Common Chronic Diseases

Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood glucose.   

There are two main types of diabetes:

Type 1 diabetes: This type of diabetes is an autoimmune disease that causes the body's immune system to attack and destroy the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. People with type 1 diabetes must take insulin every day to survive.   

Type 2 diabetes: This type of diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. It occurs when the body becomes resistant to the effects of insulin or when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin. This type of diabetes is often associated with lifestyle factors, such as obesity and lack of physical activity.

Heart disease is a general term for conditions that affect the heart or blood vessels. It is a leading cause of death worldwide. There are many different types of heart disease, including:

• Coronary artery disease (CAD): This is the most common type of heart disease. It occurs when the arteries that supply blood to the heart become narrowed or blocked. This can lead to chest pain (angina), heart attack, or even sudden cardiac death.  

• Heart failure: This occurs when the heart muscle is too weak or stiff to pump blood effectively. This can lead to shortness of breath, fatigue, and swelling in the legs.

• Arrhythmia: This is an abnormal heart rhythm. It can cause symptoms like palpitations, dizziness, or fainting.

• Heart valve disease: This occurs when one or more of the heart's valves doesn't work properly. This can lead to symptoms like shortness of breath, fatigue, and swelling in the legs.

• Congenital heart defects: These are heart defects that are present at birth. They can range from mild to severe.

Asthma is a chronic lung disease that inflames and narrows the airways. This makes it difficult to breathe and can trigger coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness.

Asthma symptoms can vary from person to person and can range from mild to severe. Common symptoms include:

• Coughing, especially at night or after exercise

• Wheezing, a whistling sound when you breathe out

• Shortness of breath

• Chest tightness

• Difficulty sleeping

A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted, depriving brain cells of oxygen and nutrients. This can cause brain cells to die, leading to permanent damage. There are two main types of stroke:

• Ischemic Stroke: This is the most common type of stroke, accounting for about 87% of all strokes. It occurs when a blood clot blocks blood flow to the brain.   

• Hemorrhagic Stroke: This type of stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures and bleeds.   

Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is a common condition where the pressure in your blood vessels is too high. This can damage your blood vessels and lead to serious health problems, such as heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease.  Hypertension often has no symptoms, which is why it's known as the "silent killer." 

High cholesterol is a condition where you have too much cholesterol in your blood. Cholesterol is a waxy substance that your body needs to build healthy cells, but high levels can lead to serious health problems, such as heart disease and stroke.  
 

There are two main types of cholesterol:   

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol: Often referred to as "bad" cholesterol, high levels of LDL cholesterol can lead to plaque buildup in your arteries.   

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol: Often referred to as "good" cholesterol, HDL cholesterol helps remove LDL cholesterol from your bloodstream.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive lung disease that makes it difficult to breathe. It's characterized by airflow limitation that worsens over time.

Symptoms of COPD include:

• Shortness of breath, especially during physical activity   

• Chronic cough, often producing mucus (sputum)   

• Wheezing   

• Chest tightness   

• Frequent respiratory infections   

• Fatigue