6 diseases that need to be prevented before age 30

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

If you do not take care of your health now, problems with the spine, joints and gums will cause a lot of suffering in the future.

You can listen to this article. Play a podcast if that's more comfortable for you.

Diseases that can develop at an early age

It used to be thought that many diseases mainly affect the elderly. But the situation is changing dramatically: the mass of pathologies is rapidly growing younger.

A list of diseases that usually appear before the age of 30 can be distinguished. Their development has been linked to, among other things, sedentary work, unhealthy diet and stress.

1. Osteochondrosis

This disease leads to partial or complete changes in the intervertebral discs. The vertebrae shrink and put pressure on the discs, and they, in turn, lose elasticity. As a result, a person begins to feel unbearable pain, as the discs act on the nerve endings.

The disease does not cause serious problems in the early stages, but in order to effectively treat the pathology, you need to start therapy as soon as possible. If you start osteochondrosis, you can face complications such as spinal hernia and protrusion of the intervertebral disc.

What to do

You don't have to wait for the problem to get worse. Simple lifestyle changes can help reduce your risk of getting sick. The same recommendations can stop the development of pathology.

1. Stop smoking. The numerous toxins and nicotine in cigarettes damage bones.
2. Drink less alcohol. It slows down your metabolism, which makes your bones worse.
3. Maintain the correct posture. It is useful to buy a good mattress, it will support the spine during sleep.
4. Avoid saturated fat and excess sugar. Protein from dairy products, lean meat and fish is useful.
5. Do exercises to strengthen your spine.
6. Take supplements and vitamins: Zinc, calcium and iron support healthy bone structure.

These preventive measures can help prevent chronic pain and relieve symptoms.

2. Rheumatoid arthritis

It is an autoimmune disease that causes the human immune system to attack its own tissues, including connective tissues, resulting in joint damage.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) commonly affects the joints of the fingers, knees, wrists, and feet. But all other joints in the body are at risk.

There are more than 100 known types of arthritis, and each of them has its own risk factors and characteristics. Therefore, it is extremely difficult to diagnose RA, especially in the early stages of the development of the disease.

What to do

There is no surefire way to prevent arthritis. There are many risk factors, including genetic predisposition. You cannot influence it, but if you give up bad habits, you can delay the development of pathology.

Smoking is known to be the strongest risk factor for developing arthritis. Alcohol consumption can also affect the occurrence of RA. There is growing evidence that gum infections such as periodontal disease can be triggers for rheumatoid arthritis.

3. Periodontal disease

Plaque builds up between the teeth and gums and causes inflammation. If left untreated, it can damage the bone structure and gums. Moreover, research shows that gum problems may be linked to other pathologies such as heart disease and diabetes.

What to do

Periodontal disease can be prevented. To do this, you need to adhere to the following recommendations:

1. Brush your teeth thoroughly. After eating, always remove food debris and plaque that gets stuck between the teeth and gums. Pay attention to the tongue, because bacteria multiply on it.
2. Use dental floss. The brush does not always clean the gaps between teeth, but using a floss or an irrigator will help solve this problem.
3. Rinse your mouth. There are rinsing fluids that can help reduce plaque and remove food particles from brushing.
4. Visit your dentist every six months for a checkup and removal of tartar.

Smoking, unhealthy diet and genetic predisposition increase the risk of periodontal disease. If you are at risk, be sure to consult your dentist.

4. Melanoma

This is the most dangerous type of skin cancer. The disease can affect not only the skin, but also the eyes, in particular the retina.

What to do

There are people at risk who are advised to see a dermatologist at least once a year for a skin examination. These include:

• those who have many moles;
• people with a genetic predisposition to skin diseases;
• those whose skin is severely damaged by the sun.

Your doctor will tell you after the examination if you need regular skin checks. Unusual moles (irregular, jagged, over 6 mm in diameter) are sometimes removed to reduce the likelihood of melanoma.

The less sun you spend, the lower your risk of developing skin cancer. Ultraviolet light is most intense between 10 am and 4 pm. Try to avoid sun exposure during this period. Here are some more recommendations:

1. Use a sunscreen with an SPF of 30.
2. Apply cream to all exposed skin areas, including ears and feet.
3. Remember to reapply the cream after bathing.
4. Avoid visiting the solarium. If you really want to, you can reduce the risk by reducing the number of visits to once a month. You can sunbathe for no more than 10 minutes per session. And don't forget to protect your eyes.
5. Cover your skin with clothing. Viscose, linen and other natural fabrics covering the arms and legs will provide reliable protection from UV rays.

Note that at higher altitudes, the skin burns faster. Therefore, when going on a hike in the mountains, you need to take protection from the sun especially seriously.

5. Cancer of the cervix

It is a dangerous disease that develops slowly and rarely causes symptoms in the early stages. Here is a list of the main factors that cause cervical cancer:

• smoking;
• poor nutrition;
• a weakened immune system;
• pregnancy.

In most cases, the pathology is caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). According to gynecological oncologist Summer Dewdney, about 80% of sexually active people have been exposed to this virus. For most, the immune system cleans the body of the virus itself within two years, but in some women, HPV strains cause changes in the cells of the cervix, which can then become cancerous.

What to do

1. Stop smoking. Smoking is known to double the risk of cancer, as the by-products of smoking can damage the DNA of the cervical cells.
2. Practice safe sex. Unprotected sex puts you at risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases, which can increase your risk of getting HPV.
3. Get vaccinated. Condoms do not guarantee complete protection against HPV, so an additional vaccination is needed. It will be most effective FDA approves expanded use of Gardasil 9 to include individuals 27 through 45 years old aged 9 to 45 years.
4. Get a cancer screening - a cytological examination of scrapings from the cervix and cervical canal. The first two procedures are performed once a year. If the results are negative, the intervals are increased to once every three years. It is better to start such a survey immediately after the onset of sexual activity.

6. Ischemic heart disease

The pathology is characterized by a blockage of the normal blood supply to the heart, which leads to a heart attack. Also, blood flow can be interrupted due to fatty deposits in the coronary arteries, then the patient feels chest pains.

What to do

A balanced diet is one way to reduce your risk of coronary heart disease. The diet should include more vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Limit your salt intake as it raises blood pressure.

Foods high in unsaturated fats can help reduce clogged arteries:

• fatty fish;
• avocado;
• nuts and seeds;
• sunflower, rapeseed, olive and other vegetable oils.

Their benefit is that unsaturated fats have a double carbon bond: this allows them to remain active and penetrate cell membranes without forming solid compounds in the blood.

Also, doctors advise to pay more attention to physical activity. Regular exercise will help lower your cholesterol levels and keep your blood pressure at the desired level. Any aerobic exercise, like swimming, walking, or dancing, will make your heart work faster while keeping it healthy.

Also, to reduce your chances of developing coronary heart disease, stop smoking and alcohol.

Surveys recommended before age 30

Even if you are feeling well, this is not a reason to give up regular doctor visits and examinations. This will help avoid serious health problems in the future.

For example, the only way to diagnose too high blood pressure is to have it checked on a regular basis. In the early stages, there are no symptoms and high blood sugar and cholesterol levels. It is enough to pass simple tests to make sure that these indicators are normal.

Here is a list of tests to be done at an early age:

1. Blood pressure screening. The check must be done at least twice a year. Those who have been diagnosed with diabetes, heart disease, or have kidney problems should do it more often - on the recommendation of a doctor.
2. Checking blood cholesterol levels. The analysis is carried out every five years, starting from the age of 20–35.
3. Delivery of tests for diabetes mellitus.
4. Dental examination 1-2 times a year.