Are You At Risk? 3 Debilitating Illnesses Wrongly Associated with Only the Old

When we're young, we tend to think we're invincible. Fit and healthy, we don't need to worry about illness or disease until we reach old age, right? Wrong! Although certain conditions are more common amongst the elderly, young people can be affected by a range of debilitating illnesses too.

Fortunately, with modern technology, many young people are still able to live an active and full life in spite of illness, but it doesn't hurt to be educated about your health, understanding more about who's at risk, and how you can help keep yourself healthy.

1. Arthritis

Arthritis affects more than 12,000 children under the age of 16 in the UK. Although both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis are more common in those over 40 years of age, the conditions can appear at any time, and are more common in women and in those who have sustained muscle injury.

Fortunately, the risk of severe disability resulting from arthritis in young people is just 8 percent and there are a number of treatments and pieces of equipment that can help sufferers live a near normal life.

Maintaining a healthy weight and diet can help, undertaking gentle exercise can help you stay active and boost your confidence and mobility aids can make it easier to get around. Think stairlifts are just for old people? No way! Believe it or not, stairlifts are actually becoming quite trendy, with outdoor stairlifts being the ultimate in stylish and hip equipment!

2. Osteoporosis

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More than 3 million people in the UK suffer with osteoporosis and while older women are most vulnerable, the disease can affect both men and women of all ages.

You're considered to be more at risk if you eat a poor diet, have severe hormone imbalances, or have suffered with drug or alcohol addiction. Osteoporosis affects the bones, making them more susceptible to fracturing. It can make getting around quite difficult and make socialising difficult.

While eating a healthy diet is important, it has been found that osteoporosis in young people may be caused by disuse of the bones in the body. It has been suggested that vigorous exercise can help prevent the onset of osteoporosis, as those who partake in aerobic exercise exhibit greater bone density than those who do not. Staying active and eating well are some of the best ways to prevent disease and illness during your youth.

3. Alzheimer's

Alzheimer's is a frightening condition that affects memory and behaviour and while it is more common in the elderly, around 2 percent of sufferers in the UK are diagnosed before the age of 65.

Alzheimer's is caused by deterioration of the brain, which is largely related to age, but other risk factors include a family history of the disease, chromosomal abnormalities, head injury and an unhealthy lifestyle (eg. smoking, overeating, drug use etc.). Depending on the severity of the condition, medication may be prescribed, but there are ways you can help prevent the onset of Alzheimer's and dementia naturally.



Physical activity can help with psychological conditions and puzzles may also be beneficial! Remember those brain training computer games that were all the rage a few years ago? They really can help keep your brain sharp!

As a young person, the possibility of illness and disease is terrifying, but it's important to remember that these conditions don't need to signify the end of life as you know it. Whether you choose to take medications, use natural treatments, or get help from mobility devices, you can still maintain an active, healthy, and fun lifestyle. Debilitating illness amongst young people is rare, but it can happen, so it's important to be educated and prepared.