Ask the expert
Q HOW DO YOU TELL WHEN SOMETHING IS A PROBLEM AND NOT JUST PART OF GETTING OLDER?
A Generally, you shouldn’t just accept any acute or prolonged symptom as part of growing older without discussing it with your doctor. Things do inevitably change as we age, however, sudden deterioration in any function, intolerable or worsening pain, prolonged symptoms such as a cough, indigestion, unexplained weight loss and bleeding or bruising anywhere need investigation.
Conditions related to ageing, such as type 2 diabetes, benign prostate enlargement in men, menopausal changes and fibroids in women, even
