The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified the top four preventable non-communicable diseases in the world. These diseases combined kill 3 out of 5 people.
These four diseases are diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic lung disease, and cancer.
Smoking clearly contributes to 3 of the 4, and there is some evidence that suggests that it may be linked to diabetes as well.
The WHO lists four major risk factors for developing these diseases. By developing programs to help people to stop doing these risky behaviors, the WHO hopes to lessen the impact that these diseases have on the world.
If you are interested in improving your health, eliminating these four risk factors from your life is a good starting point for preventing the chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease that often lead to early death and disability.
How many of the following risk factors do you have?
Dr. Tim Ferenchick is a board certified family physician who works with smokers to help them quit. He runs multi-session stop smoking groups in partnership with the American Lung Association. He can be reached at http://www.committoquitsmoking.com
These four diseases are diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic lung disease, and cancer.
Smoking clearly contributes to 3 of the 4, and there is some evidence that suggests that it may be linked to diabetes as well.
The WHO lists four major risk factors for developing these diseases. By developing programs to help people to stop doing these risky behaviors, the WHO hopes to lessen the impact that these diseases have on the world.
If you are interested in improving your health, eliminating these four risk factors from your life is a good starting point for preventing the chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease that often lead to early death and disability.
How many of the following risk factors do you have?
- Smoking and tobacco use. This includes second-hand smoke exposure. The longer you smoke, the higher your risk. Quit smoking today. The sooner you quit, the sooner your body can start to repair itself. Not all the damage done by smoking is reversible, but quitting is still the best thing that you can do for your health.
- Lack of exercise. The American Heart Association recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise weekly. Getting started is tough for many people. Try to do something every day first to make it a habit, then increase the time and intensity of your exercise gradually. Of course, check with your doctor before starting any exercise program.
- Harmful use of alcohol. Some studies show that a glass or two of wine a day may be beneficial to the heart, but more than that can be detrimental to your health. If you dont generally drink alcohol, dont start. If you drink more than two drinks daily, cut back or stop. If you have a history of drinking too much in you or your family, be especially careful of your alcohol consumption.
- Poor diet and obesity. In general, eat a lot of fruits and vegetables, avoid sugary foods and foods that are high in saturated fats. Avoid processed and refined foods. Keep your weight at a reasonable level.
Dr. Tim Ferenchick is a board certified family physician who works with smokers to help them quit. He runs multi-session stop smoking groups in partnership with the American Lung Association. He can be reached at http://www.committoquitsmoking.com