A person is considered a young adult when they are approximately between 25 and 40 years old. At this stage, men and women have their physical capacities at their maximum and reach their greatest point of plenitude. However, due to their environment and lifestyle, they are often prone to illnesses that, at an advanced age, could represent greater health problems.
“During this age, people are characterized by their vitality and activity; they tend to be productive and have good reproductive capacity,” says Carlos Gutiérrez, a general physician. But for this to happen, one must take care of one’s health from adolescence to avoid serious illnesses after 40.
From the age of 25, it is vital to begin to apply preventive health, which helps to prevent diseases or identify them in their early stages, to prevent them from worsening as we age.
This type of health requires habits that promote our well-being, which go beyond eating healthy and exercising. It also requires healthy eating and quality sleep.
According to internist Eduardo Santizo, lifestyle and environment could make young adults prone to various diseases. Because many are already under work pressure, they could have health problems related to stress or extreme fatigue.
Also, a highly contaminated environment could cause infectious diseases. Even sexual exploration can cause sexually transmitted diseases to affect people at this stage of life.
The World Health Organization (WHO) explains that the main health problems between the ages of 10 and 24 are traffic accidents, drowning, violence, alcohol, drug and tobacco use, mental health, communicable diseases, overweight, nutrition, environmental hygiene, and physical activity.
Infectious diseases
Among the most common infectious diseases during this stage of life, especially before age 30, are sexually transmitted diseases, such as chlamydia infection, gonorrhea, genital herpes, human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, syphilis, and HIV infection.
To avoid these infections, it is recommended to use condoms and take an STD test before having sex with your partner.
Other common infectious diseases are those affecting gastrointestinal health and causing diarrhea, vomiting, and general malaise. They are mainly caused by norovirus, rotavirus, and adenovirus. Those caused by parasites are also mentioned.
To prevent them, it is important to constantly wash your hands and stay away from people who have symptoms.
Respiratory diseases
Climate and air pollution make illnesses such as the common cold and flu more common in young adults. But more serious illnesses such as pharyngitis, bronchitis, and pneumonia can also affect those who have had health problems in the upper and lower respiratory tract.
Each disease will have its treatment, but for prevention, doctors recommend maintaining good hygiene at home, washing your hands constantly, ventilating the rooms daily, covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing, and resting while you have symptoms.
Cardiovascular diseases
At this age, there are changes in eating habits that can lead to overweight or obesity, which are risk factors for cardiovascular diseases.
Among the most common are high cholesterol and hypertension, which in most cases do not present symptoms, but with age, they cause more serious problems. Although to a lesser extent, heart failure can also occur.
Depression
“At age 25, many people have existential crises about who they are, who they want to be, and whether they can achieve their goals,” says Gutierrez. In addition, work pressure or meeting social standards are just some of the factors that can affect mental health.
According to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), one in five people at work may suffer from mental health problems.
At this stage of life, stress, anxiety, and depression affect the health of the mind and body. The quality of the family environment, type of upbringing, traumatic events, abandonment or significant emotional loss, nutrition, sleep hygiene, and educational and social environment influence a person’s well-being.
Polycystic ovary syndrome
During this stage, women are in their reproductive years. Polycystic ovary syndrome affects those who have high levels of the hormones called androgens.
Although the causes are not clear, the disease is related to changes in hormonal levels that make it difficult for the ovaries to release mature eggs.
“Most often, PCOS is diagnosed in women in their 20s or 30s. However, it can also affect teenage girls. Symptoms often begin when a girl’s periods start. Women with the disorder often have a mother or sister with similar symptoms,” MedlinePlus reads.
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