Chronic Diseases: Introduction, Types, Causes, Detection, Treatment and Prevention

1. Introduction

Chronic diseases are defined as diseases that are persistent, mostly incurable and often characterized with the complicated casualty, a wide range of risks, prolonged latency (Mathers et al., 2003). In other words, chronic diseases are long-lasting conditions that can be controlled but not cured. The most common chronic diseases include heart disease, stroke, cancer, arthritis, diabetes and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). These diseases are responsible for 7 out of 10 deaths in the United States and cost $3 trillion in health care annually (CDC, 2017).

2. Types of chronic diseases

There are many types of chronic diseases. The most common ones are cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), which include coronary heart disease, stroke and congestive heart failure. CVD is the leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for 17.3 million deaths in 2015, or 31% of all global deaths (WHO, 2017). Other common chronic diseases include cancers, chronic respiratory diseases such as COPD and asthma, and diabetes. Diabetes is a major cause of blindness, kidney failure and lower limb amputation (WHO, 2017).

3. Causes of chronic diseases

The main causes of chronic diseases are lifestyle choices such as smoking, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity. Other risk factors include air pollution, alcohol abuse and infections. Environmental factors such as lead exposure can also contribute to the development of chronic diseases (WHO, 2017).

4. Early detection and treatment of chronic diseases

Chronic diseases can often be prevented or delayed by early detection and treatment. For example, screening for cancer can help to detect the disease at an early stage when it is more likely to be treatable (CDC, 2017). screening for diabetes can help to prevent or delay the onset of the disease. Treatment of chronic diseases often focuses on managing the symptoms and preventing complications. There is no cure for most chronic diseases, but treatments can help to improve quality of life and prolong life expectancy ( CDC, 2017).

5. Prevention of chronic diseases

The best way to prevent chronic disease is to live a healthy lifestyle. This means eating a healthy diet, being physically active and not smoking. It is also important to get regular check-ups and screenings for early detection of any problems (CDC, 2017 ). There are many effective treatments available for chronic diseases, so it is important to seek medical care if you have any symptoms. By taking these steps, you can greatly reduce your risk of developing a chronic disease. References : Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2017 ) Preventing Chronic Disease: What Works? URL https : / / www. cdc. gov / cdc – media / pressroom / factsheets – slideshows / what-works-preventing-chronic-disease. htm World Health Organization. (2017 ) Noncommunicable Diseases. URL https : //www. who. int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/noncommunicable-diseases

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