Diseases are defined as abnormal conditions that negatively affect the function or structure of the individual and reduces some of their abilities.

The reduced potential due to illness influences us on the individual basis not only physically and emotionally but also financially. Disease reduces our ability to work, inhibits us from accomplishing our educational objectives and can also stop us from spending time with our loved ones. The financial impact that comes with disease is not limited to us individually but can also expand to affect larger institutions and governments. Financial damages caused by disease can be felt on many different levels. These include households’ incomes, firms’ profits, and national gross domestic products. The severity of the impact common diseases have on productive efficiency and monetary returns are just as significant as the losses associated with the mortalities they cause.

However, to be able to lessen the negative impacts diseases have on our societies, we need to first understand why they occur in the first place. What is the main reason diseases occur?

The answers to these questions are embodied in the main causes of the different diseases in the world. If we can find that main root cause of most diseases in the world, then eradicating them can potentially save the world from diseases forever. But is that even possible? 

Of course, this is easier said than done. In this article, we will review some of the most common diseases in the world. We will also try to pin down that single main contributor to most of them, if there is one? C’mon, let’s find out together. 

What Are The Most Common Diseases in The World?

Cardiovascular diseases

This is often caused by atherosclerosis, the formation of fatty plaque in the arteries of the heart. The plaque increases in size and blocks the blood flow resulting in cyanosis (blueness of skin).

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

This is commonly cited as COPD, is a collection of progressive lung diseases. The diseases under the heading of COPD are emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Emphysema destroys the wall of air sacs and decrease the rate of gaseous exchange. Bronchitis causes inflammation and narrowing of bronchiole tubes resulting in formation of mucous.

Stroke

This condition occurs when a specific part of the brain losses its blood supply. This can lead to the death of cells. Stroke is also the leading cause of death in the U.S.

Cancer

Cancer is defined the rampant growth of abnormal cells which leads to the formation of benign and malignant tumors.  Common types of cancer in both men and women are lung cancer and colorectal cancer. Lung cancer is the most diagnosed cancer and the leading death causing cancer worldwide. In 2018 alone, there were 2.1 million cases and 1.8 million fatalities globally. 

Cataracts

A cataract is the clouding of the natural lens of the eye with the advancing of age because of the formations of clumps of protein in the lens. A cataract is the major cause of blindness in the world.

The permanent solution to get rid of these diseases lies in the root cause of these diseases.

There are many other diseases like asthma, diabetes, kidney failure, rheumatic arthritis, reproductive disorders, etc. The number of patients of these diseases increases day by day in the world. The permanent solution to get rid of these diseases lies in the root cause of these diseases. Let’s see how these diseases are caused, to treat them thoroughly.

So, What Is The Root Cause of These Diseases?

1- Smoking

Two thirds of all lung cancer deaths around the world are caused by tobacco. 

Smoking affects almost every organ of the body but it especially affects the respiratory tract. It can cause cancer of the esophagus, trachea, bronchitis, lung, and oropharynx. It also causes inflammation in the respiratory tract. It narrows the pathway which leads to mucous formation. The cells here start to grow abnormally in the response to inflammation. Therefore, cancer occurs. According to The Cancer Atlas, two thirds of all lung cancer deaths around the world are caused by tobacco.

2- Diabetes

Diabetes can also give rise to so many other chronic diseases such as heart attacks, strokes, kidney stones, nerve damage, amputations and vision loss.

Diabetes increases the formation of ketone bodies. This leads to the formation of kidney stones. It also damages the nerves due to loss of blood flow and fat depositing. Diabetes affect the growth of blood vessels in the retina. This causes a reduction or even sometimes a complete loss of vision. Diabetic patients are more likely to develop cataracts and blindness. 

3- Malnutrition

Over-dieting can lead to the formation of cholesterol which can affect the human heart and all the arteries in the body.

Poor nutrition contributes to stress, obesity, fatigue, tiredness, and hypertension. These conditions, in different combinations, provoke other diseases. Malnutrition includes both over-dieting and also the consumption of lesser quantities of nutrients than the body needs. Both of them are harmful to the human body. Over-dieting can lead to the formation of cholesterol which can affect the human heart and all the arteries in the body. A poor diet is usually associated with a reduced intake of sufficient amounts of protein. This condition is known as Hypoprotienemia. It can lead to a number of diseases including increased severity of infections. Having a poor diet can also involve excessive or a reduced consumption of carbohydrates which as well can lead to many severe adverse effects on your physical and mental wellbeing. For more information on the effects of carbs on your health, read our article: Carbs Can Be Bad to Your Health, What About Your Mood? 

4- Hypertension

Healthy arteries are flexible and elastic to provide good blood flow to your organs and tissues.

Hypertension quietly damages your arteries over the years. It can also cause conditions like disability, stroke, heart attacks, and other life-threatening conditions. Healthy arteries are flexible and elastic to provide good blood flow to your organs and tissues. However, due to high blood pressure caused by hypertension, cells of the inner lining of arteries can get damaged. Fatty acids get deposited at the damaged areas leading to narrowing of the arteries.

Eventually, blood flow to vital organs decreases which can cause many other diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and stroke. 

5- Stress

Stress increases the level of glucose in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Stress is the risk factor of many diseases in the world. these include diabetes, heart attacks, depression, gastrointestinal problems, Alzheimer’s disease and asthma. Stress increases the level of glucose in patients with type 2 diabetes. It also increases your cortisol levels. Cortisol is a hormone that deposits fat in the abdomen. Moreover, it leads to increased blood flow and to the release of cholesterol which leads to cardiovascular diseases.

Now That You Know All This Information, What Actions Are You Going to Take?

The analysis of all the above mentioned diseases and their causes suggested that smoking is the root cause of many major death-causing diseases in the world.

Further awareness is still needed regarding the harms of smoking so that it can be better controlled.

Other causes such as hypertension, stress, and malnutrition are also major risk factors of diseases around the world. When more than one of these risk factors occur at the same time, their combined effect can be synergistic. They further enhance the severity of each other. They result in a rather fatal state which can eventually lead to death if not treated on time and with enough care and attention.

When more than one of these risk factors occur at the same time, their combined effect can be synergistic.

 

Exercising properly, having a healthy diet, and taking preventative measures against most of the mentioned risk factors would help you to avoid falling ill.

Illness is very hard for every person involved. It does not only affect the unfortunate individuals and their loved ones, but also the the entire society and its systems. Â