Many chronic conditions are caused by unhealthy behaviors such as smoking, lack of physical activity, poor diet and excessive alcohol use. Some are also a result of family genetics and age. Many people with chronic diseases experience multimorbidity or the presence of two or more conditions at one time.
Chronic health conditions are linked to a number of factors including where you live, access to healthy food, education, and income. Rural areas face well-documented health disparities.
Cancer
Cancer is not the only condition that may cause chronic health problems, but it is one of the most common. Cancers, which are often referred to as malignant tumours or neoplasms, are abnormal cells that can spread from one part of the body to other parts of the body in a process known as metastasis. Cancers and their treatment can lead to side effects such as fatigue, pain, weight loss or nausea. It is not uncommon for people who have cancer to also suffer from other conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, lung disease or arthritis.
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Using the term “chronic” to describe cancer is controversial and may confuse people because, unlike other chronic diseases such as asthma or diabetes, patients who have cancer do not know from the time of diagnosis whether their disease will be terminal or whether they can expect a cure. Moreover, using the term “chronic” in cancer care may negatively impact patient-physician communication and the patients’ own understanding of their illness (Gorini & Pravettoni).
It is also important to remember that most of the diseases included in the list of chronic illnesses are caused by unhealthy behaviours such as smoking, poor diets and physical inactivity. The majority of these chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) can be prevented by reducing or eliminating these risk factors.
Chronic Lung Disease
The term chronic lung disease includes a range of persistent problems that affect your lung tissues, airways or the circulation of oxygen in and out of your lungs. These diseases are a big problem for the world’s population and they cause many deaths and years lost to illness and disability. Some lung diseases are hereditary, like cystic fibrosis or chronic bronchitis (which is also called COPD). Others come from exposure to toxic chemicals and gases such as second-hand smoke and industrial pollutants. Some of these diseases are very serious, like emphysema or pneumothorax. And others are less serious, such as neuromuscular disorders like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and myasthenia gravis, which make it difficult for you to breathe.
https://www.personalmedicalalarms.co.nz/medical-alert/ Chronic respiratory diseases are not curable but treatment can help control your symptoms and improve your quality of life. This includes taking steps to stop smoking, staying at a healthy weight, using a mask when going outside and avoiding second-hand smoke. Other helpful steps include getting a flu shot each year and having your lung health checked regularly with your doctor.
Asthma, COPD, tuberculosis, smoking and household air pollution are the top causes of respiratory diseases worldwide. However, we haven’t yet had a global assessment of the burden of chronic respiratory diseases by country or region, which could help us meet our targets to reduce premature mortality from NCDs.
Heart Disease
Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. It develops when the arteries that supply blood to the heart are clogged by plaque, which contains cholesterol and other substances. This reduces the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the heart, which weakens it over time. It may cause a heart attack, stroke or arrhythmias. Some forms of heart disease are congenital and some are due to aging, smoking, high blood pressure or unhealthy eating habits.
People who have heart disease are at higher risk for developing other chronic conditions. In addition, having multiple chronic conditions increases the likelihood of complications and disability. Getting enough sleep, managing stress, exercising regularly, eating healthy foods and staying at a healthy weight can help prevent chronic diseases and improve your quality of life.
Many of the world’s most common diseases are chronic noncommunicable disorders (NCDs). These include cardiovascular diseases, such as coronary artery disease and stroke; diabetes; chronic lung diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; and mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety. Most NCDs are caused by lifestyle factors, such as tobacco use and harmful alcohol consumption, unhealthy diets, and physical inactivity. They also occur more often in low- and middle-income countries than in high-income countries. Heart disease, NCDs and related conditions are the leading causes of death worldwide, and their toll on lives and economies is increasing rapidly.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a disease that affects your body's ability to use glucose for energy. Glucose comes from the foods you eat, and insulin is a hormone that helps get it into your cells for energy. When you have diabetes, your body doesn't make enough insulin or can't use it properly, so blood sugar levels are too high.
Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to serious health problems. These include damage to blood vessels, nerves and kidneys. It can also cause vision loss and leg or foot amputations. In addition, high blood sugar can increase your risk of getting infections like urinary tract infections and yeast infections that occur near the genital area.
The symptoms of diabetes can vary from person to person. Some people may not have any symptoms at all, or they might have symptoms like increased thirst and dry mouth. They might also have to urinate more often, particularly at night, and they might see or feel a lot of sugar in their urine.
https://www.personalmedicalalarms.co.nz/elderly-alarms/ Diabetes can be prevented with healthy eating habits, physical activity and weight management. But it's important to know the symptoms of diabetes so that you can talk to your doctor right away if you have them. The sooner you have it diagnosed, the sooner you can start treatment and prevent complications. You can get more information about the different types of diabetes by visiting NIDDK's website. https://www.personalmedicalalarms.co.nz/fall-detection-alarms/
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