When to make lifestyle changes

In the past, the common health problems were the infectious diseases that spread rapidly and affected a large number of people. To control these diseases a number of steps have been taken like mass vaccination, improving quality of drinking water, providing better sanitation and drainage. Many diseases are controlled but still diseases like malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS are a problem. In recent years new type of health problems have become far more common. Non-infectious diseases are now becoming the main cause of death and are affecting the quality of people’s lives. Non-infectious diseases include:

§  heart diseases;

§   cancers;

§   brain strokes;

§  Injuries;

§   loss of hearing and sight;

§   Diabetes;

§   joint problems caused by arthritis;

§   bone diseases that cause bones to break easily; and

§   Mental diseases such as depression.

These diseases are not only seen in old age but in any age. Growing older does contribute to some diseases. Many of the diseases are due to the way people live their lives. If the way people live their lives is making them more prone to risk of developing diseases such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes, then there are chances that these lifestyle diseases can be prevented by changing the way they live. The good news is that health can be improved without doctors, hospitals and medicines.

There are mainly five aspects of modern lifestyles which may cause modern disease:

§  Poor diet;

§  Being overweight;

§  Getting insufficient exercise;

§  Smoking tobacco; and

§  Drinking too much alcohol.

It is never too late for people to improve their lifestyle. Stopping smoking, drinking less, getting to right weight, eating healthy food and exercising will make people better at any point of their life. Mostly it is seen people make lifestyle changes once they develop some disease, which is also welcomed but it is much better to make these lifestyle changes before diseases develop. It helps in increasing their immunity also. While it is never too late for people to change the way they live, it is never too early to develop a healthy lifestyle. Earlier, the better. In fact there are things that parents should do even before their children are born, and when they are children and teenagers, that can make a big difference to health in later life. For example, a mother smoking or drinking alcohol during pregnancy has a lifelong effect on her child. Overeating and poor diet in the teenage years can lead to obesity and diabetes. Lack of calcium in the growing years can produce weak bones in old age.

The best way to remain healthy is to adopt a healthy lifestyle throughout life. Changing lifestyle early in life will not only add years to a person’s life, but will add quality life to those extra years. So we see good health is in our own hands.

Source: World Health Organization

                                                                    Happy Living!