Prevention of non-infectious diseases
Non-communicable diseases are long-term diseases that usually progress slowly. Non-communicable diseases, also known as chronic diseases, are not transmitted from person to person.
There are 4 main types of non-communicable diseases: cardiovascular diseases (eg stroke and heart attack), cancer, chronic respiratory diseases (eg chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma) and diabetes.
Cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, bronchopulmonary diseases and oncological diseases are the main non-communicable diseases that most often cause people to die around the world.
Scientific studies show that there are a number of factors that provoke the emergence of chronic non-infectious diseases. They are called risk factors.
All risk factors can be divided into 2 groups:
The 1st group are risk factors that cannot be influenced.
These include gender, age and hereditary predisposition. With age, the risk of cardiovascular diseases increases significantly. Those whose closest relatives have suffered a myocardial infarction or stroke (men - under the age of 55, women - under the age of 65) should pay attention to their health.
It should also be noted that men develop heart attacks and strokes on average 10 years earlier than women.
The 2nd group are risk factors that can be influenced.
These include smoking , poor nutrition , low level of physical activity (hypodynamia), excess body weight, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and/or blood sugar, psychosocial factors (stress, depression, anxiety).
Scientists have proven that NCDs can be prevented by correcting risk factors or easing their course.
Risk factors of non-infectious diseases:
- Smoking . A person is considered a smoker even if he smokes one cigarette a day. Reducing the number of cigarettes, smoking "light" cigarettes, pipes, hookah and other forms of tobacco consumption do not reduce the risks!
- Unbalanced nutrition : excessive consumption of saturated fats, trans fats, easily digestible carbohydrates and salt, insufficient consumption of fruits, vegetables, fish.
- Consumption of alcohol . According to the WHO, 3.3 million people die every year in the world as a result of alcohol consumption, which is 5.9% of all deaths. Alcohol consumption leads to death and disability compared to earlier stages of life. Among people aged 20-39, approximately 25% of all deaths are alcohol-related.
- Low level of physical activity : walking, housework and other physical activity less than 30 minutes a day.
- High blood pressure : 140/90 or more - arterial hypertension. High blood pressure is the leading cause of stroke. It also contributes to the development of arrhythmias, myocardial infarction, heart and kidney failure, and Alzheimer's disease.
- Increased level of blood glucose . Many people are unaware that they have diabetes. Carrying out this analysis is especially important for people with obesity, in the presence of close relatives suffering from diabetes, as well as women who gave birth to a large (more than 4 kg) child. Normally fasting glucose is <6.1 mmol/l.