Although we’d much rather overlook it, diseases are as much a part of our lives as well-being. Whether it’s seasonal flu, a genetic condition, or a pandemic, falling ill is sometimes entirely unpreventable.
However, not every condition is the same. While many diseases are impossible to foresee, several others are easily preventable. In recent years especially, we’ve seen a rapid increase in the rates of easily avoidable diseases. Conditions such as heart diseases, asthma, diabetes, and even certain types of cancer can be prevented by following a healthier, more proactive lifestyle. Nonetheless, it can be challenging to figure out where to start when planning to change your lifestyle.
This transition can often seem daunting, making you feel like it requires too many changes. For this reason, we’ll list some of the most effective lifestyle changes to prevent deadly diseases, so read ahead.
Learn about your environment
The greatest risk to our health can often come from external sources such as our environment, not biological conditions. The environment (home or office) we spend most of our time in can have a huge impact on our health, and various substances can cause long-lasting damage. It’s especially important for those working in the construction industry, in the military, or with electronics to be mindful of their workplace environment.
People working in such professions or living in houses with older construction may be prone to asbestos exposure. Asbestos is commonly used in roofing, insulation, tiles, and heat-resistant coatings, to name a few areas. Although asbestos is now banned, it’s still present in specific areas. Asbestos exposure happens to be the only known cause of mesothelioma, an oft-fatal respiratory cancer. Most people commonly encounter asbestos in the workplace and eventually develop mesothelioma years down the line. Learning more about your environment and the causes of mesothelioma at mesotheliomahope.com can help you protect yourself from this deadly disease.
Quit smoking
Although most of us know of the drawbacks of smoking, the addiction can still be challenging to break. Nicotine is an incredibly addictive drug, and withdrawal can make you experience symptoms such as headaches, nausea, irritability, fatigue, and insomnia, to name a few. For some, these symptoms can be incredibly intense and can make it challenging to break the habit.
However, quitting smoking is essential if you want to prevent deadly diseases. Smoking is easily the most common cause of lung cancer. Even passive smoking can greatly increase your risk of developing the disease. Moreover, smoking can cause lung disease, diabetes, pulmonary disease, and emphysema while significantly weakening your immune system. Regular smokers can, with time, find it challenging to breathe properly and have a significantly reduced lifespan compared to non-smokers. Therefore, breaking your smoking habit is essential to prevent deadly diseases, no matter how challenging.
Fix your diet
With our increasingly hectic, full schedules, it can be challenging to find the time to put together a healthy, filling meal. Most days, you may find yourself heading to your local coffee shop for breakfast and grabbing takeout on the way home. Fast food, although incredibly convenient, also poses significant harm to our health. Despite how delicious fast food and snacks can be, they’re highly processed and devoid of nutritional value.
Consuming such a diet can vastly increase your risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, mood disorders, obesity, and other fatal health conditions. Instead of opting for the easy way, consider switching up your diet. Making more room for fresh fruit, vegetables, and antioxidant-rich items can help you stay healthy and battle deadly diseases. Fixing your diet can be useful in helping you prevent non-communicable diseases and can also strengthen your immunity against infectious diseases.
Reduce alcohol consumption
When you’re looking to unwind and relax or just having fun with friends, you’ll find yourself reaching for the alcohol to lighten things up. Although a drinking habit can seem harmless, in excess, it can come with several drawbacks. Not only can alcohol easily become heavily addictive, but it can cause several health complications.
Alcohol consumption can contribute to stomach, mouth, esophagus, and pharynx cancers. Moreover, you don’t need to be a binge-drinker to be at an increased risk – even moderate drinkers can face double the risk of developing these cancers. Additionally, alcohol consumption can cause liver cirrhosis, which can be incredibly damaging even with treatment. Overall, alcohol consumption can be extremely detrimental to your health. However, a heavy drinking habit can be quite challenging to break. Seeking professional help, reducing your alcohol intake gradually, and seeking support from loved ones can help you protect your health.
Conclusion
In recent years, the focus of healthcare has shifted from seeking a cure to seeking preventative care. Taking the measures mentioned here can help you live a much healthier, more fulfilling life – one without life-threatening diseases.
These tips can also help strengthen your immunity and help your body fight off infections and other diseases better, even when they do strike.