Understanding Common Health Conditions and Prevention
Understanding Common Health Conditions
Tumors: Benign and Malignant
A tumor occurs when cells reproduce more than necessary or old cells do not die when they should. In such cases, a tumor appears, defined as a disorganized mass of tissue. Benign tumors grow locally and remain in the place where they were formed because their cells do not move. Benign tumors can be removed by surgery and usually do not endanger the patient’s life. A malignant tumor is a disease in which cells can move from the initial tumor site to generate new tumors in other parts of the body. Malignant tumor cells have two characteristics:
- Invasive: Ability to penetrate and spread through adjacent tissues.
- Metastasis: Ability to penetrate lymphatic and blood vessels, move through the blood and lymph, and settle in any part of the body to form a second tumor.
Treatment options include surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and immunotherapy.
How to Prevent Cancer
- Avoid alcohol and tobacco.
- Limit sun exposure and use sunscreen.
- Eat a healthy diet.
- Maintain healthy sexual relationships.
Diabetes and Obesity
Diabetes is a chronic disease caused by a total or partial deficiency of insulin, a hormone that controls the concentration of glucose in the blood. Treatment is based on a balanced diet. If diabetes is not adequately controlled, serious complications can occur in the long term. It can appear in childhood. Obesity is defined as excess body fat that can be caused by multiple factors. It occurs when more calories are ingested than the body expends. Its complications are significant and can put lives at risk. There is no miracle diet.
Body Mass Index (BMI)
The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a value obtained by dividing mass in kilograms by height in meters squared.
- A BMI below 18 indicates low weight.
- Between 18 and 25 indicates adequate weight.
- Between 25 and 30 indicates overweight.
- Above 30 indicates obesity.
BMI is a guideline.
Cardiovascular Disease Prevention
You can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease if you:
- Exercise regularly.
- Do not consume more calories than you need.
- Limit salt and sugar intake.
- Increase cereal intake.
- Prevent excessive fat intake.
- Substitute whole milk for semi-skimmed milk.
- Consume fiber-rich whole foods.
- Avoid ready meals.
- Get enough rest and plan your time.
Myocardial Infarction and Stroke
Myocardial infarction occurs when a part of the heart muscle is deprived of blood supply, usually due to occlusion of the coronary arteries that supply it. Stroke occurs when blood flow is interrupted to a part of the brain, usually because a blood clot obstructs a brain artery.
Mental Illness
Mental health problems include changes in thinking, mood, or behavior. Schizophrenia is a serious disease in which the patient has significantly distorted reasoning power. An anxiety disorder is a group of disorders that share a common fear. Depression symptoms include excessive sadness and loss of interest in leisure activities. Eating disorders generally begin during adolescence. These include anorexia and bulimia. Attention deficit disorder or hyperactivity (ADHD) in children is diagnosed when there are problems with energy control, forgetfulness, and easy distraction. Dementia is the progressive loss of mental abilities, mainly memory.
Addictive Behaviors
Addictive behaviors are also called substance abuse or drug addiction. A person has a substance abuse disorder when its use interferes with normal life. It involves a situation where the person spends most of their time in activities related to obtaining and consuming drugs. Withdrawal symptoms occur when the substance is stopped and are specific to each drug.