Everything that lives must eventually die, but why do we die so early? As humans, we are more likely to develop long-term conditions that can affect our wellbeing when we age. Some long-term conditions can be genetic, but a majority of them are preventable. In 2016, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported the following six illnesses as the top 6 leading causes of death among older adults:
- Heart disease
- Cancer
- Chronic bronchitis or emphysema
- Stroke
- Type 2 diabetes and
- Alzheimer’s disease.
These chronic diseases can not only lead to disability and death, but they also lower our quality of life.
The National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion says that about half of all adults have at least one chronic condition and nearly one in four has two or more.
Some of the risks and behaviors that can cause these chronic conditions include:
- Lack of exercise
- Too much sodium
- Not eating enough fruits and vegetables
- Cigarette smoking and
- Drinking too much alcohol
If any of the risk factors or behaviors applied, it is not too late to lower the risk or even learn ways to better manage any chronic conditions. Here are 5 great ways to help lower the risk:
- Exercise regularly
- Older adults need at least 2.5 hours of exercise each week.
- Maintain a healthy diet
- Eat more fruits and vegetables with meals
- Use spices, herbs and low sodium packaged foods
- Quit smoking
- Lower alcohol intake
- Visit your health care provider for regular visits
Chronic diseases play a huge role in our life cycle and it is important to do all that we can while we can in order to enrich and prolong our lives. With these recommendations, it is possible to increase our quality of life and ensure that we can live the happiest and healthiest lives possible.
By
Jewelmani Bell
