Primary Prevention of Common Chronic Diseases

Primary Prevention of common chronic diseases

Primary prevention-prevention of diseases by suppression of their casual factors and improving resistance of man. Health promotion,health protection

Diseases

• infectious diseases- cause of an epidemic or pandemic eg Hepatitis,TB,
• atherosclerosis and its complications-chronic degenerative vascular disease,has links to : obesity , diabetes mellitus type 2 , hypertension , hyperlipidemia
• substance abuse
• tumors- both genetic load in families and because of the environment
• allergies-

Methods used

Lifestyle Modifications

• consumption of variety of foods-a balanced diet ensures increased and better immunity,
• reduction of fat especially animal-reduction of cholesterol which would help in reducing onset of atherosclerosis,obesity/lower BMI,
• increase consumption of fibre foods
• avoid too much sugar and salt-avoidance of DM 2,metabolic syndrome,hypertension
• increase fluid intake and reduce excess alcohol consumption-keeping the body hydrated helps in avoiding hypertension and reduction of alcohol will go a long way in helping with reducing body fat accumulation,also reduces chances of carcinogenesis ability of alcohol,and decreased immunity
• Increase in physical activity-helps in lowering body fat and thus helps with the CVS

Smoking-complete cessation is best,reduces majority of common ailments eg cancer,CV disease, chronic respiratory disease

Vaccination-prevents some infections that lead to chronic diseases eg HBV-HCV-chirosis and hemangio cell carcinoma,HPV-cervical cancer

Screening

• easy
• cheap
• high specificity
• ability in early detection

eg-colorectal cancer-fecal occult blood testing, breast cancer-mamography, cervical cancer-PAP smear

References

1. BENCKO, V., et al. Epidemiology,Selected Chapters Charles University Medical Faculty, Prague: Charles University in Prague - Karolinum, 2004 .
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronic_(medicine)