Eshyer.com

Tag: Preventive healthcare

  • 6 Reasons for the Rising Cancer Rate Among Adults

    Image from unsplash

    Understand the sources of the rising incidence of cancer in young people and what can be done to prevent it.

    What is Cancer?

    Cancer is a disease in which some of the body’s cells grow uncontrollably and spread to other parts of the body. Cancer can also be defined as the disease characterized by the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body. These abnormal cells can form tumors that surround tissues and spread to other parts of the body. We should know the different types of cancer before explaining the reasons for the cancer rate among adults as a main concept. There are different types of cancer, such as lung cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer, and leukemia, which occurs in the blood. There are many reasons that attempt to explain the rise of cancer in adults; the following are some of them.

    1. Lifestyle factors: Many adults can get cancer due to their lifestyle, which includes a poor diet, smoking, lack of physical activity, and excessive alcohol consumption. These factors can lead to the development of cancer in adults because when you consume alcohol excessively, it can affect the body and lead to cancer diseases, which can also result in death. Smoking and tobacco use can lead to cancer in adults, accounting for approximately 23-30% of all cancer deaths. Physical inactivity can also increase cancer risk, and alcohol consumption raises the risk of cancers such as mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, breast, and colorectal cancers. For more information see 2 Most Impactful Lifestyles That Affect Our Health
    2. Environmental issue (Environmental exposures): In the issue of the environment, we look at air pollution, industrial chemicals, and pesticides that can facilitate the rising cancer rates in adults. Industrial chemicals can lead to the destruction of the ozone layer. Once the ozone is destroyed, it can increase the high levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun, which can pass directly to the Earth without any obstacles, affecting adults and leading many to develop skin cancer. Environmental exposures are categorized into various types, such as chemical exposure, which includes harmful chemicals like benzene, formaldehyde, and asbestos. For example, asbestos exposure is linked to lung cancer in adults, and biological agents, such as certain viruses and bacteria, are also considered environmental carcinogens.
    3. Genetic factors: the same adults inherit genetic mutations that increase their susceptibility to certain cancers. When a parent is affected by cancer, there is a possibility that their children will also get cancer due to these genetic mutations. As a result, the number of adults affected by cancer can increase, which can lead to greater dependence on the nation. Genetic mutations and cancer development involve changes in the DNA sequence that can disrupt normal cellular functions.
    4. Obesity refers to the medical condition characterized by excessive storage of fat in the body. This can also contribute to the rising incidence of cancer in adults because obesity leads to hormonal imbalance and inflammation, which can contribute to cancer development. This is one of the reasons for the increasing rate of cancer among adults. Obesity causes chronic inflammation, which is one of the primary mechanisms through which obesity increases cancer risk. Excess body fat, particularly visceral fat that surrounds internal organs, produces inflammatory substances. There are hormonal changes in the body, such as estrogen; adipose tissue produces estrogen, therefore individuals with a higher amount of body fat often have elevated estrogen levels. Insulin is also another hormonal change; in the case of insulin, obesity leads to insulin resistance—a condition where cells do not respond effectively to insulin, resulting in elevated insulin levels.
    5. A high number of infections can also contribute to the rise of cancer in adults because infections such as hepatitis B and C, as well as the human papillomavirus, can increase the risk of cancer. These infections are dangerous to people because they can cause death at the same time. The mechanisms of infection-induced cancer include chronic inflammation, direct oncogenic effects, immune suppression, co-infection synergy, and bacterial infections. See 3 Secrets to Anti-Aging Health Behaviors You Should Know for understanding common infections that contributes to health problems and ways to avoid it.
    6. Increased awareness and screening: Due to the high level of medical technology, screening can lead to better detection of cancer rates, which can increase the rate of cancer among adults. Cancer screening involves tests that detect cancer before signs or symptoms appear. The primary goal is to identify cancer at an early stage when it is more treatable; for example, mammograms for breast cancer and others. Additionally Aging population, people live longer, and the risk of increasing cancer is spreading because cancer is more prevalent in older adults. With improved life expectancy and healthcare, the number of cancer disease cases rises. This is one of the reasons for the rising rate of cancer among adults. See Ant-Aging behavior for more information.

