Common health problems facing millennials

The youngest millennials were born in 1996, which makes them more than 30
years old today. This has implications that go far beyond which social
platforms and music streaming services are in use now vs. then —
millennials are aging, and according to

recent reports, are less healthy than the generations that preceded them.

Millennial health may begin to decline

as early as age 27, and can be especially concerning for older members of this generation who
are in their forties. Much of this health deterioration can be traced to
depression, which is

particularly prevalent and on the rise for this age group

and can lead to many other health challenges. If you’re a millennial, here
are a some of the top health concerns to watch out for, and what to do
about them.

Depression

Depression is much more than just feeling sad. Those with depression often
experience

irritability, tiredness, anxiety, and physical ailments. Depression is more likely in those who are

exhausted and stressed, which is the case for many millennials. There’s no question that the
isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact of social media
have exacerbated these factors.

Substance use disorder

Depression and substance use disorder are commonly co-occurring conditions — and health data shows that this is particularly true
among millennials. According to a recent

Blue Cross Blue Shield health report, substance use disorder increased by 10 percent among this age group
between 2014 and 2017. General anxiety, workplace stress, or relationship
stress can all trigger unhealthy use of substances, which at first seem
like an easy way to cope with the barrage of negative information at their
fingertips but can quickly slide into something more perilous.

Hypertension

Millennials also face physical health challenges. They are on track to be

the most obese generation yet. This puts them at risk for diseases such as

hypertension. While it develops slowly, the symptoms of hypertension get worse over
time and can include fatigue, chest pain, or heart palpitations. At its
most severe, hypertension can contribute to the likelihood of a heart
attack or stroke.

High cholesterol

The unhealthy diets that lead to hypertension can also result in other
issues, such as

high cholesterol. Processed foods entered the mainstream in the 1980s, so many millennials
have been eating them their entire lives. The fast-paced millennial
lifestyle can make it harder to eat at home, and meals out are often higher
in fats, which can serve as a precursor to heart disease or stroke.

Diabetes

Combining an unhealthy diet with inactivity is a

recipe for type 2 diabetes. Technology has made it easier for this generation to become sedentary,
which can increase diabetes risk. This health condition causes the body to
not produce enough insulin. Symptoms begin slowly but can cause lasting
damage to the eyes, kidneys, and cardiovascular system.

Fortunately, there is some good news! Most of the major health problems
millennials face

can be prevented

by simply maintaining a healthy lifestyle. A good diet, exercise, and
reducing stress in your thirties will go a long way to helping you be happy
— and healthy — into your sixties!