The diseases whose occurrence is primarily based on the daily habits of people are known as lifestyle diseases or non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes are some main kinds of NCDs. Most NCDs share common lifestyle-related risk factors like physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, tobacco use, and harmful use of alcohol. Don’t worry, NCDs can be prevented by following some simple lifestyle tips.
According to the WHO, NCDs are responsible for 63% of all global deaths annually and they kill more than 36 million people each year. More than 9mn of all deaths attributed to NCDs occur before the age of 60. 80% of all deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries caused by NCDs.
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Below are the main types of NCDs causes by unhealthy lifestyle:
- Chronic respiratory diseases
Diseases that are caused by cigarette smoking, air pollution are known as CRDs. The term chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) describes a range of diseases of the airways and other structures of the lungs. The chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma are two main types of CRDs. Over 235mn people have asthma worldwide, while 3mn people die each year from COPDs, an estimated 6% of all deaths. The main causes of CRDs are cigarette smoking, tobacco chewing, pollution, and infections.
- Cardiovascular diseases:
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the types of diseases that affect the heart and blood vessels. CVDs are the main cause of coronary heart disease (clogged arteries), which can cause congenital heart disease, heart attacks, stroke, and peripheral artery disease. Bad lifestyle habits like use of tobacco, unhealthy diet, alcohol, and physical inactivity trigger CVDs. Every year, 17.7 million people die from CVDs, an estimated 31% of all deaths globally.
- Diabetes:
Diabetes occurs when the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. Type 1, Type 2, Gestational, and Pre-Diabetes are the four main types of diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is largely the result of excess body weight and physical inactivity and is the most common diabetes globally. According to data, it caused around 1.6mn deaths in 2015.
- Cancer:
Cancer is caused by gene mutations. Factors causing mutations are smoking, radiation, obesity, and hormones, among others. Cancer is a disease characterized by the growth of abnormal cells beyond their usual boundaries that can invade other parts of the body too. Cervical cancer, lung cancer and breast cancer are some common types of cancer. It is estimated to kill around 9.6 million people in 2018 making it the second leading cause of death worldwide.
How to prevent non-communicable diseases?
To lessen the risk of NCDs one should reduce the consumption of major risk factors such as tobacco use, physical inactivity. Specific changes in diet and lifestyle can help you in preventing lifestyle diseases.
