Four Major Diseases linked to smoking

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2021), Cigarette smoking damages almost every organ in the body, leading to numerous diseases and overall health decline. In the United States, smoking is responsible for over 480,000 deaths each year, nearly one in five deaths. For women, smoking can make it more difficult to conceive and can adversely affect a baby’s health before and after birth. In men, smoking can reduce sperm quality, decreasing fertility and increasing the risk of congenital disabilities and miscarriage. Smoking also harms oral health, potentially leading to tooth loss. Moreover, it increases the risk of cataracts, which cloud the eye’s lens and impair vision. It can cause age-related macular degeneration (AMD), damaging a small spot near the retina’s center needed for central vision. Additionally, smoking is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus and can complicate its management, with active smokers having a 30-40% higher risk of developing diabetes compared to nonsmokers (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2021).

The four major diseases linked to smoking are

• Cardiovascular Diseases
  • Increased mortality rates due to smoking.
  • Elevated risk of ischemic heart diseases.
• Respiratory Conditions
  • Smoking is a primary cause of chronic respiratory deaths.
  • Increased risk of respiratory diseases and tuberculosis.
• Stroke
  • A Study reports a Positive correlation between smoking prevalence and stroke-related deaths.
• Lung Cancer
  • Study reports there is a higher likelihood of lung cancer with increased daily cigarette consumption . https://doi.org/10.1080/15332640.2018.1511493 https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-19336-6 https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/health_effects/effects_cig_smoking/index.htm
    Depression: 6 Healthy lifestyle habits to help you feel better

    Depression can arise from a multitude of factors, such as genetic, environmental, psychological, and biochemical ones. According to samhsa.gov, a person is more likely to experience depression if they have trauma, significant life changes, stress, a family history of depression, physical illnesses (like diabetes, cancer, or Parkinson’s disease), or as a side effect of certain medications. A minimum of two weeks must pass with some of these symptoms and signs being present almost daily to be diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder: Persistent sadness, hopelessness, pessimism, emptiness, lack of energy, feeling guilty or unworthy. The lack of interest or pleasure in pastimes, alterations in appetite that result in either weight gain or loss, Slower speech, movement, or thought, increased fidgeting, having difficulty focusing, thinking coherently, or making decisions, Suicidal thoughts, suicidal attempts, thoughts of death, or self-harming behavior are some of the signs and symptoms of depression.

    Strategies to feel better are;

    1. Self-care. Practice stress-reduction techniques like tai chi or meditation. Get enough sleep, exercise, and eat a balanced diet. For the most part, adults require 7 to 9 hours of sleep. Refrain from using recreational drugs and alcohol, as these can exacerbate symptoms and complicate the treatment of depression.
    2. Educating family and friends about depression: They can assist you in identifying early indicators that your depression might be relapsing.
    3. Maintain your treatment regimen. Continue taking your medication and attending therapy sessions even after you feel better. Sudden medication discontinuation may result in withdrawal symptoms and a relapse of depression. Work with your physician to modify your medication or dosage to adhere to your treatment plan if necessary.
    4. Make modest, achievable goals: realistic goals to increase motivation and self-assurance. During the first stages of care, you might want to walk, have lunch with a friend, or make a bed. Gradually increase your goals as you get better.
    5. Identify the warning signs: Determine what triggers your depression, and if you notice any unusual changes in your feelings, thoughts, or behavior, speak with your doctor or a mental health professional. Keep a journal of your daily emotions, feelings, and reactions to identify trends and identify the things that lead to depression.
    6. Seek support. Maintaining relationships with people is crucial, especially during difficult times or periods, regardless of whether you receive support from family or a support group https://www.samhsa.gov/mental-health/depression

    Coronary Heart Disease risk factors: Measures for Reduction

    Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) is a chronic and intricate ailment associated with substantial morbidity and mortality, primarily attributed to atherosclerotic lesions in coronary vessels, ultimately leading to myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke. Unhealthy eating habits, often influenced by chronic inflammation, are closely linked to CHD (Wu et al., 2022). Also, According to CDC (2019), various health conditions, lifestyle choices, as well as your age and family history can elevate the risk of developing heart disease; approximately 47% of Americans have at least one of the three primary risk factors for heart disease: high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol levels, and smoking. Certain risk factors for heart disease, such as age or family history, are beyond your control. However, you can proactively reduce your risk by changing the factors you can control.

