Everyone deals with ailments and diseases of different severity. COVID-19 has only added to the health crisis, cruelly taking millions of lives in India and around the world and continues to wreak havoc. The virus has resulted in severe symptoms in people with pre-existing illnesses — including diabetes, heart diseases, and respiratory problems. The fact that most of these ailments are now treated by health insurance is comforting. However, “better safe than sorry” is a saying one must take seriously, be aware of and protect themselves from these 10 deadly diseases:
1. Heart Disease
Symptoms
- Respiration difficulty
- Uncomfortable and abrupt chest pain
- Arms and legs that ache or feel numb
- Upper abdominal, chest, and other types of pain
Causes
- History of cardiovascular disease in the family
- Bad diet
- Poor and sedentary way of life
- Use of tobacco
- High BP or cholesterol
- Long periods of inactivity or sitting
- Excess weight
Prevention Approaches
- Regular exercise
- Lipid profile test to check triglyceride, good cholesterol, and bad cholesterol levels
- Monitor your weight
- Keep your blood pressure under control
- Stop smoking
- Consume nutritious foods such as salmon, oats, walnuts, and other high-fire, high-omega 3 meals.
- Minimise the use of packaged foods and oils with trans fats
- Maintain a diet rich in fruits
Read more - Best Health Insurance Plan For Heart Patients
2. Respiratory Problems
Symptoms
- Running or choked nose
- Weakness and fever
- Cough and sneezings
- Breathing difficulty
- Sick throat
Causes
- Dust
- Smoking habits
- Air contamination
- Viral infections
- Extensive exposure to chemicals or smoke
- Weak immunity
Prevention Approaches
- Stay away from polluted regions
- Observe good respiratory hygiene
- Leave smoking
- Regularly working out will help
- Put on a surgical mask whenever necessary
3. Mellitus Diabetes
Symptoms
- Unaccounted-for weight loss
- Intense hunger
- Fatigue
- Often urinating
- Increasing thirst
- Mood swings
Causes
- Not working out consistently
- Stress/high blood pressure
- Obesity
- Unhealthy dietary habits
- Fast food and consuming excessive sugar
Preventive Approach
- Working out regularly
- A sedentary lifestyle is recommended to be avoided as much as possible
- Leave smoking
- Manage a healthy diet
- Keeping fewer carbs and more fibre is suggested
4. Diarrheal Illnesses
An upset stomach or malfunctioning liver might produce diarrhoea and cause loss of or watery stools, which is considered one of the death-dealing diseases, as many a time, it becomes difficult to diagnose that the dehydration caused by the continuous motions can be life-threatening.
Symptoms
- Stomach ache and cramps
- Flowing stool
- Blood or mucus in the stools
- Nausea
- Often passing the motions
- Bloating
Causes
- Inaccessibility to clean water
- A lack of sanitization
- Undernourishment
- Poor immunity
Preventive Approach
- A routine of hand washing regularly
- Maintain necessary hygiene
- Aspirin and steroids are not recommended to be used
5. COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
A novel coronavirus infection called COVID-19 (also known as SARS CoV-2) has various effects on persons of different ages. When an infected individual breathes, coughs, speaks, or sneezes, respiratory droplets are transmitted, causing the condition to spread. It is proven to be one of the most dangerous death-dealing diseases, which was treated as a great pandemic in 2020.
Symptoms
- Headache
- Fever
- Aching throat
- Cough
- Pneumonia
- Weakness/Tiredness
Causes
- Transmission of the virus through the air
- Socializing with a COVID-positive individual
- Using sick hands to touch the nose, face, and eyes
- Not using a mask, failing to keep a social distance, and contracting the infection from a sick individual
Preventive Approach
- Use two masks for better protection
- When visiting medical institutions, use a face shield
- Maintaining good oral, hand, and respiratory hygiene
- Follow social distancing
- Use cleansers and hand sanitisers to eradicate the infection in your hands
- Maintaining a clean environment and enhancing immunity via healthy eating, exercise, and yoga
Read more - Health Insurance for Covid-19
6. Alzheimer's (dementia)
Memory loss is a brain disorder called Alzheimer's, which is brought on by the death of brain cells. Alzheimer's accounts for 60 to 80% of dementia cases.
Symptoms
- Dementia and amnesia
- Mental Illness
- Forgetfulness
- Disorientation
- Thinking and comprehending challenges personality changes
- Confused speech
- Unable to perform basic maths
Causes
- Older age (more than 65 years)
- Genetic/family history
- Unhealthy way of life
- Prior traumatic brain injury
- Depression that lasts longer
Preventive Approach
- Keeping your heart healthy
- Consuming heart-healthy foods is recommended
- Limiting fat intake
- Leave drinking or smoking
7. Malignant and other Tumours
Symptoms
Malignant tumours may not exhibit any symptoms in the early stages. A painless knot is frequently the first sign.
Causes
- Genetics
- Pathogen
- Radiation from ions
- Exposure to harmful substances or chemicals
Preventive Approach
- Eat nutritious foods
- Regular exercise
- Keep your body at a healthy weight
- Avoid tobacco
- Regularly immunise yourself
8. Strock
One of those common incidences transforming into a death-dealing disease can be having strokes. A stroke happens when the artery that supplies blood to your brain leaks or becomes clogged.
Symptoms
- Unusual numbness or weakness in the leg, arm, or face
- Difficulty with vision in one or both eyes
- Significant headache with no apparent reason
- Difficulty walking
- Sudden uncertainty, trouble comprehending or communicating
Causes
- High blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes at increased risk
- Smoking
- Heart defect
- Intake of medicines
- Genetic abnormality
- Brain hemorrhage
Preventive Approach
- Try to quit smoking
- Take measures to regulate blood pressure
- Keep up a fit lifestyle
- Regular exercise
- Limit your alcohol consumption
9. TB - Tuberculosis
Although other body parts may sometimes be affected, it is an infectious disease that mostly affects the lungs. The good news is that TB can be treated and avoided.
Symptoms
- Spitting blood through a cough
- Fever
- Chills
- Sweating at night
- Lowered appetite
- Unintentional loss of weight
Causes
- Weak immunity
- Visiting or staying in particular places
- When an infected individual coughs or sneezes, saliva droplets are shed and transmitted from one person to another.
- Family and friends of the affected individual
Preventive Approach
- Avoid close contact with anyone around contaminated areas, such as hospitals
- Get high-risk individuals screened
- Vaccinations to prevent the spread of an infection if you already have it
10. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Symptoms
Long-term lung illness, such as COPD, makes it difficult for the patient to breathe. COPD is responsible for a large number of deaths worldwide, not just in India. The signs of COPD:
- Wheezing
- Chest contraction
- Fatigue recurring respiratory infections
- Swollen feet, legs, or ankles
- Breathing difficulties
Causes
- Smoking or exposure to smoke
- Vapours from chemicals and other lung irritants
- Anyone with a COPD diagnosis in the family
- Respiratory diseases during childhood in the past
Preventive Approach
- Avoid smoking
- Learn about your family’s health history
- At work or at home, take precautions to avoid exposure to chemicals, fumes, and dust.
- Avoid air pollution
Conclusion
While certain illnesses have become more severe, others have seen a fall in the number of fatalities. The majority of the illnesses in the above list are curable and avoidable, but if ignored, can become serious death-dealing diseases. Treatment for all of these is now available in India thanks to advancements in medical science. Nevertheless, having the right health insurance policy is one strongest precautionary act.
Read more - Myths and Facts about Health Insurance In India
