The body requires holistic nourishment alongside targeted care. What threats do different body parts fear most? Life Times reporters interviewed multiple experts to summarize 10 health hazards demanding urgent attention.
Hair fears hair dye most.
Liang Yanhua, Associate Professor of Dermatology at Southern Medical University's Southern Hospital, explains that benzene compounds like p-phenylenediamine in some dyes can penetrate the cuticle layer of hair, triggering oxidative reactions that cause dryness, breakage, and even hair loss. Perming also severely damages hair.Middle-aged and elderly individuals should limit hair dyeing to no more than twice a year. Opt for lighter shades when dyeing, and avoid coloring hair on hazy days. Sunburn is skin's worst enemy. The very sunlight we rely on daily is skin aging's primary culprit.He Li, Director of the Department of Dermatology and Venereology at Kunming Medical University First Affiliated Hospital, explains that ultraviolet rays not only roughen skin and cause pigmentation but also trigger photodermatitis, worsen freckles and melasma, and may even induce cancer. Avoid prolonged outdoor exposure during peak sunlight hours. Apply sunscreen before going out and wear a sun hat or use a sun umbrella.Additionally, ensuring adequate sleep and consuming plenty of fruits and vegetables are crucial for skin health.
Wrists are most vulnerable to calcium deficiency.
"Falls frequently cause fractures in middle-aged and elderly individuals, with the most common sites being the wrist, hip, and lumbar spine.""On one hand, the wrist is located at the end of the bone. When falling, most people instinctively use their wrists to brace themselves, making them prone to fractures. On the other hand, middle-aged and elderly individuals are highly susceptible to osteoporosis, which makes their bones brittle," said Wen Jianmin, Director of the Second Department of Orthopedics at Wangjing Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences.Therefore, when falling, consciously adopt an athlete's "rolling" technique or land on your buttocks first. Regardless of immediate pain, promptly seek medical imaging. Consuming dairy and soy products, getting adequate sunlight, and supplementing calcium are all crucial.
Professor Jiang Zefei, Director of the Breast Cancer Department at PLA 307 Hospital, notes that modern women face high stress, poor sleep, and irregular schedules, leading to endocrine disorders that trigger breast diseases. This represents internal pressure on the breasts. Research shows prolonged bra wear (over 10 hours daily) constitutes external pressure, significantly increasing the risk of breast disorders.Women are advised to balance work and rest, reduce consumption of high-fat foods, and remove bras during sleep. Weekends offer an opportunity to give breasts a break by going braless.
The digestive system is most vulnerable to cold and raw foods.
Professor Li Bin, Deputy Director of the Gastroenterology Department at the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, explains that the stomach thrives on warmth and fears cold foods, as they trigger stress responses. Meals and beverages should ideally be around 37°C (98.6°F). To nurture digestive health, prioritize the stomach's five "good friends": consume warm, moist, and juicy foods;Eat regular, balanced meals; chew thoroughly and slowly; massage your abdomen frequently; maintain a positive mindset. The liver fears excessive alcohol consumption. Ninety percent of alcohol is metabolized by the liver, and a single bout of drunkenness is equivalent to contracting hepatitis once. Xu Qian, Director of the Infectious Diseases Department at China-Japan Friendship Hospital, notes that long-term excessive drinking can lead to alcoholic fatty liver disease, alcoholic hepatitis, and even progress to cirrhosis or liver cancer.Avoid drinking on an empty stomach and minimize binge drinking. Men should consume less than 40 grams of alcohol daily, while women should limit intake to under 20 grams. Alcohol content is calculated by multiplying the volume (in milliliters) by the alcohol percentage, then multiplying by 0.8.
The reproductive system is most vulnerable to poor habits.
Women are prone to gynecological issues like vaginitis, while men often struggle with prostate conditions—both closely tied to lifestyle habits. Wang Sumei, Associate Chief Physician at Beijing Chaoyang Hospital's Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, explains that many gynecological disorders, including vaginitis, stem from prolonged sitting and infrequent underwear changes.Women should choose loose, breathable cotton underwear and wash the external genitalia daily with clean water. Zhang Zhichao, Director of the Andrology Center at Peking University First Hospital, reminds men that prolonged sitting directly compresses the prostate, causing damage comparable to smoking and heavy drinking. Therefore, stand up and move around for 10 minutes after every hour of sitting. Maintain regular exercise, avoid overeating, quit smoking, and limit alcohol consumption.
Knees are most vulnerable to excessive strain.
During walking, knee pressure multiplies several times compared to a relaxed state. Wen Jianmin notes that many middle-aged and elderly individuals walk for one to two hours at a time, which easily leads to bone spurs, thinning of the meniscus, and cartilage damage causing pain and swelling.It's recommended to take a 40-50 minute stroll daily, walking 70-80 steps per minute with each step covering 50-60 centimeters. If you feel this isn't enough exercise, consider swimming or practicing Tai Chi.
Legs are most vulnerable to prolonged inactivity.
Dr. Shaker, a U.S. government expert on aging, notes that without active exercise starting at age 20, individuals may lose 5% of their muscle mass every decade.
Some seniors dislike moving around, which can lead to reduced muscle elasticity at best and impaired blood circulation at worst. Try practicing leg shaking exercises: sit upright on a firm chair with calves perpendicular to the seat, then shake your legs vigorously.Some seniors avoid walking, which can lead to reduced muscle elasticity at best and impaired blood circulation at worst. Try practicing leg shaking: Sit upright on a firm chair with calves perpendicular to the seat. Shake legs in alternating left-up/right-down or right-up/left-down motions for 3–5 minutes per session. You may also gently tap the front and sides of thighs while shaking.
Feet suffer most from ill-fitting shoes.
Improper footwear causes significant harm to feet. Wen Jianmin notes that high heels pose the greatest risk, leading to issues like bunions and forefoot pain while also affecting the pelvis, ankles, knees, hips, and spine.For middle-aged and elderly individuals, ill-fitting shoes are the worst enemy. When selecting shoes, always choose ones that securely cover the heel and have soles of appropriate firmness. Those with flat feet, inward-turned walking (pigeon-toed), outward-turned walking (duck-footed), or bowlegs are advised to purchase insoles or orthotics from rehabilitation centers.