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What is Lifestyle Disease?

Lifestyle diseases can be defined as diseases linked with one's lifestyle. These diseases are non-communicable diseases. They are caused by lack of physical activity, unhealthy eating, alcohol, substance use disorders and smoking tobacco, which can lead to heart disease, stroke, obesity, type II diabetes and lung cancer. The diseases that appear to increase in frequency as countries become more industrialized and people live longer include Alzheimer's disease, arthritis, atherosclerosis, asthma, cancer, chronic liver disease or cirrhosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, chronic kidney failure, osteoporosis, PCOD, stroke, depression, obesity and vascular dementia.

Lifestyle disease may soon have an impact on the workforce and the cost of health care. Treating these non-communicable diseases can be expensive. It can be critical for the patients health to receive primary prevention and identify early symptoms of these non communicable disease. These lifestyle disease are expected to increase throughout the years if people do not improve their lifestyle choices.

MAJOR LIFESTYLE DISEASES

1. CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE (CVD)

Cardiovascular diseases are a group of disorders of the heart and blood vessels and may include:

Ischaemic heart disease

Stroke

Peripheral arterial disease

Congenital heart disease

CVDs are the number 1 cause of death globally and account for more than 17 million deaths per year. The number is estimated to rise by 2030 to more than 23 million a year.

2. DIABETES

Diabetes is a metabolism disorder that affects the way the body used food for energy and physical growth. There are 4 types of diabetes: Type 1, Type 2, Gestational, and Pre-Diabetes (Impaired Glucose Tolerance). Type 2 is the most common diabetes in the world and is caused by modifiable behavioural risk factors.

3. CANCER

Cancer affects different parts of the body and is characterized by a rapid creation of abnormal cells in that part and can invade other parts of the body as well. More than 7 million people die of cancer each year and 30% of those diseases are attributed to lifestyle choices. Types of cancer includes;

Cervical Cancer

Lung Cancer

Breast Cancer

Prostrate Cancer

Colorectal Cancer

4. CHRONIC RESPIRATORY DISEASES (CRD)

Some of the most under-diagnosed conditions, chronic respiratory diseases (CRD) are a potent cause of death globally with 90% of the deaths taking place in low-income countries. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma are the two main types of CRDs.

5. CORONARY HEART DISEASE (CHD)

Also known as coronary heart disease and ischaemic heart disease, CHD is one of the most common types of heart problems faced today and is characterized by a reduction or blockage in the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle. This puts exaggerated strain on the heart, which can lead to:

Angina – chest pain caused by lack of flow of blood to the heart

Heart attacks – caused when the blood flow to the heart is suddenly but completely blocked

Heart failure – the failure of the heart to pump blood properly to the rest of the body

6. CEREBROVASCULAR DISEASE (strokes and TIAs)

Cerebrovascular disease is the disease of blood vessels supplying blood to the brain. When the blood supply to the brain is cut off, a person suffers a stroke, which can be lethal. A transient ischaemic attack, popularly known as a mini-stroke, occurs when the blood supply to the brain is temporarily blocked.

The acronym FAST is used to signify the symptoms of a stroke or TIA.10 It stands for:

Face: Face drooping on one side is the most common visible symptom, followed by dropping of mouth or eye.

Arms: Weakness of numbness in one or both arms doesn't allow a person to raise both of his or her hands up and hold them there.

Speech: Slurred or garbled speech in some cases, and in other cases: no speech.

Time: It is time to call the emergency services if you see any of these symptoms.

Other symptoms include:

Blurred or complete loss of vision in one or both eyes

One-sided weakness or numbness of the body

Sudden memory loss or confusion

Sudden dizziness combined with any of the above mentioned symptoms can be a definite sign

7. PERIPHERAL ARTERIAL DISEASES

Peripheral arterial diseases is a disease of blood vessels supplying the arms and legs. It happens when there is a blockage in the arteries to the limbs (usually the legs).

Signs to watch out for:

Dull or cramping pain that gets worse with walking and better with rest

Hair loss on the limbs

Numbness or weakness in the limbs

Persistent ulcers on the legs and feet

8. RHEUMATIC HEART DISEASE

Rheumatic heart disease is characterized by damage to the heart muscle and heart valves from rheumatic fever, caused by streptococcal bacteria. Some of the most common symptoms are fever and painful, tender joints.

9. CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE

Congenital heart disease is a problem with the structure of the heart, i.e. malformations of heart structure, that exist at birth. The problem can range from a small hole in the heart to a more severe problem such as a defective heart muscle. Some of the common symptoms are shortness of breath and having trouble exercising. In infants and younger kids, cyanosis, a bluish tint to the skin, fingernails and lips can be an important marker.

Risk factors include:

Use of certain medications, drugs or alcohol during pregnancy

Viral infections in the mother in the first trimester

Genetic problems or issues with chromosomes of the child

10. Pulmonary embolism due to deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

DVTs are blood clots, often found in the veins of the legs, which can dislodge and move to the heart and lungs, causing pulmonary embolism. This condition can be life-threatening and special care should be taken if diagnosed with DVT.

