Factors That Affect Chronic Disease Progression
The term “health” has a number of different meanings attributed to it. One of these is that it relates to the body. One thing that all agree on though is that health is the state in which an individual experiences a sufficient amount of physical and mental activity to satisfy the needs of his body and mind. Health is also considered to be a state of cleanness and well being, where there is no pain, irritability, depression or other emotional disturbances.
Health, as defined by the World Health Organization, is a condition of total physical, mental and emotional well-being and not just the absence of sickness and disease. Over the years, various definitions have been used to describe what it means to be mentally healthy. For some, health is primarily subjective, meaning that how one feels from day to day makes the person feel. Others believe that it involves a person’s capacity for self-care. For yet others, health promotion is about maintaining social well-being.
In defining what it means to be healthy, it is important to first look at some of the physical attributes that are associated with it. Being mentally and emotionally healthy often has to do with a person’s ability to control his blood pressure and blood sugar levels, to maintain a healthy weight, to manage stress and to exercise regularly. People who are obese may also have high blood pressure or high cholesterol. High blood pressure can cause a number of other health problems, such as heart attack, heart disease, stroke and diabetes.
A diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains is one way to ensure a well-balanced diet that is in tandem with good health conditions. A diet that is low in saturated fats and sodium is another important determinant of health, along with a decrease in consumption of tobacco and alcohol. Some experts think that there are certain genetic determinants of health, although other determinants include the social determinants of health, such as poverty, lack of education and other factors.
In addition to differences in physical characteristics, there are also considerable differences in mental and emotional well-being between states. Research has shown that people living in very poor health conditions have poorer mental health than those who are better off. The studies of twins suggest that genetic differences may account for some of the health differences observed among different states’ residents. Family history of major diseases also appears to play an important role in overall health status. Some diseases and disorders appear to be hereditary, meaning that a person who inherits one or more of a certain disease will likely be predisposed to suffer that disease in the future.
Socio-economic status is another important determinant of health. As well as being a state-level attribute, this factor is also a country-wide one. Income is a major determinant of quality of life. It is also linked to various chronic diseases and health risks. People living in the lowest income groups are more likely to live with chronic conditions, to develop communicable diseases and to have higher rates of death due to illness. To reduce these risks, it is important to make healthy lifestyle choices.