Noncommunicable Diseases

Table of Contents:

• What are Non-communicable Diseases

• Risk Factors for Non-communicable Diseases

• Symptoms of Non-communicable Diseases

• How to differentiate between communicable and Non-communicable Diseases

• How to Prevent Non-communicable Diseases

• When to Consult a Doctor

• Take Home Points

• FAQs On Non-communicable Disease

Introduction

According to WHO, about 74 % of deaths each year are caused by non-communicable diseases(NCDs). When you think about it, it's a huge number and it is increasing day by day.

Non-communicable diseases are also responsible for premature deaths in young. If we take the example of India, the prevalence of Non-communicable diseases has increased severely, be it Diabetes, Cardiovascular diseases like hypertension, heart attack, and now even cancer. Recently, India has also become the cancer capital of the World after diabetes.

It becomes very important to understand risk factors for non-communicable diseases, how to differentiate between communicable and non-communicable diseases, non-communicable disease causes, and prevention. In this blog, we’ll cover them all.

What are Non-communicable Diseases

Non-communicable diseases are chronic diseases that are not caused by infectious agents and they’re not transmitted from one person to another. 

Most of the time we refer to NCDs as chronic non-communicable diseases, and this is true because it takes a long time to develop non-communicable disease

Chronic Non-communicable diseases are not caused by infectious agents like bacteria, fungi, protozoa, or viruses. These diseases can be broadly grouped under two categories:

• Lifestyle Diseases:

Chronic non-communicable diseases lifestyle diseases include hypertension, high cholesterol, obesity, cardiovascular diseases etc.

• Genetic diseases:

Genetic non-communicable diseases include thalassemia, haemophilia, Down’s syndrome, cystic fibrosis etc.

Characteristics of Non-communicable Diseases:

1. Chronic in nature

2. Needs long term cure even after that no promising permanent cure

3. Multiple risk factors

4. Doesn’t transmit from one person to another

5. Long course of illness

6. Complex causes

Risk Factors for Non-communicable Diseases

After learning about non-communicable diseases, let’s look at risk factors for non-communicable diseases so we can better understand and prevent NCDs. Risk factors of NCDs can be grouped under modifiable risk factors and non-modifiable risk factors.

Modifiable Risk Factors

Modifiable risk factors are those risk factors that can be controlled and cessation is possible. Comparing it with non-modifiable risk factors is inevitable and one cannot control them like aging.

Let’s have a look at modifiable risk factors:

• Tobacco:

Tobacco both chewed and smoked form is harmful and is a modifiable risk factor since it is on you can opt to either consume or not consume tobacco. Smoking and chewing tobacco are both linked with cancer be it lung or oral cancer respectively.

• Alcoholism:

Alcohol damages the liver, it is also linked with stomach cancer.

• Physical activity:

Decreased physical activity is linked with many lifestyle diseases like obesity, Cardiovascular diseases, and even cancers.

• Diet:

Poor diet has been linked with malnutrition, vitamin deficiency, anaemias etc.

Non-modifiable Risk factors: 

Non-modifiable risk factors for non-communicable diseases are not in your hands, you cannot control your aging process. You cannot change these factors so it is always better to focus on modifiable risk factors for communicable diseases rather than these

Ageing:

Diseases like osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, dementia, and hearing loss are all related to aging.

Gender:

Some diseases are more prevalent in males and some are more prevalent in females, for example, breast cancer is more prevalent in females, and prostate cancer happens in males.

Race:

Some diseases are more prevalent in certain races like Hispanics have less prevalence of hypertension compared with non-Hispanics.

Genetics:

Genetic diseases are dependent on the genetic makeup of an individual, some genetic diseases are transmitted from parents and some spontaneously happen in an individual. For example thalassemia, Haemophilia, Down’s syndrome etc.

Symptoms of Non-communicable Diseases

Symptoms of non-communicable diseases depend on the particular disease that you have. Since Non-communicable diseases comprise a huge number of diseases, it becomes difficult to list all the symptoms still there are certain symptoms that you can look at and get yourself checked if you suspect chronic non-communicable diseases:

1. Weight loss

2. Fatigue

3. Loss of appetite

4. Breathing difficulties

5. Chronic pain

6. Chest pain

7. Irregular menses in females

8. Urinary problems

The point to note is that These symptoms of chronic non-communicable diseases are generalized to most NCDs. If you're experiencing any one of them Don’t panic. It doesn't mean you have cancer or you’re having a Heart attack but it is always advisable to get yourself checked up by trained medical professionals to assess your risk factors and underlying disease.

How to differentiate between communicable and Non-communicable Diseases

Features of communicable and non-communicable diseases are quite different if you’re looking for How to differentiate between communicable and communicable diseases. Here are points to consider:

• Transmission:

Communicable diseases are transferred from one person to another as they are caused by infectious agents. Chronic Non-communicable diseases are not transmitted from one person to another.

• Duration:

Communicable diseases are usually (not all) of short duration but Chronic Non-communicable diseases are of a longer course.

• Treatment:

Chronic non-communicable diseases are not completely curable, whereas communicable diseases are usually curable(exceptions are there).

• Genetic influence:

Chronic Non-communicable diseases are usually influenced by genetics, Some non-communicable diseases are solely dependent on Genetics like hemophilia. Communicable diseases are not much affected by genetics.

How to Prevent Non-communicable Diseases

Prevention of chronic non-communicable diseases mostly includes lifestyle modifications because you cannot change your genetics. Here are some tips to prevent Non-communicable diseases:

• Get active:

Exercise has numerous benefits from boosting natural endorphins to reducing blood pressure. Aim for 30 minutes per day of exercise for 5 days a week which is 150 minutes per week.

• Quit smoking:

Smoking has been linked with Chronic obstructive lung disease(COPD) and lung cancer. You can join social groups or go for an addiction psychiatrist to help in quit smoking.

• Quitting Alcohol:

Alcohol has been linked with liver disease and stomach Cancer, it can also lead to Cardiovascular diseases like hypertension.

• Eating healthy and Natural:

Eating Processed foods increases not only blood glucose but bad cholesterol in your blood which is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Try to eat a balanced diet that includes all macro and micronutrients.

• Increasing Fibre Intake:

Daily fibre intake should be at least 30 g per day. Increasing fibre intake has shown a preventive effect on Cardiovascular disease.

When to Consult a Doctor

You consult a Doctor either to get yourself screened to rule out risk factors for Non-communicable diseases like getting your lipid profile, or genetic analysis if you have A first-degree or second-degree relative suffering from a genetic disease.

You can also consult a Doctor for chronic non-communicable diseases if you’re experiencing certain symptoms like:

1. Weight loss

2. Fatigue

3. Loss of appetite

4. Breathing difficulties

5. Chronic pain

6. Chest pain

7. Irregular menses in females

8. Urinary problems

Take Home Points

• According to WHO, about 74 % of deaths each year are caused by non-communicable diseases(NCDs). 

• Risk factors of NCDs can be grouped under modifiable risk factors and non-modifiable risk factors.

• Non-communicable diseases are chronic diseases which are not caused by infectious agents and they’re not transmitted from one person to another. 

• Chronic non-communicable diseases can be broadly grouped under two categories: lifestyle diseases and genetic diseases.

• Risk factors for non-communicable diseases are modifiable and non-modifiable.

• Modifiable risk factors include Diet, physical activity, substance abuse etc.

• Non-modifiable risk factors include age, genetics, gender and race,

• Symptoms of non-communicable diseases include Weight loss, Fatigue, Loss of appetite, Breathing difficulties, Chronic pain, Chest pain, Irregular menses in females, Urinary problems etc.