30 Surprising Health Issues That May Catch You Off Guard After Turning 30

Turning 30 can be a major milestone for many people, both in terms of career and personal life. The 20s are all about being in the grind of completing education and job search, and trying to be a mature adult, to say the least. Hitting the big 3-0 means there is no way one can fall behind in the race of becoming the actual adult they have been dreaming of becoming. In the 30s, building the highest self-esteem is important. Likewise, taking care of overall well-being is also important.

The 30s are supposed to be full of fun but not without regular health screenings. There is a bunch of concerns that need to be addressed to remain proactive and navigate life with ease. Even as you don’t look much different than you did in your 20s, the body’s mechanisms slowly change, posing challenges like loss in bone density, hair fall, slower metabolic rate and reproductive issues, to name a few.

Here is a complete list of problems that may catch you off guard after you enter the 30’s club:

1. Tendinitis:

You may want to be a bit more mindful about your workouts as tendinitis typically strikes after 30. It is a condition where the connective tissues between muscles and bones (tendons) get inflamed, which leads to searing pain. As you age, tendons lose their elasticity and hence repetitive movement can amplify the chances of muscle injury.

2. Heart disease:

Heart attack is a leading global killer and its target age group has become younger by the day. According to a study published in Circulation, at least 28,732 people between 35 and 74 were hospitalized with myocardial infarction in the U.S. from 1995 to 2014. Among them, 30% were younger individuals.

3. Anxiety:

The 30s can see the onset of depression for many. Piling up responsibilities can eat into an individual’s personal space and hence, declining mental health. Exhibiting signs like impulsive behavior, insomnia or racing thoughts is proof you are going through a bad psychological phase. A study published in Healthline links vitamin B12 deficiency to depression.

4. Metabolic rate drops:

A sizeable drop in metabolic rate is seen during the 30s. The situation becomes evident when regular workouts no longer are effective in maintaining the ideal weight. Low metabolism is linked to the bone-density loss. At its onset, one can experience a sluggish feeling throughout the day and an unexplained weight gain.

5. Diabetes:

Hitting 30s opens the possibility of having type-2 diabetes. A study conducted in 2017 found the total global count of type 2 diabetes to be 462 million, which accounted for 6.28% of the world’s population. Among them, 4.4% were aged between 15 and 49 years.

6. Asthma:

It is believed that asthma prevalence is high among children. Then there is the adult onset of asthma that can occur in 30-40-year-olds. A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report said that in the U.S., the asthma death rate per 1,000 people rose exponentially in people belonging to the 35 to 64 years age group from 2001 to 2010.

7. Back pain:

People in the senior group, which is beyond 40 years old, usually are worst affected by back pain but it can also occur in those who are a decade younger due to several reasons, including weight gain, pregnancy, and bone density loss, among others, Minneapolis-based Dr. Stefano Sinicropi said.

8. Urinary tract infections (UTI):

The condition can occur in women due to bacteria build-up inside their vaginas. This triggers an inflammatory response in the body, which develops into UTIs. As per the Cleveland Clinic, it’s better to resort to some supplemental remedies apart from keeping yourself hydrated. You should check with a doctor if the symptoms just don’t go.

9. Kidney stones:

Kidney stones in the 30s are linked to some earlier lifestyle habits such as fad diets, and the consumption of colas, coffee, and tea. The accumulation of minerals and salts in the kidneys may also affect the urinary tract, which can become a painful medical issue. Some treatments like lithotripsy, ureteroscopy and pain management have been helping people edge past the problem.

10. Hair loss

A receding hairline is also a hallmark of the 30s, essentially caused by factors like heredity, hormonal changes and other medical conditions. There are also way severe conditions like alopecia or male pattern baldness, which are mostly tied to genetics and loss of vitamins.

11. STIs:

Sexually transmitted infections or STIs like HPV, gonorrhea, and chlamydia are yet another pressing concern during the 30s, which if left untreated can lead to cancer, infertility or even death.

12. FOMO:

“Fear of missing out” or FOMO is a mental health condition that gives the deep sense that others are living a better life as compared to yours and the feeling has only gotten worse because of social media. It is less evident in people over 30 as they may have already gained enough experience to navigate emotions but some people still experience the condition. A study, published in Science Direct, says it may occur more in men than women.

