10 Beats, 2022 Version: The biggest threats to our health

Lice and frogs probably do not scare you too much, but in the modern age we are all required to deal with quite a few much more dramatic threats.

So after the Corona took over the title of the scary blow of the last two years, these are some more blows, new and old, that are worth getting to know and beware of.

Maor Moiger

15/04/2022

Friday, 15 April 2022, 01:48

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If you google the word "epidemic", most of the results will be related to corona of course, but the truth is that even before this virus entered our lives, and even these days, the World Health Organization and public health experts have warned and warned of more and more common threats around the world.

As the world changes, so do the challenges we are required to face and evolve.

And while physicians and scientists are thinking about how to minimize damage at the global level, it's important that we too be aware of the dangers - and the right ways to deal with them.

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1. Obesity

Throughout most of human history, hunger has been a major cause of death all over the world.

Today, of course, hunger is still present in the lives of many, but alongside it, the culture of abundance and globalization also create the opposite problem - when you can eat whenever and however much you want, it is also easier to suffer the dangerous consequences of obesity.

In 1997, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared obesity a global epidemic.

In 2020, the organization released data showing that more than 1.9 billion people over the age of 18 are overweight, and more than 650 million of them are obese and considered harmful and dangerous.

Experts estimate that if this trend continues, by 2030 more than half of the world’s population will be overweight to one degree or another.

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In Israel, data from the Ministry of Health show that one in four citizens is obese or overweight, with about 4,000 dying each year as a result of direct or indirect effects of the phenomenon.

Therefore, in 2018, the Israel Medical Association declared that obesity is a disease in every way, which must be treated and treated accordingly.

2. Loneliness

In the last two years, we have all felt well how destructive and loneliness in the home can be.

Unsurprisingly, official data also show that loneliness can be detrimental to mental and physical health, in a way that can actually be seen in tests for indices of inflammation, cholesterol, blood sugar and even brain function.

Young people today are more lonely than the previous generation.

Illustration of a depressed woman (Photo: ShutterStock)

Even before the corona made most of us much more isolated, the World Health Organization warned that loneliness is an epidemic in itself and should be treated as such.

And unfortunately, the harms of loneliness are much more noticeable in older people, who ironically are also required to maintain more than anyone else social distance in the waves of eruption.

At the same time, studies show that even young people and teenagers, suffer from loneliness at rates that are much higher than those of their parent generation.

These are alarming data that could produce a long-term impact on public health in the future.

This understanding requires reference at the global level, but can also push each of us to take small and large actions that will make him and others around him feel a little less lonely.

3. Stress and anxiety

In 2016 the World Health Organization issued a warning against chronic stress, which it described as "the most dangerous epidemic of the 21st century".

Stress, we emphasize, is an essential emotion that has always helped humans and animals respond quickly to dangers and improve their chances of survival.

In the modern world, stress can do more harm than good, as it is triggered not only in response to immediate dangers, but almost every day, driving, working, studying, meaningless arguments and countless other opportunities.

The World Health Organization noted in this context that "in the modern world, stress levels and unhappiness are only rising. This is becoming the 'new normal' for many, leading to declining productivity and an increased risk of a long line of diseases that develop slowly and quietly - such as high blood pressure, diabetes, "Heart and chronic inflammation. All of these can develop and worsen as a result of constant stress."

Crohn's and other inflammatory bowel diseases

Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease that is considered most common in Jews of Ashkenazi descent and in general in people in developed areas and high socio-economic status.

The disease has a genetic basis, but it has been diagnosed in more people in recent decades.

Experts estimate that the reasons for this may be related to, among other things, higher awareness of the disease, low exposure to bacteria in childhood and possibly also the use of certain medications such as birth control pills or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

In addition, it has been found that the disease is more common among smokers.

Iris Cole interviews Dr. Eyal Hirsch of Ichilov on inflammatory bowel disease (Walla system)

In Israel, the prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease, to which Crohn's belongs, is the highest in the world, with almost 40,000 Israelis suffering from it.

The good news is that nowadays it is easier to diagnose the problem and treat it properly.

Symptoms of these diseases include constipation, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea and fever.

And while Crohn's is a chronic, incurable disease, it can certainly be controlled and reduced, using medication and adjusting to a healthier diet, with the help of a qualified nutritionist.

5. Endometriosis

According to various estimates, endometriosis occurs in between 10 and 15 percent of women of childbearing age, but although it is considered very common, the length of time that elapses before diagnosis is currently about 12 years on average.

The disease can manifest itself in significant menstrual pain, increased menstrual bleeding, pain during intercourse, gastrointestinal disorders, pain and tenderness in the pelvic area, chronic fatigue, depression and even difficulty conceiving.

Today, scientists still do not know how to unambiguously explain the causes of the development of endometriosis, but it is considered one of the most intriguing and researched diseases in recent years, which may well lead to interesting conclusions in the near future.

