Lifestyle Diseases
In regions of the world without modern sanitation, mosquito abatement and other forms of infection/infestation control, and vaccination, people are exposed to a variety of diseases over which they have little or no control. Most of these diseases are caused by viruses, bacteria, parasites of various kinds, and worms. Tuberculosis, malaria, and Guinea Worm Disease are examples.
By contrast, residents of industrialized nations have considerable control over their risk of many, many diseases. For example, about 80% of the risk of developing heart disease -- the number one cause of death in the world -- is attributable to certain habits of living, among them cigarette smoking, consuming high levels of cholesterol and saturated fat in the diet, and a sedentary lifestyle.
Imagine how good it would be if more people lived more healthfully. Then they wouldn't have to repair the damage they inflicted on their hearts by undergoing open heart surgery (general anesthesia, cutting open the chest, spreading the ribs, replacing or repairing clogged arteries in the heart, closing the chest -- take a look if you dare).
And don't think that heart disease afflicts only older people. Research shows that kids and teens who eat a lot of fat (think fast food), smoke cigarettes, and don't exercise already have damaged hearts and arteries, setting them up for heart disease later in life.
Preventable Causes of Death
About half of the 2.4 million annual deaths among Americans are caused by unhealthful behaviors. For this reason they are called lifestyle diseases.
•
435,000 deaths from smoking cigarettes causing heart disease, cancer of all kinds, high blood pressure, stroke, bronchitis and other diseases of the respiratory tract, low birth weight, and burns from fires.
•
365,000 deaths from poor diet and lack of physical activity causing heart disease, cancer, and stroke from consuming too much cholesterol and saturated fat in foods; heart and kidney disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure from being overweight.
•
85,000 deaths from alcohol toxicity causing liver disease, heart disease, injuries and accidents, homicides, and suicides
•
75,000 deaths from preventable infections
•
55,000 deaths from toxic substances
•
43,000 deaths from motor vehicle accidents
•
29,000 deaths from firearms (homicides)
•
20,000 deaths from sexual infections
•
17,000 deaths from inappropriate and illegal drug use
Not included in these statistics are deaths due to not having health insurance, leading to premature death from inadequate health care, and
deaths from hospitalizations and medications, many of which could be prevented if the individuals were not sick in the first place.
It's wrong to think that if people lived more healthfully they would not die. People have to die of something. On the other hand, if people lived more healthfully, there would be much less long-term illness, and many would live longer, fuller lives.
Taking personal responsibility for one's health is major step to living healthfully. Fortunately, healthful living is not rocket science. Almost everyone knows or can learn healthy living practices. The trick is taking personal responsibility for your health and integrating healthy attitudes and practices into your lifestyle by...
•
liking, loving, and caring about yourself so that you will not consciously or intentionally harm yourself.
•
cultivating a desire for well-being and inner peace and harmony.
•
being open to learning about how to be healthy and how to go about it.
•
taking steps to contribute to the health of your family, community, and the planet.
Personal responsibility may not be sufficient for attaining a healthy lifestyle, however, if a person's environment does not support healthful living. For example, desiring to consume five servings of fruits and vegetables each day may not be feasible in a community without stores or other sources of healthy food. Also, walking for 30 minutes a day for physical exercise may not be feasible in communities that are not safe or lack parks or sidewalks. Social and economic factors can facilitate or hinder people's attempts to live healthfully.
