Lifestyle diseases or ailments are diseases caused by the daily habits of a person. Improper day-to-day activities of an individual linked with regular habits can lead to chronic diseases; lifestyle diseases are usually not communicable (cannot be transferred from one person to another) these diseases however have a short span to life-threatening consequences.
Various types of lifestyle diseases
The following are the different types of chronic: diseases
1 . Obesity
The top causes of obesity include unhealthy eating habits, stressful habits, and reduced physical activity. individuals who are obese suffer from breathing problems, diabetes, blood pressure, and cardiovascular diseases.
Risk factors:
Apart from lifestyle habits; the following factors also contribute to obesity
a)family and history and genetics
b)race and ethnicity
c)age
d) unfavorable environments for example exposure to obesogens chemicals that finally led to a change in the hormones resulting in an increase in the fatty tissues.
How to diagnose obesity
People can diagnose this lifestyle disease by performing the following tests:
Checking vital signs such as temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure, measuring height, and examining the abdomen are all part of a general physical exam.
Assessing health history, such as weight history, eating patterns, physical activity, medications being taken, and so on.
Keeping an eye on the waist circumference (abdominal fat or visceral fat)
Body mass index calculation (BMI)
Other health issues such as diabetes, high cholesterol, an underactive thyroid, liver problems, and high blood pressure are being investigated.
2 . Heart disease:
This involves diseases related to the heart; the vessels, valves, muscles, and the electrical pathways that cause the contraction of the muscles.
Types of heart-related conditions include :
- Coronary artery disease
- Heart valve disease
- Heart failure
- Cardiomyopathy
- Arrhythmias
Risk factors
There are many risk factors that cause heart disease although the root cause is not yet clear, the following are some of the causes :
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- Poor diet
- Age of an individual
- High blood pressure
- Stress
- Obesity
- Poor dental health
- Physical inactivity among others.
How to diagnose heart disease.
Heart disease is diagnosed through various tests like the following
- CT scans
- Blood tests
- X-rays
- MRI scans
- Radionuclide tests
- Echocardiogram(ECG)
- Exercise stress tests
3. Type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is caused by the inability of the cells to utilize glucose for the production of energy. When the cell becomes insensitive to insulin this, therefore, causes high levels of blood sugar in the body. When this condition is accompanied by other factors like extra weight and metabolic syndrome lead to the development of this disease.
Risk factors
Risk factors for diabetes include
- Consumption of artificial sweeteners
- Genetics; in cases where some family members have had diabetes
- Being overweight
- Living sedentary lifestyle
- Excessive consumption of sugar and processed foods and carbohydrates.
How to diagnose diabetes type 2
The glycated hemoglobin (A1C) test is commonly used to diagnose type 2 diabetes. This blood test measures a person’s average blood sugar level over the previous two to three months. If the glycated hemoglobin (A1C) test is not available, or if a person has certain conditions that interfere with this test, a doctor may use the tests listed below to diagnose diabetes:
Blood sugar level after fasting
Blood sugar test at random
Test for oral glucose tolerance
Routine screening for type 2 diabetes with diagnostic tests
4. stroke
A stroke occurs when part of the brain loses blood supply and ceases to function. As a result, the body part controlled by the injured brain ceases to function. A stroke is also referred to as a “brain attack,” a cerebrovascular accident (CVA), or a “brain attack.” A stroke is primarily caused by two factors: a blood vessel burst or leak (hemorrhagic stroke) or a blocked artery (ischemic stroke).
Risk factors
High cholesterol
Diabetes
High blood pressure
Heart rhythm disturbances eg fibrillation
Smoking
How to diagnose stroke
Echocardiogram
Cerebral angiogram
Carotid ultrasound
Blood tests for checking if the blood sugar is high or low, and the rate of blood clots
5. Hypertension
Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is characterized by tension or high pressure in the arteries, which are the vessels responsible for transporting blood from the heart to the rest of the body.
Are you curious about the consequences of this lifestyle disease?
Hypertension complications include kidney (renal) disease, heart disease, eye damage, stroke (brain damage), and artery hardening (arteriosclerosis or atherosclerosis).
Risk factors
- Age of the person
- Physical inactivity
- Use of tobacco
- Obesity
- Intake of too much potassium
- Family history
- Excessive consumption of alcohol
- Stress
- Race
How to diagnose hypertension
To measure blood pressure, a sphygmomanometer, which consists of a stethoscope, valve, dial, pump, and arm cuff, is commonly used. Doctors may recommend additional tests for people with high blood pressure to confirm the diagnosis and rule out any underlying conditions that are causing hypertension. These are some examples:
Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) (ECG or EKG)
Urine tests (urinalysis) and blood tests (such as cholesterol tests) are examples of lab tests.
Echocardiogram
Monitoring in the field
Ways of preventing lifestyle diseases
1K.eeping a Healthy Balance of Physical Activity and Food Consumption
Every individual must strike the proper balance between physical activity and nutrition. To keep the immune system active and functioning properly, an adult must engage in some form of physical activity for at least 30 minutes five days a week.
Walking is an excellent form of exercise for people of all ages. It aids in calorie burning while also improving stamina, endurance, and strength. Besides this, there are several other ways to incorporate physical activity into one’s daily routine and thereby take a step towards the prevention and control of lifestyle diseases. These include:
Performing household chores for at least 30 minutes per day
Taking brief walks after eating.
2. Taking Care of Your Diet
For one’s health and wellness, a healthy diet is crucial. One should eat more raw fruits, leafy greens, and foods high in calcium and fiber. In addition, people can take the following actions to maintain a healthy diet and ward off lifestyle diseases:
replacing unhealthy snacks with wholesome ones
getting enough water to drink
eliminating or reducing the intake of foods high in oil
changing to whole- or multi-grain flour
reducing meal size and maintaining a regular eating schedule
3. Avoiding Excessive Consumption of Salt, Oil, and Sugar
Everything in excess proves to be harmful to the body. Consuming excessive amounts of salt, sugar, and oil can increase blood pressure, develop diabetes, and create cardiac problems due to high cholesterol. Therefore, people must take action to reduce their intake of these three foods.
4. refraining from using drugs, alcohol, or nicotine
Avoiding alcohol and nicotine can help prevent about one-third of fatalities from heart disease. The blood vessels are severely harmed by both of these drugs, which instantly increases the risk of blood clotting and atherosclerosis.
Individuals would be able to prevent lifestyle diseases and acquire high energy levels, increased lung capacity, and younger-looking skin by avoiding these health-harming behaviors.
5. . Arranging routine health examinations
A complete investigation of a person’s current health status is provided by routine health examinations. Additionally, it helps in the early detection and prompt treatment of illnesses. Every six months, people who want to learn more about lifestyle diseases and how to manage them must make an appointment for a health checkup.
People who are worried about lifestyle diseases must take note of all the information above. They should also take precautions in their daily lives to stave off these illnesses.
People who are worried about lifestyle diseases must take note of all the information above. They should also take precautions in their daily lives to stave off these illnesses.
