Doctor visits tend to increase with age but for most of us, these appointments focus mainly on treating existing conditions rather than preventing future ones. Health experts say that after 50, proactive
conversations with your doctor can make a major difference to long-term wellbeing.
According to Dr. Sushila Kataria, Head and Senior Director of the Department of Internal Medicine, Medanta – The Medicity, Gurgaon, ageing brings predictable changes that make prevention more important than ever.
“Doctor visits become frequent and unavoidable as we age. This is because ageing adults are more likely to suffer from chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney diseases, lung diseases and heart diseases.”
She adds that prevention often gets overlooked in routine consultations. “Most of the visits are focused on management of these conditions and their symptoms. But how many of us talk to our doctors about prevention and a healthy lifestyle?”
Ageing itself brings physical changes that increase vulnerability to illness. “After the age of 50, our immune system also weakens, a process known as Age Related Decline in Immunity (ARDI) making ageing adults vulnerable to infectious diseases and their complications.”
Because of these changes, experts say certain conversations with doctors become essential.
Health Check-Ups: What, How And When
Routine screenings are widely recommended, but they need to be personalised. “Everyone knows health check-ups are necessary for detecting chronic diseases. But today, a health checkup can also provide detailed insights on the lifestyle modifications needed to prevent chronic diseases.”
Regular monitoring can also reduce long-term treatment needs.
“Annual health checkups have shown to improve health of ageing adults, leading to lesser use of medicines.”
However, unnecessary testing can also be a concern. “While health checkups can help with early diagnosis of diseases or other prevailing conditions, it is also important to be watchful and aware of overdiagnosis, which refers to the detection of a condition whose symptoms may not affect an individual in their lifetime.”
“Overdiagnosis could lead to unnecessary treatment and adverse effects of treatment in patients. It could also become a cause for anxiety in patients.”
Because of this, expert guidance is crucial. “A doctor’s guidance and advice is therefore critical to understand the type of tests you need to undergo and their frequency.”
Diet: What To Eat And What To Avoid
Nutrition plays a major role in health after 50, particularly in immune function and disease management. “Diet also plays a key role in management of existing chronic conditions such as heart diseases, diabetes and high blood pressure.”
But dietary changes should be medically guided. “It may not be right to start a new dietary regimen at this age without consulting your doctor. A conversation with your doctor will help you understand what kind of diet to follow and also guide your nutritionist to give the correct plan based on your health needs,” she adds.
Physical Activity: Type And Frequency
Exercise remains essential for healthy ageing, but must be appropriate to one’s health condition. “Physical activity is an important aspect of one’s lifestyle, especially as we age. Regular physical activity can help mitigate complications of chronic diseases and can also improve our mental health,” the doctor adds.
However, caution is important. “It is important to consult a doctor before engaging in any new exercise regimen. Intense physical activity can sometimes do more harm than good, especially in ageing adults.”
Some older adults may also hesitate to move enough. Medical advice helps find the right balance. “Talk to your doctor about the right kind of physical activity that is suited to you according to your age and health status.”
Vaccine-Preventable Diseases: Risks And Prevention
Infections become more serious with age, particularly for those with chronic conditions. “As we get older, our vulnerability to VPDs such as flu, pneumonia, and shingles increases.” These illnesses can also complicate existing diseases.
“These infections tend to be more severe in ageing adults with chronic conditions and can also impact the management of chronic conditions.” Awareness and prevention remain low. However, Dr Kataria adds, “The recent India Shingles Action Survey 2026 found that 48% of adults with chronic disease over 50 years do not discuss shingles with their doctor.”
Preventive care should be discussed proactively. “Talk to your doctor about infectious diseases and their preventive measures such as vaccination.”
