Middle-aged individuals: Preventing baldness, coping with lower back and leg pain, and managing decreased libido

**100. How to prevent baldness?**

There's a Chinese idiom, "exceptionally intelligent," which leads many to jokingly refer to baldness as a sign of wisdom. Leaving aside whether baldness actually makes one smarter, even if it did, few people would willingly choose to be bald, as it affects appearance and can significantly disrupt daily life. However, while baldness is a troublesome issue, it's not entirely without solutions. Here are a few ways to prevent baldness:

(1) Micronutrient deficiency is one of the causes of hair loss. Eating more foods containing minerals such as iron, calcium, and zinc, as well as vitamins A, B vitamins, vitamin C, and protein, such as fish, soybeans, eggs, and lean meat, which are rich in protein, and seaweed and shellfish, which are rich in micronutrients, and spinach, asparagus, bananas, and pork liver, which are rich in vitamins B₂ and B₆, are all beneficial for protecting hair and delaying aging. Maintaining regular bowel movements is also beneficial for normal hair growth.

(2) Mental stress is a major cause of hair loss. Mental depression, instability, and anxiety can lead to hair loss; the deeper the depression, the faster the hair loss. The more stressful a man's life and the busier his work, the higher his chances of hair loss. Therefore, regularly practicing deep breathing, taking walks, and doing relaxation exercises can eliminate mental fatigue. After entering autumn, it is important to ensure sufficient sleep every day and soak your feet in hot water before bed. This will not only keep you energetic but also benefit your hair health.

(3) Keep your hair clean. Choose a shampoo that is non-irritating to the scalp and hair. When washing your hair, you can add a few drops of vinegar or a little salt to the water. The water should not be too hot or too cold. The interval between washing your hair is best 2 to 5 days. You need to massage your hair while washing it.

(4) Massage your scalp: Before going to bed and after waking up each day, insert your ten fingers into your hair and massage your scalp from your forehead over the top of your head to the back of your head for 2-4 minutes each time. Regular scalp massage can improve scalp nutrition, regulate sebum secretion, promote scalp blood circulation, and enhance local metabolism. Comb your hair with a boxwood comb or a boar bristle brush, which can remove dandruff, increase hair shine, and massage the scalp to promote blood circulation.

**101. Why do I often experience lower back and leg pain?**

If you experience frequent lower back and leg pain in middle age without any apparent injury, you should be especially vigilant, as you may have a herniated disc. A herniated disc is caused by the protrusion of the intervertebral disc under external force, leading to irritation or compression of adjacent spinal nerve roots, resulting in a series of clinical symptoms such as lower back pain, numbness or pain in one or both lower limbs.

If the following symptoms appear, lumbar disc herniation should be suspected.

(1) Pain in the lower back or unilateral lower limb after an injury above the waist.

(2) The pain in the lower back is mostly located on one side of the lower back, and the leg pain is mostly radiating pain from the buttocks to the distal end on one side, which may be accompanied by numbness.

(3) Pain or numbness in the saddle area (the part of the bicycle that contacts the seat) on one side or on the outer or inner side of the lower leg, the dorsum of the foot, or both sides, or pain and numbness at the same time.

(4) Lower back or leg pain, which can usually be relieved after bed rest, but the pain reappears after getting out of bed and moving around for a period of time.

(5) Pain worsens when walking, making it impossible to stand up completely. Most patients need to support the painful side of their lower back with their hands. Pain suddenly worsens when coughing, sneezing, or lifting heavy objects.

If you suffer from lumbar disc herniation, please pay attention to the following points:

(1) Sleep on a hard bed. Sleeping on a hard bed can reduce the pressure on the intervertebral discs.

(2) Keep your waist warm and try not to get cold. Wear a lumbar support belt during the day to strengthen the protection of your lower back and also help with the recovery of lumbar spine diseases.

(3) Avoid bending over and exerting force (such as mopping the floor) in normal times. During acute attacks, try to rest in bed as much as possible. After the pain subsides, pay attention to resting properly and avoid overexertion to prevent aggravating the pain.

(4) When lifting heavy objects, do not bend over. You should squat down first to pick up the heavy object, and then slowly stand up, trying to avoid bending over.

**102. What should I do if my libido declines after age 50?**

Everyone hopes to remain sexually active even in old age, but in reality, men generally begin to experience a decline in libido after the age of 50. Decreased libido in men refers to a significant reduction or lack of sexual desire in married men over a prolonged period. Normal libido varies greatly depending on individual physical condition and environment. Therefore, judging whether libido has declined should only be done by comparing it to one's own past libido, not by comparing it to that of others.

A prolonged decline in libido not only affects marital relationships but is often a reflection of physical and mental health, thus requiring sufficient attention. Timely health checkups are essential to identify and address any issues promptly. As married couples age, their libido naturally declines, a natural physiological change generally not considered pathological. Therefore, the following two points are crucial:

(1) Eliminate concerns. Decreased libido is a normal phenomenon in middle-aged people, but decrease does not mean complete disappearance, and temporary disappearance does not mean permanent disappearance. As long as you can correctly understand this physiological change and make psychological adjustments, you can fully restore and maintain sexual interest through counseling and treatment, and restore your sexual relationship to its original state.

(2) Talking freely about your feelings: Being able to freely express your fears, anger, grief, anxiety, and other uncomfortable emotions in front of a doctor helps to clear the confusion and distractions in your mind, which is a key step in reducing negative impacts. You will feel safe under the compassionate and unhurried questioning of a doctor.

Early detection and early treatment are essential for a healthy life.