Causes of Early Death in Young People and Ways to Prevent It

The loss of a person’s life is a psychological shock to their family, friends, and the people around them. Recently, there has been an increase in cases of deaths of people as young as 40 years old, that is, in the younger generation although it is rare, especially if a person does not complain of any diseases beforehand. Therefore, it is necessary to know the reasons behind the occurrence of these deaths.

Causes of early death in young people:

There are many causes that lead to early death in young people. Early death often occurs due to undetected heart problems that lead to sudden deaths as a result of sudden cardiac arrest, in addition to other health and psychological reasons.

Among the most common causes of early death are the following:

First: Sudden cardiac arrest

It is symbolized by "SCA". It is an emergency situation as it threatens human life. As the heart stops when performing its function suddenly, loss of consciousness occurs, and then death if appropriate treatment is not provided within only minutes. A person appears to be in good health, and they may not feel any prior symptoms that require an examination and going to the doctor. A person may feel some symptoms that are not thought to cause their death, such as:

• Fainting, which may occur when exercising, and it is a sign of a heart problem.
• Chest pain or shortness of breath, which may also indicate other diseases, such as asthma.
• If a family has a history of deaths due to sudden cardiac arrest at an age not exceeding 50 years, then it is an important warning sign that health conditions must be monitored with constant caution.

Who is most susceptible to sudden cardiac arrest?

The elderly are highly exposed to sudden cardiac arrest, especially those who suffer from heart diseases, but cardiac arrest causes the death of young athletes as well, and the death rate from sudden cardiac arrest in young people has been estimated at approximately 1 in every 50000 sudden cardiac deaths per year.

Death can occur while a person is exercising, sleeping, or resting. In some cases, a person may die due to sudden cardiac arrest several days after suffering brain damage. It may also occur in young people who do not participate in sports regularly.

Causes of sudden cardiac arrest in young people:

Although the causes of sudden cardiac arrest in young people or children are not fully known,  it may include the following:

1. Coronary artery malformations (Anomalous coronary artery):

These abnormalities are defects in the way the coronary arteries connect to the heart, resulting in a decrease in blood flow to the heart muscle during exercising. This is because the arteries become compressed during exercising, and then sudden cardiac arrest occurs. In many cases, a person is born with these abnormalities but without noticing any symptoms of illness, and they continue until they grow up.

2. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy:

It is one of the most common causes of cardiovascular disease. Although it is not fatal, it is a very common cause of sudden death for people under the age of 30. This disorder is usually genetic. In this case, muscle cells condense in the lower chambers of the heart called ventricles; That is, the thickness of the walls of the heart muscle increases, which subsequently causes an irregular tachycardia, especially when exercising.

3. Inflammation of the heart muscle (Heart inflammation):

Most cases of inflammation occur in children. It may occur due to a virus entering the heart, such as an enterovirus, or it may result from a fungal, parasitic, or bacterial infection, or as a result of an allergic reaction to some medications.

4. Long QT Syndrome (LQTS):

An inherited arrhythmia can cause a fast and restless heartbeat, which leads to fatigue. When a person with QT is young, they are at high risk of sudden death.

5. The initial heartbeat is irregular (Heart arrhythmia):

When there are genetic and undiagnosed conditions, the electrical impulses of the heart are affected, causing sudden cardiac arrest.

6. Heart concussion (Heart rate variability in concussed athletes) :

It can be seen as a very rare cause of sudden cardiac arrest, which occurs due to a very strong blow to the chest, such as players colliding with each other forcefully while playing.

Second: Serious diseases that cause early death, including the following

1. Cancer:

It is considered as one of the most dangerous diseases in the world. Cancer results from damage to parts of the genetic material (DNA). This causes the cells in the body to be manufactured abnormally, and multiplied in an unprogrammed way, and thus cancerous tumors are formed in the body. It starts from anywhere and then spreads to various parts of the affected human body. There are more than a hundred types of cancer, and if it is not detected and treated early, it may cause death.

2. AIDS

It is a very serious and chronic disease, and it is contagious in many ways.

3. Infections of the lower respiratory tract:

When the respiratory system in the lower part of it suffers from chronic diseases, lung health is greatly affected. Among these infection, we mention chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which is caused by smoking and various environmental factors.

