Dr. Eeric Truumees literally stands out. “People remember who I am,” says the orthopedic surgeon in Austin, Texas. But despite height’s association with social and professional benefits, such as appearing more attractive and earning more money, towering over others has downfalls, too. “The bane of my height has been hitting my head on things,” Truumees finds, “and as I get a little slower and little less flexible, I find I’m doing that more often.” That’s just the start of height’s influence on health. Here are seven medical issues that may disproportionately affect people who are taller or shorter than average: