5 Surprising Health Problems That Are Common To Young People

Oftentimes, we feel invincible when we are young. Young adults in their 20s don’t often think about health insurance to prepare them for any sickness any time soon. However, new research says that some health problems actually manifest early on. Don’t be surprised to learn that sickness associated with the older generation is now affecting younger adults. With the rise of obesity and sedentary lifestyle, there’s an increased risk for high cholesterol and high blood pressure in young adults, according to the Ciccarone Center for the Prevention of Heart Disease at the John Hopkins University. Lifestyle changes made early on can lower the risk of developing heart problems later in life.

Do take note of these five common health problems that young adults are now facing and make the necessary lifestyle changes to prevent them.

High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is when the blood pumps too forcefully against the walls of your blood vessels. Commonly called the silent killer, most people who have it don’t have outward symptoms even though it’s causing damages to some degree to the heart, kidney, blood vessels, and brain. Did you know that 7 percent of women ages 20 to 34 have high blood pressure? While it may seem low, young adults have lower chances of getting diagnosed and treated. This could result in heart disease or stroke later in life. Keeping your blood pressure healthy can reduce your risk of stroke by 48 percent.

Type 2 Diabetes

Another silent disease is type 2 diabetes, which you could have without even knowing. Unless you’re routinely checked every year, then chances of diagnosis and treatment are very low. Did you know that over 3 million women in the United States don’t know they have the disease? The leading risk is obesity and heart disease for this kind of disease. Younger adults, even children, have higher rates of obesity now more than ever. So watch out for those calories in your sweet treats next time.

Strokes

It is true that the majority of strokes occur in people over the age of 65. However, a recent study found there’s a risk in strokes among young adults aging 18 to 34. So it is quite wise to purchase a healthcare plan early on to ready yourself for this kind of emergency. They say that high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, and smoking can increase your chances of stroke. There’s also a greater risk among women with lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.

Colon And Rectal Cancer

The increase of colon and rectal cancer patients among young adults has caused an alarm in the medical community. However, experts are still unsure why there’s a spike of these diseases in the younger population. It is important to see your doctor right away if you see blood in your stool or notice any changes in your bowel habits. There’s also a higher risk if any of your family members have suffered from this type of cancer. It is advised to get screened early on – preferably 10 years before the age your family member was diagnosed. Investment in your health early on is always a good idea.

Brain Shrinkage

Brain shrinkage may sound intimidating but it’s actually a normal process of aging. However, there’s a faster decline in brain volume if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, or are overweight and smoking. As a result, this could potentially affect your mental capacity. Healthy choices early on can decrease the risk of rapid brain shrinking later in life. It is true then that the first half of your life will surely impact the second half of it. So make healthy choices and have regular visits to your doctor. Don’t forget to limit your sugar intake and exercise regularly to maintain an ideal weight. Check your blood pressure often, too! Getting health insurance can also save you a lot of headaches in the future.

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freestocks.org from Pexels That Are Common To Young People