The style of life changes quickly for most generations. One of our society’s major problems is a sedentary lifestyle, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic outburst. Most people have remote jobs, spend their time at our homes, in front of our TV, and eat more processed foods. It may come as no surprise that some diseases are getting more and more common.
Most Common Health Issues You Should Watch For
For example, a heart scan is one of the most popular medical examinations in the USA. It is estimated that over 70 million people in the USA are obese, which can cause serious health problems. So here, you will find out a list of the seven most common health issues, such as type 2 diabetes, cancer, heart diseases, or Alzheimer’s disease – and how you can prevent them.
Type 2 Diabetes
It is a common chronic disease where the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or when it can’t properly use any insulin it does produce. When the body doesn’t have enough insulin, the blood sugar (glucose) level in the blood keeps rising. This causes serious health problems.
The most common symptoms of type 2 diabetes are:
- increased thirst and frequent urination
- continuous fatigue, weight loss, and nausea
- blurriness, pain, double vision, or frequent infections
To diagnose type 2 diabetes, you should see a doctor and get a medical examination. He can examine your medical history, check your blood pressure and height, weigh you, and send your blood for analysis. Type 2 diabetes can be effectively treated with a healthy diet and regular physical activity. Quitting smoking also makes it easier to manage the disease.
Cancer
Cancer develops when cells in the body grow uncontrollably. Most cancers start when cells in a part of the body begin to grow out of control. The cells can grow into a tumor that can invade nearby tissues and spread to other parts of the body. This process is called metastasis.
The major risk factors for cancer are tobacco smoking, obesity, unhealthy diet, alcohol consumption, lack of physical activity, exposure to radiation, and certain chemicals. There are also genetic factors that make some people more likely to develop cancer than others.
You can help prevent cancer by eating healthy foods such as fruits and veggies, reducing alcohol consumption, doing regular exercise, and reducing stress levels. Cancer can be treated with surgery or chemotherapy, but it’s vital to catch it early.
If you notice suspicious changes in your body such as lumps or any changes in your breast tissue or skin color anywhere on your body – make sure to seek medical advice without delay. Early detection is crucial for getting rid of cancer before it spreads throughout your body and becomes inoperable.
Heart Disease
Heart disease is another common illness that affects many people all over the world. Heart disease is one of America’s leading causes of death. Heart disease happens when fat builds up in the artery walls around your heart, decreasing its ability to pump blood efficiently to your body.
Risk factors for heart disease include a poor diet, lack of physical activity, smoking, family history of heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. Heart disease is treatable and preventable and usually requires lifelong treatment from a prescription medication or surgery.
It is essential to pay attention to your health by doing regular exercise at least 30 minutes a day at least three times a week, eating healthy food, including fruits and vegetables, and limiting alcohol consumption as much as possible – these things will help you avoid heart issues.
Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common degenerative brain disorder among older people, which causes dementia – loss of memory and mental ability.
The most common symptoms are:
- memory loss that disrupts daily life
- problems with language
- problems with reasoning and judgment
- changes in personality and mood
- difficulties with basic activities like dressing or eating
- loss in vision or hearing.
Alzheimer’s disease cannot be cured, but it can be treated symptomatically using medications that improve cognitive functions such as memory aids, speech aids or physiotherapy, etc.
One vital thing that everyone should know is that there are things we can do to help reduce our risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, including exercising regularly, declining stress levels, and sticking to a healthy diet – yet another reason to take care of yourself.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis causes the weakening of bones and makes them more likely to break. It is caused by lifestyle factors (such as eating habits or stress levels), hormonal imbalance (estrogen deficiency), and genetics. As people age, their bones become thinner and weaker due to bone resorption – meaning that old bone cells break down faster than new ones replace them.
To prevent osteoporosis, you should follow some simple steps:
- eat healthy food, including fruits and veggies
- drink lots of water
- stay away from tobacco products
- maintain a normal weight
- exercise regularly at least 30 minutes a day (several days a week).
A medical examination can detect osteoporosis, so it’s essential to see your doctor at least once a year. Your doctor can also prescribe medications to help slow bone loss and treat osteoporosis.
Asthma
Asthma is a disorder of the airways in your lungs. It causes difficulty breathing and wheezing and can lead to an asthmatic attack. Asthma is usually hereditary, so if your parents or grandparents had asthma, you might have asthma too. It can also be caused by allergies, tobacco smoke, air pollution, and other environmental factors.
To diagnose asthma, you should see a doctor and get a medical examination. They will ask about your symptoms and family history and perform a physical exam on you. Asthma is usually treated by inhaling bronchodilators, but people with severe asthma may need oral steroids or long-term use of bronchodilators.
If you have asthma, it’s important to avoid triggers such as dust mites, pollen, pets, cold weather, humidity, smoggy air, cigarette smoke, and air pollutants. You should keep your home as clean as possible and minimize or eliminate the use of chemical cleaning products in your home. It’s also essential to adjust to changes in the weather.
Obesity
Obesity is a condition where fat builds up in the body to such an extent that it may harm its health. Obesity is linked to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer.
To diagnose obesity, you should see a doctor and get a medical examination. He or she will ask about your symptoms and family history and perform a physical exam on you.
To treat obesity, it’s crucial to keep a healthy diet and get in the habit of exercising regularly. A healthy diet includes vegetables, fruits, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, and lean meats. There are three types of physical activities:
- Aerobic training burns fat and increases the amount of oxygen in the body.
- Strength training helps to reduce the risk of heart disease and improves metabolism.
- Flexibility training strengthens the muscles around our joints, improves posture and balance, and reduces the risk of falling.
Conclusion
There are several widespread and, at the same moment, severe health issues, and it is worth educating yourself on the topic to be aware of the risks factor and symptoms to watch for. Moreover, it will allow you to prevent most of these diseases from evolving and protect your health from adverse consequences.
Your lifestyle, level of physical activity, and eating habits have the most significant effect on developing most of these health issues. Taking care of these three factors – and therefore of yourself – will allow you to reduce the risk of their development.