Chronic disease
Chronic diseases are long-lasting health conditions that persist for three months or more and typically require ongoing management. These diseases, which include cardiovascular disease, diabetes, asthma, and cancer, often have no cure and can significantly affect an individual's quality of life, leading to disability or premature death. The World Health Organization indicates that chronic diseases are a leading cause of global mortality, accounting for approximately 38 million deaths annually. Risk factors for developing chronic diseases include an unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, tobacco and alcohol use, and socioeconomic factors such as income level, which can influence access to healthcare and nutritious food.
Chronic diseases can manifest at any age, but their prevalence increases with age. Many individuals may not exhibit traditional risk factors, as genetics and environmental factors can also play significant roles in the development of these conditions. While managing chronic diseases can be challenging, individuals are encouraged to engage in healthy lifestyle choices, such as maintaining a balanced diet and regular exercise, to reduce their risk. Educational programs, like Stanford's Chronic Disease Self-Management Program, offer support and strategies for effective disease management, empowering individuals with knowledge and resources to improve their health outcomes.
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Chronic disease
A chronic disease is a disease that lasts for an extended period, typically three months or more. Chronic diseases usually have no cure, so long-term care and management are often necessary. Chronic diseases may result in premature death or disability. Chronic diseases may effect an individual's quality of life and his or her social, emotional, and economic well-being. Common chronic diseases include cardiovascular disease, diabetes, asthma, and cancer. The most common risk factors for developing a chronic disease include an unhealthy diet, tobacco and alcohol use, and obesity; however, people can develop chronic conditions even if their lifestyle is healthy, and it should not be assumed that any given person with a chronic illness must have developed it due to unhealthy behaviors. Certain chronic conditions, such as high blood pressure, obesity, and high cholesterol, can lead to chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that chronic diseases are the major cause of disability and death around the world, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found in 2014 that four of the five leading causes of death in the United States were chronic diseases: cancer, heart disease, stroke, and chronic respiratory conditions.
Background
Chronic diseases are also known as noncommunicable diseases, or NCDs, because they cannot be passed from one person to another through air, in water, or by physical contact. Unlike viruses or bacterial infections, chronic diseases cannot be prevented with a vaccine or cured with an antibiotic, and they will not simply go away over time. Chronic diseases may present themselves at any age, from birth to old age, but they many tend develop as people get older. According to a study by the RAND Corporation, as of 2017 about 60 percent of the adult population of the United States, had been diagnosed with at least one chronic health condition, and 42 percent have more than one. A majority of the top ten leading causes of death in the United States were chronic diseases.
Some of the primary factors that can contribute to one's likelihood of developing a chronic disease include an unhealthy diet (including too much sugar, fat, and salt), a lack of exercise, tobacco use, and alcohol abuse (such as overconsumption of alcohol and binge drinking). These factors can cause people to develop chronic conditions such as obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high blood glucose (sugar), all of which can contribute to the onset of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer.
Income also plays a role. People living in poverty are at a higher risk of suffering from a chronic disease or condition. Such individuals are likely to have less access to health care, poorer nutritional options, and higher levels of stress. About 82 percent of chronic disease deaths before the age of seventy occur in low- and middle-income areas, according to WHO.
Other factors that may increase the likelihood of developing a chronic illness are air pollution, low birth weight, age, and heredity.
Overview
According to WHO, about thirty-eight million people die from chronic diseases each year. (In the United States, 1.7 million people die of chronic diseases annually, accounting for 70 percent of all deaths, according to a 2018 study.) Four chronic disease groups, in particular, account for more than 80 percent of all chronic disease deaths worldwide. Cardiovascular diseases are the leading killer followed by cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes.
Cardiovascular, or heart, diseases affect the body's heart and vascular system, which circulates blood throughout the body in arteries and veins. Cardiovascular diseases and conditions include coronary artery disease (a build-up of plaque in artery walls), arrhythmias (hearth rhythm disturbances), congenital heart disease (an abnormality in the heart at birth), and hypertension (high blood pressure). Cardiovascular diseases can lead to serious, and sometimes fatal, events including heart attacks and strokes.
Cancers can affect any organ in the body. They result from abnormal cell growth and can spread to other parts of the body if left unchecked. More than two hundred types of cancer exist. Lung cancer is the leading cancer killer in the United States, followed by colorectal cancer, breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, and prostate cancer.
Chronic respiratory diseases affect the airway and lungs. Examples of chronic respiratory diseases include asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Asthma is an allergic reaction that causes the airway to swell and can make it difficult to breathe. As of 2016, the CDC estimated that about one in twelve people suffer from asthma. COPD is caused by inflammation of the lungs brought on by exposure to a noxious agent, such as smoke. As a result, people suffering from COPD have limited airflow.
Diabetes results from the body's inability to produce insulin (known as type 1 diabetes) or the body's failure to use insulin properly (type 2 diabetes). Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes are chronic conditions. Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults. This condition must be treated with daily insulin injections to help the body maintain proper blood glucose (sugar) levels. Type 2 diabetes occurs when blood glucose levels rise higher than they should (hyperglycemia). Healthy eating, exercise, medications, and/or insulin injections may be used to control type 2 diabetes.
For many, diagnosis with a chronic disease may mean deteriorating health and a loss of independence. However, many chronic diseases can be managed through medications and regular doctor visits. Patients should educate themselves about their disease to ensure they understand the risk factors, management, and treatment options. They should communicate openly and honestly with their health care professionals regarding all of their symptoms. They should be sure to take medications as prescribed. Some may benefit from enrollment in a workshop designed to teach them chronic disease self-management techniques. Such workshops provide support for people suffering from chronic diseases and teach them about healthy eating, exercise, and proper use of medications. One of the most well-known workshops is Stanford University's Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP).
People should know that dedication to a healthy eating plan can help to prevent many chronic diseases and the chronic conditions that can contribute to disease development, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol. A healthy diet includes plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, a variety of proteins, and healthy fats such as those found in olive oil, nuts, and avocados. Excess sugar, salt, and trans fat should be avoided. A daily regimen of physical activity also decreases a person's likelihood of developing a chronic disease and is an excellent way to promote overall good health and well-being.
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