Topic II: Health in Early Adulthood

Health and physical fitness during young adulthood are excellent. People in their
20s and 30s perform at exceedingly high levels on tests of endurance and stamina.
They generally are at their best in terms of physical conditioning and overall sense
of well-being. Lest the picture seem too rosy, young adults are not completely
immune to the effects of ageing. The closer they get to age 40, the more physical
limitations they begin to notice. In fact, many young adults detect a significant
decrease in energy and increase in health concerns after 40. However, with proper
diet and exercise, the physical and psychological vitality that accompanies young
adulthood can be maintained well into the 40s and beyond. The most common
health problems of young adulthood are arthritis, asthma, diabetes, depression and
other mental problems, hypertension (high blood pressure), multiple sclerosis, and
ulcers. Other conditions, such as atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), cirrhosis
of the liver, heart and lung problems, kidney problems, and a variety of other
diseases, may not exhibit symptoms at this stage, but may already be causing
internal damage. Two additional categories of health concerns during young
adulthood are disabilities and sexually transmitted diseases.
Disabilities
A physical disability is any physical defect, change, difficulty, or condition that has
the potential to disrupt daily living. It may be present from birth, result from disease
or injury, or develop later. Aphysical disability, for example, may be the absence of
a vital organ from birth, deafness that develops in childhood, a spinal cord injury
from a motorcycle accident, or a chronic condition like multiple sclerosis. The most
common physical disabilities in adults are cerebral palsy, blindness, deafness, spinal
cord injuries, and a number of chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes.
Persons who evidence subnormal intellectual functioning and social skills beginning
before age 18 are developmentally disabled (mentally retarded). By definition, the
developmentally disabled have an IQ of 70 or less and do not demonstrate culturally
appropriate levels of social skills, living skills, responsibility, communication, and
personal independence for their age.
Adults with a psychiatric disability (mental illness, or psychological disturbance)
struggle with mild to incapacitating emotional problems and limitations that are
often caused by either anxiety or affective disorders. Anxiety disorders are
characterized by bouts of anxiety and/or panic. The recurrence of such episodes
prompts an avoidance of people, places, and things. In many cases, the individual
knows his or her anxiety is irrational, but is unable to master it. A combination of
drug and psychological therapies can effectively treat anxiety disorders, which can
otherwise severely disrupt life activities.
Affective disorders (mood disorders) cause a person to experience abnormally high
and/or low feelings. Although several types of mood disorders exist, the two most
common are unipolar depression, marked by feelings of self-blame, sadness, guilt,
and apathy; and bipolar disorder (manic-depressive), marked by alternating
periods of depression and mania (extreme hyperactivity and elation). Most affective
disorders are treatable with a combination of medications and counseling. Unipolar
depression responds well to antidepressant medications; bipolar disorder, to lithium
carbonate.
Sexually transmitted diseases
Certain sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are caused by microscopic single-cell
organisms known as bacteria. These organisms invade cells of the body, causing
infection and disease. The most common bacterial STDs are gonorrhea,
nongonococcal urethritis, nongonococcal cervicitis, chlamydia, and syphilis. Other
STDs are caused by viruses — noncellular, microscopic particles that replicate
themselves within invaded cells. Antibiotic medications are ineffective against
them, making viruses very difficult or impossible to eliminate. The most common
viral STDs are herpes, genital warts, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
HIV is the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). HIV
does not directly cause death; rather it depresses the immune system of a victim to
the point that infection and disease overwhelm the body’s natural defenses. For HIV
to attack human cells, it must first attach itself to special receptors on the cells’
surface. Through several complex chemical reactions, cells attacked by HIV become
factories that produce more viruses, which in turn attack more cells, which in turn
become factories, and so on. Eventually the immune system becomes so depressed
that almost any disease can easily overwhelm bodily defenses. Based on medical
research, HIV appears to be spread through the exchange of body fluids (blood,
vaginal secretions, and semen), not through casual contact. The following are the
most probable means of transmitting and contracting HIV:
1. Engaging in sexual activity that involves the exchange of fluids.
2. Receiving contaminated blood.
3. Using contaminated hypodermic needles.
4. Passing from an infected mother to her child during pregnancy or childbirth.
Although AIDS is presently incurable, treatments are available that slow
progression of the disease by restoring immune system functioning. People can best
protect themselves from HIV and AIDS by steering clear of high-risk activities and
partners, as well as by practicing abstinence, using condoms during sex, and not
sharing needles.
Death and young adulthood
Death rates during young adulthood are lower than during any other period of the
life span. Except for HIV and AIDS in males and malignancies in females, the
leading cause of death during the 20s and 30s is accidents. Death rates, however,
double during each decade after age 35.
Socioeconomic status and race also have an impact on health and death rates. Less
educated, urban, and poorer minorities tend to have the worst health and are at the
greatest risk of premature death from violent crimes. For example, minority
Americans between the ages 25 and 45 are more likely to die as a result of homicide
than their white counterparts. Additionally, these same Americans are more likely to
die of a drug overdose than whites of the same age.