Chronic Disease

Chronic Disease: Take Control of Your Future

      Chronic diseases - such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes - are the leading causes of death and disability in the United States. These diseases account for 7 of every 10 deaths and affect the quality of life of 90 million Americans. In Ionia County; chronic diseases accounted for nearly 75% of the deaths in 2002 and were responsible for more than 1600 years of potential life lost (deaths below the age of 75). The four leading causes of death in Ionia County (heart disease, cancer, stroke and chronic lower respiratory disease) are all considered chronic diseases.

      What leads to chronic diseases? Chronic diseases can have many different causes but a majority of these are rooted in behavior. The things we eat and the way we spend our leisure time all play a major role in the development of chronic disease. Other things that play a role are family history and our environment.

      So, what can we do to minimize our risk for developing a chronic disease? First thing, take command of the factors you have control over. You cannot determine your genetics, but you can decide what you put into your body and how much you exercise. A great way to lower your risk is to keep your weight under control. You can do this buy limiting the amount of sugars and fats you eat and simply being aware of how many calories your body needs per day and how many calories are in the food you eat. It is also a recommended to get 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise 5 times a week or 20 minutes of intense exercise 3 times a week. Not smoking and quitting if you do is also a great way to diminish your risk.

      After you have taken charge of the things you can control, you should become aware of the things you cannot control. Look into your family history. Has your father or grandfather had cancer or heart disease? Has your mother or grand mother had osteoporosis or diabetes? These are all important questions and can help you determine what you may be at risk for. Once you know what you are at risk for, you can better plan your life to avoid it.

Chronic Disease Trends in Ionia County