The topic of lifestyle diseases is now being discussed quite frequently by many prominent experts. This is, of course, closely related to their enormous impact on our lives, but also to their much more widespread occurrence. The rapid development of civilization in recent decades has significantly improved the quality of life for virtually all of us and exposed us to ever-increasing threats. It is worth noting that we can protect ourselves from most of them, and they are almost 100 percent dependent on us. However, this does not change the fact that the proportion of these lifestyle diseases is the highest in history, and the forecasts for the coming years are not very optimistic. Therefore, in this article, we will attempt to explain the origin of these diseases and their possible effects, as well as discuss the factors largely responsible for their development.
What are diseases of civilization?
Lifestyle diseases are nothing new, but it cannot be denied that they are taking the greatest toll in modern times. They are also simply called diseases of the 21st century, and their occurrence is closely correlated with the rapid development of civilization. Interestingly, their incidence is not strictly related to the age of the patient; children are also increasingly affected. It is worth noting that not all diseases that can be described as lifestyle diseases have yet been classified. However, the basic disease entities of this type include:
- obesity
- Type II diabetes
- Cancer
- Cardiovascular diseases (high blood pressure, heart attack, atherosclerosis)
- Respiratory diseases
- Various food and inhalant allergies
- osteoporosis
- Mental illnesses (depression, anorexia, bulimia, neuroses, affective disorders, personality disorders)
- Addictions (alcoholism, nicotinism, drug addiction, drug dependence)
- Infectious diseases (AIDS, tuberculosis)
- Diseases of the digestive system (stomach ulcers, hemorrhoids, heartburn, diarrhea, constipation)
Let's add that in our country, diseases of the cardiovascular system are responsible for the majority of premature deaths. Immediately after them, all kinds of cancer took the podium, and in subsequent positions, we can name, for example, various lung diseases, mostly the consequences of smoking, as well as obesity and type 2 diabetes. It's also worth noting that the fact that a particular disease entity has been classified as a disease of civilization is not permanent. Eventually, its prevalence in society, as well as its mortality rate, may decline so sharply that it is removed from this list. It's also worth remembering that this pattern works in reverse.
Fundamental causes of lifestyle diseases
There are indeed many reasons for the occurrence of lifestyle diseases, but virtually all of them are closely related to modern lifestyles and environmental changes. The ever-denser urban development, the degradation of green spaces such as forests, parks, and squares, transforming them into almost concrete deserts, are just the tip of the iceberg. The same is true of the development of modern technologies. Thanks to them, our lives have become much easier, but it's worth looking at this topic from a different perspective. This rapid progress requires daily adjustments from all of us. The human body is susceptible to this, but only to a certain extent. We live on the run, we consume highly processed products, we don't place much value on proper rest, and we are bombarded by a flood of unnecessary information practically every day. All of these factors have a profoundly negative impact on us and can exacerbate the occurrence of chronic stress. Furthermore, these technologies can also deprive us of daily physical activity. It's no great secret that the 21st century is a time of relative comfort. We lead a sedentary lifestyle, and our entertainment and leisure time very often boils down to sitting on the couch watching our favorite TV shows. There's nothing wrong with that, of course, provided we don't spend most of our day doing so. Our bodies are genetically programmed to move, and if we deprive them of that, in many cases we find ourselves on the path to obesity.
Pola Lalonda – what influence do you really have on your life and your health?
Mar Lalonde was Canada's Minister of Health. In 1974, he and the ministry published a treatise entitled "A New Perspective on the Health of Canadians." It caused a sensation in the medical community. The most important element was the fields of health, which illustrated the influence of individual factors on human health. The original version listed four areas that have the greatest impact on human health.
- Behavioral and lifestyle factors impact 53 percent of our health. Elements such as physical activity, eating habits, hydration, and stress management are just a few of them. Other factors that fall into this category include healthy sleep, sexual behavior, stimulants, and regular health checkups.
- Factors related to the environment in which we live have a 21 percent impact on our health. These primarily concern the quality and purity of the air we breathe, the location of our homes, and the people in our immediate surroundings.
- Factors related to our genetics and biology influence our health by 16 percent. Within this range, there are primarily genetic predispositions to possible diseases that may affect us or possible health problems beyond our control.
- Accessibility factors and the organization of our healthcare system account for 10 percent of our health. These include the availability of qualified medical personnel, the quality of the services offered, access to them, and even the possible arrival time of an ambulance.
