The Impact Of Aging On Communicable Diseases
According to the World Health Organization, “health is a state of full physical, mental and emotional well-being and not simply the absence of sickness and disease.” A wide variety of definitions have also been used over the years for various purposes. For the purposes of this article, we will define health as having the ability to do everyday activities and maintain one’s health.
The word “wellness” has multiple meanings. In some contexts it means well-being or sound health, in other contexts it refers to the quality of life (including happiness) and in other contexts it refers to the ability to do well in certain circumstances. Some professionals believe that health is the result of good health and some would argue that it is the result of good health and a lack of health. The best definition is the ability to do all that is required of the person for health and well-being. Health and wellness involve many aspects of lifestyle and habits that affect the physical and mental well-being of individuals. This may include weight management, smoking cessation, alcohol and drug prevention, nutrition, physical activity, sleep and fitness.
The practice of regular exercise, balanced diet and quality sleep contribute to good health. A healthy body is necessary for overall health but some health issues such as obesity and high blood pressure require specific medical intervention. When people are overweight they can be at higher risk for a number of diseases including heart disease, cancer, arthritis, stroke, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, sleep apnea, cataracts and colon cancer. The good news is that with the advances in the field of public health and medical research, many of these health problems are becoming treatable.
There are several hundred diseases that are preventable, with the most common killer being cardiovascular disease. Prevention is always better than cure. One of the keys to long-term prevention of cardiovascular disease and other chronic conditions is a healthy diet that includes low saturated fat and low sodium intake, and plenty of dietary fiber and whole grains. Exercise is another major component of a healthy diet and a well rounded exercise program that stimulate positive responses in the circulatory system can improve the outlook for overall health.
As people get older they become more susceptible to certain kinds of chronic disease and the incidence of age related diseases like osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s, rheumatoid arthritis and cancer is on the rise. As the population ages so too does its health profile. The good news is that it is never too late to take care of your health. A healthy lifestyle can go a long way toward keeping you in good health, while maintaining your independence. Even if you are more likely to develop some of these diseases later in life, you can start taking steps to reduce your risk today.
Being prepared and proactive about your health, makes a big difference in how successful you will be in limiting the affects of chronic diseases. This means knowing what to avoid and how to avoid it, and making changes to your lifestyle choices in order to live a healthy life. A holistic approach to health is the only way to assure your long term health and freedom from communicable diseases.