Here at Montes Medical Group, we are passionate about taking the prevention and management of chronic illnesses seriously. These long-term health conditions can persist for years, lower an individual’s quality of life, and make it necessary for them to receive ongoing medical care from their providers.
Fortunately, there are many ways to prevent or reduce your risk of getting a chronic illness. By adopting a healthier lifestyle and receiving quality medical care, these conditions can be prevented or managed successfully. Doing so can improve an individual’s lifestyle and prevent unwanted symptoms and complications later on in life.
So what exactly are chronic illnesses and what can we do to reduce our risk levels? Keep reading to learn more!
Understanding Chronic Illnesses
Did you know that chronic illnesses are the leading cause of illness, disability, and death in America? They are broadly defined as conditions that last one year or more, requiring ongoing medical attention, limitation on daily activities, or both.
Most chronic diseases are caused by a short list of risk factors that include smoking, poor nutrition, lack of physical activity, and excessive alcohol consumption. Some groups are more impacted by chronic illnesses because of factors that reduce their ability to make healthy choices.
Here are some more facts about chronic illnesses:
- Chronic illnesses include conditions such as heart disease, cancer, hypertension, and diabetes
- Six in 10 Americans have at least one chronic illness
- Chronic illnesses are the leading cause of death and disability in the U.S, costing over $4.5 trillion in annual healthcare costs
- Chronic illnesses impact around 85% of people ages 60 or older; 60% have at least two
Who is at a Higher Risk for Chronic Illnesses?
Many things can increase someone’s risk when it comes to chronic illnesses. This includes factors such as social and economic conditions, pollution, culture, and urbanization. Individual risk factors include a person’s age, sex, education level, and genetic composition. Major risk factors overall include tobacco use, obesity, hypertension, physical inactivity, and excessive alcohol use.
Although some risk factors may be hard to change, there are many others that we can control and eliminate from our lives. Doing so can reduce our risk of contracting various chronic illnesses and increase our odds of living a higher quality of life in the long run.
Avoiding Tobacco Use
Did you know that tobacco use is a significant risk factor for multiple chronic illnesses, such as heart disease, lung cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)? Cigarette smoking causes over 480,000 deaths each year in the U.S, and over 16 million Americans are living with a disease caused by smoking.
This is because chemicals in tobacco smoke can cause serious damage to the body’s lung tissues. It can also narrow our blood vessels and cause higher levels of inflammation in the body. Even people exposed to secondhand smoke are at a higher risk for chronic illness.
Understanding Your Family History
Shared genetic and environmental factors within families can sometimes put people at a heightened risk for chronic illnesses. A family history of chronic illnesses can be a risk factor for conditions such as heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers. Inherited mutations can also increase the risk of different genetic disorders and conditions. For example, mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes can lead to an increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer.
This is why it is so important for people with a family history of chronic illness to get regular medical check-ups, genetic testing, and early screenings. By working with healthcare providers, prevention strategies can be put in place to mitigate these predispositions and encourage a healthy lifestyle.
Adopting a Healthier Lifestyle
Fortunately, there are many lifestyle changes we can make as individuals to reduce our risk levels for chronic illnesses. For example, staying physically active on a regular basis can make it much easier for our bodies to maintain muscle mass, strengthen our bones, and keep our cardiovascular system functioning properly.
We can also adopt a healthier diet, one that is filled with different fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Limiting processed foods and added sugars is also very helpful in reducing risk levels. In addition to diet and exercise, make sure you are managing your stress levels, getting quality sleep, and getting regular medical check-ups throughout the year. All of these actions can help with the prevention of chronic illnesses.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are many great ways to focus on the prevention of chronic illnesses and improve our quality of life in the long run. By making small yet consistent changes, our health can benefit tremendously and increase our chances of living a long, vibrant, and fulfilling life. Take the time to consider what you put into your body and how often you engage in physical activity.
Make sure to visit your medical provider regularly to get ahead of potential problems and get the examinations you need on time. Taking the initiative to care for your long-term health will pay off tremendously over time and make a positive impact on every part of your life.