What are Lifestyle Diseases? Causes, Symptoms, and Tips to Follow

According to the WHO, lifestyle diseases kill a huge number of people worldwide. People aged 30 to 69 are reported to be suffering from a variety of lifestyle diseases, the majority of which are avoidable. While heart attacks and strokes account for the majority of deaths each year, cancer, respiratory disorders, and diabetes are close behind.

What are lifestyle diseases?

Simply put, lifestyle diseases are non-communicable diseases that are caused by the health-harming decisions we make on a daily basis. Lifestyle diseases are no longer limited to adults; they are now affecting children as well.

Non-communicable diseases are those that cannot be communicated from one person to another. These diseases are frequently caused by genetic or lifestyle factors, and they last a long time and advance slowly. Cardiovascular illnesses, hypertension, respiratory ailments, diabetes, and even cancer are only a few examples. Tobacco, alcohol, and other narcotics use, physical inactivity, a poor diet, and chronic stress are all key contributors to the genesis of these lifestyle disorders.

Some of the most prevalent lifestyle diseases include:

Obesity

Obesity is defined as a BMI (body mass index) greater than 25. Unhealthy eating habits, persistent stress, and a sedentary lifestyle are frequently cited as contributing factors. Obesity causes breathing problems, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other health problems. This is also the initial step in drawing a variety of other lifestyle disorders to your body.

Diabetes type 2

Type 2 diabetes is caused by obesity, which is one of the leading causes of the disease. Type II diabetes is a non-insulin type of diabetes that develops in adulthood as a result of poor eating habits and poor lifestyle choices. However, with positive lifestyle changes and timely treatment, type 2 diabetes can be cured.

Hypertension

Hypertension (high blood pressure) is a common disorder in which the blood’s long-term force against the artery walls is high enough to produce health problems such as heart disease. Your blood pressure is high if the number on the blood pressure machine is 140/90 or greater. Stress, obesity, genetic factors, and improper eating habits are all typical causes of high blood pressure.

Arteriosclerosis

Arteriosclerosis is a condition in which the walls of the arterial blood vessels harden and lose flexibility. This frequently results in problems with blood circulation, chest pain, and heart attacks. Obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure are all connected to arteriosclerosis.

Heart diseases

Heart disease is any irregularity or disorder that affects the heart muscle or blood vessel walls. Its development in the body is aided by smoking, diabetes, and excessive cholesterol.

Swimmer’s ear

Swimmer’s ear is a condition that occurs when you use headphones all of the time and are exposed to loud noises more than you should be. Inflammation, irritation, or infection in the ear canal or outer ear is caused by the swimmer’s ear. Much of the hearing of many people has been permanently damaged as a result of persistent noise exposure.

Metabolic Syndrome:

Metabolic refers to a range of disorders that can lead to cardiovascular problems, diabetes, strokes, and several other health issues. Metabolic syndrome is a serious health condition that raises the risk of heart disease, diabetes, cerebrovascular disease, and other conditions caused by fatty buildup in artery walls (atherosclerosis). High BMI and obesity, insulin resistance, physical inactivity, genetic factors, and advancing age are all underlying causes of metabolic syndrome. Although metabolic syndrome is a dangerous illness, maintaining a healthy weight, increasing physical activity, and eating a heart-healthy diet can greatly reduce your risks. Supplements such as CBD oil India can also be of help.

Cancer

Our body’s immunity has been weakened as a result of our current hectic lifestyle. This indicates that the white blood cells’ ability to fight viruses that enter our bodies is diminished. As a result, there may be uneven cell growth, which might lead to the diagnosis of cancer. Cancer can be induced by a variety of factors, including long-term smoking and excessive sun exposure.

Cirrhosis

Cirrhosis is a term that refers to a variety of liver illnesses. Heavy alcohol intake and chronic hepatitis can both harm the liver. As many people drink alcohol daily to cope with stress, this has become a widespread lifestyle disease.

Stroke

A stroke occurs when a blood vessel delivering blood to the brain becomes blocked, resulting in an oxygen deficit in the part of the brain to which it transports blood. If high blood pressure is not treated properly and promptly, it might lead to a stroke. Stroke can also be passed down the generations.

COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by a blockage of the airways that lasts for a long time. Air pollution and smoking are two factors that might aggravate this illness. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema, is caused by irritants that damage your lungs and airways over time. COPD is mostly caused by smoking, but it can also affect nonsmokers.

Managing and preventing lifestyle diseases

Preventing lifestyle diseases begins with a healthy lifestyle. At the same time, early detection of such disorders allows them to be healed and reversed. A nutritious diet is essential for good health. Rather than focusing on particular items, it is preferable to change one’s overall eating habits by combining healthy foods in the proper proportions.

Tips to follow:

• Exercising regularly for at least 3-5 days per week will make you much happier and healthier. Avoiding lifts and elevators, sitting for long periods, and getting enough sleep are all examples of methods to include physical activity in daily activities.
• Smoking and drinking alcohol harm the heart and blood vessels by raising the risk of atherosclerosis and blood clotting. As a person quits smoking and drinking, their risk of developing lifestyle diseases decreases dramatically.
• Each individual must keep their weight under control in order to live a healthy lifestyle. This can be accomplished by eating well and exercising regularly. A BMI of more than 25 shows that someone is obese, and it is something that everyone should be aware of.
• Blood pressure and blood sugar levels are influenced as a result of all the dietary measures taken together with the physical workouts performed to maintain body proportion and control weight.

The only way to prevent and treat lifestyle disorders is to adopt healthy habits, be vigilant about symptoms, and seek treatment as soon as possible. Apart from pharmacological treatment, various supplements (such as CBD oil India) can also help people get better. Recognize your unhealthy behavior and take the first step toward changing it today. Smoking, excessive drinking, lack of exercise, getting too little sleep, or being overweight are all habits that must be admitted and reversed to live a full and active life.