One of the main problems of every American is their health. About 133 million Americans have some sort of chronic illness. That’s about 40% of the overall population. It’s expected to grow even higher in the coming years, and, unfortunately, most of these diseases are incurable.
The third leading type of chronic disease in the United States includes chronic lung diseases, also known as chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs). Many Americans suffer from this disease, and some of these conditions are considered fatal. Although most of these CRDs are incurable, many of them can be managed by living a healthy life.
Chronic Respiratory Diseases (CRDs)
CRDs are a group of chronic diseases primarily located in the respiratory system. This includes the lungs, sinuses, pharynx, bronchial tube, and more. Diseases located in this particular system are usually fatal because they can block your breathing, which can lead to asphyxia. The most common CRDs are Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), asthma, and pulmonary hypertension. Most of these diseases have no known cure. However, advancements in medical science have made it possible for us to manage these diseases in our daily lives.
You might have met someone who has asthma, yet they are still capable of working and living a normal life as everyone else does. However, you may notice that they are extra cautious about living life generally. They tend to watch the food they eat, the things they do, and where they live. This is because many things can trigger their CRD, and it can certainly be an excruciating experience.
CRDs can be quite fatal given the right circumstances. A simple asthma attack can lead someone to the hospital. However, not many people die of CRDs. They usually die of asphyxiation. Asphyxiation can happen if your body doesn’t get enough oxygen to function. Usually, people pass out from this as a way for the body to protect itself. However, some do experience asphyxiation, and it’s usually those with CRDs. But once again, CRDs are manageable. If you can regulate your CRD well, then you’re most likely never have to experience this fatal moment in your life. One way to manage CRDs is by watching your weight.
Avoid Becoming Overweight or Obese
Many diseases have a strong link with obesity and being overweight. A big chunk of the world’s population is obese, and many of them come from the United States. If you’re obese or overweight, it’s not generally your fault since it is partly genetics. However, there are certain things you can do to avoid it. In doing so, you’re already giving yourself a huge shield against CRDs.
Be Consistent
The first thing you need to do if you want to avoid being overweight or obese is to be consistent. This is in everything you do, such as the food you eat and when you eat it. Your metabolism plays a big part in your weight, and if you eat at times when your metabolism isn’t ready, chances are, the food won’t get digested properly. Exercise is important too, and you need at least an hour of exercise every week to avoid weight gain. However, keep in mind that this differs from person to person.
Take Proactive Measures
At some point, you can’t really avoid being overweight or obese. It’s in your blood, and as we grow older, our metabolism takes a hit. At this point, even the smallest amount of food we eat can help increase our weight. If you’re at this point in your life, it’s best that you start taking medication and change your diet entirely.
Avoid Common Triggers
Many Americans have asthma, and it’s fairly common for them to get asthma attacks throughout the day. It’s best that you find out what your triggers are and avoid them the best way possible.
One of the most common triggers of asthma is insects. It can be from a bite or accidentally inhaling these small critters. Avoiding this particular trigger can be much trickier than you think. For example, you might think that termites play no threat to your disease since they’re only out there to consume wood, right? That’s wrong.
Termites actually have the same allergens as cockroaches do, which means that they can trigger asthma attacks among people. The worse part of it all is that they are more common than cockroaches! This gives you a good enough reason to hire a professional to handle termite problems in your home. If you experience asthma, you shouldn’t be handling this situation by yourself, as it can lead to fatal consequences. Furthermore, by doing this, you can protect the overall structural integrity of your home.
Insects are just one of the many common triggers we have for asthma. Some of these triggers may seem harmless to you. So make sure that you know yours and that you take proactive measures against them.
Here are just the most common ways you can avoid your CRDs from getting worse. If you manage your life right, you can avoid CRDs that run in your family. Live a healthy life so that you can prevent these chronic illnesses.