Poor Health
source : http://www.livestrong.com
Top 10 Reasons for Poor Health
Good health is a priceless asset that it is easy to take for granted.
Sometimes poor health is unavoidable. However, poor health can also
arise from years of harmful habits and neglect. Ten common causes of
poor health include cigarette smoking, poor diet, inactivity, lack of
sleep, infectious diseases, genetic disorders, excessive alcohol
consumption, stress, poor oral hygiene and injuries.
Smoking Cigarettes
According to the National Cancer Institute,
cigarette smoking kills around 443,000 people each year. Cigarettes
contain hundreds of harmful chemicals like nicotine, tar and
formaldehyde that are hazardous to your health. Long-term cigarette
smoking can cause cardiovascular disease, cancer and respiratory
problems.
Poor Diet
Eating an unhealthy diet is a surefire way to
worsen your health. Diets composed of foods that are high in fat, salt,
sugar and calories can lead to health problems like weight gain,
diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
Inactivity
Being inactive can deteriorate your health by
making your muscles weak, stiff, sore and more vulnerable to injury.
Without regular activity, your body will fail to burn calories, causing
you to gain weight. Staying sedentary for too long can also decrease
your energy.
Infectious Diseases
Infectious diseases like the flu, chickenpox
and HIV sicken and kill millions of people each year. Infectious
diseases occur when a person comes in contact with someone or something
that is infected with germs like viruses and bacteria. Common methods of
transmission include breathing, kissing, drinking and having
unprotected sex.
Genetic Disorders
A genetic disorder is one that you inherit
from your family members. Some genetic disorders, such as congenital
heart defects, can be present at birth. Other genetic disorders, such as
rheumatoid arthritis, may surface later in life. Genetic disorders can
be mild, crippling or even deadly.
Excessive Alcohol Consumption
While having an occasional drink is alright,
consuming alcoholic beverages in excess can affect your health.
According to MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of
Medicine, regularly drinking large amounts of alcohol can damage your
liver and increase your risk of developing cancer.
Stress
Stress can be extremely taxing on both your
physical and emotional health. Common causes of stress include financial
strain, family conflicts and problems at work. According to the Mayo
Clinic, chronic stress can cause health problems like depression,
insomnia and heart disease.
Poor Oral Hygiene
Poor oral hygiene is a commonly overlooked
cause of poor health. Brushing and flossing your teeth at least twice a
day is essential to keeping your mouth clean and healthy. According to
Mayo Clinic, not taking care of your teeth and gums can cause tooth
decay, gum disease and oral cancer. Research also suggests that heart
disease may be linked to oral bacteria from gum disease.
Injuries
Getting injured can affect your health by
causing you to experience pain, stiffness or reduced range of motion.
Injuries can arise from car accidents, falls and improper lifting.
Common injuries include broken bones, fractures, sprains, strains and
tears.