    Behaviors that heighten the risk for heart disease are

    • Smoking: The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) estimates that cardiovascular disease causes 800,000 deaths and 400,000 premature deaths per year (Brown et al., 2023). About one-fifth and one-third of these result from smoking, respectively. Additionally, research reported that smoking resulted in a 51% increased risk of coronary heart disease in patients with diabetes (Brown et al., 2023). According to the CDC (2019), Cigarette smoking has the potential to harm the heart and blood vessels, amplifying the risk for heart conditions like atherosclerosis and heart attacks. Even nonsmokers face an increased risk of heart disease when exposed to secondhand smoke.
    • Excessive alcohol consumption can elevate blood pressure and elevate the risk of heart disease. It also leads to increased triglyceride levels, a fatty substance in the blood associated with an elevated risk of heart disease.
    • Sedentary lifestyle: Insufficient physical activity is a precursor to heart disease and can strengthen the likelihood of other medical conditions that serve as risk factors, including obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. Engaging in regular physical activity can effectively decrease the risk of heart disease.
    • Unhealthy Eating Habits: A diet rich in saturated fats, trans fats, and cholesterol has been associated with heart disease and related conditions like atherosclerosis (CDC,2019). Recent research has provided more explicit evidence that trans-fat significantly raises the risk of cardiovascular disease by adversely affecting lipids, endothelial function, insulin resistance, and inflammation. For each 2% increase in calories consumed from trans-fat, there is a 23% higher risk of coronary artery disease (Brown et al., 2023). Recent studies and systematic reviews have focused on red and processed meat consumption. The research consistently demonstrates an increased risk of coronary heart disease and cardiovascular events. The risk ranges from 15% to 29% higher with red meat consumption and 23% to 42% higher with processed meat consumption (Brown et al., 2023).

    Measures for Reducing the Risk of Coronary Heart Disease

    •  Educating children and adolescents about the dangers of smoking to deter the initiation of tobacco use. The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) reported that the risk of coronary artery disease decreases to the level of lifetime nonsmokers within four years of quitting and within ten years. 
    • The DASH, Mediterranean, and vegetarian diets have the most evidence for cardiovascular disease prevention. The DASH diet has been shown to lower systolic blood pressure by up to 11.5 mmHg in adults with hypertension. Additionally, reported findings indicate a 21% reduction in coronary artery disease risk with adopting the DASH diet (Brown et al., 2023).
    •  The American Heart Association suggests substituting saturated fat with polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats. A 5% shift from saturated fat to polyunsaturated fat consumption is linked to a 10% lower risk of coronary artery disease (Brown et al., 2023).
    • Engaging in about 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity significantly lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease. Moderate-intensity aerobic exercise is characterized by activity that maintains a heart rate between 50 to 70 percent of the individual’s maximum heart rate, calculated as 220 beats per minute minus the person’s age (Brown et al., 2023).

    Citations

    Wu, L., Shi, Y., Kong, C., Zhang, J., & Chen, S. (2022). Dietary Inflammatory Index and Its Association with the Prevalence of Coronary Heart Disease among 45,306 US Adults. Nutrients, 14(21), 4553. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14214553

    CDC. (2019, December). Know Your Risk for Heart Disease | cdc.gov. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/risk_factors.htm#print

    Brown, J. C., Gerhardt, T. E., & Kwon, E. (2023, January 23). Risk Factors For Coronary Artery Disease. PubMed; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554410/

    Risk Factors for Uterine Fibroids Among Black Women

    Uterine fibroids (UFs) represent the most prevalent non-cancerous tumors among women of reproductive age. Symptomatic fibroids can lead to significant health issues and are the primary reason for hysterectomies in the United States and globally, contributing to substantial socioeconomic impacts and affecting over 70% of women of reproductive age (Langton et al., 2024). African American women tend to develop fibroids approximately 10 years earlier than White women in the US and bear a disproportionate health burden from these tumors

    Black women experience UFs at higher rates, with an earlier onset, more severe symptoms, and faster disease progression compared to other groups.

    According to Sithembinkosi Ndebele (2024), 85% of participants were non-Hispanic Blacks. Black participants had a higher likelihood of a UF diagnosis, and the following risk factors were reported contributing to the high prevalence of UFs in Black individuals:

    1. Socioeconomic Status: Lower socioeconomic status is reported to increase the rates of UFs.
    2. Adverse Environmental Exposures: Increased exposure to environmental pollutants is associated with a higher prevalence of UFs.
    3. Chronic Stress: Experiences that increase chronic stress are significant contributors.

