Obesity, Smoking, and Hypertension
While browsing some of the latest news, I encountered this article about obesity, smoking, and high blood pressure as one of the leading factors that caused the decline in life expectancy among women in the US. According to the associate professor of international health at the Harvard School of Public Health, Majid Ezzati, "There is now evidence that there are large parts of the population in the United States whose health has been getting worse for about two decades." So in line with my previous posts, let me provide you with some information on how to deal with the three issues at hand.
Smoking - Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the US, according to the World Health Organization. Some of the diseases caused by smoking are: different cancers (especially lung cancer), cardiovascular diseases such as stroke, and respiratory illnesses like bronchitis. Smoking also causes cataracts which may lead to blindness, decline in cognitive functions, and the worst for males, impotence!
Like what the WHO categorized it as, smoking is preventable. There's really no need to smoke. If you're having trouble giving it up, read my previous post about breaking the bad habit.
Obesity - Like smoking, obesity also causes cardiovascular diseases and is a serious, growing public health problem. Obesity is caused by different factors such as genetics, but mostly because of overeating and a sedentary lifestyle (read: sitting around the whole day without exercise). Of course, knowing these, the best way to treat or prevent it is to maintain a healthy lifestyle, which includes exercise and a healthy diet. If you need tips on exercise and working out, read my earlier posts.
High Blood Pressure - Although no specific medical cause can be determined in essential hypertension, there are several contributing factors such as genetics, age, and insulin resistance among others. Although it can be treated with medication, the first step to take when treating it is exercise to improve blood flow. Less salt in your diet is also proven to be effective. Also, abstinence from smoking and drinking help in lowering blood pressure.
