Have you ever heard of geroscience? It’s a relatively new field and it’s the study of aging. The National Institute on Aging defines it as the “intersection of basic aging biology, chronic disease, and health.”

So, you just got vaccinated and might be wondering, now what? Does this mean I can go wherever I want? Hug anyone? Hop on a plane? Throw my masks away?

When people turn fifty, it’s typically a crucial year for many people. Not just because it’s the big 5-0, either. Being fifty has been shown to kick of a number of health-related issues into high gear. However, many of them are also signs that might be easy to spot if you know what to look for. So, if you’re over forty, you might just want to perk up and pay attention. Here ‘s a list of 11 important health signs you need to be on the lookout for before your turn fifty (and of course, afterward).

For those who don’t know, gout is an inflammatory arthritis and it affects about 4% of adults. Gout is caused by hyperuricemia, which basically means too much uric acid builds up in the body. When this happens, crystals can get deposited in the joints, which can trigger the swelling and inflammation.

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive nervous system condition that’s caused by a loss in neurons in a location of the brain called the substantia nigra. It’s located about mid-brain, right above where the spinal cord connects. The substantia nigra has two halves, and sometimes, one side is more affected than another.