Health is happiness!
Noncommunicable diseases are those not caused by an infection. They are diseases that typically develop due to heredity, an individual's surroundings or an individual's behavior. Most of these diseases are preventable to a degree. By becoming informed, making conscious diet and exercise decisions, and being proactive about their health, individuals can do a lot to prevent noncommunicable diseases.
Instructions
Instructions
1. Learn your family's health history. Heredity can often be responsible for many noncommunicable diseases. While your family's health history does not guarantee that you will develop a disease, it will give you some insight as to what sort of diseases to focus on.
For instance, if three immediate family members have developed cancer, you should be doing all you can to prevent this disease. If you don't already know your family's health history, contact your parents, siblings or other close family and learn what noncommunicable diseases you may be at risk for.
2. Obtain regular medical screenings for noncommunicable diseases. Experts recommend getting an overall health screening once a year. Other health screenings should be sought based on your family's health history.
For instance, according to the American College of Physicians, all women should receive a yearly mammogram when they reach the age of 50. However, those with higher risk for breast cancer because of their family history should start receiving mammograms at age 40. A 2005 cancer study conducted by D.A. Berry, et. al., concluded that between 28 and 65 percent of the sharp drop in breast cancer deaths between 1990 and 2000 were directly related to yearly mammograms and screenings.
Many other medical screenings can help prevent noncommunicable diseases as well. Heart screenings, high blood pressure, cholesterol and other screenings have helped save lives and are an important way to prevent deaths due to non-communicable diseases because of early detection.
3. Research any noncommunicable diseases you feel you're most at risk for. Whether your surroundings, lifestyle or heredity have made you at high risk for specific noncommunicable diseases, it's important to learn all you can. By being proactive and seeking information, you can learn the best ways to prevent certain diseases.
Harvard Medicine is one place to research noncommunicable diseases such as heart disease and cancer. Its website--hms.harvard.edu/hms/research.asp--allows individuals to search for specific conditions and research findings, causes, and preventions that work.
4. Make diet changes that will benefit your health and help prevent noncommunicable diseases. Even small changes can make a massive difference. For instance, increasing your daily intake of fruits and vegetables to at least five servings can significantly reduce your risk for cancer, heart disease, stroke and other serious medical conditions.
Health-promoting foods include fruits and vegetables, whole foods, whole grains, fiber, beans and legumes, and low-fat foods. By eating a balanced diet high in these foods, you can significantly reduce your risk of noncommunicable diseases.
5. Avoid things that will raise your risk factors for certain diseases. Those at risk for cancer, and even those who are not at risk, will raise their risk for cancer if they smoke cigarettes every day. Drinking alcohol in excess also can increase your risk of noncommunicable diseases. Learning about noncommunicable diseases and taking elements out of your life that increase the risk of those diseases will help you prevent them.
Tags: noncommunicable diseases, family health, family health history, health history, noncommunicable diseases, your family
