India is a vast country, and so is the population and diseases too. People are getting busier each day, thus not getting time to look after themselves and their health. Where they don’t have even the slightest idea that what they are ignoring to be as a normal cough or a usual headache could be a life-threatening disease. All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and the various prestigious institutions’ published research papers and studies about maintaining a healthy lifestyle, but despite tons of researches and studies, we are counted among the countries having people with poor lifestyle.
In this article, we have covered the most common diseases in India with its causes, symptoms and preventions which include vulnerable diseases from which people most of the Indian population is influenced and suffering.
The most common diseases in India that have influenced millions of people are:
1. Diarrhoea
Also known as “Stomach Flu”- Diarrhoea is termed as a condition in which your Faeces are discharged frequently and in a liquid form through the bowels.
Diarrhoea ranges from the mild condition and temporary condition to the life-threatening state.
These can be categorized into two categories:
- Acute Diarrhoea:- Diarrhoea lasting for a few days is called Acute Diarrhoea.
- Chronic Diarrhoea:- Diarrhoea that lasts for a few weeks or months is called Chronic Diarrhoea, which can result in life-threatening issues too.
Symptoms of Diarrhea:
- Stomachache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Cramping/Bloating
- Thin or loose stool (bowler movement)
- Sudden weight-loss
Causes of Diarrhea:
- Caused by viral infections
- Allergies from food
- Reaction due to certain medications
Preventions of Diarrhea:
- Drink fluids in excess amount
- Avoid dairy products
- Avoid fatty food
- Consume digestible foods like soups, unseasoned rice and oats, etc.
2. Malaria
Malaria is a serious disease caused and spread due to a mosquito bite. Malaria is termed as a killer in terms of Medical Language.
Symptoms of Malaria:
- Fever up to100.4 F or above
- Vomiting
- Sweating
- Muscle and body pain
- Severe headache
Causes of Malaria:
- A bite from parasite-infected Mosquito
Preventions of Malaria:
- Use of Mosquito repellent
- Keep your nearby area clean and avoid storage of water unnecessarily
3. HIV/AIDS
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Disease Virus) is the early stage of AIDS(Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). If HIV is left untreated, it leads to AIDS.
Symptoms of HIV/AIDS:
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle and joint pain
- Skin rash esp. near the neck
- Sore throat
- Swollen lymph glands
- Oral yeast infection
- Diarrhoea
- Weight-loss
- Fatigue
Causes of HIV/AIDS:
- Use of contaminated surgical equipment
- Infected blood transfusion
- Sexual transmission
- Perinatal transmission
Preventions from HIV/AIDS:
- Using protection during sexual practice
- Getting tested and testing for your partners HIV/AIDS status
- Limiting sexual partners
- Avoid drug-intake
Myths about HIV/AIDS:
- Sharing of clothes causes HIV/AIDS
- Mosquito bites cause HIV/AIDS
- Socialising with the HIV positive person can transfer the HIV/AIDS virus
- Sneezes or coughs can transfer HIV/AIDS virus
- Using the same toilet seats can cause HIV/AIDS
- Touching/Hugging/Kissing can cause HIV/AIDS
4. Typhoid
Typhoid or Typhoid Fever is a bacterial infection caused due to Salmonella typhi.
Symptoms of Typhoid:
- Fever slowly starting and then speeds up as high as 104.9 F or above
- Headaches
- Weakness and fatigue
- Abdominal pain
- Rash
- Muscle pain
- Dry-cough
- Diarrhoea/Constipation
Causes of Typhoid:
- Using the toilet infected with bacteria and touching your mouth with the same hands before cleaning gives germs entry to your body.
- Consuming contaminated food or water.
- Practising sexual activities with a person infected with Salmonella typhimurium (S. Typhi) bacteria.
Preventions from Typhoid:
- Take vaccinations from time to time
- Wash hands before eating food and cooking
- Clean hands properly after using the toilet
- Avoid street food as much as possible
5. Diabetes
Diabetes or Diabetes Mellitus is a condition a person’s Blood Sugar Level increases due to inadequate insulin production or because of the unresponsive state of the body cells to the insulin.
These are categorised into two types:-
- Type 1:- In Type 1 diabetes pancreas stops producing insulin.
- Type 2:- In Type 2 diabetes either pancreas stops producing insulin or cells don’t react to insulin production.
