LIFE STYLE DISEASES

LIFE STYLE DISEASES

INTRODUCTION

          The stress of modern day living is causing enormous burden on healthcare globally. These days we hear less about infectious diseases like typhoid or cholera. On the other hand, very often we hear about diseases like diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure), obesity and heart disease.

Poor eating habits sleep deprivation and sedentary lifestyle has contributed to growth of lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, hypertension leading to a literal explosion of cases with cardiovascular complications. Have we wondered what causes these diseases? There is no infection in the body, yet these diseases occur. This happens because of the defective lifestyle that we follow.

          What is a lifestyle? A lifestyle is the pattern of living that we follow - how we work, what and when we eat, how and when we sleep, how much physical activity we do and whether we smoke or consume alcohol. Lifestyle or non-communicable diseases are chronic (long term) in nature and do not result from an acute (short term) infection nor do they spread from one person to the other. These conditions cause dysfunctioning in the body and impair the quality of life. They may also lead to death. These diseases usually develop relatively over long periods. In the beginning there may not be any symptoms but after the disease sets in there may be a long period of impaired health.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

          Lifestyle diseases are now seen in developing countries like India and in the younger or productive age group. This leads to reduction in productivity and development of the country. As these are chronic conditions they are a financial burden for lifetime. Therefore, there is an increasing concern these days about lifestyle diseases that can be easily prevented but not cured.

          Diet and lifestyle are major factors thought to influence susceptibility to many diseases. Drug abuse, tobacco smoking, and alcohol drinking, as well as a lack of exercise may also increase the risk of developing certain diseases, especially later in life.

           In many countries, people began to eat more meat, dairy products, vegetable oils, sugary foods, and alcoholic beverages during the latter half of the 20th century. People also developed sedentary and greater rates of obesity. Rates of colorectal cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, endometrial cancer and lung cancer started increasing after this dietary change. People in developing countries, whose diets still depend largely on low-sugar starchy foods with little meat or fat have lower rates of these cancers.

We may have observed that

i) More and more young people are seen smoking and drinking despite knowing the fact that these are harmful to health.

ii) Our nutritious and balanced meals are giving way to fast food and junk food, fresh fruits and vegetables are being rejected in favour of processed and packed food and soft drinks are replacing milk.

iii) We prefer to use a bus or car instead of walking even for short distances.  

iv) More and more machines are being developed each day to reduce physical labour associated with our work.

          All the above practices have led to our becoming overweight and obese. Obesity is excess body-weight than normal or ideal weight for your height. Obesity is the main underlying causes for other lifestyle diseases like diabetes, hypertension, obesity, heart disease, etc.

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

1. To study about the lifestyle diseases and their health problems.

2. To collect the knowledge of life style diseases in my locality.

3. To aware the preventive measures of life style diseases.

4. To collect the knowledge about different methods used for discovering

    the life style diseases.

5. To study the problems facing these patients. 

THEORETICAL OVERVIEW

                Life style diseases are non-communicable diseases. These diseases do not get spread from one person to another through touch, air, food, water or sexual contacts. These diseases may develop in a person due to faulty eating and living habits. These diseases are called life style diseases. Lifestyle diseases also sometimes called diseases of longevity or diseases of civilization interchangeably. They can include Alzheimer's disease, atherosclerosis, asthma, some kinds of cancer, chronic liver disease or cirrhosis, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, metabolic syndrome, chronic renal failure, osteoporosis, stroke, depression and obesity.

INAPPROPRIATE LIFESTYLE DISEASES

          Lifestyle diseases are the conditions that can be attributed to the inappropriate relationship of humans with their lives & immediate environment. This occurs mainly due to the changing trends in the society. The severity of the disease varies largely from individual to individual. Though there is a complete list of diseases that can categorized as lifestyle diseases, the top 5 include:

DIABETES:

           Globally, as of 2012, an estimated 285 million people had diabetes, with type 2 making up about 90% of the cases. Its incidence is increasing rapidly, and by 2030, this number is estimated to almost double.  The disease affects more than 50 million Indians - 7.1% of the nation's adults - and kills about 1 million Indians a year. The average age on onset is 42.5 years. The high incidence is attributed to a combination of genetic susceptibility plus adoption of a high-calorie, low-activity lifestyle by India's growing middle class. The increase in incidence in developing countries follows the trend of urbanization and lifestyle changes, perhaps most importantly a "Western-style" diet.

