Diseases associated with the way a person or group of people live that potentially can be prevented by changes in diet, environment, and lifestyle, but several misconceptions and half-truths are the most common stories that lead people to be affected by chronic disease.
Although it’s a Non-communicable disease, they are of long duration and generally slow progression. The four main types of non-communicable diseases are cardiovascular diseases (like heart attacks and stroke), cancers, chronic respiratory diseases (such as chronic obstructed pulmonary disease and asthma) and diabetes.
1. Arteriosclerosis:
This is a group of diseases in which the arterial blood vessel walls thicken and lose elasticity, thereby causing blood circulation disorders, chest pain, and heart attacks. It is linked with diabetes, obesity and a high BP.
Around 30% to 40% of cardiovascular deaths happen in India among the age group of 34-64 years of age.
2. Cancer:
Cancer includes any abnormal and irregular cell growth. Cancer killed almost 5,56,400 people across the country in 2011.
3. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease:
This is a disease described by a progressive, permanent obstruction of the airways which are worsened by smoking and air pollution.
4. Cirrhosis:
Cirrhosis refers to a group of liver disorders caused by heavy alcohol consumption and chronic hepatitis. In India, approximately 36,149 people die each year due to cirrhosis.
5. Heart disease:
This refers to various abnormalities that affect the heart muscle and blood vessel walls which are due to smoking, diabetes and high cholesterol intake. India ranks No.1 in cardiac patients, around 50 million Indians suffer from heart problems.
6. High blood pressure:
When the reading is 140/90 or higher, the BP is considered to be high. Hypertension can be due to stress, obesity, genetic factors or overuse of salt in the diet and ageing.
7. Nephritis:
Swelling of the kidneys and abnormal functioning of the excretory system is referred to as Nephritis
8. Obesity:
Unhealthy eating habits, reduced physical exercise are one of the most important reasons for obesity. A person with excessive weight suffers with breathing problems, blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, etc..
9. Stroke:
When a blood vessel carrying blood to the brain has a blockage it creates an oxygen deficiency for the area of the brain it was carrying it to.
10. Swimmer’s ear:
Inflammation, irritation, or infection of the outer ear and ear canal which can cause buzzing or ringing ears, or difficulty in understanding speech patterns are its symptoms. Swimmer’s ears results due to loud music and constant use of headphones.
11. Type II diabetes:
Obesity becomes the cause for other health problems such as Type II Diabetes which is the non-insulin
dependent form, and generally develops in adults.The International Diabetes Federation suggests that India has the largest number of people who suffer with type 2 diabetes.
By: Archa Dave
