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Health Problems That Get More Common as You Age

If you are in your 20’s, you probably think that you do not have to worry about certain health problems, such as stroke and cancer, just yet.

If you are in your 20’s, you probably think that you do not have to worry about certain health problems, such as stroke and cancer, just yet. However, our bodies inevitably change as we get older, bringing on health problems that you might think you are too young for. This is why it’s important to do your research on websites like Rolling Paper that offer information on the latest health updates.

Coupled with increasingly sedentary lifestyles, these medical conditions become more common and more serious during adulthood.

Haemorrhoids

Haemorrhoids occur when the veins in the lower part of your anus and rectum become swollen, stretching and irritating the walls of these vessels. It can be easily prevented and treated, and although it can happen even to children, the likelihood of developing haemorrhoids increases as you age.

Chronic constipation, obesity, diarrhoea, sitting for too long, pregnancy, and heavy lifting can cause haemorrhoids. Its symptoms include discomfort, painless bleeding, irritation, lumps, and swelling in the anal area, and leaking faeces.

Haemorrhoids worsen over time, so it has to be treated immediately. There are over-the-counter medicines that you can apply to your haemorrhoids, in the form of ointments, pads, and suppositories.

If it has been weeks and your condition shows no signs of improvement despite using medicines, you need to consult with a gastroenterologist. The in-office procedures are often quick, so if you work in the Silicon Slopes, you can receive hemorrhoid treatment in Sandy over your lunch break.

High blood pressure

High blood pressure or hypertension is considered a silent killer. The people who have it often do not display symptoms, even though their condition is damaging the blood vessels, heart, kidneys, and brain.

When your blood pressure level rises too high and is left untreated, it increases your risk for a lot of other health conditions, such as heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and dementia. In men, hypertension can lead to erectile dysfunction, and preeclampsia or high blood pressure during pregnancy can worsen it in women.

Hypertension has many risk factors that you cannot control, such as genetics, age, and ethnicity. However, you can prevent it by monitoring your blood pressure levels, eating a balanced low-sodium diet, exercising regularly, and limiting your alcohol consumption. Treatment for hypertension often involves these lifestyle changes along with medication.

Type 2 diabetes

Diabetes disrupts the way your body utilises sugar from the food you eat, and type 2 or adult-onset diabetes is the most common type of diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is an incurable disease that makes your body resist insulin, the hormone that regulates the amount of glucose in your blood, preventing your body from properly using insulin. Because of the rising rates of obesity, sedentary lifestyle and improper nutrition, type 2 diabetes is on the rise, as well.

Its symptoms tend to be so mild some people don’t realise they have type 2 diabetes until it’s diagnosed. But, unlike hypertension, it has symptoms that you can watch out for, such as frequent urination, increased thirst, blurry vision, irritability or mood swings, wounds that do not heal, constant exhaustion, tingling or numbness in the hands and feet, and recurring yeast infections. Lifestyle changes can help you prevent type 2 diabetes, including eating better, exercising regularly, and monitoring your blood sugar levels.

There is no way to prevent your body from ageing and becoming more vulnerable to these conditions. However, adopting a healthier lifestyle and monitoring your health goes a long way in helping your body function at its best.