4. Novel Coronavirus:

It spread in 2019, whose symptoms range from very mild to very severe, but its risk increases when there are other diseases, such as cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, liver disease, asthma, or type 1 or 2 diabetes, or in pregnant women.

Third: The psychological causes of early death in young people

A person is exposed to great psychological pressure that contributes to their sudden death, regardless of their age. This is because extreme sadness, depression, anxiety, tension, or sudden psychological shocks may lead to high blood pressure, tachycardia, high cortisone levels in the body, and other symptoms, all of which lead to sudden clots in the heart or brain or sudden bleeding in the blood vessels, or anywhere in the human body.

In addition, crises, tension, and pressures of life, which young people go through, may push them to smoke heavily or use narcotics. This results in the occurrence of spasms in the arteries of the heart, and then a lack of perfusion from the heart muscle and its failure, or sudden heart attacks and death in the end. Also, resorting to taking sedatives or other medications without consulting a specialized doctor may lead to death if a person has defects and problems in their heart without knowing it.

Ways to prevent early death in young people:

By adopting the following methods, it is possible to maintain a somewhat healthy body, and thus reduce the risk of diseases that lead to early death, and increase the average life expectancy of a person:

• In case there are previous cases of heart disease in a family or deaths due to sudden cardiac arrest, you are at high risk of dying in this way. Therefore, you should see specialized doctors to do the necessary checks.

In this case, the doctor usually suggests staying away from competitive sports, and your health condition may require surgery or medical treatment to reduce the risk of sudden cardiac arrest. For young athletes, routine medical examinations and continuous heart monitoring are recommended for early detection of any risk.

Exercising is an important way to maintain physical and mental health as well. This is because sport has many benefits, and among these benefits are the following:

1. It makes changes in the brain such as the release of serotonin and dopamine. This reduces the possibility of a person suffering from depression by at least 30%, and these hormones are known as the hormones of happiness because they make the individual feel the stability of their mood.
2. Exercising in the open air provides the body with vitamin D, which is obtained as a result of direct exposure to sunlight in a natural way.
3. It stimulates blood circulation due to movement, which helps in transporting nutrients to all parts of the body, and strengthening the heart muscle because exercising makes the heart pump blood better, and thus the body works well.
4. It increases body immunity due to the increase in white blood cells during exercising. It also helps maintain the normal cholesterol level in the blood, and reduces the risk of high blood pressure because exercising increases the elasticity of the blood vessel walls.
5. Exercising helps properly produce insulin in the body, and thus helps prevent and control diabetes.
6. Exercising increases the work force of the lungs, and thus increases the percentage of oxygen entering the blood. This increases the efficiency of the breathing process.
7. It increases muscle mass in the body and reduces fat percentage, thus helping to reach the ideal weight.
8. It helps get rid of insomnia, and thus gets adequate

Following a healthy diet, as a balanced diet helps prevent many diseases, and supports the body in performing its various functions by eating the following:

1. Eating vegetables and fruits because they give the body all it needs of vitamins, dietary fiber, minerals, and carbohydrates. It is preferable to eat each type in its season. For example, fruits in the summer contain a large proportion of water, and thus moisturize the body, while vegetables and fruits in the winter are rich in vitamin C, and thus help prevent colds.
2. Eating fish and meat is necessary to enrich the body with the necessary protein, in addition to the vitamins and minerals they contain. For example, oily fish is rich in omega-3, which helps reduce heart disease, while red or white meat is rich in zinc, magnesium, and iron, which are necessary for a healthy body.
3. Dairy is a rich source of protein and contains lactose, which is a form of sugar. Dairy products can be considered an alternative to eating sugars. In addition, they give a feeling of fullness and satiety.
4. It is necessary to reduce the intake of sweets, sugars, and soft drinks, which lead to obesity, in addition to their damage to the bones. The intake of fats and fast foods should also be reduced.

Conclusion:

There are many causes and death is one, so there is no escape from death. This is because it is God’s decree and destiny. However, by following the previous instructions, it is possible to confront various diseases with greater strength and maintain a healthy and strong body for as long as possible because health is a person’s wealth.