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Indeed there are ups and downs, but life, in general, is beautiful and the last thing you want is to miss out on that. One way that you can not experience what life has got to offer is when you become ill. Luckily most diseases are preventable, and something as simple as a healthy lifestyle can put you on the right path. Here is a list of the top 10 dangerous conditions you can prevent by living a healthy lifestyle.
- Coronary artery diseases (CAD)
The mortality rate has diminished in the US and Europe, yet CAD is still the number one killer disease in the entire world. Better healthcare may be the reason for the decline in CAD deaths in advanced economies. Unfortunately, the disease has turned its attention towards the developing countries. Consequently, CAD fatality rates are going up in Africa and other less-developed places. Health experts have attributed the surge in CAD fatality rate to an increase in life expectancy, socioeconomic factors, and change in peoples’ lifestyles. But what’s CAD? In simple terms, coronary artery disease occurs as a result of the narrowing of the blood vessels linking your heart. When this condition is not adequately managed, it can cause you to feel a lot of pain in your chest region. The greatest nightmare is potential heart failure. Some factors that put you at risk of falling ill include hypertension (high BP), high cholesterol, excessive smoking, genetic factors, Diabetes, and obesity. The good news is that CAD can be managed with medications, and by including the following activities into your lifestyle to lessen your risk factors. ·
- Regular exercise (workouts)
- Keeping your weight under control
- Eating a balanced diet but be mindful your salt intake
- Quit smoking
- Drink moderately or say no to alcohol.
- Stroke
This is one of the most feared diseases in the world. In 2015 alone, the disease killed more than six million people worldwide. This disease shows up when arteries in your brain start to leak or get clogged up. Your brain cells will then begin to deteriorate because of a lack of oxygen. Confusion will rock you, and you may struggle to see or walk. In severe cases, a stroke can render you disabled for life. Statistics show that if early treatment is given, stroke patients may not suffer a disability. According to the CDC, about 93% of people know that numbness is a potential sign of stroke. The risk factors involved include high BP, genetic factors (family history), smoking habits, being a black man (African-American), and being female. By making adjustments to your lifestyle, you can steer clear of stroke. Normalising your blood pressure and taking medications can also keep you away from a stroke. In that regard, exercise regularly, stop smoking, and reduce your intake of sodium.
- Lower respiratory infections
This condition affects the respiratory system by infecting your lungs and your airways. It can occur as a result of factors like bronchitis, influenza, tuberculosis (TB), and pneumonia. Disease-causing organisms such as viruses or bacteria, normally give rise to this respiratory disorder. When the respiratory system becomes infected, coughing is a common symptom. The quality of your breath may also decrease, and your chest will feel tight. If you don’t have access to early treatment, it might take a turn for the worst. You’re more susceptible if you experience the following ·
- Flu
- Poor quality of air
- Bad smoking habits
- Poor immune system
- Asthma
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
To reduce your infection, get vaccinated for pneumonia and the flu. Last but not least, be sure to wash your hands with soap under running water, use alcohol-based sanitizers to sanitize your hands before eating. Also, don’t forget to stay indoors until you’re fit again. Concerning the current situation, there are grim predictions that Covid-19 may end up becoming endemic. Meanwhile, there’s no proven vaccine for it yet.
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
This is another top killer disease confronting the globe, which also affects the health of your lungs. Its effects are long-term, and gradually, your ability to take a breath deteriorates. As of 2004, the disease affected some 64 million people worldwide. The risk factors include smoking, active or passive exposure to lung irritants (e.g., fumes), and genetic factors (family history). The sad part of the COPD story is that it has no effective cure, but with medications, it’s possible to slow down its effects. A workable solution to COPD is to stay away from smoking and passive smoking. Live in neat environments, and avoid lung irritants such as factory fumes.
