Patients will visit doctors’ offices complaining of different symptoms or health conditions, and some of these appear due to circumstances outside of the patient’s control. People can develop chronic diseases based on their genealogy, meaning there is simply no way to prevent the health condition from forming and becoming part of their life. 

 

At the same time, there is a long list of preventable health concerns that doctors have to deal with every day. Ask your primary care doctor what a preventable health condition is, and they’ll explain that it’s something you have more control over. It’s a condition that manifests based on more than just your genes or whether it’s been passed down through generations of your lineage. You’re looking at health issues that are directly linked to lifestyle choices – and they’re a big problem. 

 

Preventable diseases and health concerns occupy a lot of time for healthcare institutions, taking up resources that could be better directed to those with medical conditions they have no control over. With that in mind, here are some of the most common preventable health problems doctors see today.

Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a term that groups many diseases that all affect the heart and blood vessels. Within this umbrella term, you have a variety of conditions like coronary heart disease, peripheral arterial disease, high blood pressure and many others. Many of these are caused by atherosclerosis, a condition where fats, cholesterol and other substances build up on the walls of the arteries, creating narrowings which make it more difficult for blood to flow.

 

This group of diseases often develops without any noticeable symptoms at first, and all increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes. They are driven by high blood pressure, smoking, poor diet and lack of physical activity, all of which increase a person’s risk of developing the condition. Managing these risk factors can significantly lower the chance of occurrence. A doctor will want to perform regular blood pressure checks, encourage a balanced diet and exercise, as well as give medication when needed to manage a person’s likelihood of developing one of the many conditions linked to cardiovascular disease.

Type 2 Diabetes

If not diagnosed in good time, diabetes can be a really serious condition with deadly consequences. It’s a chronic condition where the body can no longer produce enough insulin or the cells become resistant to it. The result is that sugar in the blood builds up instead of being stored and used for energy to power your body. If blood sugar remains too high for too long, it can have other serious health consequences, like causing heart attacks, kidney damage and many other complications.

 

Fortunately, type 2 diabetes is fairly symptomatic. Feeling especially tired, more thirsty and losing weight unintentionally can all be common signs you’re developing the condition. Certain groups of individuals are more likely to get type 2 diabetes; these include:

 

  • Over 40’s
  • From a South Asian, Chinese, Black African or Black Caribbean background
  • Family history
  • Overweight and not active
  • Other health conditions, like high blood pressure

 

The chance of getting type 2 diabetes can be easily monitored and prevented with regular blood sugar checks, physical activity, changes to diet, and weight management where needed. Even then, a lot of people have a higher risk naturally and may still go on to develop the condition because of genetics, so not every single case is preventable.

Skin Cancer

Many types of skin cancer develop due to damage to cells’ DNA. That damage is mostly caused by a single environmental trigger, UV radiation, and means that many consider it one of the most preventable types of cancer. UV radiation from the sun can reach your skin even when you’re trying to stay out of it. It comes through glass and clouds and bounces off snow and water, but it can still be blocked from reaching your skin through SPF, reduced outdoor time, covering up skin and seeking shade.

 

Not everyone has the same risk of developing types of skin cancers. Those with lighter complexions, blue or green eyes, as well as red or blond hair, are at a greater risk because their bodies produce less melanin, which is the body’s natural defense against UV radiation. People who go out more in the sun are also at a much greater risk, especially if they have a history of getting burned. According to Cancer Research UK, those who use sunbeds also dramatically increase their risk of getting skin cancer by 59% if they start before they turn 35. 

Liver Disease

Liver disease is another umbrella term for a group of different conditions affecting the liver. It’s defined as any condition that impacts the liver’s role, reducing its ability to filter out toxins and aid digestion. Not all are preventable, but many, like alcohol related disease and fatty liver disease, can be avoided.

 

Early-stage liver disease shows little to no symptoms, but once significant damage has occurred, an individual might start experiencing a range of signs, including:

 

  • Chronic fatigue
  • Weakness
  • Yellowing eyes and skin
  • Abdominal swelling
  • Itchy skin

 

For alcohol related liver disease or fatty liver disease, developing the conditions is highly preventable. Diet and alcohol can have a massive impact on the risk of damaging your liver, so by drinking less and sticking to a healthy diet, both will dramatically reduce that risk. Regular blood work can also help to keep an eye on your liver function and to see whether more intervention is needed before it’s too late and irreversible.

 

Many of the conditions and health problems that doctors see today, including cardiovascular disease,  type 2 diabetes, liver disease and skin cancer, can all be addressed long before they turn into more serious health concerns. Through preventative measures and simple lifestyle shifts, such as exercising, eating a balanced diet, reducing UV exposure and limiting alcohol, the risk of developing these health conditions can be greatly reduced. Although not every condition is entirely preventable, remaining proactive about your health by getting regular checkups and making manageable improvements can help protect your wellbeing long term.