The 10 most dangerous diseases in today's society

This is an automatically translated article.

Posted by Master, Doctor Mai Vien Phuong - Gastrointestinal Endoscopy - Department of Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital

When people think of the most dangerous diseases in the world, they immediately think of incurable, fast-acting diseases. But in fact, many of these diseases are not in the top 10 causes of death worldwide. An estimated 56.4 million people died worldwide in 2015, and 68% of them were due to slowly progressing diseases.
Perhaps even more surprising is that some of the deadliest diseases are partially preventable. Factors that cannot be prevented include where a person lives, access to preventive care, and quality of health care. All of these factors into risk. But there are still steps people can take to reduce their risk. Read on to see the top 10 diseases that cause the most deaths worldwide, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

1. Ischemic heart disease, or coronary artery disease

The deadliest disease in the world is coronary artery disease (CAD). Also known as ischemic heart disease, CAD occurs when the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart become narrowed. Untreated CAD can lead to chest pain, heart failure, and arrhythmias.
Impact of CAD worldwide. Although it is the leading cause of death, mortality has decreased in many European countries and in the United States. This could be due to public health education, access to healthcare and better forms of prevention. However, in many developing countries, death rates from CAD are increasing. Increasing life expectancy, socioeconomic change, and lifestyle risk factors play a role in this increase.
Risk factors for CAD include:
High blood pressure High cholesterol Smoking Family history of CAD Diabetes Being overweight Talk to your doctor if you have one or more of these risk factors. You can prevent CAD with medication and by maintaining good heart health. Some steps you can take to reduce your risk include:
Exercise regularly Maintain a healthy weight Eat a balanced diet that is low in sodium and high in fruits and vegetables Avoid smoking Drink only moderation

2. Stroke

A stroke occurs when an artery in the brain becomes blocked or leaks. This causes brain cells that are starved of oxygen to begin to die within minutes. During a stroke, you feel suddenly numb and confused or have trouble walking and seeing. If left untreated, a stroke can cause long-term disability. Risk factors for stroke include:
High blood pressure Family history of stroke Smoking, especially when combined with birth control pills Being African American Being female Some stroke risk factors are can be minimized with preventive care, medications, and lifestyle changes. In general, healthy habits can reduce the risk of disease.

3. Lower respiratory tract infections

Lower respiratory tract infection is an infection in the airways and lungs. Illnesses can be caused by:
Influenza, or flu, Pneumonia, Bronchitis, Tuberculosis, Viruses commonly cause lower respiratory tract infections. They can also be caused by bacteria. Cough is the main symptom of a lower respiratory tract infection. You may experience shortness of breath, wheezing, and a feeling of tightness in your chest. Untreated lower respiratory tract infections can lead to respiratory failure and death.
Risk factors for lower respiratory tract infections include:
Flu Poor air quality or frequent exposure to lung irritants Smoking Weak immune systems Crowded child care facilities , which mainly affects infants Asthma HIV One of the best preventive measures you can take against lower respiratory tract infections is a yearly flu shot. Wash your hands often with soap and water to avoid spreading bacteria, especially before touching your face and before eating. Stay home and rest until you feel better if you have a respiratory infection, as rest improves the healing process.

4. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a long-term progressive lung disease that causes difficulty breathing. Chronic bronchitis and emphysema are types of COPD. In 2004, about 64 million people worldwide were living with COPD. Risk factors for COPD include:
Cigarette smoking or passive smoking Lung irritants such as chemical fumes Family history, with AATD gene linked to COPD History of respiratory tract infections during childhood small There is no cure for COPD, but its progression can be slowed with medication. The best way to prevent COPD is to stop smoking and avoid secondhand smoke and other lung irritants. If you experience any of these symptoms of COPD, getting treatment as soon as possible increases your outlook.

5. Tracheal, bronchial and lung cancer

Respiratory tract cancers include cancers of the trachea, larynx, bronchi and lungs. The main cause is smoking, inhaling secondhand smoke and toxins from the environment. But household pollution like fuel and mold also contributes.
A 2015 study reported that respiratory cancers account for about 4 million deaths annually. In the developing world, researchers predict an 81 to 100 percent increase in respiratory cancer rates due to pollution and smoking. Many Asian countries, especially India, still use coal for cooking. Emissions from solid fuels account for 17% of lung cancer deaths in men and 22% in women.
Cancers of the trachea, bronchus, and lung can affect anyone, but they are more likely to affect people with a history of smoking or tobacco use. Other risk factors for these cancers include, family history and exposure to environmental factors, such as diesel fumes.
Aside from avoiding smoke and tobacco products, it is not known if anything else can be done to prevent lung cancer. However, early detection can improve the condition and reduce the symptoms of respiratory cancer.

6. Diabetes

Diabetes is a group of diseases that affect the production and use of insulin. In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas cannot produce insulin. In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or the insulin cannot be used effectively. Type 2 diabetes can be caused by a number of factors, including a poor diet, inactivity, and being overweight.
People in low to middle income countries are more likely to die from complications of diabetes. Risk factors for diabetes include:
Excess body weight High blood pressure Older age Not exercising regularly Unhealthy diet Although diabetes is not always possible It's preventable, but you can control the severity of your symptoms by exercising regularly and maintaining good nutrition. Adding more fiber to your diet can help control your blood sugar.

