7 Surprisingly Common Diseases to Know About

Life is never static; there are ups and downs, highs and lows, good times and bad, and there’s only so much control we truly have over it. You may spend your whole life chasing things you believe are important, but there is no life without good health. As the saying goes, “A person can have hundreds of problems until there is a health problem. Then, there is only one problem.” In this article, we aim to raise awareness about 7 surprisingly common diseases you should know about.

You may have a mindset that every health condition leads to the same consequence, but there’s more to it. Millions of people across the globe are living with diseases they have never been officially diagnosed with. Early detection of these diseases can help you get effective treatment and help you live your life to the fullest. So, if you are here for hope, think of this blog as a friendly heads-up that could change how you perceive diseases.

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Anemia — The Energy Thief 

Does it hurt when people call, “You look pale. Is everything okay?” Though it is an impolite thing to say to someone, you can not ignore that anemia is a major public health concern and affects over 3 million Americans, according to the American Society of Hematology. It starts when your body does not produce adequate red blood cells, usually because of low iron intake. Common symptoms include dizziness, tiredness, or shortness of breath. Women, young children, and vegetarians are especially at risk. However, the good news is that all you need is a simple blood test and a few dietary changes to make a significant difference.

High Blood Pressure — The Silent One

Not everything comes with an announcement. High blood pressure or hypertension is a “silent condition”. You may feel perfectly fine while your blood vessels are quietly under enormous stress. In the United States, around 33% of adults are facing this silent killer. While internal causes can occur, poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, and low physical activity are generally considered the main contributors. So, does it mean that you can’t do anything about it? No! The best solution is to watch your sodium intake, get regular checkups, stay hydrated, and catch it before it starts affecting your body.

Anxiety Disorders — Not Just Stress

Anxiety has become a loose term, and everybody feels that they are anxious. But it is not. Anxiety affects how you think, feel, and function in everyday life. It has become one of the most common mental health conditions globally. Yet, many people dismiss it as a personality trait rather than a serious condition or something that requires treatment. Whether you are a child, a teenager, or a family provider, racing thoughts, brain fog, and restlessness have become common. The best way to identify is to talk openly with a trusted individual or a doctor about how you feel. 

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Asthma — Not Just a Childhood Disease

The big myth around Asthma is that it is a childhood disease, which is far from the truth. You can develop Asthma at any age, and millions of people already have it without knowing it. Asthma inflames the airways, making breathing difficult during exercise, allergy season, or cold weather. Some of the most common triggers are pollution, dust, and pet dander. In the United States alone, over 25 million people are living with Asthma and managing it comfortably with a small prescribed inhaler. The only thing is you must be aware of what’s triggering your Asthma and avoid it at all costs.

Hypothyroidism — A Small Gland, a Big Impact

The thyroid may appear small in a diagram, but it controls your metabolism, energy, body temperature, and weight. Hypothyroidism occurs when this gland becomes underactive and stops producing enough hormones. It is more common than you think, and particularly if you are a woman over 30. Whether it is persistent hair loss, unexplained weight gain, or constant fatigue, any of these could be a sign of Hypothyroidism. However, once diagnosed, it is a very manageable health condition with simple daily medications.

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) — Working Hard, Getting Ignored

Nobody knows what is happening inside their body. You can be the fittest athlete, a gym rat, or live an active lifestyle and still have affected organs. Your kidneys filter over 200 liters of blood every single day, and most people never think about it until there’s an anomaly. Chronic Kidney Disease affects around 1 in 7 adults in the United States, and most people don’t know about it. It’s a slow-progressing disease, often caused by long-term diabetes, high blood pressure, inflammation, glomolelular causes, cardiovascular causes, and a lot more. Some common early symptoms are swollen ankles, fatigue, and changes in urination. What you can do is meet a qualified nephrologist and follow their advice and medications, as there is no specific pattern. 

NAFLD — The Liver Condition Linked to Modern Life

You may have seen the fittest teetotalers, non-smokers, healthy eaters having affected livers, and that is unfortunate about this disease, named Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). It occurs when excess fat builds up in the liver due to a sedentary lifestyle, consumption of processed foods, and obesity. Roughly, it affects 25% of the people globally. You may never feel any symptoms in the early stages, but if you keep living a bad lifestyle, it will eventually catch up with you. The best news is that it is largely reversible with a cleaner diet, weight management, and consistent physical activity.

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You Are More in Control Than You Think

Like everything, life comes with an expiry date, so there is only so much you can control, and the rest relies on fate and your lifestyle. The first step to getting better is awareness in the right direction. Once you are aware, you will treat your body like a temple by eating whole, balanced meals, avoiding processed foods, staying adequately hydrated, and having regular health checkups when needed. Our bodies are smart; they often signal us when something is off. Hence, if you manage to catch something earlier, it would be easier to manage, and you can live your best time on this beautiful planet.