Five of the Most Common Health Problems in the United States
When you hear news of different health issues plaguing people around the world, do you ever wonder, “What are the most common health problems?” Whether you have or not, the answer might surprise you. The following are five of the most common health problems people are dealing with in the United States and around the world.
- Cancer
If you haven’t been affected by it yourself, you probably know someone who has been affected by cancer. It’s said breast cancer is the most common type, with lung, bronchus, prostate and colon cancers following close behind. Though it is one of the leading causes of death around the world, each year sees more and more survivors as treatments and technology are fine-tuned and made more efficient. While not all cancer causes are known, eating a healthy diet, getting screenings, not smoking and using sunscreen are recommended as prevention.
- Heart Disease
More people in the United States die from heart disease than from any other disease, including cancer. Obesity often plays a role in some heart diseases, though not in every case. Stroke and heart attack are two common consequences of heart disease and most often lead to death or negative lifelong effects. Cutting sodium and fat out of your diet, as well as quitting smoking and starting a physical exercise routine can lower your chances of contracting heart disease.
- Influenza
Getting influenza isn’t a death sentence for most healthy people, but some individuals are at higher risk than others. This includes infants, children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with other pre-existing health concerns. Preventative measures to fight against influenza include a preemptive vaccine, hand washing and keeping your hands away from your face.
- Alzheimer’s
More women die from Alzheimer’s disease than men, but it’s a condition that affects many Americans. A family history of Alzheimer’s, old age, hypertension and obesity are risk factors. Physical exercise has been said to slow the progress of Alzheimer’s, but there is currently no cure. Some doctors feel there is a link between it, head injuries and heart disease.
- Diabetes
Diabetes isn’t just a debilitating disease on its own. It causes other health problems such as blindness, kidney damage, stroke, infections and heart disease. Lifestyle modifications are required in order to deal with diabetes, both type 1 and type 2, but there is no cure for either. Eating a diet rich in fiber, nuts, whole grains and vegetables is recommended to maintain a healthy weight and work towards prevention.
Learn More
To learn more about some of the most common health problems in the U.S. and around the globe, contact Global Health Core today.