Monsters to be Beware of for New Gen!
Critical illness is now closer to the new generation. Just by living life outside, you're already exposed to risks of disease. It can be said that new gen have been growing with those risks, especially when compared with other generations. Generation Z has lifestyle behaviors that increase the risk of various diseases. Daily habits, particularly inadequate rest and irregular eating patterns, are the main reasons diseases may strike. For example, staying up late frequently increases the risk of stroke and heart disease, while late-night meals raise the risk of inflammatory bowel disease and heart diseases, asthma, or lung cancer from PM2.5 pollution, and many other diseases that we never expected, which often accompany our everyday lives. Let's see which critical illnesses the new generation like us should be cautious of.
1. Stroke
Just mentioning the name of the disease, most people think that a stroke is unlikely to affect those in Generation Z. However, these days, strokes can occur in younger individuals or those in their working years. The causes include stress, lack of sleep and exercise, alcohol consumption, and smoking. These habits can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes, which are all significant factors that can contribute to stroke.
Headaches might seem like a common issue for working individuals, but if the nature of the headache changes, becomes severe in an unprecedented way, and occurs suddenly, accompanied by other abnormalities such as weakness in arms or legs, slurred speech, inability to fully close one eye, blurred vision, or double vision, it is crucial to seek medical attention immediately. This is to prevent symptoms from worsening, which could lead to unconsciousness and rapid death!!
Strokes can also occur in younger individuals, often due to the lifestyle habits of Generation Z. One key factor is insufficient sleep, which can be easily noticed if you wake up in the morning still feeling tired and wanting to continue sleeping. Throughout the day, you may frequently feel drowsy and sleepy.
A stroke is a condition where the brain is deprived of blood supply due to narrowed, blocked, or burst blood vessels, resulting in brain tissue damage. This can lead to immobility in the arms or legs, facial drooping, or communication difficulties. If the condition is permanent, it is referred to as paralysis; if temporary, it is known as partial paralysis. This shows that diseases once considered distant can actually be close to us in our daily lives.
2. Gastritis
Those who love eating late-night meals or eating at irregular times should be cautious of the risk of developing gastritis. You can easily observe the symptoms yourself: persistent pain or tightness under the sternum or above the navel, pain under the left rib cage, sometimes extending to the chest. These symptoms often come and go, usually triggered by irregular eating patterns. Pain can occur before meals when hungry or after meals when full, and typically improves after eating. If you experience these symptoms, it's crucial to see a doctor immediately as they indicate that gastritis may be getting more severe. Look out for these warning signs:
- Black or bloody stools.
- Unexplained weight loss.
- Pale or yellowish skin (jaundice).
- Severe pain lasting for hours.
- Persistent vomiting or vomiting blood.
- Pain or difficulty swallowing.
- A family history of gastritis.
- Feeling a lump in the stomach or swollen lymph nodes.
3. Asthma
Just stepping out of the house exposes you to various pollutants, and currently, the number one concern is PM2.5. PM2.5 is a major cause of several diseases, including asthma. This is because PM2.5 particles are smaller than 2.5 microns (over 20 times smaller than a human hair) and can penetrate the lungs and enter the bloodstream. When the body is exposed to increasing levels of PM2.5, it can exacerbate existing allergies and trigger new ones. This can lead to more severe allergic rhinitis and asthma attacks. Prolonged and high-level exposure to PM2.5 can also increase the risk of other diseases such as allergies, lung cancer, and emphysema.
4. Knee Osteoarthritis
You don't have to wait until you're old for your knees to wear out; it can happen at any age depending on your lifestyle and daily activities. This is especially true for fitness enthusiasts who love exercising or engage in activities requiring rapid movements. Knee injuries can result from accidents (such as knee fractures) or sports injuries (like ligament tears from falls or collisions). These behaviors can lead to knee osteoarthritis. The condition arises from the wear and tear of the articular cartilage. As this cartilage deteriorates and wears out, the bones start to rub against each other, causing inflammation and pain. To prevent knee wear, it's important to take care and avoid injuries while staying active. Engage in fitness activities with caution and avoid overexerting yourself.
5. Myositis
New generation overworks almost non-stop. Working tirelessly all day, every movement feels stiff – the neck, shoulders, and back. Beware of the myositis. These symptoms often occur in people who stay in the same posture for long periods, such as sitting in front of a computer incorrectly or frequently using a mobile phone. When myositis occurs, there are "trigger points" – pressing the problematic area will cause immediate sharp pain. Although these symptoms are not severe and can be relieved by massage or muscle relaxants, if left untreated, they can lead to serious conditions, such as acute myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle), which can be fatal without warning, or office syndrome, which is common among working individuals.
Seeing this, the new generation, who think they are young and healthy and unlikely to get sick easily, often do not prepare for medical expenses. However, just living our normal lives comes with hidden dangers. Simply stepping out of the house exposes us to potential illnesses. Therefore, preparing for medical expenses before falling ill is crucial. If you get sick, you won't have to worry about treatment costs.
For those who don't know yet, Muang Thai Life Assurance offers health insurance that suits today's generation with D Health Plus Rider. It addresses the needs of the new generation, covering medical expenses up to 5 million Baht(1) per treatment in lump sum benefit for room fees, doctor's fees, medication, treatment costs, and surgical expenses, all for a monthly premium of less than 1,778 Baht(2). It covers both common diseases and critical illnesses, including stroke, heart disease, myositis, asthma, and inflammatory bowel disease. Plus, if you stay healthy, you can get a renewal premium discount of up to 15%(3) with MTL Fit Rewards Program.
For more information:
☑️ Call Tel. 1766, available 24/7.
☑️ Contact online channels, agents, branches and other channels of Muang Thai Life Assurance nationwide.
1) In case of choosing Plan 5 MB which is a benefit per any treatment
(2) For a 25-year-old male insured buying Muang Thai Smart Protection 99/99 with the sum insured of 50,000 Baht and attaching D Health Plus Rider which offers coverage of up to 5 million Baht per hospitalization without deductible in monthly premium payment mode
(3) Maximum discount for project members from the 6th year onwards must not exceed 7,500 Baht on renewal year premiums. We reserve the right to change privileges, and you will be notified 30 days in advance.
- Coverage conditions are as specified in the insurance policy.
- D Health Plus Rider must be purchased to be attached to the policy which is still effective.
- Coverage period of this rider must not exceed the coverage period of the life insurance policy that this rider is attached to.
- Premium is eligible for personal income tax deduction. This is subject to the Revenue Department.
- Underwriting is subject to the Company’s rules.
- Please study details of coverage, conditions, and exclusions before making a decision to purchase insurance.
Sources: data retrieved on 24/05/2024