Are you prone to frequent illness? The underlying issue may extend beyond physical health to emotional well-being as well. A study published in Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences indicated that individuals who experience loneliness and social isolation are at a greater risk of becoming ill. The research established a significant link between social isolation and severe health problems.

Loneliness causes serious health issues

The study involved an examination of 160,000 individuals in Denmark to investigate whether loneliness, inadequate social support, and social isolation are associated with health issues. The researchers focused on these three factors and also reviewed the medical records of the participants.

The results were alarming, revealing that loneliness is associated with a range of serious medical conditions, including chronic and potentially life-threatening illnesses.

The study identified various types of medical conditions linked to loneliness:

• Mental disorders
• All-cause dementia
• Circulatory conditions
• Endocrine conditions
• Pulmonary conditions
• Gastrointestinal conditions
• Urogenital conditions
• Musculoskeletal conditions
• Hematologic conditions
• Neurologic conditions
• Cancer

Moreover, individuals who are socially disconnected and lack adequate social support face an increased risk of depression, dementia, coronary heart disease, stroke, and sarcopenia.

The most significant risk for those experiencing loneliness is deteriorating mental health. According to the findings, lonely individuals are 2.63 times more likely to experience mental health issues compared to their non-lonely counterparts.

Loneliness is riskiest of all

The research investigated three key factors: loneliness, social isolation, and inadequate social support. Social isolation refers to infrequent interactions or conversations with others. Inadequate social support indicates a lack of individuals to depend on during challenging times, while loneliness is the sensation of being alone, even in the presence of others. To clarify, loneliness is an emotional experience, social isolation involves withdrawal and a lack of social or physical presence, and inadequate social support signifies the absence of reliable and trustworthy relationships.

The results indicate that the experience of loneliness alone can significantly contribute to health issues. The frequency of social interactions or the number of people available for support is less critical, as all three factors fall under the broader concept of social disconnection.

Thus, whether you find yourself alone, have limited conversations, or lack close relationships, it is the experience of loneliness that holds the greatest significance. This feeling can persist regardless of whether you are surrounded by a large group of friends or are entirely by yourself.

The researchers emphasized that this may be an opportune moment to evaluate your health if you frequently experience illness. Assessing your social interactions could prove beneficial.

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