Civilization diseases – causes, types and treatment. How to prevent them?

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Diseases of civilization are social diseases, the source of which is not infection, but the rapid development of civilization. Civilization diseases occur globally, both in highly developed and developing societies. Where do civilization diseases come from, can you protect yourself against them?

Civilization diseases – what are they?

According to researchers, diseases of civilization cause about 40 million deaths each year, which accounts for about 70% of all deaths in the world. These diseases are chronic in nature and result from a combination of factors including genetics, physiology, environment, and behavior.

For example, cardiovascular disease, which includes heart attacks and strokes, causes 17,7 million deaths each year, making it the most deadly disease in the world. Cancer kills about 8,8 million people each year, and the next in line, respiratory diseases cause about 3,9 million deaths each year. Finally, there is diabetes, with an annual incidence of 1,6 million. These four groups of diseases are the most common causes of death among all civilization diseases.

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Civilization diseases – causes

Civilization diseases are called the epidemic of the 80st century for a reason. They spread globally, are non-communicable, yet lead to disability and cause premature deaths in over XNUMX%.

There are two causes of civilization diseases:

1. direct; lack of physical activity, sedentary lifestyle, poor diet (monotonous, improperly balanced: rich in energy, sugars, animal fats, salt, highly processed products), alcohol and coffee abuse, smoking, as well as lack of rest, permanent stress, ubiquitous culture mass, technological progress.
2. indirect; are those that humans cannot defend themselves against: galloping industrialization, environmental pollution (air, soil and water pollution), noise, ionizing radiation, etc.

Nowadays, industrialization is a big problem for various areas of everyday life. We pollute the environment and eat highly processed food. We eat too little fiber, too much sugar in our diet, and too little fruit and vegetables. In production, we focus on quantity, not quality, which means we lose control over what we really eat and what we use every day.

We live in noisy cities, at a fast pace. We spend a lot of time indoors, we travel everywhere by car, bus or tram, because it is so fast and convenient. We spend too little time outdoors, in healthy activities. We breathe polluted air. We pollute the environment with tons of carcinogenic garbage. Living in such a world pays off with health and even life.

According to WHO, low- and middle-income countries and poorer people in all countries are most affected by deaths due to lifestyle diseases. It is a vicious cycle of risk in which the poor are increasingly exposed to indirect risk factors of civilization diseases (smoking, unhealthy diets, inadequate physical activity and harmful alcohol consumption), and in turn such diseases can play a significant role in pushing people and their families towards poverty.

Civilization diseases – types

The diseases of civilization include:

1. cardiovascular; abnormalities in the functioning of the circulatory system cause: myocardial infarction, atherosclerosis, arterial hypertension, and strokes;
2. digestive tract; poor diet, fast food and stress all contribute to the impairment of the digestive system. They cause: gastric and duodenal ulcer disease, reflux, diarrhea, constipation, intestinal diseases;
3. mental – stress, “rat race” and a sense of loneliness contribute to the emergence of addictions and mental disorders: neurosis, depression, schizophrenia, anorexia, bulimia, workaholism, alcoholism, sex addiction, drug addiction;
4. obesity;
5. diabetes;
6. tumors.

Civilization diseases – diagnostics

Diagnostics in the case of civilization diseases depends on the type of disease, but usually consists of:

1. laboratory tests (blood, urine, feces);
2. Ultrasound;
3. computed tomography;
4. magnetic resonance imaging;
5. ECG examination, etc.

For example, alcohol intoxication, which may result from excessive alcohol consumption, is diagnosed by laboratory tests for blood ethanol levels, as well as electrolytes, glucose, urea, and creatinine. Conversely, in the case of acute pancreatitis, diagnosis can be based on diastase and amalase levels, which are verified by blood and urine tests. Other diseases, such as, for example, a stroke can be detected by computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging.

See also: Let’s not forget about preventive examinations! When and how often should they be done?

Civilization diseases – Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias

Dementia is a chronic syndrome characterized by worsening of thought processes beyond what is expected of normal aging. It affects memory, thinking, orientation, understanding, behavior and the ability to carry out everyday activities. There are many different forms of dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form and contributes to 60-70% of dementia cases. Various forms of dementia can coexist. Young dementia, which occurs in people under the age of 65, accounts for 9% of all cases. It is a major cause of disability and dependency among the elderly.

Worldwide, 50 million people suffer from dementia and 10 million new cases are reported every year. The total number of people with dementia is projected to reach 82 million by 2030 and 152 million by 2050.