Symptoms include:

Chest pain – may get worse with deep breaths

Sudden shortness of breath

Sudden cough or coughing up blood

Anxiety

Light-headedness and fainting

11. AORTIC DISEASES

Aortic diseases are a group of conditions that affect the aorta, the largest blood vessel in the body. The aorta is responsible for carrying blood from the heart to the rest of the body. An example of an aortic disease would be aortic aneurism, where the walls of the aorta are weakened, leading to outward bulging of the blood vessel. Usually symptomless, this condition can lead to life-threatening circumstances if it bursts.

CAUSES OF LIFESTYLE DISEASES

1. POOR NUTRITION

If your eating habits are linked to skipping meals, overeating, oily-fried-sugary meals, then you could be in the trap of lifestyle diseases. As per the WHO, “A healthy diet helps to protect against poor nutrition in all its forms and lifestyle-related health issues such as diabetes, heart diseases, strokes, cancers and brain disorders also.” Eating healthy meals, not skipping meals and food that contains ingredients from all the major food groups (cereals, legumes and pulses, milk and meat, fruits and vegetables, fat and sugar) would be helpful to protect you from lifestyle diseases.

2. LACK OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Lack of physical activity may lead to obesity or being overweight and it may lead to several other diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancers and various others. The WHO suggests regular physical activity is very helpful for the prevention of diseases and improves the overall quality of life. As per WHO, adults should do 150 – 300 minutes of moderate-to-intense physical activity every week to provide significant benefits to overall health.

3. LACK OF SLEEP

According to CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), poor sleep has been linked to diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, depression and obesity. In the case of diabetes, it has been linked to poor control of blood sugar levels. Whereas, in cardiovascular diseases, persons with poor sleeping are found to be at increased risk of high blood pressure, stroke, coronary heart diseases and irregular heartbeats. In obesity, short sleep duration results in metabolic changes, which are linked to obesity. Sleep disturbances for a long time have been one of the important symptoms of depression also.

4. CHRONIC STRESS

As per Mayo Clinic, long-term stress puts the body on over-exposure to cortisol hormone and other stress hormones, which affects your body’s normal health process. Overexposure to stress results in heart diseases, weight gain, depression, anxiety, digestive problems, sleep issues, headaches and memory issues. Stress management is very important to keep away from the different health issues.

5. SMOKING

Smoking affects almost all the organs in a bad manner. Direct smoking may lead to different serious health concerns such as cancer, heart diseases, diabetes, stroke, lung disease, COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), etc. Whereas second-hand smoke causes stroke, coronary heart diseases, lung cancer, etc in adults. In children, second-hand smoke causes sudden infant death syndrome, acute respiratory infections, middle ear disease, more severe asthma, respiratory symptoms, and slowed lung growth.

6. EXCESS ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION

Excess alcohol drinking in the long term may lead to chronic diseases such as heart diseases, stroke, liver diseases, cancer, mental issues, digestive issues and several others. Whereas in short term, it causes accidents, violence, alcohol poisoning, risky sexual behaviours, miscarriage and stillbirth in pregnant women.

PREVENTION OF LIFESTYLE DISEASES

By making healthy choices, you can reduce your likelihood of getting a lifestyle disease and improve your quality of life. According to National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP), lifestyle diseases can be prevented through the following ways;

1. QUIT SMOKING

Stopping smoking (or never starting) lowers the risk of serious health problems, such as heart disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes, and lung disease, as well as premature death—even for longtime smokers.

2. EAT HEALTHY

Eating healthy helps prevent, delay, and manage heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and other chronic diseases. A balanced, healthy dietary pattern includes a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and low-fat dairy products and limits added sugars, saturated fats, and sodium. Healthy eating can work for everyone’s tastes, traditions, culture, and budget. If you are overweight, losing 5% to 7% of your starting weight can help prevent or delay type 2 diabetes.

3. GET REGULAR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Regular physical activity can help you prevent, delay, or manage chronic diseases. Aim for moderate intensity physical activity (like brisk walking or gardening) for at least 150 minutes a week, with muscle-strengthening activities 2 days a week.

4. AVOID DRINKING TOO MUCH ALCOHOL

Over time, excessive drinking can lead to high blood pressure, various cancers, heart disease, stroke, and liver disease. By not drinking too much, you can reduce these health risks.

5. GET SCREENED

To prevent chronic diseases or catch them early, visit your doctor regularly for preventive services.

6. GET ENOUGH SLEEP

Insufficient sleep has been linked to the development and poor management of diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and depression. Adults should get at least 7 hours of sleep daily.

7. KNOW YOUR FAMILY HISTORY

If you have a family history of a chronic disease, like cancer, heart disease, diabetes, or osteoporosis, you may be more likely to develop that disease yourself. Share your family health history with your doctor, who can help you take steps to prevent these conditions or catch them early.