7. Alzheimer's disease and other dementias

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive disease that destroys memory and disrupts normal mental functions. These include typical thinking, reasoning, and behavior.
Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia, 60 to 80% of dementia cases are in fact Alzheimer's disease. The disease begins by causing mild memory problems, difficulty recalling information, and memory impairment. However, over time, the disease progresses and you may no longer remember large periods of time. A 2014 study found that the number of deaths in the United States from Alzheimer's may be higher than reported. Risk factors for Alzheimer's include:
Over 65 years of age Family history Inherited disease genes from parents Existing mild cognitive impairment Down syndrome Unhealthy lifestyle Previous head trauma Separation out of the community or interact poorly with others for long periods of time There is no way to prevent Alzheimer's disease. One thing that can be helpful in reducing disease risk is a heart-healthy diet. A diet high in fruits and vegetables, low in saturated fat from meat and dairy, and high in good sources of fats like nuts, olive oil and lean fish can help you reduce your risk of many diseases.

8. Dehydration due to diarrhea

Diarrhea is when you have three or more loose stools in a day. If diarrhea lasts more than a few days, your body has lost too much water and salt. This causes dehydration, which can lead to death. Diarrhea is usually caused by an intestinal virus or bacteria that is transmitted through contaminated food or water. This condition is especially common in developing countries with poor sanitation.
Diarrhea is the second leading cause of death in children under 5 years of age. About 760,000 children die from diarrheal diseases each year. Risk factors for diarrhea include:
Living in an area with poor sanitation Lack of clean water Malnutrition Weakened immune system According to UNICEF, the best prevention method is good hygiene practices good birth. Good hand washing techniques can reduce the incidence of diarrhea by 40%. Improved water quality and sanitation as well as access to early medical intervention can also help prevent diarrheal illness.

9. Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) is a lung condition caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which is a treatable airborne bacteria, although some strains are resistant to conventional treatments often. Tuberculosis is one of the leading causes of death among people living with HIV. About 35% of HIV-related deaths are due to TB.
TB cases have decreased by 1.5% per year since 2000. The goal is to end TB by 2030. Risk factors and ways to prevent it
Risk factors for TB include:
Diabetes HIV infection Lower body weight Being close to other people with TB Regularly taking certain medications such as corticosteroids or drugs that suppress the immune system The best prevention against TB is the bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine. If you think you've been exposed to TB bacteria, you can start a treatment called chemoprophylaxis to reduce your chances of developing the condition.

10. Cirrhosis

Cirrhosis is the result of chronic or long-term scarring and damage to the liver. Damage can be the result of kidney disease, or conditions such as hepatitis and chronic alcoholism. A healthy liver filters harmful substances out of the blood and brings healthy blood into the body. When substances damage the liver, scar tissue forms. As more scar tissue forms, the liver has to work harder to function properly. Eventually, the liver can stop working. Risk factors for cirrhosis include:
Chronic alcohol use Accumulation of fat around the liver (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease) Chronic viral hepatitis Stay away from behaviors that can lead to liver damage to prevent cirrhosis. Helps prevent cirrhosis. Long-term alcohol use and abuse is one of the leading causes of cirrhosis, so avoiding alcohol can help you prevent damage. Likewise, you can avoid non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by eating a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables and low in sugar and fat. Finally, the chance of contracting viral hepatitis can be reduced by using protection during sex and avoiding sharing anything that may have blood stains. This includes needles, razors, toothbrushes, and more.
One of the good ways to reduce your risk of any medical condition is to maintain a healthy lifestyle with good nutrition and exercise. Avoid smoking and abusing alcoholic beverages. In addition, you also need to perform annual health check-ups to detect abnormalities early so that timely intervention can be initiated.
Vinmec International General Hospital is currently developing a general health checkup package for all age groups of different customers. With this package, you will be checked by the doctor on urine, liver function, kidney function, blood pressure measurement, scan, overall screening... Through the examination results, the doctor will give you some advice. Best advice on diet, sleep, treatment direction suitable for each person's condition.
The examination process at the hospital is always of a high standard with the support of a team of specialized doctors and modern equipment.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.

References
Statistics: Worldwide. (2016).
amfar.org/worldwide-aids-stats/
Stroke facts. (2015).
cdc.gov/stroke/facts.htm
Tardiff JC. (2010). Coronary artery disease in 2010. DOI:
doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/suq014
The top 10 causes of death [Fact sheet]. (2014).
who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs310/en/
Tuberculosis [Fact sheet]. (2016).
who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs104/en/
Tuberculosis: Global tuberculosis report 2016. (2016).
who.int/tb/publications/factsheet_global.pdf
What are the risk factors for lung cancer? (2016).
cdc.gov/cancer/lung/basic_info/risk_factors.htm