Health Conditions You Can Prevent
Improving the quality of your everyday life should be your top priority, no matter your gender and age, and that should start with taking proper care of your health in the first place. This becomes even more important when there’s a particular disease that runs in your family, so be sure you do everything you can to prevent it and stay healthy no matter what. Here’s a list of four diseases that can be prevented, so check them out and see what you can do for your health today!
Coronary heart disease
Did you know that coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death for Australians of both genders, which affects around 8,800 women and 11,000 men every year? This is a very disturbing fact and numbers are more than alarming, but you should know that there are ways to prevent it. In case you didn’t know, coronary heart disease refers to a narrowing of the coronary arteries – the blood vessels that supply oxygen and blood to the heart. Unhealthy lifestyle largely contributes to developing this disease, as well as a lack of awareness when it comes to symptoms, which can often result in a heart attack. To reduce your risk of a heart attack, be sure to stay physically active, maintain a healthy weight, and eat a balanced diet. Besides that, you should regularly monitor your cholesterol levels and blood pressure as well.
Lung cancer
Apart from coronary heart disease and other heart-related problems, cancer is also what kills a large number of Australians annually – about 47,000 of them die from cancer each year, with lung cancer at the top of this list. It affects around 3,700 women and 5,100 men, and you should know that nine in ten cases of lung cancer are actually due to smoking. However, the truth is that even people who have never smoked can also get it, but, of course, there are ways to successfully prevent that and stay as healthy as possible. First of all, passionate smokers should immediately quit this bad habit, which will significantly reduce their risk of getting lung cancer. You should know that secondhand smoke is extremely hazardous, too, so urge your partner or a coworker to quit smoking, or at least to smoke outside. Be physically active and eat a diet full of fresh fruits and vegetables, and you’ll do everything you possibly can to stay healthy.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is another health condition that affects a lot of Australians on a yearly basis, and it’s actually a set of eye conditions that together damage the optic nerve which is important for good vision. Such damage is usually caused by high pressure in either one or both eyes, and it can sometimes lead to blindness that can’t be reversed. It’s important to know that glaucoma tends to be hereditary, but it can also be developed as a result of diabetes, lack of exercise, and various eye injuries. People in Australia can find a really solid optometrist in Sydney, but also in other bigger cities. They are trying to make it a priority to consult them, as frequent screenings make it easier to catch this problem early. You can prevent glaucoma by being physically active, as exercising reduces eye pressure. This is particularly important if you have diabetes, so be sure you bear it in mind and do whatever you can to protect your eyes in the best possible way.
Type 2 diabetes
Another condition that is quite common among Australian adults (around 1 million of them have it) is type 2 diabetes, which is often linked to genetics and ethnicity. However, the truth is that diet, weight, and lifestyle in general play an immense role here, and some experts even suggest that about 58% of cases can be prevented. Besides that, it’s said that about 500,000 people with this condition don’t know they have it, and they’re actually diagnosed when they develop other conditions like vision problems, a foot ulcer, or a heart attack. Needless to say, type 2 diabetes can be prevented with a combination of weight reduction, regular physical activity, and healthy diet. So, if this condition runs in your family, be sure to start exercising at least 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. You should also switch to a low-fat, high-fiber diet, and you’ll definitely do a lot for your health.
As you can see, there are many serious health conditions that can be prevented in more than one way. You’ve probably noticed that regular physical activity and healthy lifestyle that includes balanced diet are important in all four cases, so don’t wait any longer and do something good for yourself. Just take one step at a time and you’ll see a fantastic improvement shortly after!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Scarlet Gratton is a passionate writer and regular contributor at highstylife.com interested in fashion, lifestyle, and health. She loves traveling, you could say that she is a real travel addict, especially when she has a chance to visit some exotic destinations. She would tell you that inspiration can be found in the most unexpected places.