    Lifestyle and socioeconomic factors, closely tied to neighborhood characteristics, further influence UF prevalence. These factors include:

    1. Body Mass Index (BMI): A higher BMI correlates with a higher risk of UFs.
    2. Alcohol Use: Regular alcohol consumption is positively correlated with UF diagnosis.
    3. Income and Occupation: These factors influence access to healthy food and healthcare.

    References

    Langton, C. R., Harmon, Q. E., & Baird, D. D. (2024). Family History and Uterine Fibroid Development in Black and African American Women. JAMA Network Open, 7(4), e244185–e244185. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.4185

    Sithembinkosi Ndebele, Turner, T., Liao, C., Briseis Aschebrook-Kilfoy, Randorf, N., Ahsan, H., Kunle Odunsi, & Obianuju Sandra Madueke-Laveaux. (2024). Uterine Fibroid Prevalence in a Predominantly Black, Chicago-Based Cohort. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health/International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21(2), 222–222. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21020222

    Navigating Postpartum Depression: Understanding Risk Factors, Impacts, and the Four-Stage Journey to Regain Control

    Postpartum depression (PPD) is characterized by a major depressive episode that begins within four to six weeks following delivery, as per international diagnostic criteria. Recurrence rates for PPD are high, with 40% of affected women experiencing depression again in their lifetime and nearly 50% facing another episode in subsequent pregnancies (Tebeka et al., 2021). Symptoms of PPD encompass fatigue, irritability, anxiety, lack of pleasure, feelings of helplessness, sleep and appetite disturbances, indifference towards life events, low self-esteem, and feelings of incompetence as a parent, among others. PPD is considered a multifactorial condition influenced by both environmental and genetic risk factors for depression.

    Risk factors for PPD, as outlined by Shakeel et al. (2018), include:

    • Previous depression.
    • Adverse life events.
    • Lack of social support.
    • Socioeconomic position.
    • Personal and family psychiatry history.
    • Stressful experiences (such as trauma).
    • Specific pregnancy-related factors.
    • Intimate partner violence (IPV) occurring close to or during pregnancy also elevates the risk of postpartum depression.

    The impacts of PPD are significant and extend beyond the affected individual. They include poor attachment between the mother and newborn, potential stunted growth and low weight in the child, disrupted breastfeeding, and adverse effects on the infant’s cognitive, emotional, and social development. There is also an increased risk for psychiatric disorders in the child during infancy, childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. Women of color and those with lower incomes are more likely to suffer from postpartum depression and may face barriers to accessing treatment (Gopalan et al., 202).

    According to Rupanagunta et al. (2023), women experiencing PPD often undergo a four-stage process in an attempt to regain control:

    1. In the initial stage, mothers grapple with intense worries, persistent obsessive thoughts, and difficulties focusing.
    2. In the second stage, women feel a sense of loss of their “regular selves,” describing a robotic feeling while caring for their infants. Withdrawal may occur, and thoughts of self-harm or suicide may surface.
    3. The third stage involves women planning strategies to overcome PPD, such as seeking help from healthcare providers, engaging in prayer, or finding comfort in support groups.
    4. In the final stage, women gradually regain control of their thoughts and feelings as despair lifts.

    References

    Tebeka, S., Le Strat, Y., De Premorel Higgons, A., Benachi, A., Dommergues, M., Kayem, G., Lepercq, J., Luton, D., Mandelbrot, L., Ville, Y., Ramoz, N., Tezenas du Montcel, S., Bertin, E., Bourneuf, C., Colombe, J., Couppa, L., Dommergue, M., Dubertret, C., Georges, F., & Hebbache, C. (2021). Prevalence and incidence of postpartum depression and environmental factors: The IGEDEPP cohort. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 138, 366–374. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.04.004

    Shakeel, N., Sletner, L., Falk, R. S., Slinning, K., Martinsen, E. W., Jenum, A. K., & Eberhard-Gran, M. (2018). Prevalence of postpartum depressive symptoms in a multiethnic population and the role of ethnicity and integration. Journal of Affective Disorders, 241, 49–58. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2018.07.056

    Gopalan, P., Spada, M. L., Shenai, N., Brockman, I., Keil, M., Livingston, S., Moses-Kolko, E., Nichols, N., O’Toole, K., Quinn, B., & Glance, J. B. (2022). Postpartum Depression—Identifying Risk and Access to Intervention. Current Psychiatry Reports, 24(12). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-022-01392-7

