Preventable Chronic Diseases
According to the American College of Preventative Medicine, heart disease and diabetes are two of the most common preventable chronic diseases. Diabetes is actually a name for a group of diseases that all affect the way the body processes blood sugar. Heart disease is used to describe a wide range of diseases that affect the heart and blood vessels surrounding the heart. If you any of these signs or symptoms sound familiar to you, talk with your regular physician about what can be done to treat and prevent these diseases.
Causes
Hardening of the arteries over time is one of the main causes of heart disease. This hardening, called atherosclerosis, can restrict blood flow to the tissues and organs. Heart arrhythmia and defects in the heart which can be caused by things like smoking and defects in the heart at birth, are also causes for heart disease. The cause of diabetes really depends on the type. Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune disorder that causes the immune system to attack the insulin creating cells of the pancreas. Type 2 diabetes is caused by an abundance of glucose in the blood stream after the cells of the body develop a resistance to the action of insulin.
Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of heart disease depend on the type of heart disease. Heart disease caused by damaged blood vessels as in instances of atherosclerosis can present symptoms like chest pain, pain or numbness in the arms or legs and shortness of breath. Heart disease caused by arrhythmia can present symptoms like chest pain, fluttering in the chest and fainting. Symptoms of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes include frequent urination, extreme hunger, increased thirst and blurred vision. Slow healing sores and extreme weight loss are also potential indicators.
Risk Factors
Men are at higher risk in generally but the risk goes up for women after menopause. Carbon monoxide from smoking can cause damage to the lining of the heart which increases the risk for atherosclerosis. High blood pressure and cholesterol levels also increase the risk of heart disease as well as obesity and physical inactivity. Because the exact cause of type 1 diabetes is yet unknown, the only known risk factor is a family history of diabetes. Risk factors for type 2 diabetes are inactivity, weight and race. Though the reason is unclear, those of African American, Hispanic, American Indian and Asian American descent are at higher risk for type 2 diabetes.
Treatments
Lifestyle changes like quitting smoking and getting at least 30 minutes of exercise per day are among some of the treatments recommended for heart disease. With cardiovascular disease, medications to lower blood pressure and thin the blood are used to allow the blood to pass through narrowed arteries. Heart arrhythmia is usually treated with the use of anti-arrhythmia medications and pace makers. Healthy eating and physical activity are key in managing diabetes. Monitoring blood sugar levels and administering insulin through either a shot or pump to manage sugar levels is also part of treatment.
Prevention
While certain forms of heart disease cannot be prevented, like those caused by birth defects, most other types can be prevented by doing things like quitting smoking, eating healthy foods and staying active. Controlling any conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol are also important in preventing heart disease. Diabetes can be prevented in very much the same way. Losing any extra pounds, eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise is the best way to prevent getting diabetes.
Tags: heart disease, blood pressure, blood sugar, blood vessels, causes heart
