There are certain illnesses that seem to be reserved for a specific age group. Croup, for example, is seen as the remit of babies. Only teenagers going through puberty are supposed to get acne. However, by far the largest number of health conditions per demographic tend to occur in the elderly.
While it’s understandable that this is the case, the truth is that health conditions — even those you may have been tempted to dismiss as being “for elderly people” — can strike at any time. If you want to be truly vigilant about all aspects of your health, then it’s important not to dismiss prevention ideas for the following conditions…
Arthritis
Arthritis is perhaps the defining physical “elderly person” illness, but this inflammatory condition can develop at any age. As a result, thousands of younger people to require help with arthritis management despite their relative youth; in fact, 7% of all arthritis sufferers are younger than 44.
Prevention tips:
- Weight bearing exercise is thought to be beneficial in helping to prevent arthritis.
- Protect your joints with supports and tape when exercising.
- Increase your intake of omega 3 fatty acids.
Dementia
If arthritis is the defining physical “elderly person” illness, then dementia is by far the ultimate mental “elderly person” illness. However, just like arthritis, dementia can impact those of far younger ages than would be considered typical. Statistics show that 5% of dementia sufferers are classed as being “early onset”; i.e. below the age of 65.
Prevention tips:
- Keep your mind active; learn new skills throughout life
- As with the prevention of arthritis, eat plenty of omega 3 fatty acids
- Partake in light exercise regularly
Lumbago
Lumbago — which is more commonly just referred to as “lower back pain” — may be a condition associated with older people, but lower back pain can occur at any age. Our backs are particularly vulnerable to wear and tear, so protecting this area is a vital component of maintaining your overall bodily health.
Prevention tips:
- Don’t stop. If your back is sore, exercise it; doctors now believe that bed rest actually does more harm than good.
- It’s an old trope, but a good one: when bending heavy objects, always bend with your knees, not your back.
- Work on exercises to strengthen your abdominal muscles; this can help to create a “second spine” that relieves some of the burden on your back. The video below has some excellent exercises you might want to try to get you started:
In conclusion
While it’s less likely that you will experience any of the above conditions at a young age, it’s important to remember that it’s not impossible. By ensuring you follow the best preventative steps and care for your well-being throughout life, you’ll ultimately be best placed to live life to its fullest potential.
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