            Diabetes mellitus, or simply diabetes, is a group of metabolic diseases in which a person has high blood sugar, either because the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or because cells do not respond to the insulin that is produced. This high blood sugar produces the classical symptoms of polyuria (frequent urination), polydipsia (increased thirst) and polyphagia (increased hunger).

Type 2 Diabetes

          The body does not produce enough insulin for proper function, or the cells in the body do not react to insulin (insulin resistance).          Approximately 90% of all cases of diabetes worldwide are of this type.
          Some people may be able to control their type 2 diabetes symptoms by losing weight, following a healthy diet, doing plenty of exercise, and monitoring their blood glucose levels. However, type 2 diabetes is typically a progressive disease - it gradually gets worse - and the patient will probably end up have to take insulin, usually in tablet form.
          Overweight and obese people have a much higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to those with a healthy body weight. People with a lot of visceral fat, also known as central obesity, belly fat, or abdominal obesity, are especially at risk. Being overweight/obese causes the body to release chemicals that can destabilize the body's cardiovascular and metabolic systems. The risk of developing type 2 diabetes is also greater as we get older. Experts are not completely sure why, but say that as we age we tend to put on weight and become less physically active. Men whose testosterone levels are low have been found to have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Researchers from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, say that low testosterone levels are linked to insulin resistance.
 Complications of diabetes mellitus

          All forms of diabetes increase the risk of long-term complications. These typically develop after many years (10–20), but may be the first symptom in those who have otherwise not received a diagnosis before that time. The major long-term complications relate to damage to blood vessels. Diabetes doubles the risk of cardiovascular disease.^[12] The main "macrovascular" diseases (related to atherosclerosis of larger arteries) are ischemic heart disease (angina and myocardial infarction), stroke and peripheral vascular disease.

Diabetes also damages the capillaries (causes microangiopathy).^[13] Diabetic retinopathy, which affects blood vessel formation in the retina of the eye, can lead to visual symptoms, reduced vision, and potentially blindness. Diabetic nephropathy, the impact of diabetes on the kidneys, can lead to scarring changes in the kidney tissue, loss of small or progressively larger amounts of protein in the urine, and eventually chronic kidney disease requiring dialysis. Diabetic neuropathy is the impact of diabetes on the nervous system, most commonly causing numbness, tingling and pain in the feet and also increasing the risk of skin damage due to altered sensation. Together with vascular disease in the legs, neuropathy contributes to the risk of diabetes-related foot problems (such as diabetic foot ulcers) that can be difficult to treat and occasionally require amputation.

Controlling Diabetes

          Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease, for which there is no known cure except in very specific situations. Management concentrates on keeping blood sugar levels as close to normal ("euglycemia") as possible, without causing hypoglycemia. This can usually be accomplished with diet, exercise, and use of appropriate medications (insulin in the case of type 1 diabetes, oral medications, as well as possibly insulin, in type 2 diabetes). Attention is also paid to other health problems that may accelerate the deleterious effects of diabetes. These include smoking, elevated cholesterol levels, obesity, high blood pressure, and lack of regular exercise.

HEART DISEASES (CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES):

          This disease primarily affects the blood vessels and muscles of the heart. This has been one of the leading causes of mortality & morbidity for long and the percentage has been ever-increasing.
Heart disease has been the number one cause of mortality and morbidity. Heart disease and other forms of cardiovascular disease can lead to congestive heart failure, a condition in which the heart cannot pump sufficient blood to meet the demands of the body. The various forms of heart disease may also cause disturbances in normal heartbeat, called arrhythmia. Cardiovascular disease is treatable with initial treatment primarily focused on diet and lifestyle interventions.

Arteriosclerosis:

          A generic term for several diseases in which the arterial wall becomes thicken and loses elasticity. Atherosclerosis is the most common and serious vascular disease. Plaques (atheromas) deposited in the walls of arteries are major causes of heart disease, chest pain (angina pectoris), heart attacks, and other disorders of the circulation. In atherosclerosis yellowish plaques of cholesterol, fats, and other remains are deposited in the walls of large and medium-sized arteries. Atherosclerosis usually occurs with aging. It is linked to overweight, high blood pressure, and diabetes.

