Today, people are more aware of their health than ever before. Thanks to the internet and all the information available online it is easy for people to find out about illnesses and risks, to google their symptoms and to find out what they can do to prevent or cure. Today people are also more aware of the dangers of the flu or smoking than generations before and how there are long-term health risks associated with some lifestyle choices. However, even with all this information and knowledge, there are still some health conditions that often go overlooked when they could be serious.
Chronic Stress
Stress is a serious health issue and can lead to later-in-life problems ranging from heart disease to depression, and cognitive impairment may help stress management become a more urgent goal. Research has shown that chronic stress is a national epidemic, so it’s important that people find ways to relax and get the balance right.
Peripheral Neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy is a condition in which the nerves that connect our brain and spinal cord to our extremities have been damaged, and people who suffer from this often find it difficult to walk, use stairs, and maintain their balance; falling is a serious risk too. It is a frustrating, life impairing condition that is often overlooked until it’s too late to treat effectively.
Syphilis
Anyone can get an STI and syphilis is the fastest spreading STD is syphilis, but it is also hard to recognize early in the disease process. While it starts as a rash, syphilis can cause major complications down the line.
Sleep Apnea
While sleep apnea often occurs with age, it should not be overlooked no matter how old you are. Risk factors of sleep apnea include things like family history, alcohol consumption and nasal congestion and diagnosing this when you live alone can be difficult. Treating sleep apnea isn’t just a case of finally achieving a good night’s sleep, either, long-term sleep apnea can cause other problems such as hypertension, stroke, heart failure, and diabetes.
Heart Disease
Heart disease can happen to anyone and one particularly important condition to be aware of is hypertension, which is also known as high blood pressure. It’s important to have your blood pressure checked annually as this can help you mitigate the risks of heart disease.
Irritable Bowel Disease and Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome is unfairly stigmatized by many people, especially since, according to the Mayo Clinic, risk factors for the condition include being young, female, and having mental health problems. Studies also show that gastrointestinal distress is hard for patients to talk about with their doctors, so it’s important to be aware of these conditions.
Alcohol Abuse
You don’t need to be an addict to be overusing alcohol. Unfortunately, many people seem to overlook the risks that even social drinking can have as society generally downplays the risks of alcohol consumption, and it is so widely available and accepted. It’s important to follow the guidelines and make sure you don’t over-do it.