Risk factors for developing dementia or Alzheimer’s disease include age, family history, genetic factors, environmental factors, brain damage, viral infections, and various immune and hormonal disorders. A new research study has shown a link between a country’s prosperity, hygiene conditions and the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease in their population. According to the Hygiene Hypothesis, wealthy countries with more urbanized and industrialized areas have better hygiene, better sanitation, clean water and better access to antibiotics. This reduces our exposure to friendly bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms that help stimulate our immune system. Reduced exposure to microbes leads to an underdeveloped immune system, leaving the brain exposed to the inflammation seen in Alzheimer’s disease.

The risk of Alzheimer’s disease changes with the environment. According to the researchers, people of the same ethnic origin living in a low-sanitary area will have a lower risk compared to the same people living in a high-sanitary area who will be at a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

See also: How does the immune system work?

Civilization diseases – mental diseases

People who struggle with poverty are more likely to develop mental illness and also do not have as much access to treatment. The stressful events they face, unsafe living conditions and poor physical health lead to a cycle of poverty and mental illness that is observed all over the world. According to the World Health Organization, 76-85% of people living in low- and middle-income countries go untreated for mental illness. Moreover, it is estimated that 90% of suicide deaths are due to substance use disorders and mental illness in higher income countries. In lower and middle income countries, this figure is lower.

It is estimated that one in four people has experienced a mental illness in their lifetime, and around 450 million people worldwide today suffer from mental illness. Those who are poor live in conditions that are associated with a higher risk of mental illness and do not have as much access to treatment. Stress, unsafe living conditions and poor physical health associated with a lack of sufficient income lead to a cycle of poverty and mental illness that is observed all over the world.

In 2016, it was estimated that 268 million people worldwide were depressed. Anxiety disorders such as Generalized Anxiety, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder affected 2016 million people worldwide in 275. The global percentage of people affected by anxiety disorders ranges from 2,5 to 6,5%.

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Civilization diseases – obesity

Obesity is a condition in which excess body fat has built up to such an extent that it can have a negative effect on your health. Obesity is the leading cause of disability and is correlated with a variety of diseases and conditions, in particular cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, certain types of cancer, and osteoarthritis.

Obesity has individual, socio-economic and environmental causes. Some of the known causes are diet, exercise, automation, urbanization, genetic susceptibility, drugs, mental disorders, economic policy, endocrine disruptions, and exposure to endocrine disruptors. Epidemiological studies of overweight and obesity in children and adults covering 195 countries have found that obesity rates have steadily increased in most countries, doubling in 73 countries over the 25 years from 1980 to 2015. Obesity is a leading global cause of death that can preventable, with rising rates among adults and children. It is assumed that obesity is more common in women than in men. Public health officials see this as one of the most serious public health problems of the XNUMXst century.

Dietary changes and exercise are the main treatments recommended by healthcare professionals. Diet quality can be improved by reducing consumption of high-energy foods, such as high-fat or high-sugar foods, and increasing dietary fiber intake. In the treatment of obesity, medications can also be used, which, along with a proper diet to reduce appetite or reduce fat absorption, can bring positive results. If diet, exercise, and medications are not effective, a gastric balloon or surgery may be performed to reduce the volume of the stomach or the length of the intestines, leading to an early feeling of fullness or a reduction in the ability to absorb nutrients from food.

See also: Treatment of obesity with a gastric balloon – what is it? The price of the procedure

Civilization diseases – diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disease characterized by elevated blood glucose levels. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. This is due to insulin resistance or a lack of insulin production. It occurs most often in adults. Type 1 diabetes or juvenile diabetes mainly affects children. This condition is caused by little or no insulin production by the pancreas.

According to the WHO, the incidence of diabetes has quadrupled from 1980 to 422 million adults. Diabetes mellitus is the leading cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart attack, stroke and lower limb amputation.

Obesity and overweight are one of the major risk factors for type 2 diabetes. Other risk factors include physical inactivity, genetic predisposition, age over 45, smoking, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

Also check: What are kidney diseases and how do they manifest themselves?

Civilization diseases – cancer

Cancer is the general term for a large group of diseases that are characterized by the rapid formation of abnormal cells that grow beyond their normal limits. These cells can invade adjacent parts of the body and spread to other organs, causing metastasis, which is the leading cause of death. According to the WHO, cancer is the second leading cause of death in the world. One in six deaths worldwide is caused by cancer, accounting for a total of 9,6 million deaths in 2018. Tracheal, bronchial, and lung cancer is the leading form of cancer death in most high- and middle-income countries.