,           Too much pressure in arteries can make the walls thick and stiff — sometimes restricting blood flow to the organs and tissues. This process is called hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis). Atherosclerosis is the most common form of this disorder. Atherosclerosis is also the most common cause of cardiovascular disease, and it's often caused by an unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, being overweight and smoking. All of these are major risk factors for developing atherosclerosis and, in turn, cardiovascular disease.

Symptoms of Coronary Artery Disease

          The most common symptom of coronary artery disease is angina, or chest pain. Angina can be described as a discomfort, heaviness, pressure, aching, burning, fullness, squeezing, or painful feeling in chest. It can be mistaken for indigestion or heartburn. Angina may also be felt in the shoulders, arms, neck, throat, jaw, or back.

Other symptoms of coronary artery disease include:

·         Shortness of breath.

·         Palpitations (irregular heartbeats, or a "flip-flop" feeling in your chest).

·         A faster heartbeat.

·         Weakness or dizziness.

·         Nausea.

·         Sweating. 

Symptoms of a Heart Attack

Symptoms of a heart attack can include:

·         Discomfort, pressure, heaviness, or pain in the chest, arm, or below the breastbone.

·         Discomfort radiating to the back, jaw, throat, or arm.

·         Fullness, indigestion, or choking feeling (may feel like heartburn).

·         Sweating, nausea, vomiting, or dizziness.

·         Extreme weakness, anxiety, or shortness of breath.

·      Rapid or irregular heartbeats.

Causes of heart arrhythmia
          Common causes of abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias) or conditions that can lead to arrhythmias include:

·         Heart defects (born with congenital heart defects)

·         Coronary artery disease

·         High blood pressure

·         Diabetes

·         Smoking

·         Excessive use of alcohol or caffeine

·         Drug abuse

·         Stress

·         Some over-the-counter medications, prescription medications, dietary supplements and herbal remedies

·         Valvular heart disease

Prevention: Currently practiced measures to prevent cardiovascular disease include:

·         A low-fat, high-fiber diet including whole grains and plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables (at least five portions a day)

·         Tobacco cessation and avoidance of second-hand smoke;

·         Limit alcohol consumption to the recommended daily limits; consumption of 1-2 standard alcoholic drinks per day may reduce risk by 30%. However excessive alcohol intake increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.

·         Lower blood pressures, if elevated, through the use of antihypertensive medications

·         Decrease body fat (BMI) if overweight or obese;

·         Increase daily activity to 30 minutes of vigorous exercise per day at least five times per week;

·         Decrease psychosocial stress .Stress however plays a relatively minor role in hypertension. Specific relaxation therapies are not supported by the evidence.

          Routine counselling of adults to advise them to improve their diet and increase their physical activity has not been found to significantly alter behaviour, and thus is not recommended.

BLOOD PRESSURE 

          Blood pressure (BP), sometimes referred to as arterial blood pressure, is the pressure exerted by circulating blood upon the walls of blood vessels, and is one of the principal vital signs. During each heartbeat, blood pressure varies between a maximum (systolic) and a minimum (diastolic) pressure.

Systemic arterial blood pressure

Category	Systolic, mmHg	Diastolic, mmHg
Hypotension	< 90	< 60
Desired	90–119	60–79
Pre hypertension	120–139	80–89
Stage 1 Hypertension	140–159	90–99
Stage 2 Hypertension	160–179	100–109
Hypertensive Crisis	≥ 180	≥ 110

Hypertension

                    Blood pressure is the measure of the force of blood pushing against blood vessel walls. The heart pumps blood into the arteries (blood vessels), which carry the blood throughout the body. High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is dangerous because it makes the heart work harder to pump blood to the body and contributes to hardening of the arteries, or atherosclerosis, and to the development of heart failure. Persistent hypertension is one of the risk factors for strokes, heart attacks, and arterial aneurysms, and is the leading cause of chronic renal failure. Even moderate elevation of arterial pressure leads to shortened life expectancy. At severely high pressures, mean arterial pressures 50% or more above average, a person can expect to live no more than a few years unless appropriately treated.

What Causes hypertension?

