Enjoy Retirement Today

Retirement changes many routines. The morning alarm disappears, office deadlines become history and there is finally more control over how we spend our time. One routine, however, should become more disciplined after 60: looking after our health. Many people visit a doctor only when something hurts. That approach can be risky because high blood pressure, diabetes, osteoporosis and several cancers may develop without obvious early symptoms. A sensible post-retirement habit is therefore to schedule a preventive health review at least once a year. This does not mean ordering every test advertised in a hospital package. A doctor should recommend investigations according to your age, sex, family history, existing conditions, medicines and previous results. Consult Doctor Before Tests Blood pressure deserves regular attention. Hypertension may remain unnoticed for years, and preventive guidelines recommend screening adults aged 40 and above annually. Blood sugar and cholesterol shoul...

At 70, Vijay Kumar leads the kind of life usually associated with healthy ageing. A retired employee of the Chandigarh UT administration, he lives in Zirakpur, Punjab, follows a disciplined routine and is a vegetarian. He neither smokes nor consumes alcohol. Even his morning tea has traditionally included herbs. As a member of the 5AM Bliss Wellness community, he remains conscious about health and wellbeing. Yet an unexpected medical discovery changed his life. Vijay consulted a doctor for constipation, an apparently unrelated problem. During the investigation, tests revealed suspicious spots on his left kidney. Further examinations, including ultrasound and CT scans, eventually established that the growth was cancerous. The most surprising part was that Vijay had experienced no pain or discomfort associated with the kidney problem. There had been no obvious warning that something serious was developing inside his body. After consultations with several doctors, removal of the affe...