Did you know that there are many medical conditions that are considered as silent diseases? It is important to know their warning signs so you can seek immediate medical help when they strike.
The danger signs of silent diseases are subtle in nature. Most of the signs and symptoms are ignored and even undetected for many years. If left untreated, these warning signs may lead to serious complications and even death.
Millions of people are suffering from these silent diseases without full knowledge that they have it. It then becomes imperative to spread awareness about these diseases in order for people to get diagnosed and treated as soon as possible.
- Colon Cancer
Colon cancer cases have increased significantly in recent years. To date, it is known to be the third most common form of cancer in the United States.
The abnormal growth of tumor in the colon or return does not develop overnight. Colon cancer usually starts as a non-cancerous polyp. When polyps are left untreated, these small growths can mutate into cancer cells.
The prognosis for colon cancer is good provided the cancerous cells are removed during its early state. Up to 90% success is guaranteed among men and women who have early detection and removal of colon cancer cells.
Just like any other disease, prevention is better than cure. Colorectal cancer screenings are a must if you want polyps be nipped in the bud sooner than later.
Signs and symptoms that may indicate colon cancer are low blood count, unexplained weight loss, abdominal pain, irregular gas, constipation, diarrhea, and bloody stool just to name a few.
- Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is common in women but can plague a small percentage of men too. It’s considered a silent disease there are no symptoms during its early stages. When left untreated, it can lea to irreversible bone deterioration, making them thin and brittle.
Besides the fact that early signs of osteoporosis are hard to detect, this condition can strike at any age.
Some of the early signs of osteoporosis are as follows:
- loss of height
- back pain
- poor posture
- bone fracture as a result of a minor fall or injury
The most likely victims of osteoporosis are post-menopausal women of Asian or Caucasian descent. Other predisposing factors include lack of exercise, smoking, unhealthy diet, genetics, and small-boned frame.
If you fall under any of the risk factors, it is recommended to undergo bone mineral density test for early diagnosis and treatment. Prevention is key, thus it is best to exercise regularly, eat nutritious food, limit alcohol intake, and smoking cessation just to name a few.
- Fatty Liver Disease
Fatty liver disease refers to a medical condition wherein the liver is incapable of breaking down fats. Once this happens, the fats accumulate in the liver tissues resulting malfunction. Fatty liver disease can be caused by alcoholism or may not be related to the condition altogether.
Alcoholic liver disease is mainly due to excessive alcohol consumption. The cause of non-alcoholic liver disease is still unknown.
There are no noticeable symptoms during the early stages of fatty liver disease. During its early stages, fatty liver disease is not harmful at all. It’s only during the later stages of the disease that the liver is filled with fats which in turn causes inflammation and scarring.
Symptoms during the later of the disease are as follows:
- dull or aching pain in the abdominal region
- easy fatigability
- loss of appetite
- malaise
People predisposed to developing fatty live disease are those who have had gastric bypass surgery in the past. Other risk factors associated with this condition are high cholesterol levels, obesity, sleep apnea, type 2 diabetes, underactive thyroid and pituitary gland, and obesity to name a few.
- Coronary Artery Disease
One silent disease that can cause massive damage to the circulatory system is coronary artery disease. This condition features the accumulation of plaque along the arterial walls. The buildup of plaque results in the narrowing of the arteries over time. The plaque build can cause total blockage of blood flow to other parts of the body. Chronic coronary artery disease can cause weakening of the heart muscles and permanent heart failure.
Risk factors associated with CAD areL
- unhealthy diet
- smoking
- lack of exercise
- obesity
- genetics
It is recommended to undergo regular heart checkups if you are identified as high risk for CAD. Other preventive measures that you should follow to avoid developing this condition are smoking cessation, regular exercise, and a healthy diet.
- Hypertension
Hypertension refers to a medical condition wherein an individual’s blood pressure reading exceeds 140/90 mmHG.
To date, there are about 70 million Americans who suffer from hypertension. This means that 1 out of 3 adults in the US experience high blood pressure on a regular basis.
Hypertension usually develops in people who have developed the following practices:
- high sodium intake
- chronic stress
- anxiety
- excessive alcohol iintake
- sedentary lifestyle
Symptoms only appear when the blood pressure is extremely high:
- shortness of breath
- nosebleed
- headache
When left untreated blood pressure may result in more serious heart disease and even stroke. It is always best to measure blood pressure levels at home, or at a clinic. If the blood pressure readings are too high, it is best to get maintenance medications to keep them normal.