          The exact causes of high blood pressure are not known, but several factors and conditions may play a role in its development, including:

·         Smoking

·         Being overweight or obese

·         Lack of physical activity

·         Too much salt in the diet

·         Too much alcohol consumption (more than 1 to 2 drinks per day)

·         Stress

·         Older age

·         Genetics

·         Family history of high blood pressure

·         Chronic kidney disease

·         Adrenal and thyroid disorders

·         Diabetes

·         Insufficient intake of potassium calcium, and magnesium.   

Hypotension

          Blood pressure that is too low is known as hypotension. Hypotension is a medical concern if it causes signs or symptoms, such as dizziness, fainting, or in extreme cases, shock. When arterial pressure and blood flow decrease beyond a certain point, the perfusion of the brain becomes critically decreased (i.e., the blood supply is not sufficient), causing lightheadedness, dizziness, weakness or fainting.

Causes of low arterial pressure include:

·                Sepsis

·         Hemorrhage – blood loss

·         Toxins including toxic doses of blood pressure medicine.

·         Hormonal abnormalities, such as Addison's disease

·         Eating disorders, particularly anorexia, nervosa and bulimia.

CANCER:

          This has over the years become one of the prime causes of death. This disease characterized by uncontrolled & abnormal growth of cells is of 150 different kinds, each with a different cause.

          According to a study by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, "In the developing world, cancers of the liver, stomach and esophagus were more common, often linked to consumption of carcinogenic preserved foods, such as smoked or salted food, and parasitic infections that attack organs." Developed countries "tended to have cancers linked to affluence or a 'Western lifestyle’ - cancers of the colon, rectum, breast and prostate- that can be caused by obesity, lack of exercise, diet and age." 

TOP 5 CANCERS

MEN

1.   Prostate (28%)                                         

2.   Lung (17%)

3.   Colorectal (12%)

4.   Bladder (07%)

5.   Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (04%)

WOMEN

1.   Breast (30%)

2.   Lung (13%)

3.   Colorectal (12%)

4.   Uterus (06%)

5.   Ovary (04%)

Causes

.Tobacco smoking: Tobacco smoking is associated with many forms of cancer, and causes 90% of lung cancer. Decades of research has demonstrated the link between tobacco use and cancer in the lung, larynx, head, neck, stomach, bladder, kidney, esophagus and pancreas. Tobacco, smoke contains over fifty known carcinogens including nitrosamines and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Tobacco is responsible for about one in three of all cancer deaths in the developed world, and about one in five worldwide.

Diet and exercise: Diet, physical inactivity, and obesity are related to approximately 30–35% of cancer deaths. Excess body weight is associated with the development of many types of cancer and is a factor in 14–20% of all cancer deaths. Physical inactivity is believed to contribute to cancer risk not only through its effect on body weight but also through negative effects on immune system and endocrine system. More than half of the effect from diet is due to over nutrition rather than from eating too few healthful foods.

Diets that are very low in vegetables, fruits and whole grains, and high in processed or red meats are linked with a number of cancers.  A high-salt diet is linked to gastric cancer, aflatoxin B1, a frequent food contaminate, with liver cancer, and Betel nut chewing with oral cancer.

Infection: Worldwide approximately 18% of cancer deaths are related to infectious diseases.  Viruses are the usual infectious agents that cause cancer but bacteria and parasites may also have an effect. A virus that can cause cancer is called an oncovirus.

Radiation: Up to 10% of invasive cancers are related to radiation exposure, including both ionizing radiation and non-ionizing ultraviolet radiation . Sources of ionizing radiation include medical imaging, and radon gas. Radiation can cause cancer in most parts of the body, in all animals, and at any age, although radiation-induced solid tumors usually take 10–15 years, and can take up to 40 years, to become clinically manifest, and radiation-induced leukemias typically require 2–10 years to appear.

Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun can lead to melanoma and other skin malignancies. Non-ionizing radio frequency radiation from mobile phones, electric power transmission, and other similar sources have been described as a possible carcinogen by the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer.

Heredity: The vast majority of cancers are non-hereditary ("sporadic cancers"). Hereditary cancers are primarily caused by an inherited genetic defect. Less than 0.3% of the populations are carriers of a genetic mutation which has a large effect on cancer risk and these causes less than 3–10% of all cancer.

