The Biggest Health Concerns of 2019
In today’s society, it’s easier to be unhealthy than it is to be healthy.
We are surrounded by fast food, fried meals and quick grab & go dinners in our fast paced culture. No wonder we are seeing our population continuing to become obese, get sick and have more health issues.
For the first time, the current generation is projected to have a shorter lifespan than the generation before them. We are aging quicker and poorer than before.
It’s time to change that around.
The first step in making a change to a healthier life is to acknowledge our issues and to look into why they exist and why we are aging quicker. Once we know what we should be concerned about, then we can make the steps to avoid those health problems in our future.
Heart Disease
Heart disease, which refers to a number of heart conditions like coronary heart disease, is one of the leading cause of death. This means that the blood flow to the heart is affected. Heart attacks are when the blood flow is decreased and or stopped.
Like stated before, our society’s lifestyle is the perfect concoction for increased risk of heart disease. Unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, too much alcohol and tobacco use can all be normal behaviors in the average person’s life.
You might have heard what to do to avoid heart disease but have you really changed your behaviors to fix it?
Skip the fried food, get outside and avoid drinking too many alcoholic drinks. The more you can do this, the healthier you will be.
Cancer
The probability that you know someone who has or has had cancer is great. Cancer, which is the uncontrolled spreading of abnormal cells. These “sick” cells can spread to other parts of the body, making it harder to cure.
Cancer risks are amplified from increased alcohol consumption, exposure to pollution, tobacco use and other environmental factors- like eating unhealthy foods or being exposed to pesticides.
Keeping your cells healthy is key to reducing your risk of cancer. If you give your body a high concentration of antioxidants – mostly found in fresh fruits and vegetables – those antioxidants can fight off the free radicals that contribute to the initiation of cancer
Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease is a condition which causes problems with memory, behavior and thinking. This disease can lead to dementia, which can affect an individual’s daily activities and life. This devastating disease is caused by brain cells to waste away and die. These cells do not regrow, resulting in no current treatment to date.
Memory loss is the most common symptom of Alzheimer’s disease. If you find yourself forgetting conversations and/or not remembering important information, you might want to be precautious and make an appointment with your doctor.
Older age is the biggest risk factor to this disease. Since your body is aging and cells are dying, your brain will not be able to function like it used to. To reduce your chances of getting Alzheimer’s, it is advised that you consume a healthy diet, stay socially active and exercise your mind and body.
Diabetes
Diabetes has increased greatly over the past decade. At least 25% of people aged 65 or older are diagnosed with diabetes. This could be caused by a combination of unhealthy living for a number of years and by the time we reach an older age, our cells can’t keep up.
People who have diabetes can’t produce or respond to insulin. Insulin is needed by your body to regulate the levels of glucose in the blood and urine. This effects how the body uses food for energy. People with diabetes aren’t able to get the glucose into the body’s cells so it remains in the blood instead.
Respiratory Disease
Chronic respiratory diseases can include asthma, lung diseases, pulmonary hypertension, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), just to name a few. More than 15 million Americans struggle with the diagnosis of COPD. These diseases can affect the airflow causing blockages and problems related to breathing.
People who are between 65 and 74 years are at a higher risk of getting a respiratory disease. To decrease your chances of getting this, try to avoid air pollutants like tobacco smoke and workplace pollutants/ fumes. Washing your hands frequently can also reduce your chances of receiving a respiratory problems.
Mental Health Issues
A whopping 450 million people suffer from mental health illnesses. Only 1/3 of people with known mental disorders get the help they need. The other 2/3 never get help from a medical professional.
Most mental health issues are caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. Cells don’t communicate properly and illnesses like depression and anxiety are expressed.
It is important that you take your mental health seriously. Exercise your brain and body. Learn how to manage your stress and get used to talking about your emotions and feelings. These things can help reduce your chances of metal health issues or help reduce the symptoms.
Now You Know
Now that you know the top health concerns of 2019, you can take the necessary steps to avoid them.
You are on your way to finding the right balance to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Keep going.
Little changes can go a long way. One change may lead to another. It might take some time, but behaviors can be changed. Have faith in yourself that you can become the healthiest version of yourself even at an older age.
