Whether you choose to go for a regular checkup or not, many diseases need extra, immediate attention and care.
Some of them lead to more complications and have also taken many lives because of negligence. They are referred to as “silent killers” because they can become severe at any given point in time.
But following a good diet plan, maintaining a healthy routine, and investing in healthy lifestyle practices can determine your overall health.
Failure to do so may result in chronic illnesses that remain forever and may lead to sudden complications or even death.
However, to be on the lookout, here are some health conditions that kill you silently and what you can do to prevent or manage them.
1. Sleep apnea
Sleep apnea is a severe sleep disorder where people breathe loudly while sleeping. It can lead to loud snores, extreme tiredness during the day, and more. Do you know that people with severe sleep apnea are more prone and vulnerable to sudden deaths and stroke during sleep? This makes it a silent killer.
However, for mild cases of sleep apnea, certain lifestyle changes can help prevent it like losing weight, eating a balanced diet, quitting smoking, and getting the right treatments for nasal allergies. However, consult your doctor to know how mild or severe your case of sleep apnea is, so they can prescribe treatments accordingly.
2. Coronary artery disease
Although many heart diseases are life-threatening, coronary artery disease is one of them. It is a condition, wherein the coronary arteries that supply blood and oxygen to the heart narrow down, leading to chest pain or even heart attack.
So, if you have a high BP and/or high cholesterol, you can manage it with regular check-ups. You can also make necessary lifestyle changes such as eating healthy, exercising regularly, avoiding smoking or secondhand smoking, drinking, and other unhealthy activities.
3. Osteoporosis
This is a bone disease, wherein the affected individual is often unaware of his or her condition, given that it shows no signs or symptoms whatsoever until of course they undergo a fracture and get the diagnosis. This is why it is also called a silent killer. Besides affecting the density of the bones, it can also impact oral health.
To prevent this, eating foods that are rich in calcium and vitamin D are extremely essential. You must also invest in exercises that include jogging, walking, weight training, stair climbing. However, I recommend you also go for regular checks.
4. High blood pressure
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates suggest that 1.28 billion adults aged 30-79 years worldwide have hypertension. The reason why high BP is considered to be a silent killer is that it arises with no particular symptom.
It makes a person more prone to serious cardiovascular diseases like heart attack, heart failure, stroke, and more. While it is hard to detect, conducting frequent and regular blood pressure checks, eating foods rich in potassium, fiber, protein, and low in salt, as well as maintaining a healthy weight are all ways to reduce your risk of developing hypertension.
5. Fatty liver disease
Fatty liver disease grows in the body gradually and has no trace at the initial stage which makes it a silent killer. There are two types of fatty liver illnesses; alcoholic and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Your diet plays a very important role when it comes to fatty liver disease. So, it is important to consume a healthy plant-based diet and avoid eating anything with unhealthy fats. Also, maintain a healthy weight and exercise regularly. Finally, go for regular health check-ups.
Source: Fakazanews