Physical agent: prolonged exposure to asbestos, naturally occurring mineral fibers which are a major cause of mesothelioma, which is a cancer of the serous membrane, usually the serous membrane surrounding the lungs. Nonfibrous particulate materials that cause cancer include powdered metallic cobalt and nickel, and crystalline silica (quartz,cristobalite, and tridymite).          Usually, physical carcinogens must get inside the body (such as through inhaling tiny pieces) and require years of exposure to develop cancer.

Hormones: Some hormones play a role in the development of cancer by promoting cell proliferation.  Insulin-like growth factors and their binding proteins play a key role in cancer cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis, suggesting possible involvement in carcinogenesis. Hormones are important agents in sex-related cancers such as cancer of the breast, endometrium, prostate, ovary, and testis, and also of thyroid cancer and bone cancer. 

           Other factors are also relevant: obese people have higher levels of some hormones associated with cancer and a higher rate of those cancers. Women who take hormone replacement therapy have a higher risk of developing cancers associated with those hormones. On the other hand, people who exercise far more than average have lower levels of these hormones, and lower risk of cancer. 

Cancer prevention:  tips to reduce the risk

Ø  Avoiding tobacco

Ø  Eat a healthy diet

Ø  Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.

Ø  Limit fat.

Ø  Maintain a healthy weight and be physically active

Ø  Protect yourself from the sun

Ø  Get immunized

Ø  Don't share needles.

Ø  Regular self-exams and screenings for various types of cancers

OBESITY

                   Obesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it may have an adverse effect on health, leading to reduced life expectancy and/or increased health problems. People are considered obese when their body mass index (BMI), a measurement obtained by dividing a person's weight in kilograms by the square of the person's height in meters, exceeds 30 kg/m².

          Obesity increases the likelihood of various diseases, particularly heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, certain types of cancer, and osteoarthritis. Obesity is most commonly caused by a combination of excessive food energy intake, lack of physical activity, and genetic susceptibility, although a few cases are caused primarily by genes, endocrine disorders, medications or psychiatric illness. Evidence to support the view that some obese people eat little yet gain weight due to a slow metabolism is limited; on average obese people have a greater energy expenditure than their thin counterparts due to the energy required to maintain an increased body mass.

          Dieting and physical exercise are the mainstays of treatment for obesity. Diet quality can be improved by reducing the consumption of energy-dense foods such as those high in fat and sugars, and by increasing the intake of dietary fiber. Anti-obesity drugs may be taken to reduce appetite or inhibit fat absorption together with a suitable diet. If diet, exercise and medication are not effective, a gastric balloon may assist with weight loss, or surgery may be performed to reduce stomach volume and/or bowel length, leading to earlier satiation and reduced ability to absorb nutrients from food.

          Obesity is a leading preventable cause of death worldwide, with increasing prevalence in adults and children, and authorities view it as one of the most serious public health problems of the 21st century.^[8] Obesity is stigmatized in much of the modern world (particularly in the Western world), though it was widely perceived as a symbol of wealth and fertility at other times in history, and still is in some parts of the world.

Classification	BMI
underweight	< 18.5
normal weight	18.5–24.9
overweight	25.0–29.9
class I obesity	30.0–34.9
class II obesity	35.0–39.9
class III obesity	≥ 40.0

Causes

Ø  A combination of excessive food energy intake and a lack of physical activity 

Ø   Insufficient sleep

Ø  Endocrine disruptors (environmental pollutants that interfere with lipid metabolism)

Ø  Decreased variability in ambient temperature

Ø  Increased use of medications that can cause weight gain (e.g., atypical antipsychotics)

Ø  Pregnancy at a later age (which may cause susceptibility to obesity in children)

Ø  Epigenetic risk factors passed on generationally

Ø  Natural selection for higher BMI.

Effects of health

          Excessive body weight is associated with various diseases, particularly cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus type 2, obstructive sleep apnea, certain types of cancer, osteoarthritis  and asthma. As a result, obesity has been found to reduce life expectancy.

UNDERWEIGHT

          Underweight is a term describing a human whose body weight is considered too low to be healthy. The definition usually refers to people with a body mass index (BMI) of under 18.5 or a weight 15% to 20% below that normal for their age and height group.

