Top 10 Deadliest Diseases in World - Risk Factors & Prevention

When we think of the deadliest diseases in the world, our mind probably jumps to the fast-acting, incurable ones. But the true fact is that, many of these types of diseases don’t rank in the top 10 causes of worldwide deaths. An estimate of 56.4 million people Trusted Source passed away worldwide in 2015 and 68 percent of them were due to diseases that progressed slowly. So, the top 10 diseases causing deaths worldwide, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) are:

Ischemic heart disease or coronary artery disease

The deadliest disease in the world is coronary artery disease, which is commonly known as ischemic heart disease. It occurs when the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart become narrowed. If this disease is left untreated it can lead to chest pain, heart failure, and arrhythmias.

Impact of Coronary artery disease across the world

This disease is still the leading cause of death, mortality rates have declined in many European countries and in the United States. This decrease is due to better public health education, access to healthcare, and forms of prevention. However, in many developing nations, mortality rates of CAD is rising day by day. It's estimated that every 40 seconds someone dies in U.S.A due to this diseases.

Risk factors of CAD includes :

High blood pressure

High cholesterol

Smoking

Someone having in family

Diabetes

Overweigh

Prevention

Exercising regularly and stay fit

Maintaining yourself and a healthy weight

Eating well balanced diet that’s low in sodium and high in fruits and vegetables

Avoiding smoking and stay away from pollution

Drinking only in moderation

so, around 15.5% deaths worldwide are due to this diseases.

Stroke

It occurs when an artery in your brain is blocked. This causes the oxygen-deprived brain cells to begin dying within minutes which can cause death sometimes. During a stroke, you feel sudden confusion or have trouble walking and seeing. If left untreated it can cause long-term disability. People who receive treatment within 3 hours  are less likely to have disabilities.

Risk factors of stroke

High blood pressure

Family history

Smoking, especially when combined with oral contraceptives

If you are African-American

Being female

Prevention

Controlling high blood pressure

Maintain a healthy lifestyle

Regular exercise

Healthy diet

Avoid smoking

Around 11.1% people die due to stokes worldwide

Lower respiratory infections

A lower respiratory infection is an infection in your lungs. It can be due to influenza or the flu, pneumonia, bronchitis, tuberculosis and some viruses. The main symptom of a lower respiratory infection is Coughing. If it is left Untreated lower respiratory infections can lead to breathing failure and death.

Risk factors

Flu

Air pollution or poor air quality

Smoking

Weak immune system

HIV

Asthma

Prevention

Get the flu shot every year

People having pneumonia can get a vaccine

Wash your hands soap and water to avoid  bacteria

Stay at home and rest

5.7% people died worldwide due to this diseases

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)

It is also a lungs disease that lasts for a long-term that makes breathing difficult. There are two types of COPD, which are Chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

Risk factors

Smoking or second hand smoke

Lung irritants like chemical fumes

Someone in family with the AATD gene being linked to COPD

Prevention

There’s no cure for COPD but can slowed by medication

stop smoking

Avoid secondhand smoke

5.6% people died worldwide due to this diseases

Trachea, bronchus, and lung cancers

Cancers of the trachea, larynx, bronchus, and lungs are all Respiratory cancers. The main causes are smoking and environmental toxins/ Pollution.

Impact of respiratory cancers around the world

Reports justify that respiratory cancer accounts for about 4 million deaths annually. In developing countries, 81- to 100-percent increase in respiratory cancers due to pollution and smoking. Many Asian countries, especially India, still use coal and wood for cooking. Solid fuel emissions effects  17 percent of lung cancer deaths in men and 22 percent in women.

Risk factors

Smoking or tobacco use

Diesel fumes

Pollution

Prevention

Stop smoking and avoid use of tobacco.

3% people died worldwide due to this diseases

Diabetes mellitus

Diabetes is a diseases that affect insulin production and use. There are two types of diabetes.  In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas can’t produce insulin and cause isn’t known. In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insuline and that insuline cantbe used effectively and the cause of  Type 2 diabetes is known which includes poor diet, lack of exercise, and overweight.

Impact of diabetes around the world

People in low- to middle-income countries or you can say poor or developing countries are more likely to die of complications from diabetes.

Risk factors

Over weight

High blood pressure(BP)

Older age

Not exercising regularly

An unhealthy diet

Prevention

Diabetes isn’t always preventable, you can control

Exercising regularly

Good nutrition

Adding more fiber to your diet

2.8% people died worldwide due to this diseases

Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias

When you think of Alzheimer’s disease, you might think of a loss of memory, but you might not think of a loss of life. It affects our brain and makes it weak and we lose our power of thinking, reasoning, and typical behavior. The common type of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease. This disease starts off by causing mild memory problems, difficulty recalling information, and slips in recollection. With time, however, the disease progresses and you may not have memory of large periods of time.

Risk factors

Being older

Inheriting genes for the disease

Down syndrome

unhealthy lifestyle

Having  head trauma earlier

Prevention

No currently way to prevent Alzheimer but can be slowed down

Healthy diet, eat fruits and vegetables

Intake low saturated fats food

Lean fish

2.7% people died worldwide due to this diseases

Dehydration due to diarrheal diseases

Diarrhea is also called loose motions i.e when you pass three or more loose stools in a day.  Diarrhea causes dehydration, which can lead to death and dehydration is caused when body looses salt and water. It is usually caused by an intestinal virus or bacteria transmitted through contaminated water or food. More in developing nations with poor sanitary conditions.

Impact of diarrheal diseases around the world

It is the second top cause of death in children younger than 5 years. Around 760,000 children die from diarrheal diseases each year.

Risk factors

Poor sanitary

Dirty water

Malnourishment

Weak immune system

Digestion problem

Prevention

Good hygiene

Good handwash

Healthy diet

Water quality

2.5% people died worldwide due to this diseases

Tuberculosis(TB)

TB is a lung condition caused called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. We can have TB in spine , brain and lungs . It’s a treatable diseases. The cases of TB have fallen in last Ten years. The goal is to end TB by 2030

Risk factors

Diabetes

HIV

Lower body weight

Prevention

Get Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine.

Start with medicine i.e Chemoprophylaxi

2.4% people died worldwide due to this diseases

Cirrhosis

Cirrhosis is a liver diseases, it is a long term scarring and damage to liver.The damage may be due to kidney diseases or it can be caused by conditions like hepatitis and chronic alcoholism.

Risk factors

Drinking excess of Alcohol

Fat accumulation around liver

Chronic viral hepatitis

Prevention

Avoid alcohol

Eat fruits and green vegetables

Eat food with low sugar and fat

2.1% people died worldwide due to this diseases

So, these are top 10 Deadliest Diseases in world which many of you may not be aware of.