked for deficiencies and to take a supplement if needed.

Poor sleep is linked to poor heart health. That goes double for people with sleep apnea, who stop breathing many times during the night.

Common foot problems include fallen arches, Achilles tendinitis, pinched nerves in the foot, ingrown toenails, and plantar fasciitis. When these conditions occur, it is best to get to a doctor as soon as possible.

Exercise to strengthen an arthritic knee reduces pain and improves daily functioning. It is important to match the right type and amount of exercise to the arthritis condition. Severe knee arthritis limits the amount of exercise possible.

Transient ischemic attacks are strokes that “clear up” within a few hours. They should be treated with the same urgency as a longer-lasting stroke. Delay can result in damage to the brain or a larger stroke.

Loss of bone strength in men happens at an older age than in women. Men can take steps to prevent bone loss and harmful fractures, such as taking enough calcium and vitamin D. Some men may benefit from bone strength testing.

More women are remaining sexually active after menopause, but concern about sexually transmitted infections has not been a priority, leading to an increase in such infections.