5 Health Problems That Don’t Just Affect The Elderly

There are many health problems that we associate with old age. While you’re more likely to get them in your senior years, it doesn’t mean that you can’t get them when you’re young. In fact, many of these health problems are more common in younger people than you may realize. Therefore, it’s important to know the symptoms and take preventative measures at any age. Below are just some examples of health problems that you’re not too young for. 

Hearing loss

If you’ve been struggling to follow conversations or have been told you turn the TV up too high, it could be a sign that you’re already experiencing hearing loss. While hearing loss occurs naturally with age, many people can develop hearing loss earlier as a result of spending time in noisy environments without hearing protection (such as music venues or construction sites). This is why long-term hearing care is important. Make sure you wear earplugs in noisy environments and book regular hearing tests to check your hearing quality.

Arthritis

Arthritis can develop at any age. In fact, there are many people in their 20s and 30s who develop it. Characterized by pain in the joints, arthritis can have many possible causes. In many old people, it is often linked to physical inactivity.

However, in younger people, arthritis is actually more common in athletes and dancers – often as a result of sports injuries that do not heal properly as a result of not following a strict recovery plan. Taking steps to avoid such injuries and taking the recovery process seriously could prevent you developing osteoarthritis early. At the same time, don’t avoid exercise altogether, as this could lead to arthritis when you’re older. 

High blood pressure

High blood pressure is a leading cause of heart attacks and strokes in older people. However, it’s not just seniors who develop high blood pressure. 1 in 10 young adults are believed to have high blood pressure.

Stress, smoking, heavy drinking, drug use, poor diet and pregnancy are all things that can put you at risk. It’s worth getting your blood pressure checked regularly, as high blood pressure doesn’t always have any visible symptoms, making it a silent killer.  

Diabetes

You are more likely to develop diabetes in old age, however you can develop it at any age. Some people are born with diabetes (type 1), but do not realize it until they reach their teens as symptoms start to get bad. Others develop diabetes as a result of lifestyle factors (type 2) like poor diet and lack of exercise.

If you are young and obese, you are at greater risk of developing diabetes. Some telltale early signs include needing to urinate a lot, always feeling thirsty or feeling unusually tired. 

Cancer

Cancer can develop anywhere in the body at any age. Older people are more likely to develop cancer as a result of poor lifestyle choices. However, young people frequently get cancer too – often for no reason. Cancer is often associated with death, but it is actually very easy to treat when caught early. This is why you need to keep an eye out for unusual symptoms such as lumps, strange moles, changes in bowel habits, a persistent cough or unexplained weight loss.