Common types of diseases include infectious and non-infectious diseases. In the U.S. non-infectious diseases dominate and are particularly important not only in influencing length of life, but also in quality of life. Disability, particularly from conditions that have gone untreated, could often have been prevented with early diagnosis and care. While many diseases have no outward symptoms, understanding risk factors can encourage appropriate testing, proactive lifestyle changes and treatment.
Heart Disease
Heart disease, "the #1 killer of both women and men" according to the National Institute of Health, is most often caused by being overweight. In "Total Heart Health for Men," Dr. Michael Duncan, Dr. Richard Leachman and Ed Young write that "the best treatment for obesity and being overweight is prevention through modest yet persistent restriction of caloric intake in conjunction with a regular exercise program and spiritual/behavioral modification." They also recommend a balance "between private inspiration and social engagement."
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes symptoms remain silent for years as the muscles and tissue become resistant to taking sugar out of the bloodstream. In 1997 the blood sugar level used to determine a diagnosis was lowered to identify type 2 diabetes earlier in order to prevent organ damage, but the rate of type 2 diabetes was rising before then. A chronic disease with no cure, the book "Mayo Clinic On Managing Diabetes," explains that type 2 can sometimes be managed by lifestyle changes alone, but more commonly by adding oral medications.
Infectious Disease
Among the most common infectious diseases are those that are sexually transmitted, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reporting "19 million new STD infections each year..." Chlamydia is the most common STD, and can be silent until health problems, such as chronic pelvic pain and infertility, occur later. Chlamydia can be cured with specific antibiotics taken as prescribed. The greatest rate of chlamydia is found in sexually active women ages 15 to 24. The CDC recommends annual testing of young women who are sexually active.
Mental Illness
Mental illnesses are among the most common diseases Americans experience. Depression is a common mood disorder, diagnosed by trained professionals using the Diagnostics and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition. As Blaise Aguiree author of "Biographies of Disease: Depression," explains, "depression is the main cause of disability in women," in the U.S. Symptoms vary widely by type of depression and individual. Treatment for depression may include working with a therapist, taking medication or a combination.
Chemical Dependency
Substance abuse sometimes results in chemical dependency, known commonly as addiction. Many abused substances can lead to mood disorders diagnosed using the DSM IV, making many forms of addiction mental illnesses. Chemical dependency can be treated. A person can eventually manage their recovery without intensive treatment or medication. Chemical dependency, with the exception of caffeine and nicotine addiction, and its relentless cravings can have particularly detrimental effects on many aspects of a person's life.
References
- American Heart Association
- "Total Heart Health for Men"; Ed Young, Michael Duncan, M.D.; Richard Leachman, M.D.; 2005
- "Mayo Clinic on Managing Diabetes; Lee Engfer et. al.; 2001
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: STDs in the United States 2008
- "Biographies of Disease: Depression"; Blaise Aguiree; 2008
