The lifestyle of many people is changing due to the way they live and work. More individuals have office jobs, use technology and do less physical activity. Owing to this sedentary lifestyle, there has been a rise in what we call lifestyle-related illnesses. These are health problems caused by habits like poor diet, lack of exercise and increased stress.
India is seeing a big rise in lifestyle diseases, which affect people of all ages. It is important to understand what lifestyle diseases are, why they happen and how to prevent them.
Rise of lifestyle-related diseases
In the past, most health problems in India were caused by infectious conditions like malaria or tuberculosis. However, now, lifestyle-related diseases are becoming more common. Diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke and some types of cancer are all rising quickly.
Nearly 60% of deaths in India now happen because of these non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Urban areas see more cases because people living in cities often have jobs that do not involve physical labour, eat fast food and live under stress. However, rural areas are also catching up because of changing lifestyles and habits.
One worrying fact is that lifestyle diseases are now affecting younger people too. In the past, heart disease or diabetes was mostly seen in older adults. Today, even people in their 30s and 40s are developing these problems.
Common causes of lifestyle diseases
Lifestyle diseases happen because of a mix of unhealthy habits and modern living. Here are the most common causes:
- Poor diet: Eating too much processed food, fried items and sugary drinks increases fat and sugar in the body. This raises the risk of diabetes, obesity and heart problems.
- ;Lack of exercise: Many people sit for long hours at work and do not exercise regularly. This weakens the body and increases the chances of obesity and heart disease.
- Smoking and drinking: Smoking greatly damages the lungs and heart, while drinking too much alcohol harms the liver and can increase blood pressure.
- Stress: Busy lifestyles, deadlines and financial pressure cause mental stress, which can lead to high blood pressure, anxiety and even depression.
- Lack of sleep: Staying up late, watching screens at night or working night shifts can disturb your sleep cycle. Poor sleep affects mental and physical health.
- Pollution: Air pollution in cities can damage the lungs and make breathing problems worse, leading to illnesses like asthma or even heart disease.
Together, these habits create an unhealthy lifestyle that puts the body at risk of serious diseases.
Types of lifestyle diseases
Lifestyle diseases consist of a wide range of health problems. Some of the most common ones are:
- Type 2 Diabetes - Overuse of processed flours and refined sugars, compounded by a not-so-helpful genotype, puts Indians at an unprecedented risk of insulin-dependent diabetes.
- Hypertension - High blood pressure affects more than 100 million Indians. This is associated with the Indian's love for savoury snacks that invariably contain high amounts of salt. Other contributing factors are work and societal stress and obesity.
- Obesity - Indians (more so, the youth and young children) are prone to obesity, which by itself opens up a new Pandora's Box of maladies. Indians have a higher visceral adiposity (fat deposits) than the Caucasian population, and even with a lower Body Mass Index (BMI), we become prone to a group of disorders called Metabolic Syndrome.
- Heart diseases - High levels of cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides in the Indian diet (due to the high use of butter and ghee) can lead to atherosclerosis (deposition of fats on the inner walls of the arteries). This can lead to cardiac ailments like a heart attack and stroke.
- Cancer - Smoking and alcohol consumption increase the risk of lung and other types of cancers. Also, occupational hazards like contact with certain harmful chemical pollutants can induce cancers.
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) - This is a disease characterised by shortness of breath, a persistent cough and sputum production. COPD is often caused by inhalation of chemical irritants like those found in the smoke while cooking, tobacco fumes, etc.
Treating these conditions can be expensive. You might need hospital visits, medicines, tests or surgery, sometimes therapy for years. In such situations, having proper health insurance is helpful. It pays for doctor visits, hospital stays and treatments, so you do not have to worry about arranging money quickly if you become unwell.
Symptoms and harmful effects of lifestyle diseases
The early signs of lifestyle diseases are often easy to miss. Many people do not know they have a problem until they feel very sick.
Common symptoms to watch for include:
- Tiredness or lack of energy
- Sudden weight gain or loss
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain or tightness
- Frequent thirst and urination (common in diabetes)
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Difficulty sleeping
- Feeling sad or anxious all the time
If ignored, these symptoms can lead to very serious health problems. For example, if high blood pressure is left untreated, it can cause a heart attack or a stroke.
Tips to prevent lifestyle diseases
The good news is that you can prevent many of these diseases by making simple, healthy changes in your daily routine.
- Eat a balanced diet: Include more fruits, vegetables, whole grains and pulses in your meals. Avoid too much salt, sugar and processed food.
- Exercise regularly: Aim for around 30 minutes of walking, cycling or any form of exercise most days of the week.
- Quit smoking: One of the biggest reasons for heart and lung disease is smoking. Quitting at any age improves your health.
- Limit alcohol: Drinking less alcohol will reduce your risk of liver problems and high blood pressure.
- Reduce stress: Try yoga, meditation or deep breathing to manage stress. Taking breaks and spending time with family can also help.
- Sleep well: Adults should get around 7–8 hours of sleep every night. Good sleep refreshes the body and mind.
- Keep weight under control: Maintain a healthy weight through diet and exercise. This reduces the risk of many diseases.
- Stay active: If you work at desk, stand up and stretch almost every hour or take a short walk to keep your body moving.
- Stay hydrated: Drink enough water, especially in hot weather.
You should also go for health check-ups every year, even if you feel healthy. Early detection of problems can save lives. Health check-ups are often covered under individual, family and senior citizen health insurance as a policy benefit.
Conclusion
India is facing a silent crisis of lifestyle-related illnesses. With fast food, lack of exercise, smoking, stress and pollution becoming a part of daily life, many people are falling sick without realising it. However, we can fight back. By making healthier choices, encouraging our friends and family to do the same and being aware of our habits, we can protect ourselves and others.
It is also wise to be prepared for any health troubles that might come your way. While you focus on living well, let us help you stay protected in case of illness or injury. You can get simple, helpful advice about health insurance by filling out the form on this page. This way, you and your family can feel safer and more confident about the future.
FAQs
1. Who is most at risk of lifestyle diseases?
A: People who eat poorly, do not exercise, smoke or have high stress levels are at higher risk. Age does not matter, as even young people can develop these diseases.
2. Can lifestyle diseases be cured?
A: Many lifestyle diseases can be managed with medicines and lifestyle changes, but they are often long-term. Prevention is the best way to avoid them.
3. How can I know if I have a lifestyle disease?
A: Regular health check-ups can detect problems early. Also, watch out for warning signs like fatigue, chest pain, weight changes or shortness of breath.
4. Is exercise alone enough to prevent these diseases?
A: Exercise is very important, but you also need a healthy diet, enough sleep and ways to manage stress. All these habits together keep you healthy.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a certified medical and/or nutrition professional for any questions. Relying on any information provided in this blog is solely at your own risk, and ICICI Lombard is not responsible for any effects or consequences resulting from the use of the information shared.