     Rupanagunta, G. P., Nandave, M., Rawat, D., Upadhyay, J., Rashid, S., & Ansari, M. N. (2023). Postpartum depression: aetiology, pathogenesis and the role of nutrients and dietary supplements in prevention and management. Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal: SPJ: The Official Publication of the Saudi Pharmaceutical Society, 31(7), 1274–1293. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsps.2023.05.008

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    Unlocking the Benefits of Consistent Physical Activity

    Inadequate exercise or physical activity can contribute to the prevalence of non-communicable diseases. Given that non-communicable diseases account for over 80% of deaths in some nations, they are regarded as “the number one killer” globally. Physical exercise is any movement that requires energy, like housework, manual labor, walking, or manual labor. Exercise, on the other hand, is a regimen of physical activity that is organized and planned to enhance physical fitness.

    Evidenced-based benefits.

    1. Physical Health: Research reported that 150 min of moderate-intensity or 75 min of vigorous-intensity physical activity led to a 14% risk reduction in all-cause mortality in patients with cardiovascular disease. In healthy adults, the risk decreased by 7%. Regular exercise has been shown in numerous studies to be beneficial in lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease as well as improving the health of patients with a variety of other conditions, such as certain cancers. stroke, type 2 diabetes, age-related sarcopenia, obesity, and multiple sclerosis.
    2. Mental Health: Research findings indicate that youth with mild to moderate mental health issues can benefit from organized sports and exercise programs. In one study, participants highlighted the significance of intensity choice for their enjoyment and commitment to the program, and it was shown that a self-selected intensity sport and exercise intervention was beneficial for depression. Research findings indicate that youth with mild to moderate mental health issues can benefit from organized sports and exercise programs. In one study, participants highlighted the significance of intensity choice for their enjoyment and commitment to the program, and it was shown that a self-selected intensity sport and exercise intervention was beneficial for depression. Also, engaging in physical exercise for 14 weeks can considerably improve mental symptoms, reduce anxiety and somatization, lessen obsessive-compulsive symptoms, and lift depressed moods.
    3. Quality Sleep: Study indicated that quality of sleep was positively impacted by exercise. Additionally, insomnia was somewhat alleviated following the exercise intervention. For instance, studies reveal that first-year students who exercise more get better sleep than those who exercise less during the night.

    Evidenced-based research recommended the following:

    1. Adults should aim for more than 300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity, 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity spread out over the week, or an equivalent mix of moderate-intensity and vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity.
    2. Engage in moderate-to-intense muscle-strengthening activities that target all major muscle groups two or more days a week.
    3. Adults 65 and older engage in multicomponent physical activity that involves functional balance and strength training at a moderate or higher intensity for at least three days a week in addition to aerobic exercises. https://doi.org/10.1080/1750984x.2023.2266823 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jshs.2022.10.003 https://doi.org/10.33423/jhetp.v22i14.5530 https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.664499

    Seven ways to create a meaningful impact on the health and well-being of others:

    Our connections with family, friends, and colleagues are crucial. Individuals who have strong social connections and supportive relationships are more likely to adopt healthy lifestyles and effectively cope with stress, anxiety, and depression, especially during difficult times. A supportive network of family members, close friends, and colleagues provides a sense of belonging and emotional support.

      Ways to create meaningful impacts are;

    1.Showing kindness: Providing a listening ear, checking in on them, offering assistance, or simply sharing a smile can profoundly influence the overall well-being of others.

    

    2. Promoting physical activity: Encouraging others to participate in physical activities such as organizing sports events, walking or running together, or engaging in group activities can enhance physical and social well-being.

    

    3. Spreading awareness and education: Educating others about healthy lifestyle choices, including proper nutrition, exercise, and stress management, can empower them to make positive life changes.

    

    4. Promoting a healthy diet: Sharing recipes, discussing healthy eating habits, organizing cooking classes, and advocating for nutritious foods can encourage healthier dietary choices.

    

    5. Supporting access to healthcare: Being present for others during difficult times is crucial and can significantly improve their lives. Providing transportation to healthcare facilities encourages them to seek professional help when needed, and assisting with paperwork can make access easier.

    

    6. Advocating for policy changes: Supporting policies and initiatives that promote public health, such as mental health services, water regulation, and access to healthcare, can have a broad impact on the well-being of entire communities.

    

    7.Assisting those with chronic illnesses: Offering understanding and support to individuals with chronic health conditions can help them manage their conditions and enhance their quality of life.