Your health is a crucial aspect of your daily life, and it’s never too early to start paying attention to it. These days, it’s even more common that younger people are experiencing certain medical conditions previously thought to be linked to older adults, with research revealing that 12 young adults below the age of 35 die weekly from undiagnosed heart problems. This is increasingly becoming an alarming reality, and the fact that this is an emerging health trend makes it important to know what these health issues are. Here are three health problems you are not too young for.
Cardiovascular issues
Beyond its high prevalence among older adults, studies show that this medical condition is claiming many young lives. The sad part about it is that many young adults are diagnosed posthumously, but even that isn’t compelling this generation to get regular checks. The mind-boggling question now is, what is causing the rise in cases? Expert opinions say sedentary lifestyles, increasing stress levels, and poor dietary choices are the top three causes of the rise in cardiovascular cases. All three suggest that an increasing number of young people are making poor lifestyle choices that make them susceptible to cardiovascular conditions. However, these heart problems do not spring up suddenly because research has proven that they start earlier, in the teens to twenties. Unhealthy habits like excessive alcohol intake, and lack of exercise cause the arteries to harden and narrow, and this is known in the medical world as atherosclerosis. You have a better chance to reduce your risks by adopting heart-healthy habits early in life and healthy coping mechanisms to manage stress.
Conception issues
A woman’s eggs are of their highest quality from late teens until the twenties. After age 35, these eggs begin a rapid decline in their numbers and quality. This biological phenomenon is what triggers infertility among older women trying to start a family. Although this still holds for many women, there are other reasons for infertility. Unmanaged stress and environmental toxins can cause fertility problems for both genders, but women are more predisposed to them. A 2022 NHS report stated that more young people under age 35 have been seeking fertility treatments, and with an impressive IVF success rate, more are likely to follow suit. In vitro fertilisation gives hope to many couples seeking to conceive and start a family. IVF success rate is however influenced by other factors like specialist expertise and underlying health conditions. The latter is crucial for young people who wish to know the cause of these conception challenges.
Mental health challenges
Mental decline in old age is common because of the toll aging has on the body. Years of medical research prove that the brain shrinks in age, and this atrophy is due to the decline in brain tissue mass. Aside from the physical atrophy, it also causes a decline in cognitive function, and that’s where the risk of mental disorders increases. With this background, why has there been an increase in mental health challenges among the younger generation? Academic performance pressures, career expectations, and increased drug use among young adults fuel increasing mental health cases in young people. Mental health experts say early detection and intervention can stop the disorder from getting out of control. Fortunately, a supportive environment can help resolve what would have turned out to be a chronic mental health issue.
Although you’re never too young to contract certain ailments, the good news is most of these can be turned around with the right interventions.
Main Image – Photo by Puwadon Sang-ngern: https://www.pexels.com/photo/crop-woman-with-heart-on-palms-5340280/