While some illnesses and conditions are thought to only affect older people, they can also strike surprisingly young…
Osteoporosis, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease are widely known to affect people who are in their 60s and 70s, but astonishingly, these same conditions can afflict people up to 40 years younger, too and the effects for both sufferers and their families are equally devastating...
Arthritis
With more than nine million sufferers in the UK, the main symptoms of arthritis are stiff, painful and swollen joints and bones. When the condition is severe it can be highly debilitating. The two most frequent forms are osteoarthritis, where cartilage between the bones wastes away and rubs painfully on the bone; and rheumatoid arthritis, when the immune system attacks and destroys joints, and breaks down bone and cartilage.
Can it happen young?
‘Arthritis affects people of all ages. About 27,000 people living with arthritis are under the age of 25,’ says the charity Arthritis Care (www.arthritiscare.org.uk).
Cause?
No one knows the exact cause, but some experts think much is linked to family history. If you’ve had an injury or an operation and have suffered damage to a joint you’re at increased risk of osteoarthritis.
Treatment?
A cure’s still to be found, but medication can ease symptoms and delay worsening of the condition. Gentle exercise is a good way to work on strength, grip and mobility.
Prognosis?
Two in 10 rheumatoid arthritis sufferers have a mild form and can continue living normally for years. Osteoarthritis doesn’t always worsen, but symptoms can come and go.
Coronary heart disease
This refers to the disease of arteries and their resulting complications, such as angina – a pain or discomfort in your chest – and heart attacks. It’s caused by the build-up of fatty material in the coronary artery walls. Gradually, this makes them so narrow that they can’t get enough oxygen-rich blood to the heart. Symptoms include palpitations and breathlessness.
Can it happen young?
Most people who have a heart attack are in their 60s or older, but peoplein their 20s and 30s can have them
too. A spokesperson for the British Heart Foundation (www.bhf.org.uk) says: ‘Younger generations must act now to cut down their risks.’
Cause?
Having a history of heart disease in your family puts you at greater risk. Obesity, a high-fat diet, smoking and a high blood pressure are also contributing factors.
Treatment?
There’s no cure, but treatment can take the form of medication, lifestyle changes and surgical intervention.
Prognosis?
Effective treatment can save lives. Since 2000, 40% fewer people under 75 died from coronary heart disease.
Dementia
A term covering a range of symptoms, dementia is when the brain suffers structural and chemical changes, and brain cells die. Symptoms include loss of memory, confusion and impairment of thinking, speech, understanding and judgement.
Can it happen young?
According to the Alzheimer’s Society (www.alzheimers.org.uk), ‘there are more than 16,000 younger people who have dementia in the UK. But this number is likely to be an underestimate, and the true figure may be up to three times higher.’
Younger people with dementia are classed as anyone diagnosed under the age of 65. Only about a third of younger people with dementia have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease – the rest have other forms of dementia. It can take longer for a younger person to be diagnosed, as medics might think they’re depressed or stressed instead.
Cause?
Experts are still trying to work this out. But risk factors include high blood pressure, post-stroke, due to family history, or if you have a learning disability.
Treatment?
Treatment can include drugs and psychological help to help sufferers cope with symptoms.
Prognosis?
A cure has not yet been found and symptoms usually worsen over time so a lot of support is needed for the patient as well as loved ones.
Parkinson’s disease
This long-term neurological condition changes the brain’s ability to coordinate body movements. It’s caused by a shortage of the chemical, dopamine, in the brain. Symptoms can include slowness of movement, shaking and stiffness of muscles.
Can it happen young?
Around 120,000 people have the condition in the UK – mostly over the age of 50. The charity Parkinson’s UK (www.parkinsons.org.uk) says one in 20 of those diagnosed is under the age of 40.
Cause?
Like other chronic conditions, experts aren’t sure why someone develops it.
Treatment?
There’s no cure but medication can help to control symptoms.
Prognosis?
While one person with Parkinson’s might be able to stay active and only suffer a slight tremor, another might need significant help with everyday care. The condition doesn’t directly cause people to die, but symptoms do worsen over time.
Osteoporosis
Bones lose density and become weak, brittle and more prone to breaking. The National Osteoporosis Society (www.nos.org.uk) says the first sign may be when you fracture a bone. Other symptoms are back pain and
a reduction in height.
Can it happen young?
If a woman goes through the menopause or has a hysterectomy before 45, her bone density will be more likely to decrease and she’llbe at greater risk.
Cause?
Skipping periods for more than six months due to anorexia can also be a risk factor. In one rare type of the disease, spine or hip bones break easily during or after childbirth.
Treatment?
Medicine can boost bone density and HRT can help to reduce osteoporosis.
Prognosis?
Having osteoporosis means that you are more likely to die from a complication of a fracture, but most patients die with the disease, rather than from it.
Striking young people, too
Stroke
This occurs when the blood supply to the brain is suddenly cut off, and brain cells are either damaged or die. It’s most common in people over 65 but around a quarter of strokes happen in younger people.
Motor neurone disease
A condition that affects brain and spine nerves, people with motor neurone disease experience a gradual loss of function. Most patients are aged 50 to 70, but people under 40 can have it, too.
Premature menopause
It’s estimated to affect 1% of women under 40, and 0.1% of under-30s, but the average age for the menopause is 52. Causes include chemotherapy and cancer surgery such as a total hysterectomy.
‘It was hard to think about the future’
Amanda Osborne, now 39, from Bracknell, Berkshire, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in her 20s, but counselling and her dog have helped her cope...
‘I felt permanently exhausted and my legs hurt when I was 24. I’d go straight to bed after getting back from my job at a bank. My symptoms continued until one day when I was 28 I noticed my right hand wouldn’t stop shaking. I didn’t have a clue what was happening.
‘Being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease shortly afterwards was a bombshell. Part of me was relieved, as finally I had a name for what I was going through. I told everyone around me immediately. A year later I had to give up work as it was impossible to continue.
‘As a young Parkinson’s suffer, it was hard to think about the future. Depression hit, and I needed two years of counselling. I’d spend three days in bed, feeling I had nothing to get up for. A friend suggested I get a dog so I found Benji, a West Highland White Terrier. He keeps me moving and if I’m feeling bad he seems to sense it, coming to me for a cuddle. I’m sure stroking him is good for my muscle control.
‘As I’m having big problems with foot cramps, walking Benji is difficult. I’m now having Botox treatments in my calves to try and make it better.
‘The depression can be hard for those around me to take. My symptoms have worsened over the years but I tackle one day at a time.’
For more details, visit www.parkinsons.org.uk. Parkinson’s Awareness Week is 11-17 April.
Celebrity health
Michael J Fox
The Back To The Future actor was30 when he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Since going public with the condition in 1998, he’s set up a foundation to raise money for research into a cure.
Claire King
While acting in the TV soap Emmerdale 13 years ago, Claire was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at the age of 33. But the actress keeps active and has appeared on Strictly Come Dancing.
Toni Braxton
R&B singer Toni noticed she had breathlessness in 2004 aged 37 and she was diagnosed with pericardial disease, or referred to as inflammation of the tissue surrounding the heart.
Dr Chris says... ‘In order to take care of your health from a young age, make stopping smoking a priority and know your numbers – that is blood pressure, cholesterol and your blood sugar. Control of your weight is vital, as is regular exercise.’
The above feature was
published in at home's
'Ask the Doctor with
Dr Chris Steele' in
April 2011.
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Dr Chris Steele.
