The body is a fragile thing, a single disease can ruin and cause pain to the body. These illnesses' symptoms are health risk factors that if not found out at the right time can prove fatal to the human body. This blog will teach you the effects of the health risk factors, how to identify those risks, and how to avoid them.
Physical Inactivity
(Lifehack.org, n.d.)
In an article written by the Centers for Disease Control (2022), physical inactivity is defined as not getting enough physical activity. The cause for this is varying because not everyone has the opportunity to be physically active. Many modern jobs do not require physical activity thus, lessening the opportunities for many employees to conduct the physical activity that is required by their bodies. Physical Inactivity can cause anxiety, lack of sleep, increased risk of dementia, increased risk of bone deterioration, increased risk of cardiovascular or heart disease, and can cause unhealthy weight gains. The CDC states that to avoid physical inactivity, one must allot time per day to do physical activity or exercises such as walking, jogging, and so on. The person must also track the physical activity that they do.
Poor Nutrition
(indiantvnews.com, 2018)
Not eating healthy foods will result in poor nutrition which is bad for the body. According to the Government of South Australia (n.d), poor nutrition is the state of being unhealthy. It is often caused by bad eating habits, eating unhealthy foods high in calories and fats, and not drinking enough water. The symptoms of poor nutrition include being overweight, tooth decay, cancer, osteoporosis, increased risk of heart disease, and eating disorders. To avoid poor nutrition, you must eat a balanced and healthy diet three times a day and drink 8 glasses or more of water each day. People must also exercise regularly to prevent the risk of heart disease and to be more physically active.
Smoking
(newscientist.com, 2020)
Smoking is one of the most dangerous things a person can do to their body. According to Cleveland Clinic (n.d.), smoking is really bad for the health since it causes respiratory problems. Smoking is the burning of tobacco and other drugs for recreational use. Smoking affects the respiratory systems in a bad way, increasing the risk for lung cancer. It can also affect the other parts of the body by causing erectile dysfunction, coronary artery disease, and emphysema. The best way to avoid smoking is to not start smoking at all. Without smoking, a person can live longer, reduce the risk for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, and be healthier.
Risk Factor
Risk factors according to the National Cancer Institute (n.d.) are anything that will increase the chance of having a disease. An example of this is obesity and how it is a risk factor for more dangerous diseases such as cardiovascular diseases. Another example is how smoking is a risk factor for lung cancer and various other diseases.
Non-Communicable Disease
Not all diseases have viruses or bacteria that can be passed from one specimen to another. Others are just formed by cell growth and thickening of arteries amongst other various reasons. According to the World Health Organization, Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) include diabetes, cancer, chronic lung disease, and heart disease. The main contributors to NCDs are obesity, poor nutrition, smoking, and physical inactivity. To avoid NCDs, one should be physically fit, active, healthy, and has proper nutrition.
Cardiovascular Diseases
(news-medical.net, 2020)
According to the American Heart Association (2022), Cardiovascular diseases are a plethora of diseases that affect the circulatory system. This can also pertain to heart disease, heart attack, stroke, heart failure, arrhythmia, or heart valve problems. This is often caused by risk factors such as poor nutrition, physical inactivity, etc. but it could also be caused by inheriting cardiac conditions from parents, grandparents, etc. To avoid cardiovascular diseases, people must limit their eating of carbohydrates, fats, and cholesterol. People should also exercise regularly to train their stamina which lessens the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Diabetes
(news-medical.net, n.d.)
Diabetes or Diabetes mellitus is a disease about the use of sugar in the body (Mayo Clinic, 2020). Typically, diabetes is known to have 2 types, Type 1 and Type 2 which are chronic diabetes but there are also reversible diabetes such as prediabetes and Gestational diabetes. Prediabetes is where blood sugar level is high but not yet high enough to be considered diabetes, and Gestational diabetes which happens during pregnancy. Some of its complications are that it can cause cardiovascular disease, nerve damage, kidney damage, eye damage, Alzheimer's disease. Some ways to prevent this are to eat foods that are low in fat and calories, get an adequate amount of aerobic activity in one’s routine, and lose weight by changing eating habits.
Cancer
(cancer.gov, 2021)
According to the National Cancer Institute (2021), cancer is the uncontrollable growth and spread of cells where the damaged cells that aren't supposed to spread, break down and multiply to other parts of the body which causes tumors. Since it is a genetic disease, it is said that it is caused by an error when cells divide, hereditary reasons, or when the DNA gets damaged by factors outside the body such as tobacco smoke and UV rays from the sun. According to Mayo Clinic (2021) to avoid getting cancer, some of the preventions that can be done are not using tobacco, having a healthy diet, getting protection against the sun, getting vaccinated, and more.
Obesity
(Britannica.com, n.d.)
