It's Time To Get Real About These Health Problems That You Thought You Were Too Young For

As an avid generation of Googlers, young people are notoriously on the cautious side medically speaking. We only have to experience a headache before we start researching and drawing bleak conclusions. Yet, when it comes to certain ‘elderly’ health complaints, we often assume that we simply don’t need to worry.

But, did you know that everything from our static lifestyles to our highly processed diets means that millennials and Gen Zers are at an increased risk of certain so-called ‘elderly’ health problems? We’ll be considering just a few of the health problems you thought you were too young for, and why that might not actually be the case.

1. High Blood Pressure
Few people below the age of 40 even consider what’s going on with their blood pressure. But, there are some worrying studies emerging to suggest that hypertension (a fancy word for high blood pressure) is actually one of the most common health complaints amongst millennials. And that isn’t exactly surprising.

After all, the main causes of high blood pressure include lack of sleep, diets high in sodium and sugar, and general stress. And what millennial doesn’t relate to that? Getting a blood pressure check with your doctor is the best way to be sure whether you fall into the ‘young-with-hypertension’ category or not. If you do, let this be your wakeup call to start reaching for whole grains instead of pizza, make restful sleep a priority, and generally get your stress levels under control.

2. Hearing Loss
You may be accustomed to shouting loudly so Grandma can hear you, but have you ever considered the health of your own hearing? According to the experts, exposure to smartphone audio and loud live music means that many millennials and Gen Zers are paying a high hearing-based price.

If you notice symptoms such as ringing in your ears or requiring subtitles on the television, then you certainly shouldn’t hesitate to get a hearing check, which can confirm whether or not there’s a problem. Luckily, hearing aids have also developed to suit a younger audience. The use of smart features and innovative materials in hearing aids means there’s no reason for younger wearers not to feel comfortable even after the worst hearing diagnosis!

3. Cancer
Look, we’d love to keep this article lighthearted, but there’s something you need to know – more young people are currently getting cancer than ever before. This is especially true for typically age-related cancers like breast and prostate cancer, and it’s something Millennials and Gen Zers need to be aware of.

We won’t dwell on this for too long because we don’t want to end on a sad note, but it’s well worth looking up the symptoms for these cancers and, if you notice yourself experiencing any, definitely don’t just ignore them because you assume you’re too young to be affected. The evidence suggests otherwise!

If you care about your health, then it’s time to get age-inclusive by considering your potential to experience health problems like these.

This is a contributed post.

Photo: Modern Weekly