Causes

          A person may be underweight due to genetics, metabolism, or lack of food (frequently due to poverty). Being underweight is associated with certain medical conditions, including hyperthyroidism, cancer, or tuberculosis. People with gastrointestinal or liver problems may be unable to absorb nutrients adequately. People with eating disorders, such as anorexia, nervosa, are likely to become underweight.

Problems

          Underweight might be secondary to or symptomatic of an underlying disease. Unexplained weight loss may require professional medical diagnosis.

          Underweight can also be a primary causative condition. Severely underweight individuals may have poor physical stamina and a weak immune system, leaving them open to infection. People who are malnutrative underweight raise special concerns, as not only gross caloric intake may be inadequate, but also intake and absorption of other vital nutrients, especially essential amino acids and micro-nutrients such as vitamins and minerals.

          In women, being grossly underweight can result in amenorrhea (absence of menstruation), infertility and possible complications during pregnancy. It can also cause anemia and hair loss.

          Underweight is an established risk factor for osteoporosis, even for young people. This is a particular insidious consequence, because the affected persons do not notice the danger. After the occurrence of first spontaneous fractures the damage is often already irreversible.

          Being underweight causes increased mortality at rates comparable to that seen in morbidly obese people.

Treatment

Diet: Underweight individuals may be advised to gain weight by increasing calorie intake. This can be done by eating calorie-dense foods, such as dried fruits, cheese, and nuts.^[13] Body weight may also be increased through the consumption of liquid nutritional supplements, such as Ensure and Boost. Other nutritional supplements may be recommended for individuals with insufficient vitamin or mineral intake.

Exercise: Another way for underweight people to gain weight is by exercising. Muscle hypertrophy increases body mass. Weight lifting exercises are effective in helping to improve muscle tone as well as helping with weight gain. Weight lifting has also been shown to improve bone mineral density. Exercise can help stimulate a person's appetite if they are not inclined to eat.

Appetite stimulants: Certain drugs may increase appetite either as their primary effect or as a side effect.

CHRONIC LIVER DISEASE/CIRRHOSIS

         It is a group of liver disorders. Characteristics of liver disease are jaundice, loss of appetite, liver enlargement, fluid accumulation, and impaired consciousness.

Symptoms

          There may be no symptoms or symptoms may come on slowly, depending on how well the liver is working. Early symptoms include:

• Fatigue and loss of energy
• Poor appetite and weight loss
• Nausea or belly pain
• Small, red spider-like blood vessels on the skin

As liver function worsens, symptoms may include:

• Fluid buildup of the legs (edema) and in the abdomen (ascites)
• Yellow color in the skin, mucus membranes, or eyes (jaundice)
• Redness on the plams of the hands
• In men, impotence, shrinking of the testicles, and breast swelling
• Easy bruising and abnormal bleeding
• Confusion or problems thinking
• Pale or clay-colored stools
• Small, red spider-like blood vessels on the skin 

Treatment

Lifestyle changes

·         Limiting alcohol

• Eating a healthy diet that is low in salt
• Getting vaccinated for diseases such as influenza, hepatitis A and hepatitis B, and pneumococcal pneumonia.

Alzheimer's Disease:

         It is a form of brain disease. No one knows the exact cause, but a real breakdown of the cells of the brain does occur. There is no treatment, but good nutrition may slow the progress of this lifestyle disease, which lasts about seven years in most people who have it. 

         
CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE (COPD)

           A disease characterized by slowly progressing, irreversible airway obstruction. The symptoms are problems in breathing while exercising, difficulty in breathing in or out deeply, and sometimes a long-term cough. The condition may result from chronic bronchitis, emphysema, asthma, or chronic bronchiolitis. Cigarette smoking and air pollution make it worse.

NEPHRITIS/CRF:

          Any disease of the kidney marked by swelling and abnormal function is CRF. Characteristics of kidney disease are bloody urine, persistent protein in urine, pus in urine, edema, difficult urination, and pain in the back.

STROKE:

         It is serious a condition due to the lack of oxygen to the brain that may lead to reversible or irreversible paralysis. Stroke is linked to advanced age, high blood pressure, previous attacks of poor circulation, cigarette smoking, heart disorders, embolism, family history of strokes, use of birth-control pills, diabetes mellitus, lack of exercise, overweight, high cholesterol, and hyperlipidemia.