According to Mayo Clinic (2021), obesity is a dangerous disease that involves a person having an extreme amount of body fat. Obesity often leads to other diseases such as cardiovascular disease. Obesity is caused by constantly eating foods that are high in calories or fat. Symptoms of obesity are a BMI rating that is above 30 and a waist circumference above 40 inches for men and above 35 inches for women. To avoid obesity, one must have a healthy and balanced diet, one must work out regularly to burn carbohydrates, calculate their BMI, measure their waist circumference, and take a physical exam. It is also important to go to a doctor for a checkup once every 1-2 months.
Chronic Respiratory Disease
(ncdalliance.org, n.d.)
Chronic Respiratory diseases (CRDs) are a group of diseases that affect the lungs of a person (NCD Alliance, 2014). This includes asthma and respiratory allergies, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). To prevent this from happening, one can control the exposure to the smoke of tobacco, have adequate ventilation, have a good diet and nutrition, and already be preventive at a young age as it is said that CRDs develop at this stage.
References
Alex, S. S. (2022, May 11). Association between physical activity paradox and risk variables for cardiovascular disease [Image]. News Medical. https://www.news-medical.net/news/20220511/Association-between-physical-activity-paradox-and-risk-variables-for-cardiovascular-disease.aspx
American Heart Association. (2022, May 4). What is cardiovascular disease? www.heart.org. Retrieved May 27, 2022, from https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/consumer-healthcare/what-is-cardiovascular-disease
Bennett, C. (n.d.). How baking soda affects people with type 2 diabetes [Image]. News Medical. https://www.news-medical.net/health/How-Baking-Soda-Affects-People-with-Type-2-Diabetes.aspx
Borski, L. (n.d.). How physical inactivity affects your energy levels [Image]. Lifehack. https://www.lifehack.org/906010/physical-inactivity-effects
Centers for Disease Control. (2022, May 13). Physical inactivity. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved May 27, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/publications/factsheets/physical-activity.htm
Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Smoking: Effects, risks, addiction, quitting, treatment. Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved May 27, 2022, from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/17488-smoking
Encyclopedia Britannica. (n.d.). obesity [Image]. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/science/obesity
Government of South Australia. (n.d.). SA health. The Risks Of Poor Nutrition. Retrieved May 27, 2022, from https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/public+content/sa+health+internet/healthy+living/is+your+health+at+risk/the+risks+of+poor+nutrition#:~:text=In%20the%20short%20term%2C%20poor,high%20blood%20pressure
India TV Lifestyle Desk. (2018, December 6). Poor nutrition during pregnancy may lead to diabetes, early menopause [Image]. India TV. https://www.indiatvnews.com/lifestyle/health-poor-nutrition-during-pregnancy-may-lead-to-diabetes-early-menopause-490128
Mayo Clinic. (2020, October 30). Diabetes - symptoms and causes. Retrieved May 27, 2022, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetes/symptoms-causes/syc-20371444
Mayo Clinic. (2021, February 17). Cancer prevention: 7 tips to reduce your risk. Retrieved May 27, 2022, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/cancer-prevention/art-20044816
Mayo Clinic. (2021, September 2). Obesity. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved May 27, 2022, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/obesity/symptoms-causes/syc-20375742#:~:text=Obesity%20is%20a%20complex%20disease,blood%20pressure%20and%20certain%20cancers.
National Cancer Institute. (2021, May 5). What is cancer? [Image]. National Cancer Institute. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/understanding/what-is-cancer
National Cancer Institute. (2021, May 5). What is cancer? Retrieved May 27, 2022, from https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/understanding/what-is-cancer
National Cancer Institute. (n.d.). NCI Dictionary of Cancer terms. National Cancer Institute. Retrieved May 27, 2022, from https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/risk-factor
NCD Alliance. (n.d.). Chronic respiratory diseases [Image]. NCD Alliance. https://ncdalliance.org/chronic-respiratory-diseases#:~:text=The%20term%20chronic%20respiratory%20diseases,apnea%20syndrome%20and%20pulmonary%20hypertension
NCD Alliance. (2014, November 26). Chronic respiratory diseases. Retrieved May 27, 2022, from https://ncdalliance.org/chronic-respiratory-diseases#:%7E:text=The%20term%20chronic%20respiratory%20diseases,apnea%20syndrome%20and%20pulmonary%20hypertension.
Wilson, C. (2020, May 19). Smoking probably puts you at greater risk of coronavirus, not less [Image]. NewScientist. https://www.newscientist.com/article/2243944-smoking-probably-puts-you-at-greater-risk-of-coronavirus-not-less/
World Health Organization. (n.d.). Noncommunicable Diseases. World Health Organization. Retrieved May 27, 2022, from https://www.who.int/health-topics/noncommunicable-diseases#tab=tab_1
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