Of course, these fields are somewhat conventional, but they nevertheless reflect the current situation well. It's clear that in the vast majority of cases, we ourselves have the greatest influence on our lives. The fact is, there can always be some random factor over which we have little control that can somehow lead to the onset of a particular disease. Nevertheless, a healthy and active lifestyle, abstinence from all types of drugs, and a friendly work or study environment will certainly have a significant impact on our future health.
Obesity, the beginning of almost every disease of civilization
Obesity is a primary disease closely related to lifestyle. Furthermore, in many cases, it determines the occurrence of other accompanying lifestyle diseases. To better understand this connection, let's use an example. The occurrence of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer are closely linked to obesity. Of course, it can happen that we, as a slim, physically active, and well-eating person, develop these conditions, but the chances of this are very low. On the other hand, if we reverse the example, we find that virtually the majority of patients suffering from them are overweight or obese. Obesity predisposes to and significantly increases the risk of other diseases. There is a very strong connection here. It is also worth noting that obesity was the first lifestyle disease to be identified. Therefore, to reduce the risk of illness and possible complications, we should start by changing our eating habits and introducing daily physical activity. It is estimated that these two factors alone can significantly reduce the risk of developing all kinds of lifestyle diseases.
Why can the diet of a modern person predispose to the occurrence of civilization diseases?
We've already mentioned that daily eating habits can be a kind of defense against the onset of various lifestyle diseases, including obesity. Unfortunately, they are sometimes the main source of many problems. It's worth noting that our grandparents and even parents often ate differently than we do. Such a rapid and rapid change in eating habits in a relatively short period of time could not be without consequences. First, the composition and quality of the fatty acids supplied to the body changed. Likewise, the glycemic load of individual products we consume changed. We eat more and provide a lot of simple sugar and unhealthy trans fats. In addition, our diets are too low in fiber and usually have an unfavorable sodium-to-potassium ratio. It's also worth noting that we consume many products that acidify our bodies, disrupting our acid-base balance. The final piece of the puzzle is the energy density of modern foods. We eat products that are much more calorie-dense yet lightweight. In the long term, it can lead to overeating and thus increase the risk of obesity. Interestingly, all of these factors well characterize the so-called "Western diet," which is the result of a fast-paced lifestyle and the world's massive industrialization. Highly processed foods, excessive salt in the diet, low consumption of fruits and vegetables, and low physical activity are unfortunately signs of the times.
Factors that can lead to lifestyle diseases - independent of us
Although the occurrence of lifestyle diseases is inevitably linked to our lifestyle, there are several factors beyond our control that can cause them. The first and by far the greatest impact is the quality of the air we breathe. It's no secret that air quality, especially in cities, is poor. After years of breathing such polluted air, we can develop all sorts of illnesses. Currently, the incidence of various lung diseases is increasing. Of course, they are most often associated with smoking, but the disparity is not as great as it was a few decades ago. Another factor is pervasive and chronic stress. The fact is, there are many ways to deal with it. Moreover, each of us has a different immunity, which does not change the fact that it has a major impact on our lives. Finally, it can lead to digestive system disorders such as abdominal pain, stomach ulcers, diarrhea, and vomiting. In addition, it lowers our mood and significantly affects the state of the nervous system. It can be responsible for the development of depression and other nervous system disorders. Our genes are also worth mentioning. Unfortunately, this is one of the factors over which we have virtually no influence. Of course, we are talking about genetic predispositions to the development of certain diseases. Even the best diet or a very active lifestyle won't help. However, it's not worth getting discouraged, because often the onset of this disease or its symptoms requires a suitable activator. A good example is type 2 diabetes, because even with a genetic predisposition, we can significantly reduce this risk, for example, through a healthy lifestyle.
Summary
Although many scientists predict that lifestyle diseases will remain with us forever, it's not worth getting discouraged. It's worth remembering that while there are factors over which we have little control, there's also a flip side. All of these conditions, starting with obesity, are nothing more than the result of our daily choices. Whether we get sick or not depends largely on us. Therefore, it's worth changing your outlook on life, recognizing the threats, and learning to live with them. Proper nutrition and physical activity are half, if not more, of our success. It's also necessary to be aware of these threats, because it's always easier to defend yourself against something we know well.