One of the most intriguing and researched diseases in recent years.

Illustration of a uterus (Photo: ShutterStock)

The good news is that awareness of the issue has certainly risen in recent years and in March 2021, the Ministry of Health even recognized endometriosis as a chronic disease that deserves treatment under the health basket.

This, among other things, is due to the long-standing efforts of an organization called the "Community of Endometriosis Israel", which works to promote awareness, research and provide appropriate rights for women who are dealing with the common situation.

6. AIDS and HIV

The HIV virus, first identified in 1981, has since claimed more than 25 million lives worldwide.

AIDS, which develops in the absence of treatment after a few years from the date of infection, is still defined by the World Health Organization as an active worldwide epidemic.

It is still not possible to cure HIV today, but the treatment of the virus has improved dramatically.

HIV carriers who receive drug treatment, can not infect others and do not suffer from adverse health effects.

In addition, recent studies show that those who take regular preventative treatment (PrEP) are immune to 99 percent infection.

In some countries of the world, especially those that subsidize preventive care for people at risk, there has been a decrease in infections in recent years.

In Israel, in 2020 there was a decrease of 6.7 percent in the rate of infection compared to 2019.

Today, experts in Israel hope for a further decline in the future in light of moves such as lowering preventive care, as well as improving awareness of periodic check-ups.

The World Health Organization has even announced an ambitious initiative to eradicate HIV by 2030, although in some countries of the world the rate of infection is not declining or even rising.

7. Chronic infections

Inflammation is one of the important weapons in the arsenal of the immune system, which helps fight bacteria and viruses, but in some cases, it is precisely this vital response that can be excessive and harmful.

For example, persistent and significant inflammation may increase the risk of autoimmune diseases, diabetes, heart disease and even certain types of cancer.

Inflammation can develop as a result of factors beyond our control, such as injury, sabotage or infection.

In addition, as you get older, the incidence of chronic infections increases on average.

However, there are factors that increase the risk of chronic infections and can certainly be controlled.

Among other things, studies show that foods high in fats and carbohydrates, stress, sleep problems, smoking and obesity - all of these can increase the rate of inflammation in the body and thus also the risk of common diseases we mentioned here.

8. Heart disease

In contrast to other diseases in this disrespectful list, when examining the data on heart disease in Israel, we see that since the 1980s until today, there has been a consistent and significant decrease in mortality.

However, heart disease is still defined as the second most common cause of death in Israel, while at the global level, it is the most common cause of death.

You can definitely lower the risk.

Woman suffers from chest pain (Photo: ShutterStock, Creative Cat Studio)

Heart disease, it is important to understand, has always been in the world and will probably also be an integral part of the human experience in the future.

But anyone can certainly reduce the risk of dying from such an illness for themselves and their loved ones, through increasing awareness of the dangers, performing periodic checkups, exercising, reducing stress, eating a healthy diet and avoiding smoking.

9. Cancer

And like heart disease, cancer has always been and will always be present in our lives.

In Israel, it is the most common cause of death and the risk of it increases as you grow older and as your standard of living and life expectancy increase.

Of course in the foreseeable future, we will not be able to defeat cancer for all its types and forms of action.

However, the diagnostic capabilities, treatments and rehabilitation efforts are only getting better all the time.

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In general, raising health awareness and developing positive habits can certainly help in this complex arena as well.

Simply put, as mentioned here earlier, periodic checkups, helpful habits and frequent visits to the doctor will help identify the threats in a timely manner, facilitate their treatment and improve your chances of recovery.

To do this, you should first understand if you are at increased risk, by examining your family history and performing tests that assess your level of risk of getting sick.

10. Neurological diseases

Various diseases can affect the brain and nervous system, in a way that in some cases will be irreversible.

The most well-known diseases in this group are dementia, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, ALS and more.

And like cancer and heart disease, the incidence of these diseases increases as you get older.

Therefore in the current era, when life expectancy is higher than in the past, so more older people will be required to deal with neurological diseases.

More older people are required to deal with neurological diseases.

Illustration of a brain erased (Photo: ShutterStock)

We all hope that in the future the capabilities of diagnosing and treating these frightening diseases will improve.

Today, we emphasize, there is no known way to prevent the onset of these diseases, but for the sake of optimism it is worth remembering that there are certainly many and varied actions that can reduce the risk of developing them and even slow down their progression if they do occur.

In general, scientists emphasize that the more you challenge and challenge your brain throughout life, the lower the risk of neurological diseases in old age.

Studies suggest that a long list of actions - from solving crossword puzzles and puzzles, through learning a new language to playing and dancing - may all improve the chances of prolonging a healthy life and reducing the risk of degenerative diseases.

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• Endometriosis

• Crohn's

• loneliness

• Corona

• obesity