The 4 medical conditions you’re NEVER too young to suffer – including silent killers
YOUNG people can often feel invincible — but that doesn’t mean they’re exempt from dangerous health conditions, doctors warn.
Deadly medical problems can hit at any age and it is vital you protect yourself early in life, according to experts at myGP.
From high blood pressure to certain types of cancer, you don’t have to be approaching retirement to be at risk of serious health problems, they say.
Ensuring you follow a good diet, exercise regularly and cut down on smoking and drinking could be key to lowering your chances of getting the diseases.
1. High blood pressure
Around one in three Brits suffer with hypertension — the medical term for high blood pressure.
Of those, some 1.3million are thought to be aged under 45 and undiagnosed, according to the British Heart Foundation.
Often the condition has no obvious signs, but it is responsible for more than half of all strokes and heart attacks.
Doctors say it is essential you get yours checked by a GP or pharmacist and make sure you look after your lifestyle as well.
Dr Harriet Leyland, a clinical advisor to myGP, said: “As well as going for an annual blood pressure check-up at your GP surgery or in many local pharmacies, there are lifestyle changes that can help too.
“For example, eating a healthy diet including cutting back on salt and processed foods and increasing your fibre intake, reducing alcohol consumption, exercising regularly, and — if you smoke — consider stopping.”
2. Type 2 diabetes
Another condition young people can be at risk of is type 2 diabetes.
More than 5million Brits are thought to be living with the disease, with cases doubling in the last 15 years.
The NHS spends at least £10billion a year on it — around 10 per cent of the entire health service budget.
It causes blood sugar levels to become too high because the body does not produce enough of the hormone insulin, which breaks down glucose.
Rates have surged in under-40s by around 23 per cent in the last five year, with the number expected to rise to 200,000 by 2027.
Doctors say it is vital you get checked if you’re worried about your blood sugar levels, the condition can be managed with treatments and lifestyle changes.
Regular exercise and more physical activity in general can help keep symptoms at bay, they say.
3. Bowel cancer
Bowel cancer is the fourth most common form of cancer in Britain and 42,000 people are diagnosed every year.
Screening is now available to everyone in England aged 50 or more thanks to the Sun’s No Time 2 Lose campaign, having previously only been offered to over-60s.
But experts warn colorectal cancer can strike at any age, and everyone should be alert to symptoms.
These include blood in your poo, needing to go the toilet more often and stomach pain.
The campaign was spearheaded by campaigner and Sun columnist Dame Deborah James who was diagnosed with the disease at the age of 35 in 2016.
The mum-of-two spent five years urging people to learn the symptoms, raising awareness before she died at the age of 40, last June.
Scientists are unsure of its exact causes, but it is thought too much booze and not eating enough fibre could have a role to play.
myGP advises everyone consumes more plant-based food, eats less processed meat, and limits alcohol consumption.
4. Osteoporosis
Weak bones are often associated with the elderly.
But osteoporosis can strike as early as your 20s, and is particularly prevalent in women.
Hormone changes can cause a drop in bone density, making you vulnerable to the condition.
Everyone starts losing density in their bones by age 35 so it is vital you minimise the chances of osteoporosis.
Dr Leyland advises you get enough vitamin D through exposure to sunlight and consume dairy products, fish, and eggs.
Regular physical activity and weight-bearing, resistance exercises can be extremely useful too, she said.