Raising Awareness on Noncommunicable Diseases

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) or in other terms chronic diseases, are noninfectious health conditions that cannot be spread from one person to another, usually of long duration and are the result of a combination of genetic, physiological, environmental and behavioural factors. The main types of NCD are cardiovascular diseases (examples being heart attacks and stroke), cancers, chronic respiratory diseases (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma) and diabetes.

Moreover out of the 100% living human beings on earth, 86% premature deaths are of the population disproportionately affected by NDCs which found to be in low and middle income countries. Derived from the World Health Organisation (WHO) statistics states that (NCDs) deaths cases are 41 million each year, equivalent to 74% of all deaths globally. Each year, 17 million people die from a NCD before age 70, estimated around the age range of 30 to 69. NDCs has no specific age groups, religion, country or race. Cardiovascular diseases account for most NCD deaths, or 17.9 million people annually, followed by cancers (9.3 million), chronic respiratory diseases (4.1 million), and diabetes (2.0 million including kidney disease deaths caused by diabetes). The only way to manage NDCs is to take time and learn about the condition.

One must understand NonCommunicable Disease. NDCs description are a wide range of conditions, diseases, and disorders. These have genetic, lifestyle, or environmental causes rather than viral or bacterial, and they are characterized as health conditions that aren’t caused by acute infections or illness, result in long-term health issues, require long-term treatment and care, such as lifestyle changes or medication.

Health conditions that are considered non-communicable diseases include Cardiovascular diseases ( conditions that affect your blood vessels and heart, example being coronary heart disease, heart attack, and stroke), Cancer (this disease happens when cells in your body mutate and begin dividing and growing), Chronic respiratory diseases (such health conditions impact your lungs in the long term and do not usually subside example is asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease {COPD}) and another condition is Diabetes (If your body cannot regulate the levels of sugar in your blood, you may have diabetes. It is incurable, although it can be controlled, hence once diagnosed a change of diet and maintain recommended dosages of medication to prevent the condition from worsening). Lastly we have a much common NDCs which is mental health disorders.

Treating non-communicable disease may look different than treating an infection, but there is a wide range of options to manage your condition. Talking to the doctor about which treatment plan may work best for you. Keep in mind that there are no treatment options that lead to curing a non-communicable disease from your body, instead, prescribed medications and recommended lifestyle changes to improve your symptoms.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Not all non-communicable diseases are preventable, but you can lower your risk by maintaining healthy habits. The same common areas of risk can also be addressed after diagnosis to manage a condition:

• Tobacco use: no matter how long you’ve been a smoker, quitting improves your health.

• Long-term alcohol use: If you drink alcohol frequently, cut back or stop drinking altogether.

• Lack of physical activity: Stay active and don’t spend too much time sedentary.

• An unhealthy diet: cut back on processed foods and make sure you get plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

• High blood pressure: if you can’t manage your blood pressure on your own, talk to your doctor about medication.

• Obesity: staying within a healthy weight range can have significant impacts on your overall health.

• Low blood sugar levels: check your levels regularly, manage your diet, and take your medications to regulate your blood sugar.