The Deadliest Diseases in the US and their Symptoms

Most people think of the incurable diseases that result in quick deaths when they think of deadliest diseases. But, the fact of the matter is, many of these don’t even rank in the top 10 diseases that cause death. According to research, out of the 56 million people that passed away last year due to some disease, 68% of them did so due to diseases that progressed slowly. A lot of people don’t go to the doctor until it's too late. One of the reasons they don’t is that they find it highly inconvenient to visit the doctors. Well, you can always use telemedicine!

What’s more, is that these diseases are usually preventable too. Although there are some non-preventable factors also involved, such as where a person lives, their access to preventive care, and the quality of healthcare they are receiving. All these factors together play a part in a person’s journey to recovery after he has been diagnosed with a disease. Today, we’ve rounded up the deadliest diseases in the US and included their symptoms too, so you get the medical care you need promptly.

 

Coronary Artery Disease:

CAD is the most common and most deadly disease in the world. According to a report, more than 120 million adults in the USA suffer from cardiovascular disease. CAD occurs when the blood vessels responsible for taking blood to heart become narrow. Without treatment, this condition can lead to heart failure. The mortality rates due to CAD are rising day by day, so let’s have a look at the risk factors and preventive measures for it.

 

Risk Factors of CAD:

The risk factors of CAD include high blood pressure, high cholesterol level, frequent smoking, a family history of heart diseases, diabetes, and obesity. If you have any of these risk factors, talk to your doctor about it.

 

Preventive Measures:

In most cases, heart diseases can be prevented if a person works on maintaining good health. Here are the steps you can take to decrease your health risk; regularly exercising, maintaining an optimal body way, keeping your sodium intake low, eating fruits and vegetables and avoiding excessive smoking. If you have a weak heart, book telemedicine appointments regularly, so your doctor is always aware of your condition.

 

Stroke:

When an artery in your brain is blocked or leaks, a stroke occurs. This causes the cells in your brain to become oxygen-deprived and thus, results in their death. If a stroke isn’t treated timely, it can cause permanent or long term disability. According to brain specialists, a person who is treated within 3 hours of having a stroke is less likely to suffer from disabilities.

 

Risk factors of stroke:

The risk factors of stroke include high blood pressure, a family history of strokes, frequent smoking, being female, and being African American.

 

Preventive Measures:

The preventive measures include preemptive medication, following better lifestyle habits, and eating good food. High blood pressure is the leading cause of stroke, and thus, you need to ensure that you don’t suffer from it by appropriate medications or sometimes even surgery. Drinking and smoking moderation is also helpful in preventing strokes. If you fail to identify the signs of a stroke, just talk to a doctor. Thanks to technology, you don’t even need to go to a hospital physically; instead, you can just use telemedicine services.

 

Lower Respiratory Infection:

The infection in your airways and lungs is known as a lower respiratory infection. It can be caused by influenza, pneumonia, tuberculosis, and other viruses that infect the lower respiratory tract. The biggest symptom of it is coughing. Others include feeling breathless, wheezing, and the feeling of tightness in your chest.

 

Risk factors of lower respiratory infection:

The flu virus is the biggest cause of respiratory infection, other than that, poor air quality, frequent smoking, poor immune system, asthma, and HIV can cause it. People who get flu every year are the ones who have very weak immune systems and thus, need to be cautious about the lower respiratory infections.

 

Preventive Measures:

The most effective preventive measure is to get the flu shot every year. It’s also necessary for people with a high risk of pneumonia to get vaccinations. Washing hands daily with soap and water to avoid the virus is also a must if you feel like you have a respiratory infection, its best to stay home and rest, till you feel better and are recovered.