METHODOLOGY

   

Methodology consists of area covered, period of study, sources of data, sample design, data management and analysis.

a) Area covered

          The study is conducted among the people of ward III, Erattupetta Panjayath of Kottayam District.

          The study covers children, adults and old people in this area. The study population consisted of 20 households and100 individuals participated in the study. The study group considered of 56% male and 44% female participants.

b) Period of study

          The study was carried out for over a period of three months from Jan 30^th to April30^th 2013.

          The investigator personally met the people to collect the knowledge for study.

c) Sources of data

The study has used both primary and secondary data.

Data collection was done with the help of four tools.

A.  An interview cum observation was used to study. During         interview, since it is an informal one, the questions were asked         randomly. The general questions regarding to:

v    Knowledge about life style diseases

v    Their diseases

v     Health related problems

v    Treatment

v    Life style

B.  An electronic source like internet is used to study.

C.  The library of our college has been used to collect printed    sources      as books and publications.

D.  Articles and other publications in print periodicals. These include                   print periodicals such as scholarly journals, magazines etc.

d) Sample Design

Random sampling technique has been adopted for this study. The sample size is 100.

 In the first stage of sampling, respondents are selected from ward III.

e) Data management and analysis

 Simple statistical tools like ratios, averages, percentages etc. have been used for the analysis of data.

Life style diseases in this area 

v Diabetes

v Hypertension

v Cancer

v Coronary Artery Disease

v Underweight

v Obese

ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

Obese - 12

Underweight - 8

Diabetes -15

Hypertension - 12

Cancer – 2

Cholesterol – 13

 Coronary Artery Disease 4

                   The risk factor for life style diseases that seemed to be a major threat was diabetes.  In this study 15% of persons were found to have diabetes- 8% in females and 7% in males. Another risk factor is obesity. The prevalence of obesity is 12%. Obesity is found high among boys (8%) than among girls (4%). Males are more obese than females (8%). However no significant association is found between gender and overweight

          Hypertension is associated with obesity and heart problem. 12% people have hypertension and 4% have heart problem among the respondents. High cholesterol level leads to heart problem. 12% people in this area have cholesterol and 4% leads to heart problem. Underweight is seen below the age of 15 and its percentage is 6. Only 2% people have cancer.

          Among the life style diseases, the prevalence is significantly higher in diabetes.

LIMITATIONS

The present study is exploratory in nature and has scope for lifelong research. But time and money constraints have restricted the scope of the study. Some important limitations of the study are given below.

·         The coverage of study is limited to 100 people only.

·         Only interview method is used for this study.

·         There is no medical checkup.

·         The study analyses the causes and preventive measures of life style diseases. It has not taken into consideration more independent variables.

Prevention of life style diseases

          People need to change their habits in the direction of healthier living. We can do a lot to prevent the occurrence of lifestyle diseases. Some healthy tips are:-

i) Take up regular exercise like walking, yoga, dancing, aerobics and cycling.

ii) Use stair-case instead of lift or escalator.

iii) Take a balanced diet at proper meal times. Do not over-eat.

iv)  Avoid processed and packaged foods that are rich in sugar, fats, salt and calories and low in fiber, good quality protein, minerals (iron and calcium) and vitamins.

v) Eat whole grains like cereals (wheat, whole wheat flour), millets (jowar, bajra) and avoid refined foods like maida.

vi) Eat 400 - 500 gms of seasonal fruits and vegetables in a day.

vii) Drink plenty of water.

viii) Practice yoga or meditation to avoid stress in life.

ix) Keep away from smoking and drinking alcohol.

x) Spend less time in sitting and watching television and pursue outdoor games and activities like gardening, playing a sport like football, cricket and badminton.

CONCLUSION

 The study reveals the significant factors’ leading to prohibit the proper health is life style diseases. The major conclusion from this study is that high levels of diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and cholesterol are problems in the study area. Therefore, eating habits, physical inactivity, smoking, consumption of alcohol and sedentary lifestyle are to be seriously avoided to prevent life style diseases and high morbidity. The study also offers preventive measures to check the incidence of life style diseases. We can educate people around us regarding healthy lifestyle practices. It is possible to keep these diseases under control, if we make sensible alteration in our own   life style.