The 10 most dangerous diseases in society today.
Health for everyone
When people think of the most dangerous diseases in the world, they immediately think of incurable, fast-acting diseases. But in fact, many of these diseases are not in the top 10 causes of death worldwide. An estimated 56.4 million people died worldwide in 2015, and 68% of them were due to slowly progressing diseases.
Perhaps even more surprising is that some of the deadliest diseases are partially preventable. Factors that cannot be prevented include where a person lives, access to preventive care, and quality of health care. All of these factors into risk. But there are still steps people can take to reduce their risk. Read on to see the top 10 diseases that cause the most deaths worldwide, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
1. Ischemic heart disease, or coronary artery disease
The deadliest disease in the world is coronary artery disease (CAD). Also known as ischemic heart disease, CAD occurs when the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart become narrowed. Untreated CAD can lead to chest pain, heart failure, and arrhythmias.
The impact of CAD around the world. Although it is the leading cause of death, mortality has decreased in many European countries and in the United States. This could be due to public health education, access to healthcare, and better forms of prevention. However, in many developing countries, death rates from CAD are increasing. Increasing life expectancy, socioeconomic changes, and lifestyle risk factors play a role in this increase.
Risk factors for CAD include:
High Blood Pressure
High cholesterol
Smoke
Family history of CAD
Diabetes
Overweight
Talk to your doctor if you have one or more of these risk factors. You can prevent CAD with medication and by maintaining good heart health. Some steps you can take to reduce your risk include:
Exercise regularly
Maintain a healthy weight
Eat a balanced diet that is low in sodium and high in fruits and vegetables
Avoid smoking
Drink only in moderation
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2. Stroke
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A stroke occurs when an artery in the brain becomes blocked or leaks. This causes oxygen-starved brain cells to begin to die within minutes. During a stroke, you feel suddenly numb and confused or have trouble walking and seeing. If left untreated, a stroke can cause long-term disability. Risk factors for stroke include:
High Blood Pressure
Family history of stroke
Smoking, especially when combined with birth control pills
Being African-American
Is female
Some stroke risk factors can be minimized with preventive care, medications, and lifestyle changes. In general, healthy habits can reduce the risk of disease.
3. Lower respiratory tract infections
A lower respiratory tract infection is an infection in the airways and lungs. Illness can be caused by:
The flu, or the flu
Pneumonia
Bronchitis
Tuberculosis
Viruses often cause lower respiratory tract infections. They can also be caused by bacteria. Cough is the main symptom of a lower respiratory tract infection. You may experience shortness of breath, wheezing, and a feeling of tightness in your chest. Untreated lower respiratory tract infections can lead to respiratory failure and death.
Risk factors for lower respiratory tract infections include:
Flu
Poor air quality or frequent exposure to lung irritants
Smoke
Weak immune system
Overcrowded childcare facilities, mainly affecting infants
Asthma
HIV
One of the best precautions you can take to fight lower respiratory infections is to get a flu shot every year. Wash your hands often with soap and water to avoid spreading bacteria, especially before touching your face and before eating. Stay home and rest until you feel better if you have a respiratory infection, as rest improves the healing process.
4. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a long-term progressive lung disease that causes difficulty breathing. Chronic bronchitis and emphysema are types of COPD. In 2004, about 64 million people worldwide were living with COPD. Risk factors for COPD include:
Smoking or passive smoking
Lung irritants such as chemical fumes
Family history, with AATD gene linked to COPD
History of respiratory tract infections in childhood
There is no cure for COPD, but the progression of the disease can be slowed with medication. The best way to prevent COPD is to stop smoking and avoid secondhand smoke and other lung irritants. If you experience any of these symptoms of COPD, getting treatment as soon as possible increases your outlook.
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5. Trachea, bronchi, and lung cancer
Respiratory cancers include cancers of the trachea, larynx, bronchus, and lung. The main cause is smoking, inhaling secondhand smoke, and toxins from the environment. But household pollution like fuel and mold also contributes.
A 2015 study reported that respiratory cancers account for about 4 million deaths annually. In the developing world, researchers predict an 81 to 100 percent increase in respiratory cancer rates due to pollution and smoking. Many Asian countries, especially India, still use coal for cooking. Solid fuel emissions account for 17% of lung cancer deaths in men and 22% in women.
Cancers of the trachea, bronchus, and lungs can affect anyone, but they are more likely to affect people with a history of smoking or tobacco use. Other risk factors for these cancers include family history and exposure to environmental factors, such as diesel fumes.
