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.

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.
    Six Healthy Lifestyle Practices to Alleviate Depression Symptoms

    Causes of Depression

    Depression can arise from a multitude of factors, such as genetic, environmental, psychological, and biochemical ones.

    Risk factors for depression

    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.

    Diagnosis of major depression disorder

    A minimum of two weeks must pass with some of these symptoms and signs being presented almost daily to be diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder:

    Common symptoms of depression
    The common symptoms of depression include.

    • 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
    • Difficulty focusing, thinking coherently, or making decisions
    • Suicidal thoughts, suicidal attempts, thoughts of death, or self-harming behavior

    Lifestyle Practices to Alleviate Depression Symptoms

    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. If necessary, work with your physician to modify your medication or dosage to adhere to your treatment plan.
    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.

    The Struggle to Survive: Living Through the Rising Cost

    The rising cost of living has become a significant public health concern, particularly for low-income individuals who are struggling daily to survive. Addressing the social determinants of health among this population remains an urgent issue, as many face ongoing challenges accessing essential needs such as food, housing, transportation, and healthcare. During my assessment of some of the low-income individuals, I found that several individuals eat only once a day to save money for rent. Many reported choosing to go hungry rather than risk homelessness. Some have been living in their cars for nearly a year, while others rely on the homes of friends to shower and change clothes. It is heartbreaking to witness the difficult situations people endure every day to stay alive.

    The rising cost of living has multiple impacts on health and well-being. According to Grewal et al. (2024), increasing housing costs—one of the key components of living expenses—can have both direct and indirect health consequences. Their study indicates that:

    • Financial strain from high housing and living expenses contributes to increased stress, anxiety, and depression, particularly among renters and low-income individuals.
    • Food insecurity often results when households must prioritize rent or transportation over nutrition, leading to poor dietary intake and higher risks of chronic diseases.
    • Limited access to healthcare arises when individuals cannot afford medical visits, medications, or preventive care due to competing financial demands.
    • Housing instability or homelessness can expose individuals to unsafe environments, lack of sanitation, and interrupted social support networks, which worsen both physical and mental health outcomes.

    Overall, Grewal et al. (2024) emphasize that the effects of rising housing and living costs are unequally distributed, disproportionately affecting low-income individuals who already face multiple barriers to health. This highlights the need for comprehensive policy approaches that integrate housing affordability, income support, and healthcare access as essential strategies to promote health equity.

    Source: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-18360-w

    Successful interventions for managing or reducing effects of Postpartum depression (PPD)

    Postpartum depression (PPD) presents a significant public health concern, affecting not only the physical and mental well-being of mothers but also that of their infants. Research suggests that approximately 13 million women worldwide are diagnosed with PPD annually (Xu et al., 2023). Mild depressive symptoms are experienced by around 50% to 75% of mothers, with 10% to 15% developing postpartum depression within the first week after childbirth (Xu et al., 2023).

    Understanding preventive measures to reduce its prevalence is very crucial.

     1. Exercise intervention has proven effective in preventing PPD disorders. In a 12-week exercise intervention study, aerobic exercise was found to relieve postpartum depression symptoms in PPD patients. Engaging in suitable aerobic exercise during pregnancy has been reported to promote pelvic mobility and improve birth canal space to relieve maternal labor pain. However, it also aids in preventing pregnancy complications. Studies suggest that PPD symptoms may manifest during pregnancy, with a similar 12% occurrence rate of depression reported, which indicates that preventive measures during pregnancy may have a significant impact on reducing PPD (Xu et al., 2023).

    Moreover, research indicates that the antidepressant effects of exercise can persist beyond the cessation of physical activity. Therefore, research suggested that incorporating aerobic exercise into prenatal care may substantially prevent PPD more than exercise as a postpartum treatment strategy.

