Most people live their early adult years in peak physical condition. This is often a direct result of having a healthy diet and partaking in regular forms of exercise, such as team sports and jogging. It is a fact that most men and women are at their physical peak from their late twenties to early thirties.
After this period, it is generally accepted that the body begins to decline, although any loss of physical performance may not be noticed until years later, especially if people adhere to a regular schedule of exercise.
Many health conditions appear later in life, although people may suffer from chronic or serious illnesses at an earlier stage of life if they have a poor diet, a sedentary lifestyle, or a genetic predisposition to certain conditions. This article describes three common health conditions that can be serious if not fully treated.
Stroke
A stroke is a serious medical emergency and occurs as the result of two main causes. Strokes may be caused by a blockage in a blood vessel to the brain (an ischaemic stroke) or a ruptured blood vessel in the brain that causes bleeding (haemorrhagic strokes). In either case, a stroke can result in problems with speech, loss of motor functions, and weakness, generally down one side of the body.
Strokes are time-critical emergencies, and the patient must be rapidly transported to the hospital once symptoms are noted. Emergency treatments take place in a hospital and rehabilitation is put in place to help regain motor and speech functions once a patient begins to recover.
One common lasting effect of a stroke is that the patient may suffer from increased difficulties in swallowing. This is known as dysphagia and can make eating and drinking difficult. Thankfully, there is a range of gel-based thickening products for dysphagia patients, as can be seen on Instagram. By mixing these products into beverages, it can be easier and safer for dysphagia patients to swallow the drinks and pureed foods.
Obesity
It is estimated that four in ten Americans are clinically obese. Obesity is defined as when a person is extremely overweight and typically has a body mass index (BMI) of thirty or above.
Being obese can lead to a range of other health problems that can be serious. An obese person may have an increased risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke, may experience high blood pressure, and be at a greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Obesity can be controlled by adopting a calorie-restricted diet and taking regular exercise.
In severe cases of obesity, there may be some medical interventions that take place to restrict food intake, including stomach stapling, which reduces the capacity of the stomach.
Diabetes
There are two types of diabetes, which are referred to as type 1 and type 2, and this condition occurs when blood sugar levels are too high in the body. Over time, diabetes can lead to other health conditions, such as damage to the eyes and kidneys.
Type 1 diabetes is a genetic condition and is often identified at an early age in life. People who have type 1 diabetes normally need to take insulin injections regularly to regulate their blood glucose levels. Type 2 diabetic patients may be able to live normal lives simply by adopting a healthy diet and taking regular exercise.