    How to Minimize the Risk of Getting Cancer

    Therefore, the issue of cancer is very dangerous because it can cause death, over-dependence, lack of manpower, and so on. However, there are some ways that can be used to decrease or combat the rise of cancer among adults. Some of these include;

    • Try to change your lifestyle. Our main enemy is how we live from morning to evening. Make a habit of exercising regularly while taking care of your daily meals by considering healthy foods or a well-balanced diet.
    • Providing vaccinations is essential. The respective government should introduce preventive vaccines to reduce the risk of getting cancer and also provide therapeutic treatment for the victims. Additionally, it should offer psychological support to the victims.
    • There should be control of environmental pollution where people live, especially in areas where there are many industries that contribute to the increase in air pollution, which affects our health. Every individual should take responsibility for protecting their environment. Additionally Industrialists should introduce processing methods that are friendly to the environment to avoid environmental exposures.
    • Additionally, it is encouraged that the government improve the policies regarding dangerous diseases affecting marginalized people, so that they can access free or affordable vaccination and treatment for these diseases.

    Hence, precautions are better than cure. It is hard to change lifestyles, but we can try to adjust our preferences. Precautions should not only be taken for cancer but for all diseases because health is our main asset.

  • 2 Most Impactful Lifestyles That Affect Our Health

    Image from unsplash

    Understand How Lifestyle Affects Our Health

    In this world of high mass consumption, globalization, and the high use of technology, our health status has significantly changed. Due to the existence of different innovations like machines, games, new products and services, and new means of transport that allow a person to move from one place to another easily, processed food from industrial agriculture has affected our physical condition and well-being. These changes play a great role in a person’s culture and lifestyle in all aspects of life, including health status.

    This article explains how lifestyle affects a person’s health and well-being. It is important to understand your health status while you are enjoying your life in order to have good physical, mental, and psychological wellness, as well as hope in life. That is why an Arabian proverb says, “He who has health has hope, and he who has hope has everything in this world.” Additionally, an Islamic quote states, “The one who wakes up in the morning with peace and good health is blessed more than everything by his God.”

    What do we mean when we say “health,” and how does lifestyle affect our health?

    Health is defined and explained by different scholars and professors. But simply put, the meaning of health is a state of a person being physically, mentally, and emotionally well, free from diseases, as well as having social well-being and fitness, which we call healthiness or being in good condition. On the other hand, let us understand lifestyle, which means a way of life; in other words, lifestyle encompasses the things that an individual does in their day-to-day activities.

    Have you heard anything about an unhealthy lifestyle or a healthy lifestyle before? Being healthy or unhealthy depends on how you organize your life from morning to evening. This article explains how you should live a healthy lifestyle in simple ways.

    As we have already understood the concept of health and lifestyle, you now need to understand how to live a healthy life. There are important things that you should consider in order to live a healthy life. Among them are food intake and physical exercise.

    1. Food intake is crucial to your health; that’s why there is a saying, “You are what you eat.” Do you agree with it? It is true because the nutrients in the food we consume can be beneficial for good health or harmful for bad health. Physicians and doctors always emphasize the importance of a balanced diet since it helps you live longer without non-communicable diseases or chronic diseases. See Five Simple Ways to Avoid Non-Communicable Diseases

    These diseases are caused by an unhealthy lifestyle or behavior of a person and are not spread through infection. They include heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, cancer, respiratory diseases, and stroke, to mention a few. As advised by doctors, a balanced diet is a key factor for physical and mental health because it provides all the required nutrients for your body and allows you to enjoy your food.