13. Burnout:

Burnouts are intertwined with depression, which causes several issues such as racing thoughts, anxiety and deliberate social withdrawal. Burnouts stem from many factors such as job stress, responsibilities, toxic relationships, etc. As people over 30 constantly struggle with adulting, burnouts become an everyday reality.

14. Dry scalp:

If you notice your scalp getting drier by the day after 30 and recurring dandruff, you should be careful as it may be hinting at dire conditions like scalp psoriasis and others. Follow this link to read about the dos and don’ts to avoid this problem.

15. Loss of sight:

It’s important to check with an ophthalmologist regularly for your eye health. As per a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 8.96 million Americans over the age of 40 are predicted to suffer from irreversible vision impairment.

16. Hypopigmentation:

Loss of melanocytes from the skin’s surface leads to hypopigmentation. At its onset, skin color starts to fade, creating whimsical white patches all over the body. This condition is linked to factors like aging, UV exposure, pollution and tobacco use, according to Pubmed.

17. Arthritis:

Turning 30 means the prospect of arthritis is lurking on the horizon. Denouncing the common misconception that arthritis is a problem found only in older adults, a report in Very Well Health notes that people of all ages, including children, can be affected by the bone disorder. The disease is 7.1% prevalent in the age group of 18-44.

18. Flu:

There shouldn’t skip your flu shots as you get older. The complications stemming from the common flu affect young children, older people and adults alike, according to CDC.

19. Cervical cancer:

Annual visits to a gynecologist are imperative for women as cervical cancer is likely to pose a big challenge after 30. Doctors suggest one should start cervical cancer screenings such as PAP tests or HPV DNA tests as early as 21 years.

20. Incontinence:

There are a lot of doubts about the condition of incontinence. It can affect both urinary and bowel functions. Make some lifestyle changes to reverse this condition. Or better yet, see a doctor.

21. Irregular heartbeats:

Irregular heartbeats, medically known as atrial fibrillation, are common in people over 30. It puts a person at increased risk of mortality and also poses a lifetime risk in some cases.

22. High blood pressure:

Referring to a global study, CNN reported in 2021 that high blood pressure risks in people over 30 doubled in the last 30 years, irrespective of the presence of many healthier diets and cheap and easy treatments.

23. Tooth loss:

The embarrassing event of losing a tooth can happen early on, in your 30s, if the brushing and flossing routines are not on point. Furthermore, you stand to have additional problems like tooth decay, cavity and dental abscesses.

24. Premenstrual dysphoric disorder:

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder refers to women having frequent bouts of depression, irritability and tension before menstruation. Though the exact causes are still unclear, factors like hormonal changes, alcohol or substance abuse, obesity and heredity could be key accelerators.

25. Eating disorder:

The peak age of eating disorders may be the teens, but the 30s is not out of the risk zone. The onset of anorexia can affect people well into their adulthood, with the condition, if untreated, expected to worsen in and beyond the 40s, as per a report published in The Guardian.

26. Withdrawal for romantic unisons:

The dynamics of love get very different in the 30s when people have pronounced feelings of couple claustrophobia. At this age, there is a lot of pressure on women to be in serious relationships. They feel torn between caving to societal pressure and chasing their dreams. This can lead to anxiety.

27. Change in alcohol tolerance:

Alcohol tolerance limit varies from person to person but the intake capacity drops with age. This condition is specific to women who can no longer drink alcohol without having sleeplessness, headaches, hangovers and depression. A study found that sex hormones are linked to this disorder. It said when women are mensurating, their sex hormones — estrogen and progesterone, are at their peak, which is why they experience a rewarding feeling from drinking alcohol. But after menopause, the levels start to decline, alcohol no longer feels the same and negative effects start creeping up.

28. Iron deficiency:

Iron deficiency anemia or IDA is common in women over 30. In 2019, the global prevalence of the condition was 29.9% across women within the reproductive age group of 15-49, as per World Health Organization.

29. Hyperthyroidism:

Hyperthyroidism occurs when the body’s thyroid glands don’t produce enough thyroid hormone. The condition may not manifest strong symptoms in the early stages but they surface one by one as time passes. The thyroid hormone imbalance is tied to various reasons such as iodine deficiency. The condition can affect people in any age group but TSH levels are relatively higher in pregnant women between 18 and 45 years.

30. Endometriosis:

Endometriosis happens when the tissue lining the uterus grows outside the uterus, causing symptoms like acute pain, hormonal inconsistencies, etc. The condition affects more than 11% of American women between 15 and 44 years.