Can you remember an instance when you suffered from fever, cough or a cold? It is difficult to find a person who has not suffered one of these. In the same way you may have wondered from whom you contracted the disease. Most probably you may have been infected with a communicable disease. This is a disease that is transmitted by a germ which can be a bacteria or a virus. There are also diseases which not transmitted by vectors. Very often you will have to face the challenge of avoiding various diseases. Therefore you should be aware of such diseases.
Can you remember in grade six you learned about methods to prevent diseases and harmful effects of diseases.
Non-communicable Diseases
Non-communicable diseases are illnesses that are non-infectious or do not get transmitted from person to person. They are caused by changes in certain process of the body. These diseases can be avoided by following a healthy life style.
Non-communicable diseases can be categorized into acute and chronic illnesses
Acute illnesses are illnesses that are caused by accidents and are not permanent. We can get completely cured but according to the severity we may have residual complications later on.
Chronic diseases are long lasting illnesses involving changes that take place in the physical functioning of the body. We need long term treatment for these. Chronic diseases may be brought under control by taking regular treatment.
Factors that cause non-communicable diseases
Factors that cause non-communicable diseases can be classified into two groups, namely changeable and unchangeable factors.
Take for example high blood pressure. With age, the possibility of getting this disease is greater. Age is a factor that we cannot change. Other factors like obesity, inactive life style due to lack of exercise, instant food and the excessive intake of salt can be easily avoided.
The importance of preventing non-communicable diseases
The patient, the family and the country as a whole will have to face economic and social problems when a person is affected by disease.When one is suffering from disease the individual and the family suffer mentally.
Chronic non-communicable diseases require long term treatment as they cannot be completely cured. A large amount of money is spent on medical treatment, medical tests and medicines. This affects the economy of the family. The dependants of these patients will face difficulties if the patient can't work or faces premature death because of the disease.
The country spends a large sum of money on the treatment of non-communicable diseases. When such patients are unable to work the country losses its work force and that will affect the income of the country.
When we take the social factors into consideration, the other members of the family will have to sacrifice their time and energy on such patients. As an example, if the patient has to go weekly to get treatment or requires looking after when the patient's condition deteriorates the other members of the family will have to spend their time on such a patient. Then other responsibilities such as employment, looking after small children will get neglected.
Due to above reasons it is important to avoid non-communicable diseases and you must adopt a healthy life style and be vigilant about these diseases and take treatment at the right time.
Precautions that can be taken, to avoid non-communicable diseases
1. Take a healthy diet
• eat fresh and natural food whenever possible
• consume less sugar, salt and fat
• minimize artificial and instant food
• take at least five types of vegetables and fruits daily
• drink clean water
2. Engage in exercises daily.
3. Maintain your weight according to your height (correct BMI for age).
4. Get sufficient rest and sleep.
5. Manage Stress.
6. Avoid smoking and alcohol.
7. If there are elders in the family with hereditary non-communicable diseases, you must adapt a healthy life style to avoid risks as early as possible.
8. Members of families with a history of non-communicable diseases must get themselves examined regularly from early days of their lives.
9. If there is a history of non-communicable diseases in your family or if there are any factors that would lead to such diseases (eg:obesity) seek medical advice at least once a year.
10. As non-communicable diseases often do not show any signs or symptoms, it is advisable to get yourself medically examined from time to time.
Non-communicable diseases are diseases caused by changes in the different processes of the body and are not transmitted from one to another.
These can be grouped as acute and chronic non-communicable diseases.
These diseases can be caused by factors that cannot be changed like age and genetic conditions as well as those that can be changed like harmful life styles.
Such diseases can cause the patient and his family various problems.
To prevent non-communicable diseases you must lead a good life style.