- Cancer of the lungs, trachea, and bronchus
In general, respiratory cancers encompass cancer of the lungs, trachea, and bronchus. A 2015 research study found out that these types of cancers kill about four million people every year. Smoking, and air pollution in developing nations, have led experts to project an upsurge in respiratory cancers to around 81–100%. In Asia, Indians haven’t stopped using coal as a source of fuel for cooking. Africa’s situation is no different as women use firewood as fuel. Solid fuel emissions are responsible for about 17% and 22% of lung cancer fatalities in men and women, respectively. Different types of respiratory cancers can affect any person but, if you don’t have a bad history of tobacco smoking, you’re in the safe zone. Genetic factors, and exposure to external hazards such as diesel fumes, can also increase your risks of getting these diseases. If your symptoms are detected early enough, treatment may improve your condition.
- Diabetes mellitus
Diabetes is a family of diseases that hamper the production of a hormone known as insulin. There are type-1 and type-2 diabetes. In the first type, the pancreas cannot produce the insulin hormone. Type-2 diabetes may also occur as a result of insufficient production of insulin, disuse of insulin, and even other factors such as poor diet, lack of exercise, and obesity. Patients in middle and low-income countries have higher fatality rates than those in high-income countries. Factors like obesity, high BP, old age, lack of exercise, and an unhealthy diet will put you at risk of getting this disease. Not all diabetes is preventable, especially if it runs in the family. But diet and exercise can play a huge part in reducing the severity of your symptoms. For example, the current lockdown situation doesn’t mean that you can’t stay active if you are still in self-isolation. Make every effort to exercise while at home, follow a healthy balanced diet while monitoring your blood sugar.
- Alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer’s disease impairs your memory; however, it can do more damage than that. About 60–80% of dementias are, in fact, Alzheimer’s diseases. In the beginning, it may cause small problems such as temporary memory loss. But as time goes on, it can take a new turn for the worst-case scenario characterised by prolonged memory loss. The risk factors include ·
- Old age (especially sexagenarian)
- Genetic factors (family history)
- preexisting mild impairment
- Down’s syndrome
- Negative lifestyle
- Female
- Head trauma
It’s quite disappointing to learn that researchers are yet to find a lasting cure for Alzheimer’s. In the meantime, doctors can’t explain why the disease selectively attacks some people. However, some recommendations for eating heart-healthy diets may be a preventive measure for Alzheimer’s disease.
- Dehydration & diarrhoea
When you frequently pass out watery stools each day, then you may be suffering from diarrhoea. Prolonged diarrhoea can drain your body fluid, thereby making you dehydrated. The mode of infection of diarrhoea can be traced to consuming contaminated food and drinking infected water. Diarrhoea is a common disease in developing countries where poor sanitation is rampant. Annually, the world loses up to 760,000 children to diarrhoea. The risk factors are ·
- Poor sanitation
- Lack of potable water
- Young children
- Malnutrition
- Weak immune system
UNICEF suggests that the best way to prevent diarrhoea is to practice good sanitation in your home, as well as good personal hygiene. Using clean water and proper hand-washing habits can reduce diarrhoea cases by about 40%.
- Tuberculosis (TB)
About 35% of HIV/AIDS deaths are as a result of TB. The causative organism of TB is known as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and some strains of the bacteria can be treated. Thanks to massive efforts made to combat lung disease, TB infections have been declining since the year 2000. The ultimate goal is that by 2030, the world would have gotten rid of the illness. Your more susceptible if you have any of the following: ·
- Diabetes
- low weight
- Living with TB patients
- Weak immune system
- HIV infection
- Cirrhosis
Cirrhosis is when your liver cells are severely damaged as a result of toxins, metabolic issues, and nutritional deprivation. The liver is the organ responsible for bile production, metabolizing nutrients, and destroying harmful substances. When it suffers from a chronic disease, scar tissues will make it lose its ability to function correctly. Excessive consumption of alcohol, fat on the liver, and viral hepatitis are some issues that make it easier to get the disease. Alcohol abuse has long been a major cause of liver cirrhosis. So, by living a healthy lifestyle and consuming moderate amounts of alcohol, you can greatly lower your risks of developing cirrhosis.
The truth is preventable diseases claim millions of lives every year. Since you want to live long enough to accomplish your goals, following a healthy lifestyle is critical. Have fun staying at home, but don’t forget to incorporate physical activities into your calendar.