Physical impairments are problems of the back, shoulders, arms, hips, legs, and feet. There are 9.1 back, 5.3 lower extremities, and 1.6 upper extremities conditions per 100 persons ages 18–44. Approximately 80% of lower back pain is caused by the strains and sprains that frequently affect active young adults. Most "slipped" discs affect persons ages 25–45. Whites have three times the back pain prevalence of African-Americans.
Sinusitis affects 16% of 18-44 year olds. Chronic sinusitis is a continuing inflammation of the sinus cavities, causing pain of the forehead, jaw, ears, and neck. Chronic sinusitis affects 12% of 18–44 year olds, including 18% of females of these ages.
Hay fever, known formally as allergic rhinitis, is an allergic reaction of the nose to pollen, mold, dust, and animal dander. It affects 12% of 18–44 year olds, with rates higher for Whites.
Asthma is a severe constriction of the airways in the lungs, causing wheezing and gasping for breath. Persons under age 30 with asthma have a 70% likelihood of being allergic to pollen, dust, foods, and other substances that trigger the asthmatic reaction. Other causes include infections, medication reactions, exercise, and exposure to chemicals. Over six percent of 18–44 year olds are asthmatic.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema which are caused primarily by smoking. Chronic bronchitis, or "smoker's cough" with daily mucus and phlegm, affects 4.5% of 18–44 year olds. It may also be caused by air pollution, by industrial dust, or by bacterial and viral infections. Emphysema is very rare among 18–44 year olds, but the progressive loss of lung function during adolescence and young adulthood results in severe breathing problems later in life.
Migraines and other severe headaches affect 6% or more of 18-44 year olds. Women are more likely to suffer migraines. Persons predisposed to migraines may experience an attack triggered as a reaction to foods, sleep changes, hormones, stress, and environmental factors like weather, glaring lights, odors, or high altitude.
High blood pressure involves hardening and blocking of the arteries, enlarged heart, angina, and eventually heart attack, kidney damage, and stroke. High blood pressure is identified for only 3% of persons under age 45 but for 22% of 45–64 year olds. African-Americans and males are much more likely to have high blood pressure.
Hearing impairments affect 5% of 18-44 year olds, though only 0.2% of 18-44 year olds are deaf in both ears. More males and Whites report having hearing impairments. Of the hearing impaired, 85% suffer from sensorineural hearing loss involving damaged sensory hair cells or nerves of the inner ear which cannot be restored adequately through use of a hearing aid.
Arthritis includes over a hundred diseases of inflammation of the joints and of non-inflammatory pain and movement limitation in bones, joints, and muscles. Arthritis affects 5% of 18–44 year olds, with more women and Whites afflicted.
