The Truth About The Effects of Aging

Too often, those of us in our late 30s, 40s and 50s are told by our physicians that our experiences with our mind and bodies are just “normal parts of aging.” Fortunately, it may not just be aging that has you feeling different. It might be your hormones and that means there is something we can actually do to change how you feel and what is happening to your body for the better.

I was taught as a resident (training) physician that when someone in this (my) age range complained about lack of energy, poor sleep, decreased concentration, increased anxiety, weight gain, muscle loss, etcetera, that the patient might be depressed, have anxiety, insomnia or just signs of normal aging. The reality is that all of these symptoms and more (worsening premenstrual syndrome for women, lack of sex drive in men and women, and irritability, just to name a few) are very often the direct result of hormonal changes in our bodies.

The good news is that these changes are easily detectable in blood work and easily treated with hormonal therapies directed at the specific imbalances. Make no mistake, this is not your grandmother’s hormone therapy of an estrogen patch or pill without any labs to follow the results. It’s also not the old-time testosterone therapy for men, which was usually a shot of testosterone every two weeks without any labs.

No, state-of-the-art hormonal therapy is based on sound scientific evidence and labs that tell us which hormones your body and brain needs, how much of these hormones your body and brain needs, and when your body and brain needs them.

Notice, I said brain. There is a growing body of literature that demonstrates that the human brain needs these hormones (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone and thyroid hormones) to function at its best. Better brain and better body function simply means a better you.

So, before you give in to “normal aging,” get your hormones checked. You may not have suddenly become depressed, anxious or fatigued for no reason. There could be a biological reason that you don’t feel like yourself anymore. You may not need an antidepressant, AMBIEN®, or ADDERALL® for your new problems. You may just need to get your hormones right.

Let’s be honest, hormones are not the cause of every problem we encounter through the aging process. But, I am convinced that they can be a large part of why we feel, think and look different as we age. If they are a part of that problem, why not find out what is going on and fix that first? As someone who has experienced hormonal deficiency first hand and thought it was depression, I can tell you that there isn’t a medication in the world that can make up for a hormonal deficiency. And what is more natural than giving our bodies and our brains the natural molecules they need for us to function and feel our best?

Thank you for your time. If this article is resonating with you, please let us talk to you more about how your hormones might be an issue.

Board certified in antiaging and family medicine, Paul E. Cox, MD, MS, is an expert at turning back time. Firmly rooted in a scientific approach, Vital Living Healthcare focuses on early detection, prevention, and innovative treatments to reverse age-related decline. By using state-of-the-art equipment and techniques, along with focusing on all aspects of your health (mind, body, spirit, and surroundings), Dr. Cox will create a comprehensive and personalized design for maintaining or reclaiming your health and vitality. Experience the healthcare you deserve and schedule your complimentary consultation with Dr. Cox today.

Paul E. Cox, MD, MS • Vital Living Healthcare • (404) 843-3636 • www.vitallivinghealthcare.com