    Let us understand that a balanced diet is one that consists of a variety of types of food that provide all the required nutrients for good health. It protects a person from non-communicable diseases. Additionally, a balanced diet maintains and protects the overall health of a person. So, in your meals, make sure you have all the essential components of a balanced diet, including carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins, minerals, and water. Below are simple explanations of these components:

    • Carbohydrates, also known as carbs, are foods that provide energy to an individual and are rich in sugars. Sugars exist in different forms, such as glucose, fructose, maltose, sucrose, and cellulose. Carbohydrate-rich foods include whole grains like corn, wheat, and rice, as well as bread, potatoes, milk, chapati, spaghetti, and popcorn, to mention a few. In this context, you are advised to choose the type of food because there are various types of food. Mostly, people are advised to avoid unhealthy sources of food, especially processed or refined foods like white bread or soda. Sometimes, people prefer energy drinks, which are also unhealthy sources of carbohydrates.
    • Proteins are very important for growth, as well as for the maintenance of the body. You are advised to consume protein in every meal due to its benefits for your body. The main reason why you should consume protein is that it is essential for cell growth, muscle repair, and it boosts your immune system to improve your health. It is easy for anyone to consume protein since it is available in the environment. Protein-rich foods include seafood like prawns, crabs, shrimp, oysters, and lobster, as well as lean meats, eggs, chicken, peanut butter, turkey, duck, goose, and bush birds, not forgetting dairy products like milk, yogurt, and cheese.
    • Micronutrients, or in other words, minerals and vitamins, are essential for our health. There are various types of vitamins, including vitamins A, B, C, D, E, and K, as well as minerals such as calcium, iodine, iron, zinc, magnesium, potassium, and sodium. In this context, micronutrients are very important since they play a vital role in a variety of metabolic processes in our bodies. They are needed in small amounts, but they are crucial for healing wounds, strengthening our bones and teeth, and regulating hormones. These minerals are found in fruits, vegetables, as well as whole grains and cereals.
    • Lipids and fats are good for health when consumed properly, but they are bad for health when consumed improperly. There are various lipids in our body, named according to their function, including fatty acids, which create energy; steroid hormones, which send messages within the cell; bile salts, which help in digesting fat; and phospholipids, which allow molecules to move within the cells.
    • The essential component of life is water. We all know that about 75% of our body is water, which is essential for all body functions, regulation, and temperature control. Therefore, it is important to consume water every day in the required volume. Adult women and men are advised to consume 2.7 and 3.7 liters per day, while children should drink 5 to 8 cups per day. Note that water intake can vary due to a person’s body weight and daily activities.

    2. Physical exercise is another way to achieve good health for a person. It is usually planned, structured, and repetitive on a daily basis; this is done for the purpose of improving and maintaining physical wellness or good physical condition. In the biological aspect, physical exercise is categorized into two groups: aerobic and anaerobic exercise.

    • Aerobic exercise, also known as cardiovascular exercise, involves a mechanism of breathing and heart rate; this includes walking, swimming, cycling, and running. This type of exercise helps to facilitate good health for your heart and lungs. It can also be done at home, such as through yoga, jogging, and jumping rope. Physicians advise doing these exercises for at least 15 to 30 minutes three times a week.
    • Anaerobic exercise involves quick bursts of energy. It uses the stored energy of the body and focuses on strength rather than flexibility. Examples of anaerobic exercise include biking, sprinting, and weightlifting, which are mostly done in the gym and require equipment to perform. The difference between aerobic and anaerobic exercise is that anaerobic exercise uses a lot of energy, while aerobic exercise uses oxygen as a primary source of energy.

    Both exercises have many advantages, including weight management, being good for your muscles and bones, improving your mood by reducing stress, depression, and anxiety, increasing your energy levels, promoting brain health, reducing pain, benefiting skin health, enhancing sexual enjoyment, and lowering the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. Physicians and doctors advise that a person should check their heart health before starting any kind of exercise mentioned.

    In conclusion, you should live a healthy lifestyle by eating a balanced diet and engaging in daily physical exercise. Our health is a primary asset in development; without health, there is no development. It is easy for anyone to live a healthier life since the world provides us with a variety of natural foods, but we have to eat carefully.

  • 3 Secrets to Anti-Aging Health Behaviors You Should Know

    How to Stay Young in Your Old Age

    Old age brings physical modifications to our bodies, which can trigger different physical impairments, including muscle weakening, weakened bones, and joint discomfort. Mental deterioration from aging leads to diminished memory function, emotional depression, and social isolation, as well as decreased response times. The aging immune system weakens our ability to fight infections, while heart disease, together with low metabolism, develops as cardiovascular problems. The weakness of sensory organs creates the risk of vision loss and hearing-related problems.

