Preventing Chronic Disease

Quit Smoking

Smoking is a major cause of many chronic illnesses. Most people are aware that smoking is a major risk factor for developing lung cancer. However, that's just one of the diseases that smokers are more susceptible to developing. Other illnesses linked to smoking include lung disease, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. The best way to prevent developing these illnesses is to never start smoking, but stopping smoking at any point, even after decades of using tobacco, still reduces the risk of developing chronic illnesses.

• Tobacco and Chronic Disease

• Tobacco and Chronic Disease Prevention

• Additional Benefits of Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle After Quitting Smoking

• Tobacco and Substance Use Prevention and Control

Eating Healthy

Those who are overweight run the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and a host of other chronic illnesses. Losing even 5-7% of an overweight person's starting weight significantly lowers their risk of developing some of these diseases. Beyond weight loss, a healthy, balanced diet that includes lean proteins, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, fruits, and vegetables ensures a person gets a rich variety of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. No matter what someone's budget, culture, pickiness level, or cultural traditions are, they can tweak their diet to incorporate healthy foods and prioritize being fit.

• How Diet Can Help Prevent and Manage Chronic Diseases

• How Healthy Eating Prevents Disease

• Improving Nutrition to Turn the Tide on Diet-Related Chronic Disease

• New Dietary Guidelines Encourage Healthy Eating to Prevent Chronic Diseases

Get Regular Physical Activity

Chronic illnesses can be prevented by regular physical exercise. Those already living with a chronic disease can manage their illness and improve their quality of life by adding exercise into their routines. Most experts suggest incorporating a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate activity each week. It's important to add strength-building activities at least twice a week.

• Physical Activity Fundamental To Preventing Disease

• Avoid Chronic Disease With Regular Physical Activity

• Exercise for Prevention of Chronic Diseases

• Cutting the Risk of Chronic Disease with Physical Activity

Avoid Drinking Too Much Alcohol

Heavy alcohol use is defined as fourteen or more drinks a week for men and seven or more drinks a week for women. Most experts agree that the less alcohol someone consumes, the better off their health will be in the long term. Excessive drinking is a cause of chronic illnesses including liver disease, some cancers, high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. Heavy drinkers who cut back on the amount of alcohol they consume lessen their chances of developing these diseases.

• Alcohol and Chronic Disease Prevention

• Excessive Alcohol Consumption

• Alcohol and Health Series: Cancer and Other Chronic Disease

• Limit Alcohol

Get Screened

Screening tests look for signs of various diseases and disorders. They are done in asymptomatic people. The goal is to find evidence of disease before symptoms begin. Screening for warning signs lets people know they need to make lifestyle changes or seek additional treatment before they develop the full-blown disease.

• Screening for Chronic Conditions

• Screening and Treatment of Chronic Diseases

• General Screening Recommendations for Chronic Disease and Risk Factors in Older Adults

• Screening Tests for Common Diseases

Get Enough Sleep

It's recommended that adults get around seven hours of sleep each night. It's also important that they get high-quality sleep. A good bedtime routine can help people achieve these goals. Quality sleep in sufficient quantities is important to overall health. Lack of sleep is linked to chronic health issues like heart disease, obesity, and diabetes.

• New Evidence on Sleep's Role in Aging and Chronic Disease

• The Scary Truth About Sleep Deprivation and Chronic Diseases

• How Insufficient Sleep Can Affect Your Health

• Sleep 101: Why Sleep Is So Important to Your Health

Know Your Family History

Doctors need patients to share their medical family histories. Patients whose family has a history of osteoporosis, diabetes, cancer, or heart disease are at a higher risk of developing these issues. By working with their doctors, those with these illnesses in their family history can come up with a prevention plan so they can try and avoid developing the disease.

• Role Of Family History In Chronic Illness

• The Role of Family Health History in Predicting Midlife Chronic Disease Outcomes

• 'Coming Down the Line'- Patients' Understanding of Their Family History of Common Chronic Disease

• The Family History - More Important Than Ever

Make Healthy Choices in School and at Work

Stress is another indicator that someone might develop a chronic illness. One reason is that people experiencing chronic stress might turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms like drinking too much, skipping regular exercise, or eating an unbalanced diet. Children should learn healthy stress management techniques early on. Adults can also learn better coping mechanisms so that work stress doesn't derail their health goals.

• Tips to Create Healthier School Environments

• Stress Management and Preventing Chronic Disease

• Stress Can Increase Your Risk for Heart Disease

• How to Manage Stress So That It Doesn't Hurt Your Health