Symptoms of diabetes:
- Frequent urination
- Hunger
- Thirsty than usual
- Sudden weight loss or weight gain
- Blurred vision
- Skin-itching
- Oral problems
Causes of diabetes:
- Family genetics
- Premature ageing
- Increase in blood sugar rate
Preventions from diabetes:
- Adopt a healthy lifestyle
- Getting more active physically
- Losing weight
- Healthier choices to diet
- Limit alcohol consumption
- Eliminate smoking
6. Obesity
Obesity is referred to as gaining more than necessary body fat. In that state, a person is termed as “unhealthy” or is automatically risked to diseases. It is diagnosed when The Body Mass Index(BMI) reaches 30 or more. The formula for calculating BMI is -weight(km) upon height(m).
Standard Body Mass Index (BMI) measurements as per WHO:
- Underweight:- BMI below 18.5
- Normal:- BMI between 18.5 to 24.9
- Overweight:- BMI between 25-29.9
- Obese Class-I:- BMI between 30-34.9
- Obese Class-II:- BMI between 35-39.9
- Obese Class-III or Extreme obesity:- BMI above 40
Symptoms of obesity:
- Snoring
- Breathlessness
- Exhausted
- Increased sweating
- Increase in clothing size
- Extra fat around areas such as arms, waist, calves and thighs etc.
- High body mass index (as specified above)
Causes of obesity:
- Over-eating
- Depression and hypertension
- Lack of physical activity
- Genetics (family inherited)
- Hormonal Imbalance
- Emotional factors
Preventions from obesity:
- Adopt a healthy lifestyle
- Regular exercise
- Healthy food intake
- Limit salt use
- Avoid excessive sugar and sugar products
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7. Imbalance blood pressure
Blood pressure can be defined as the force that the heart uses to pump blood around the body. If there were no Blood Pressure at all, survival wouldn’t be possible. Thus a healthy Blood Pressure is necessary to supply Oxygen and Energy to the Body.
Symptoms of imbalance blood pressure:
- Severe headache
- Blurred vision
- Chest pain
- Shortness in breath
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Causes of imbalance blood pressure:
- Genetic issues
- Consumption of excess salt
- Stress
- Smoking
- Alcohol consumption
- Unavailability of physical activity
- Old-age or ageing
- Thyroid disorders
Preventions imbalance blood pressure:
- Eating a balanced diet
- Monitoring blood pressure on a daily basis
- Exercising regularly
- Avoiding smoking and alcohol
- Reducing stress
8. Depression
Depression is getting a constant feeling of Misery, Sadness, Unhappiness, Dejection or sorrow. It affects the mood and behaviour of a person to such an extent that lose faith and self-confidence. We have already covered in detail the best ways of getting over depression, stress and anxiety.
Symptoms of depression:
- Self-loathing
- Recklessness
- Severe aches and pains
- Angry and sullen
- Lack of interest
- Laziness
- Anxiety
- Change in sleeping Habits
Causes of depression:
- Biological differences
- Hormonal issues
- Family history
- Personality disorder
- Drug and alcohol
Preventions from depression:
- Healthy diet
- Regular exercise
- Relaxing
- Try to stay happy
- Seek help from friends and family
At last, you should learn to care and love yourself about which we have covered in detail in Love Just Loves: Heal Yourself With The Practice Of Self-Love.
9. Breast Cancer
Breast Cancer is a Malignant Tumour that starts to produce in Breast Cells. These cells grow in the areas distant from the body. Most women are prone to it, but men are sometimes captured by it too. It is always recommended to maintain humbleness in cancer.
Symptoms of breast cancer:
- Tender nipples
- Formation of lumps near nipple area or underarms
- Swelling in the armpit
- Change the overall size or texture of the nipple
- Strained blood discharge from the nipple
Causes of breast cancer:
- Dense breast tissues
- Cosmetic surgery
- Obesity
- Due to breast lumps
- Genetics
- History of breast cancer or any other cancer
- Radiation exposure
- Weight gain
Preventions from breast cancer:
- Avoid gaining weight
- Breastfeed your baby for a long period
- Limit protein
- Adopt a healthy lifestyle
- Avoid alcohol and smoking
- Limit hormone therapy
10. Heart disease
It is a Cardiovascular Disease that develops a condition in which Blood Vessels are either blocked or nearly narrowed, resulting in a massive Heart attack, Chest Pain or Stroke.
Symptoms of heath disease:
- Shortness of breath
- Fast heartbeat
- Heartburn
- Indigestion
- Pressure or heaviness in chest and arm
- Extreme weakness or anxiety
Causes of heart disease:
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Certain medications
- High cholesterol
- Poor lifestyle or bad eating habits
Preventions from heart disease:
- Quit smoking and drinking
- Adopt a healthy lifestyle and eating habits
- Controlling weight
- Monitor and controlling blood pressure
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