    However, aging is a natural process, and it comes with its impacts on our health, as we can see. There are behaviors that can help prevent and lower weak traits in old age, allowing you to live with youthfulness while remaining energetic and capable of handling mental tasks. This guide provides behavioral guidance to help you stay youthful in your old age.

    1. Consider an anti-inflammatory diet every day; it’s important to consume a well-balanced diet at any age. Read “Nutritional Guides for Every Age.” to know what you can prefer more in your diet. In old age, the body’s reaction to disease or infection is not as normal as in younger individuals, which can lead to severe swelling, redness, or pain in some parts of the body. This can result in more severe issues when you eat foods that have attributes of inflammation.

    What types of foods cause inflammation?

    • Processed foods, meats, refined carbohydrates, and sugary foods and drinks—such as white bread, chips, and sugary beverages—facilitate the overproduction of insulin, which leads to inflammation.
    • The intake of excessive red meat, particularly from pork and beef, contains natural proteins that are not produced by the body. This can cause the body to react and lead to low-grade inflammation.
    • High consumption of alcohol—wine, spirits, and beer—when taken in large amounts, may cause oxidative stress in the liver and lead to inflammation.

    Inflammatory foods are very harmful since they trigger the body’s immune system to react against them and cause inflammatory diseases, which can lead to diabetes, hypertension, and digestive disorders. In this case, we are recommended to follow an anti-inflammatory diet to prevent these inflammatory diseases.

    An anti-inflammatory diet?

    There are foods that help reduce inflammation and keep you healthy. We are encouraged to avoid foods that are high contributors to inflammation in order to reduce the risk of associated diseases. The following are some of the foods that are free from inflammation.

    • Fatty fish and plants that are rich in omega-3, such as salmon, tuna, and sardines, are known for their advantages in fighting inflammation. Additionally, plant-based foods like nuts and seeds are recommended to reduce inflammation.
    • Ginger and green tea: Make sure you drink 3 cups of tea that have been mixed with ginger or take green tea to reduce the risk of inflammation.
    • Use tomatoes, garlic, and onions as a side dish. They provide special enzymes that boost the immune system and prevent the risk of inflammation.
    • Drink the maximum required amount of water to stay hydrated. Water helps keep your body clean from toxins and also boosts the immune system.

    2. Another secret to staying young is to engage in regular exercise and remain active. The behavior of being physically active helps your body retain energy for the long run. Regular exercise increases body mass strength and also helps improve mental strength by reducing stress and depression; it also facilitates heart health.

    Types of Exercises for Anti-Aging

    • Training for strength can involve lifting weights, doing push-ups, and using resistance bands. This helps to strengthen muscles and gain muscle mass. For more stability and strength, use exercises like jumping, mountain climbing, and sprint intervals. This can be done daily or intensively for 2 to 3 hours each week.
    • Aerobic exercise involves walking, cycling, jogging, dancing, and swimming, which help improve cardiovascular health, reduce the chances of having a stroke, and boost energy levels. Try to do it intensively for 2 hours per week, but walk every day as much as you can.
    • Stability and flexibility exercises, single-leg stands, yoga, and stretching help to strengthen joints, which will facilitate easier movements in old age. It is recommended to do them every day or three times a week.

    Advantage of Exercises for Anti-Aging

    • Enhancing skin health to avoid skin tags, brown rough patches, and other skin problems requires more cardiovascular-related exercises, including jumping rope, cycling, push-ups, running, fish pose, child’s pose, body stretches, and facial exercises like chewing gum, puffing cheeks, and jawline exercises.
    • It maintains physical health and fitness, primarily because our muscles become stronger when we do exercises, especially when we lift weights. Intensive exercise for building muscle mass also helps to build strong bones, which contribute to maintaining the physiology of the body. Additionally, it keeps you away from obesity and prevents weight gain.
    • It reduces the risk of chronic diseases. Various diseases rise with old age, such as stroke, heart disease, osteoporosis, diabetes, vision and hearing loss, and mental illnesses. See this article for clarification: “Five Simple Ways to Avoid Non-Communicable Diseases” The only way to reduce the risk of these diseases is to stay active by doing regular exercise.

