5 Most Prevalent Health Conditions that You Need to Watch Out For
Needless to say, your health needs to be a priority. If you’re not physically and mentally healthy and if you don’t feel good about yourself, nothing would matter.
As you know, a lot of psychological and physiological ailments are becoming common these days. Thus, one must take adequate measures to stay on the safer side.
But first, you need to know about the most prevalent health conditions that you need to watch out for. Without appropriate awareness, you won’t be able to step in the right direction.
In this article today, I’m going to list down a few common health conditions, their symptoms as well as treatment options. In case you or any of your loved ones happen to experience any of the below-mentioned symptoms, this guide will guide you about what you need to do.
Cardiovascular Disease
Cardiovascular disease is a collective term used for concerns related to the cardiac system. It’s one of the most common and severe health conditions out there.
According to the CDC fact sheet, more than 6,50,000 people in the US die from cardiovascular disease annually. The severity of the condition can be seen through the fact that one American dies every 36 seconds due to cardiovascular disease.
Similarly, one person has a cardiac arrest every 40 seconds in the US. Out of them all, 2,00,000 people stand among those who had heart attacks before as well.
Symptoms of Cardiovascular Disease
- Chest pain or pressure
- Tingling or numbness in the legs and arms
- Racing or heart-pounding
- Nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain
- Fluid buildup and fatigue
- Fainting or dizziness
- Difficulty catching your breath
Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease
- Beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers
- Vasodilators or Diuretics
- Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker
- ACE inhibitors or anticoagulants
- Valve repair or replacement surgery
- Coronary artery bypass grafting
- Cardiac rehabilitation, including regular exercise
Lung Disease
Lung disease is also an umbrella term used to describe different ailments related to the lungs. It includes various diseases, including lung cancer, tuberculosis, pneumonia, and influenza.
As mentioned by the World Health Organization, around 65 million people from around the world have lung disease out of which approximately three million people die every year. Besides that, lung cancer has become quite prevalent these days.
Lung cancer kills more than 1.5 million people on an annual basis, which is quite an alarming figure and is only increasing with every passing year. The symptoms of lung disease vary depending on the disease, but a few of them remain common in them all.
Symptoms of Lung Disease
- Discomfort or pain when breathing in and out
- Overproduction of mucus
- Recurring cough and chest infections
- Coughing up mucus or blood
- Decreased ability to exercise
- Shortness of breath or trouble catching your breath
- Feeling like you’re not getting the required air
Treatment of Lung Disease
- Corticosteroids or bronchodilator
- Pneumonia or flu vaccines
- Antibiotics and combination inhalers
- Oxygen therapy and lung rehabilitation
- Lung transplant in case of lung cancer
- Lung volume reduction surgery
Major Depressive Disorder
Major depressive disorder is a severe mental health condition. It’s a mood disorder that is a lot more than everyday life stress. That’s right, guys. It can turn your life upside down.
As per the statistics, more than 264 million people have clinical depression worldwide. What makes the story sob is that a lot of people still fail to realize the severity of the situation.
Most people confuse depression with everyday life stress and it is precisely why not even half of the people diagnosed with major depressive disorder receive treatment. Not to forget, depression can lead you towards developing further health issues like migraines, cardiovascular disease, and more.
Symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder
- Persistent feelings of hopelessness and pessimism
- Low mood and chronic fatigue
- Loss of interest in everyday life activities
- Hypersomnia or insomnia
- Binge eating or loss of appetite
- Body aches and muscle tension
- Suicidal thoughts and possible attempts
Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder
- Antidepressants or benzodiazepines
- Anti-anxiety medications or muscle relaxants
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Psychoeducation and family-focused therapy
- Lifestyle rehabilitation, such as meditation or yoga
- Plants and herbs, including medical marijuana and ashwagandha
Diabetes
Diabetes is another common health condition that is characterized by high blood sugar or blood glucose levels. There are two common kinds of diabetes, type I and type II diabetes.
Type I diabetes is prevalent in children and younger adults. It can develop at any age, so it won’t be wrong if I say that it’s medically unpredictable. On the flip side, older adults and elderly people are commonly diagnosed with type II diabetes.
According to the American Diabetes Association, 34.2 million people have diabetes in the US, and guess what? More than 90% of the diagnosed cases are of type II diabetes. Oh, and it affects both genders equally.
Symptoms of Diabetes
- Frequent urination, especially at night
- Excessive thirst and hunger
- Losing weight without trying
- Exceptional fatigue
- Dry skin and skin rashes that won’t heal
- Tingling or numbness in your hands and feet
- Blurry vision
Treatment of Diabetes
There’s no way to medically cure diabetes. Insulin is usually given to people diagnosed with diabetes. It is given both in the form of pills and injections, depending on the severity of the disease.
However, it can be reversed. That’s true. Diabetes can be reversed using natural remedies like losing weight, adding more greens to your diet, exercising daily, having an active lifestyle, and more. It may take you a few weeks or a few months, but it’s going to be worth it. I mean, don’t you wish to get rid of the insulin codependency?
Schizophrenia
Ranking fifth is a psychological disorder, schizophrenia. It’s a severe psychotic disorder that can take away your ability to think of yourself. As sad as it is, schizophrenia is becoming more and more common these days.
In accordance with the statistics, 20 million people from around the world have schizophrenia. I’m sure there’ll be plenty of undiagnosed cases, too. Apart from that, it is said that 20% of people with schizophrenia attempt suicide at least once.
The worst part of the story is that WHO says that schizophrenics are twice more likely to die earlier compared to other individuals. Henceforth, it won’t be wrong to say that life with schizophrenia is merely impossible.
Symptoms of Schizophrenia
- Delusions and third-person auditory hallucinations
- Trouble concentrating or thinking straight
- Inhibited behavior and disorganized speech
- Absence of the sense of self
- Catatonic behavior or anhedonia
- Lack of apathy and emotional flatness
- Withdrawal from friends and family
Treatment of Schizophrenia
- First and second-generation antipsychotics
- Mood stabilizers and antidepressants
- Electroconvulsive shock treatment (ECT)
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Psychoeducation and goal-oriented therapy
- Lifestyle changes, such as exercise and appropriate sleep
Other than the ones mentioned above, many people have health conditions running in their families. It isn’t as simple as it seems, but what you need to do is ensure you stay on the safer side. I wish you well, my pals!
