With a population of more than 1.2 billion, India is a nation that is rapidly developing. Because of the country's changing lifestyle, there is an extremely high prevalence of lifestyle diseases in India.

Besides its large population and inadequate healthcare infrastructure, India has a sizable population of vulnerable communities. When they become chronic and affect the majority of people, they are difficult to treat.

What are lifestyle diseases? 

Lifestyle diseases are conditions caused by a person's lifestyle choices. Numerous lifestyle disorders are common in India. Some of these illnesses include obesity, heart disease, and diabetes.

Indian food and the individual’s level of physical activity are frequently to blame for these illnesses. Most people are completely passive and consume high-fat, high-sugar foods. A healthy diet and regular exercise are two methods for avoiding these lifestyle diseases.

Lifestyle diseases in India are common thing now. Poor sanitation, diet, and hygiene contribute to Indian lifestyle diseases. As a result, all Indians must put their health first. Let us look at the list of top 5 lifestyle diseases in India:

Top 5 lifestyle diseases in India

1. Diabetes
2. Cancer
3. Chronic Respiratory Diseases
4. Stroke
5. CVD
   

Diabetes

Diabetes is rapidly becoming a likely epidemic in India, with more than 60 million people suffering from the disease. Diabetes is a chronic lifestyle disease. This situation impairs the body's ability to process blood sugar levels. Diabetes is primarily caused by modern lifestyle changes and unhealthy eating habits in the younger generation.

A healthy, well-balanced diet combined with lifestyle changes can help you control your blood sugar levels and manage diabetes.  Follow the Indian diet plan along with some physical activity to see positive results in your health. 

Cancer

Cancer is now more of a lifestyle disease, caused by tobacco use, obesity, lack of exercise, and regular consumption of junk and fried food. Alcohol consumption also increases the risk of developing oral and lung cancer.

Air pollution and toxic chemicals are choking the lungs in Delhi, leading to an increase in cancer cases. Breast cancer cases have increased in urban areas of India, owing in part to lifestyle changes such as high-stress levels, poor eating habits, irregular sleeping hours, early menarche, late menopause, and increasing maternal age.

Chronic Respiratory Diseases

India accounts for 18% of the total global disease burden of chronic respiratory diseases. The two most common respiratory diseases are asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Despite continuous improvements in India's health infrastructure, deaths from these conditions are on the rise.

One of the major causes of the high COPD death rate is the late diagnosis and failure to adhere to the treatment regimen.

Stroke

A stroke is caused by a blockage in the blood supply to the brain. Strokes can be fatal, but they can also be avoided. Because many stroke risk factors are lifestyle-related, anyone can reduce their risk of having a stroke. Unhealthy eating habits can result in high blood pressure and cholesterol. It can also lead to weight gain.

Cardiovascular Diseases

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are India's leading cause of death. Ischemic heart disease and stroke account for more than 80% of CVD deaths, followed by rheumatic and hypertensive heart disease.

Tobacco use, alcohol consumption, sedentary lifestyle, and insufficient consumption of fruits and vegetables are major risk factors for the high prevalence of CVDs.

Reasons for the increase of lifestyle diseases in India

• Unhealthy diet 
• Use of tobacco, alcohol and other drugs
• Fatigue
• Poor physical fitness
• Poor health habits
• Delay in early detection 
• Poor medical infrastructure
  

Ways to prevent lifestyle diseases

The good news in this situation is that it is possible to eliminate the harmful link between lifestyle and illnesses by adjusting to the former. These four habits are essential to remember to Prevent lifestyle diseases:

• Regular exercise
• Sufficient rest/sleep
• Adoption of good habits
• Regular checkup
  

Remember, precaution is always better than cure. Early diagnosis is key to the treatment of any disease. It's always better you have an early diagnosis from health experts. 

People in India are not hospitalised unless their condition or illness requires surgery or post-operative recovery. It's important to have a personalised OPD health plan. 

Pro Tip: Must read India's best curated OPD health insurance providers.

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