Sophie Okolo, MPH

There are some health problems that we associate with old age, when in fact they can develop at any time in a person’s life. While it’s true that there may be an increased risk the older you get, you shouldn’t ignore these problems when you’re young. Below are some examples of health problems that you’re not too young to develop.

Hearing loss

Hearing loss can come with age, but it can also be caused by hereditary conditions, reactions to medication, ear injuries or noise exposure. The latter is one of the biggest causes of premature hearing loss – listening to music too loudly or being in loud environments without ear protection for prolonged periods can all damage our hearing. 1.35 billion teens and young adults are believed to experience hearing loss before they retire. Regular hearing exams at a family hearing practice can help to detect hearing loss early. You can manage hearing loss by wearing a hearing aid.

Back pain

Many old people experience back pain, but quite often this pain develops in our 20s and 30s. There are so many causes of back pain including pregnancy, weight gain, improperly carrying heavy objects, standing up for too long and poor posture while sitting down.. If you start to notice back pain that does not go away, see a doctor to help diagnose it. Some forms of back pain can be easily treated when you are young through physical therapy, medication and exercise. 

Stroke

About 10 to 15% of strokes occur in kids and adults under the age of 45. A stroke occurs when blood supply to the brain is cut off and it can be caused by many different factors including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes or an irregular heart beat. Strokes come with many early warning signs. Make sure that you are aware of these warning signs so that you can seek preventative medical treatment before a full-blown stroke occurs. 

Memory loss

While older people are more likely to experience memory loss, younger people are not immune. Sleep deprivation, drug use and alcoholism can all cause short term memory loss. Dementia is less common in young adults, but there are still cases of people in their 20s and 30s developing it. If you’ve noticed that you’re becoming more forgetful and it is inhibiting your daily life, it could be worth seeing a doctor.

Cancer

Cancer is more likely to affect older people, but can sadly develop at any age. Breast cancer, testicular cancer, skin cancer, cervical cancer and thyroid cancer are the cancers that are most likely to affect young adults. Different forms of cancer have different symptoms to look out for, but generally speaking you should be wary of any unusual lumps/growths and sudden fatigue/weight loss. Free cancer screenings are worth taking advantage of if you are offered them. Of course, you shouldn’t wait for one of these screening to be offered to you if you already think you may have cancer symptoms – see a doctor as soon as you can and you’ll be able to explore treatment optionsearly.