Europe is home to only 1/8 of the world’s population, but has around a quarter of the world’s cancer cases, with 3,7 million new cases each year. Lung, breast, stomach, liver and colon cancers are the most common cancers in Europe. The overall incidence of different cancers varies from country to country.

The high incidence of cancer in high-income countries is attributed to lifestyle factors such as obesity, smoking, inactivity, diet, and alcohol consumption. It is estimated that about 40% of cancers can be prevented by modifying these factors.

Civilization diseases – cardiovascular diseases

Cardiovascular disease refers to disease of the heart and blood vessels. Conditions and diseases associated with heart disease include: stroke, coronary artery disease, congenital heart disease, heart failure, peripheral vascular disease, and cardiomyopathy. Cardiovascular disease is known to be the biggest killer in the world. 17,5 million people die from it every year, which accounts for 31% of all deaths. Heart disease and stroke account for 80% of these deaths.

High blood pressure is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and has contributed to 12% of cardiovascular deaths worldwide. Other significant risk factors for heart disease include high cholesterol and smoking. Lifestyle choices such as poor diet and physical inactivity and excessive alcohol consumption can also contribute to cardiovascular disease. Medical conditions such as diabetes and obesity can also be risk factors.

Civilization diseases – allergies and autoimmune diseases

The worldwide allergy rate has increased in industrialized countries over the past 50 years. A number of public health measures, such as sterilized milk, the use of antibiotics and improved food production, are believed to have contributed to the reduction of infections in developed countries. There is a proposed causal relationship, known as the “hygiene hypothesis”, which indicates that developed countries have more autoimmune disorders and allergies with fewer infections. In developing countries, allergy rates are assumed to be lower than in developed countries. This assumption may not be accurate due to limited prevalence data.

Also check: What is the life of an inhaled allergy sufferer?

Civilization diseases – prevention

Do we have any influence on the emergence of civilization diseases? Can we counteract them? According to research, we have an impact on our lives, because it depends on us what lifestyle we will lead, whether active or passive. We are responsible for inducing civilization diseases. Scientists claim that we have 52% influence on whether we suffer from civilization diseases or not. It depends on us how and what we will eat, how to spend time, how to sleep, how to rest and work.

Meanwhile, research shows that family activity in Poland is only 8-20%. Among children, as many as 70% show too little activity. Epidemiological data show that 1/3 of Poles suffer from diet-dependent diseases, and every second Pole dies prematurely due to cardiovascular diseases.

In this case, proper diagnostics is very important, including the risk assessment of not only cardiovascular diseases, but also cancer.

In order to prevent civilization diseases, several healthy rules should be introduced:

1. eat healthy food and take care of a balanced diet – eat fruit and vegetables every day (rich in vitamins, fiber and mineral salts), limit meat and animal products, replace sugar and salt with healthy herbs. According to experts, consuming plant foods helps reduce the risk of diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Other evidence suggests that eating a completely plant-based diet can even reverse chronic dietary conditions, including advanced heart disease. This diet eliminates meat, dairy, and eggs, and includes whole foods such as vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and fruit. There is evidence that the Mediterranean diet may reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and other chronic diseases. This diet is rich in vegetables, fruits, legumes, fish, olive oil and nuts;

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1. do sports adapted to the state of health and spend time actively in the fresh air (WHO indicates the minimum daily dose of exercise per 10 steps for a physically working person and 15 for a mentally working person, the minimum continuous time of physical activity should not be shorter than 60 – 90 min);
2. Try to sleep for seven to nine hours each night. For people who have a problem with this, it is recommended to: go to bed and wake up at the same times (even on weekends); putting away digital devices 90 minutes before bedtime; keeping a place to sleep in a cool, dark and comfortable place;
3. reduce the amount of stimulants consumed to a minimum, and even completely eliminate them from our lives;
4. regularly check urine and blood (especially blood glucose and cholesterol);
5. Chronic stress is not a friend of the immune system. It’s worth trying to relieve stress and improve your physical and mental health. If you are just beginning to practice meditation, basic breathing techniques will work best. To do this, all you need to do is: sit up straight and relax in a comfortable, quiet place; exhale slowly, being sure to release all air from your lungs; breathe through your nose, slowly counting to four in your head; hold your breath for a count of up to four (or less, to make it more comfortable for you); breathe out for a count of four and hold your breath again for a count of four. This should be done for five minutes three times a week, increasing to 20 minutes a day.

Take care of your health, talk to your doctor and receive an e-Test Referral in as little as 5 minutes. Use the e-visit option – without leaving your home, at any time of the day or night.