There are thousands of diseases, illnesses and health conditions that can plague individuals today. Hypertension or diabetes are two prevalent examples; others such as Crohn’s disease – an inflammatory digestive condition – may occur less often.

Many medical issues can be avoided through regular doctor visits; others, however, are unavoidable and could be affected by age, family genetics, or lifestyle decisions.

Hypertension

High blood pressure has long been known as the “silent killer,” as its effects often go undetected for years even when severe. When blood is pushing against arterial walls and damaging organs like your kidneys or brain without you feeling anything outwardly different. Therefore, regular checks with your healthcare provider (most take readings at every appointment) is vitally important.

Your risk for hypertension increases if close biological family members have it, you use recreational drugs, consume too much alcohol or don’t engage in enough physical exercise. Furthermore, as you get older your risk also rises.

People are considered to have high blood pressure when the systolic number exceeds 140 and diastolic number exceeds 90. Lifestyle changes, such as eating healthier diet, losing weight, quitting smoking and increasing physical activity, may help alleviate symptoms and lower their blood pressure; when these aren’t effective doctors may prescribe medicine that relaxes constricted vessels.

Major Depression

Depression is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide and can be debilitating. It can worsen medical conditions like high blood pressure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and coronary artery disease as well as increase suicide risks, anxiety disorders and substance use disorders comorbidly and increase feelings of helplessness, hopelessness and worthlessness that make treatment difficult to sustain.

Combining psychological and physical treatments is key in treating depression, including exercise, eating well and getting enough restful sleep. Antidepressant medication may also be prescribed; take them regularly as instructed by your physician for the best results. Furthermore, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may be employed if other approaches fail to help.

Diabetes

Diabetes is a health condition in which your blood sugar levels become abnormally high (hyperglycaemia). It usually happens when either your pancreas stops producing enough insulin or your body cannot use it effectively.

Sugar (glucose) provides energy from food into your cells. With diabetes, your body cannot make enough or use insulin effectively enough, leading to high levels of blood glucose in your system and increasing risk for complications.

Over time, chronically high blood glucose levels can lead to numerous health complications – such as kidney disease, cardiovascular issues and vision impairments.

Maintain a healthy weight, get adequate rest and practice regular physical activity and dietary healthy. Also, exercise regularly and consume healthy foods. Be wary of symptoms of diabetes such as frequent urination, dry mouth or unusual thirst and check with a health care professional regularly for tests.

Asthma

Asthma, a chronic condition, causes your airways to swell with extra mucus, making breathing difficult. It often begins in childhood but may be triggered by respiratory infections, exercise, allergies, changes in weather or laughter – with characteristic symptoms including wheezing when breathing in, coughing and shortness of breath being typical characteristics.

Treatment options for respiratory symptoms may include medications to both prevent and treat them. Anti-inflammatory medicines (corticosteroids) can reduce swelling and mucus production while long-acting bronchodilators – known as rescue medicines – taken using an inhaler or nebulizer can ease breathing. Your doctor may also recommend daily controller or biologic medications which work by blocking specific antibodies that lead to inflammation in order to stop its recurrence.

Protecting your health begins by maintaining a balanced diet, regular physical activity and avoiding asthma triggers. Other strategies for staying healthy include limiting mold spore exposure, getting flu and pneumonia vaccines as well as visiting an allergist for blood or skin allergy tests.

Arthritis

There are over 100 types of arthritis, a general term for diseases that cause pain, stiffness, and swelling in joints. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are two of the most prevalent forms; their symptoms often manifest themselves gradually or suddenly and typically affect hands, hips, knees or feet.

Your doctor will conduct an in-depth health examination, paying special attention to any affected joints. They may order laboratory tests such as blood tests to check anemia (low red blood cell counts), urinalysis or rheumatoid factor testing – and even ordering imaging scans such as X-rays in order to help diagnosis your type of arthritis.

Obesity

Over the past two decades, obesity has become a worldwide pandemic with severe and super-severe cases increasing by 500% since 1990. There are various factors which contribute to weight gain: hormonal, metabolic, psychological, cultural, and environmental.

Overeating: Overeating of high-calorie and saturated-fat foods leads to weight gain. Individuals suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome or diabetes may find controlling their appetite difficult, while some medications such as antidepressants, sedatives and steroids can also cause weight gain.

Obesity is a progressive condition requiring lifelong management and treatment, according to healthcare professionals. Diet and physical activity changes should be included as treatment modalities. Pharmacotherapy as well as metabolic and bariatric surgery services may be offered to help patients adopt healthier lifestyles.