    3. The last secret is to have the ability to manage stress and connect yourself with things that give you happiness. A stress-free person is more likely to live long because a fresh mind helps you feel comfortable with who you are, what you have, and what you need the most. In this world of social media, young people show their wealth, and their prestigious lifestyles may cause stress for low-income individuals, without knowing what you really want and what you should focus on. So, focus on your life journey toward your goals.

    Always remember that moderation is key to avoiding stress. Don’t allow your mind to think too much, as it can lead to depression. Allow yourself to focus on things that you can afford, connect with people of the same status and goals, and do what keeps you happy.

    What to Do to Manage Stress

    • Try to set realistic and achievable goals. You may want to consider your financial balance when you need to do things that require money.
    • Develop habits of meditation and mindfulness. They help you recognize stress because when you meditate, you reduce cortisol levels in your body and boost your mood and confidence.
    • Try to sleep as early as you can to allow your body to relax and repair. Avoid screens for hours before going to bed, and make sure your room is clean and cool.
    • Avoiding too much alcohol and tobacco when you are feeling stressed is important, because using them can lead to increased frustration and stress.
    • Involve yourself in hobbies like playing football, tennis, listening to music, or any sport and entertainment that you enjoy to improve your mood and stay happy and calm.
    • Also, connect yourself with friends or family to discuss things that are difficult for you to solve; this is an important weapon to fight against stress.

    Let’s practice those behaviors which is simple and achievable because it connects our selves with our daily life, stay strong to day and tomorrow by considering proper nutrition from our lovable goods and do some exercise per day or two times per week and don’t allow stress to reduce your age. These behaviors will keep you healthy and focused in your goals.

  • 5 Risky Occupations and Ways to Stay Safe

    Executive Summary on dangerous occupations which affects employees health.

    Occupations are ways of life for many people, serving as a means of living. However, there are occupations that are hazardous to our health. Our health is more important than anything else, and it should be protected at all costs. Some occupations can lead to physical and mental disabilities if no precautions are taken. In this guide, we will discuss risky occupations and ways to stay safe from them.

    Firstly, construction work, is termed as very risky work that puts the lives of individuals in danger if no real protective measures are taken. Think about skilled workers who work as carpenters, electricians, plumbers, roofers, and masons. Additionally, work related to heavy machine operations, like excavator, bulldozer, and forklift operations, is also very risky to our health, as shown below.

    What are the health risks of construction work?

    • Physical injuries are more likely to occur if no protective measures are implemented. Falling from heights, such as for roofers and scaffolders, puts them at risk of falling, and objects falling from high buildings can lead to fractures and spinal injuries, which can result in permanent disability. Additionally, machinery accidents, such as those involving workers who operate heavy equipment, can occur if an excavator fails, leading to fractures.
    • Respiratory diseases, exposure to asbestos from old buildings, silica dust, and wood painting can lead to a greater risk of lung disease due to the inhalation of such chemical fumes. Diseases like silicosis, asbestosis, asthma, hypersensitivity pneumonia, and bronchitis may be observed over time.
    • Hearing problems, louder machines due to drilling or blasting lead to the destruction of the ear because of sudden loud noises and can result in hearing loss.
    • Skin and musculoskeletal disorders: Exposure to industrial chemicals may lead to skin problems. Carrying heavy equipment and objects can lead to joint pain and, consequently, joint injuries.
    • Lastly, physiological and mental stress occurs due to long work hours and little time to rest, which can lead to stress and fatigue.

    5 ways or procedures to prevent occupational risks, especially in construction areas.

    • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) should be used effectively. Every laborer in construction areas should wear respiratory masks, gloves, and protective clothing, as well as hearing protection like earplugs, to prevent the direct consequences of physical injuries that can occur during work hours.
    • Improve workplace quality by ensuring proper ventilation, installing exhaust fans, and using air filters that remove dust and fumes. Additionally, drilling or related work should be conducted in open areas; this will allow workers to have access to fresh air.
    • Proper hygiene should be implemented in the workplace. Workers should maintain their personal health by washing their hands and faces to prevent contamination, not taking food into the working area, and also removing their work clothes before going home.
    • Medical checkups for construction-related workers should be conducted regularly for the early detection of health issues. Try to get vaccinated against respiratory diseases like the flu and pneumonia. Additionally, report any symptoms of diseases, such as breathing problems and other uncomfortable situations that occur in your body.
    • Consider training lessons and follow safety regulations. Knowledge is key to reducing the risk of getting diseases and injuries. Ensure you have a basic understanding of how to deal with chemical fumes and how to operate heavy equipment to reduce the risk of accidents. Follow the rules and regulations of the local safety authority, OSHA, to stay safe.

    Apart from construction work, which is risky and has ways to prevent accidents, there are also other jobs that may seem safe but, in reality, are not safe for our health.

    Mining and extraction-related work, involves the drilling of natural resources such as minerals and natural gas directly from underground. Workers in this field are at risk of physical injuries, respiratory diseases, toxic gas exposure, and hearing loss.

    Ways and procedures to prevent and reduce those risks

    • Proper ventilation systems should be applied in underground areas during extractions so that workers can avoid dust and toxic gases.
    • Workers should ensure they wear protective gear such as protective clothing, helmets, gloves, and reinforced shoes to prevent direct physical injuries.
    • A respiratory mask should be worn during working hours to avoid toxic dust, and it is important not to forget to implement regular safety drills.

    Agriculture and forest-related work, due to the nature of activities such as logging, farming, and fishing, involves the operation of machines and working at heights, as well as dealing with dangerous animals that can harm human health. A major risk for these occupations includes machine accidents, pesticide explosions, respiratory diseases, and drowning due to poor boats during fishing.

    Ways and procedures to prevent and reduce those risks

    • Using protective clothing and mask-wearing to prevent contamination from pesticides.
    • Proper handling of heavy machinery, like tractors, during farming is essential to prevent physical injuries, such as fractures.
    • Safety harnesses should be used when laboring at heights.
    • First aid should also be available in case of an emergency, and employees should be trained on how to use it.

    Emergency and security service-related work, particularly involves police officers, firefighters, military personnel, and lifeguards. These occupations directly deal with threatening situations that require saving the lives of others. Workers in this field are at risk of physical injuries, burns, and smoke inhalation due to heat that may rise in burning buildings, as well as violence and assault from gunshots, which can lead to physical injuries and wounds. Mental disorders, especially among military personnel who experience traumatic events, can result in post-traumatic stress disorder.

    Ways and procedures to prevent and reduce those risks

    • Heat-resistant protective clothing should be worn by firefighters during the rescue process. They should also cover their faces with breathing masks to prevent dust.
    • Police and military officers should wear bulletproof vests during violent situations and should be well-trained in techniques to protect themselves. They should also use proper procedures when dealing with hazardous materials to avoid contamination.
    • Mental health programs, especially guidance and counseling, are essential to prevent mental disorders.

    Transportation related-works, involves truck drivers, pilots, and ship crews, all of whom are at risk of health issues. These occupations involve movements in operations, which can be dangerous if the operator feels fatigued or makes human mistakes, potentially leading to injuries or death. The major risk is traffic accidents. Additionally, drivers can become obese due to long hours of driving and sleep deprivation.

    Ways and procedures to prevent and reduce those risks

    • Strict implementation of driving regulations requires that drivers possess a driving license recognized by the authorities. This will help ensure that drivers are professional, limit driving hours to avoid fatigue, and prohibit alcohol consumption while driving.
    • Drivers should ensure regular break times to prevent drowsy driving. Short breaks are recommended after three hours. Additionally, if the route is more than 500 km, there must be more than one driver, depending on road and weather conditions, to prevent fatigue.
    • Training on how to handle emergencies during operations will help reduce the intensity of accidents when they occur, such as the use of first aid.

    Generally, challenges cannot stop us from working to make a living, but we have to understand the nature of the jobs we are doing and stay away from hazards associated with them by learning preventive strategies to avoid health problems.

    Do you know of any risky occupations? Please share them in the comments section so that we can learn about them and how we can protect ourselves from the associated dangers.