5 Common Health Conditions That May Surprise You

Whilst you’re healthy, it’s very easy to take for granted your health and that you don’t have to control any conditions. However, there are some health conditions that may be more common than you think, and you should be aware of the symptoms and effects of these conditions. This is a list of common health conditions that may surprise you, how to watch out for them, and manage the symptoms.

1. Skin cancer

Skin cancer is actually one of the most common cancers in the world. According to Cancer Research UK, approximately 131,000 cases of non-melanoma skin cancer are diagnosed in the UK each year – and because so many of these are easy to diagnose and cure, many more cases are actually left out of national cancer statistics.

It is mostly caused by sun damage from prolonged exposure or burns, but can also be caused by a lot of other factors. There are two main types; the less serious non-Melanoma, and the potentially more dangerous Melanoma which can spread to other areas of your body. These are both caused by slightly different factors, but melanomas are uncommon in places that are protected from sunlight.

Especially in summer, it’s important to keep your skin protected and watch out for any new moles, or changes to existing moles on your skin. If you’re concerned about any changes, Cancer Research UK offers lots of advice and it’s important to get things checked out with a doctor.

2. Mental Health

Mental health conditions are surprisingly common, but due to the unfortunate stigma that can still surround them, people find it hard to talk about. However, Mind suggests that approximately 1 in 4 people will suffer from a mental health condition each year, making it surprisingly more common than you may realise.

There are many different kinds of these common health conditions, such as anxiety, body dysmorphic disorder, eating disorders and panic disorders. It is important to talk to someone you trust or your doctor if you are concerned you are having symptoms of a mental health condition.

Suicide rates are also higher in men, so it’s important to check up on your guy friends to make sure they’re doing okay.

3. Joint pains

Arthritis is commonly associated with older people, but it can actually affect people of any age, including children, and around 10 million people in the UK suffer from the condition. The condition causes pain and inflammation in a joint in your body.

Specific joint pains, such as knee or ankle pains, can also be caused by injury and can be treated. Runner’s Knee (or Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS)) is a common condition amongst runners and can be frustrating when you are trying to keep fit. It may surprise you to know that you can develop a painful condition from working out, which is supposed to keep your body healthy, and it’s important to manage this kind of condition properly to prevent serious damage.

4. Adult acne

This common skin condition can be embarrassing, as acne is often associated with young teens and puberty. However it is increasingly common to suffer from acne into your adulthood, and the NHS suggests more than 80% of adult acne cases occur in women, due to changes in your hormone levels.

If you feel that your adult acne is getting worse, or won’t go away, it’s important to see your GP who may be able to refer you to a dermatologist to help you manage the condition.

5. Autoimmune conditions

According to Dr. Bonnie Feldman, young adults are most at risk for the following autoimmune health conditions: type 1 Diabetes, Lupus, Crohn’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Psoriasis, Graves Disease of the Thyroid and Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Though all these common health conditions are very different, they all have something in common. They are caused by the immune system attacking its own healthy cells in the same way it would fight infection or bacteria in your body.

Let us know in the comments if you know of any other common health conditions that you think people should be more aware of!

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