Aside from avoiding smoke and tobacco products, it is not known if anything else can be done to prevent lung cancer. However, early detection can improve the condition and reduce the symptoms of respiratory cancer.
6. Diabetes
Diabetes is a group of diseases that affect the production and use of insulin. In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas cannot produce insulin. In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or the insulin cannot be used effectively. Type 2 diabetes can be caused by a number of factors, including a poor diet, inactivity, and being overweight.
People in low- to middle-income countries are more likely to die from complications of diabetes. Risk factors for diabetes include:
Excess body weight
High Blood Pressure
Older age
Do not exercise regularly
Unhealthy diet
Although diabetes is not always preventable, you can control the severity of your symptoms by exercising regularly and maintaining a good diet. Adding more fiber to your diet can help control your blood sugar. People in low- to middle-income countries are more likely to die from diabetes complications.
7. Alzheimer's disease and other dementias
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive disease that destroys memory and disrupts normal mental functions. These include typical thinking, reasoning, and behavior.
Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia, 60 to 80% of dementia cases are in fact Alzheimer's disease. The disease begins by causing mild memory problems, difficulty recalling information, and memory impairment. However, over time, the disease progresses and you may no longer remember large periods of time. A 2014 study found that the number of deaths in the United States from Alzheimer's may be higher than reported. Risk factors for Alzheimer's disease include:
Over 65 years old
Family history of the disease
Inheriting disease genes from parents
Existing mild cognitive impairment
Down syndrome
Unhealthy lifestyle
Previous head injury
Being separated from the community or interacting poorly with others for a long time
There is currently no way to prevent Alzheimer's disease. One thing that can be helpful in reducing the risk of disease is a heart-healthy diet. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables, low in saturated fat from meat and dairy, and high in good sources of fats like nuts, olive oil, and lean fish can help you reduce your risk of many diseases
8. Dehydration due to diarrhea
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Diarrhea is when you have three or more loose stools in a day. If diarrhea lasts more than a few days, your body has lost too much water and salt. This causes dehydration, which can lead to death. Diarrhea is usually caused by an intestinal virus or bacteria that is transmitted through contaminated water or food. This condition is especially common in developing countries with poor sanitation.
Diarrhea is the second leading cause of death in children under 5 years of age. About 760,000 children die from diarrheal diseases each year. Risk factors for diarrhea include:
Live in an area with poor sanitation
No clean water
Malnutrition
Weakened immune system
According to UNICEF, the best prevention method is good hygiene practice. Good hand-washing techniques can reduce the incidence of diarrhea by 40%. Improved water quality and sanitation as well as access to early medical intervention can also help prevent diarrheal illness.
9. Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis (TB) is a lung condition caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which is a treatable airborne bacteria, although some strains are resistant to conventional treatments. Tuberculosis is one of the leading causes of death among people living with HIV. About 35% of HIV-related deaths are due to TB.
TB cases have decreased by 1.5% per year since 2000. The goal is to end TB by 2030. Risk factors and ways to prevent them
Risk factors for TB include:
Diabetes
HIV infection
Lower body weight
Stay close to others with TB
Regular use of certain medications such as corticosteroids or drugs that suppress the immune system
The best prevention against tuberculosis is the bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine. If you think you've been exposed to TB bacteria, you can start a treatment called chemoprophylaxis to reduce your chances of developing the condition.
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10. Cirrhosis
Cirrhosis is the result of scarring and chronic or long-term liver damage. Damage can be the result of kidney disease, or conditions such as hepatitis and chronic alcoholism. A healthy liver filters harmful substances out of the blood and brings healthy blood into the body. When substances damage the liver, scar tissue forms. As more scar tissue forms, the liver has to work harder to function properly. Eventually, the liver can stop working. Risk factors for cirrhosis include:
Chronic alcohol use
Fat accumulation around the liver (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease)
Chronic viral hepatitis
Stay away from behaviors that can lead to liver damage to help prevent cirrhosis. Long-term alcohol use and abuse are one of the leading causes of cirrhosis, so avoiding alcohol can help you prevent damage. Likewise, you can avoid nonalcoholic fatty liver disease by eating a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables and low in sugar and fat. Finally, the chance of contracting viral hepatitis can be reduced by using protection during sex and by avoiding sharing anything that may have blood stains. This includes needles, razors, toothbrushes, and more.
One of the good ways to reduce your risk of any medical condition is to maintain a healthy lifestyle with good nutrition and exercise. Avoid smoking and abusing alcoholic beverages. In addition, you also need to perform annual health check-ups to early detect abnormal problems so that timely intervention can be initiated.
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