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The U.S. continues to experience a health crisis. Obesity, alcohol & drug addiction, heart disease, and mental illness continue to affect millions of people. These conditions lead to numerous health problems. Fortunately, there are ways to address them. Keep reading to learn about common health problems people deal with and how you can address them.
Depression
Depression goes beyond an occasional down day. For millions of Americans, it’s a continual feeling of emptiness & sadness, constant fatigue, and lack of interest in activities. Others affected by depression feel irritable, have sleep disorders, and lack concentration. Surgery, cancer, and societal issues are reasons people develop depression. Medicine and therapy are two ways to address the issue. Exercise helps to release serotonin, a naturally made chemical that modulates moods and increases cognition.
Other ways to minimize depression’s effects are meditation and yoga. Both create a sense of mindfulness — focusing your thoughts on the present other than on an unknown future.
Cataracts
People confuse cataracts with glaucoma. The latter is a result of increased pressure in your eyes that can cause optic nerve damage. The causes of cataracts stem from a film that develops in your eye’s lens. Although a common health problem, people may not realize they have cataracts until they get older. As the film develops over the lens, vision becomes blurry and cloudy. Plus patients see a halo around lights.
Healthy eating is one way to minimize the risk of cataracts. Carrots, sunflower seeds, and carrots have vitamins and minerals to strengthen your eyes. Additionally, wear sunglasses to block direct sunlight.
Obesity
Not only does obesity affect adults. It’s a pandemic across all ages. Excessive weight and a high body mass index (BMI) cause conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, and heart disease. You don’t have to go on a strict diet to address obesity. In doing so, there’s a potential to cause more issues. Instead, gradually replace sugars and starches with healthier alternatives. Mix dietary changes with increased water intake and exercise. Be patient during this process. You don’t want to lose weight too quickly. Consider your journey to a healthier you a marathon.
Hypertension
High blood pressure happens when the long-term force of blood puts pressure on artery walls. Hypertension gets diagnosed when systolic numbers are between 120 and 129. Anything higher increases your risk for a heart attack and similar diseases. Medicine helps reduce hypertension’s effects. However, they aren’t a cure. You also need to make lifestyle changes to minimize risks. In addition to weight loss and exercise, remove alcohol and cigarettes from daily routines, as both of these contribute to high blood pressure.
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 Diabetes doesn’t occur genetically like Type 1. It develops when the pancreas makes less insulin than needed. In turn, glucose levels increase in your blood. The result is insulin resistance, which causes excessive thirst, rapid weight loss, and fatigue.
Unlike Type 1, you can eliminate Type 2 diabetes through medicine and healthy habits. Regularly check your blood glucose levels, so they read 100 mg or less when fasting. Minimize sugars and carbohydrates from your diet. Replace them with lean meats, whole grains, and fresh vegetables.
Physical activity helps lower and maintain your blood sugars like other health problems. Mix aerobics and weight exercises to hold your interest. Also, stay hydrated during and after the activity.
Substance Abuse
67,000 people annually die from substance abuse. Although some people choose to overindulge, addiction is a mental illness that causes an inability to control your urges. There are numerous health effects of substance abuse, including overdose deaths. The best way to address substance abuse is to get help. Regional and national programs help control addiction through a combination of detox, alternative medicines, and therapy. Further, these programs help you return to society and rebuild your life.
On top of the above suggestion, don’t return to old friends or locations that enable your addictions. Search for alternatives to provide the highs you received from drugs or alcohol. Exercise and hobbies release brain chemicals to make you feel good about yourself.
Conclusion to Common Health Problems
The above items are a small percentage of common health problems. Still, the ways to address them are similar to others. In the end, stop living with these ongoing conditions. Apply the mentioned solutions to start you on the path to a healthy and fulfilling life.