    Engaging in moderate exercise during pregnancy can reduce the likelihood of developing postpartum depression (PPD) among expectant mothers. Partaking in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week significantly enhances the efficacy of physical activity in preventing and treating PPD (Xu et al., 2023). Moderate aerobic exercise prompts the release of endorphins, which uplift mood and alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression. Additionally, it helps regulate hormone levels, improve sleep quality, and enhance self-awareness and self-esteem, thereby positively influencing the mitigation of postpartum depression (Xu et al., 2023).

    Also, social support plays a vital role in maintaining the mental well-being of pregnant and postpartum women, with supervised exercise and team-based exercise serving as effective avenues for providing such support. For instance,

    • Team exercise fosters a positive environment for maternal emotional communication, and sharing maternal emotions enhances mothers’ childbirth knowledge and skills, reduces fear of labor pains, alleviates negative emotions, improves interpersonal communication, and enhances self-efficacy (Xu et al., 2023).

    • Supervised exercise, which involves physical activities piloted and supervised by healthcare professionals or fitness trainers, ensuring that exercises are safe and suitable for individual pregnant and postpartum women. Participating in supervised exercise classes or programs also offers opportunities for social interaction, which is critical for mental well-being and can lighten feelings of isolation by connecting with other new mothers and professionals in a supportive setting (Xu et al., 2023).

    2. Music therapy, when used as an adjunct to conventional psychotherapies, has been shown to improve physiological symptoms and effectively reduce negative emotions without any adverse side effects. It can positively impact and alleviate symptoms of PPD, offering a safe and affordable substitute to standard treatments. Music therapy is considered to reduce the need for pharmacological interventions during PPD treatment. Research has indicated that music therapy interventions such as music listening, improvisation, songwriting, singing, relaxation and meditation, and lyric analysis effectively reduce the risk of prolonged PPD and it can encourage strengths, empower individuals, and foster connections with themselves and others (Patch & Short, 2022).

    References

    Xu, H., Liu, R., Wang, X., & Yang, J. (2023). Effectiveness of aerobic exercise in the prevention and treatment of postpartum depression: Meta-analysis and network meta-analysis. PLOS ONE, 18(11), e0287650–e0287650. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0287650

    Patch, M. C., & Short, A. E. (2022). Addressing the “Baby Blues”: Developing a Music Therapy Model for Prevention and Treatment of Postpartum Depression. Australian Journal of Music Therapy, 33(2), 82–90. https://eds.p.ebscohost.com/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=10&sid=e5bc3ad9-8160-4ed8-bb4f-752141ecd9c5%40redis

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    Contributing factors to the High Obesity Rates Among African American Women

    Research reports that American women are disproportionately affected, with the highest obesity rates among all groups in the U.S. About 80% are classified as overweight or obese.

    Disparities in weight loss

    Research indicates that African American (AA) women tend to lose less weight compared to their Caucasian counterparts.

    Contributing Factors

    The contributing factors to the disparities are;

    • Limited access to nutritious food
    • Inadequate health insurance
    • Lack of safe spaces for physical activity

    Barriers to Weight Management

    Challenges that hinder weight management efforts include:

    • Personal beliefs
    • Limited time
    • Family dynamics
    • Lack of motivation
    • Financial constraints

    Cultural Influence on Body Image

    Cultural norms within the AA community, which often embrace larger body sizes and promote a positive body image, can also influence health behaviors. While fostering a positive body image has psychological benefits, it may reduce motivation to maintain a healthy weight. In Black culture, obesity and being overweight are often considered acceptable and carry little to no stigma. Cultural perspective may partially explain why general health promotion efforts are less effective in this community. The study reports that many Black female students aim to embody the culturally valued “thick and curvy” figure, consuming specific foods to shape their bodies while avoiding activities that might result in weight loss.

    Why it may be difficult to seek care

    A deep-rooted distrust of the healthcare system makes it difficult for many AA women to seek medical advice or treatment.

    Physical inactivity as a health risk factor

    Underestimating body weight can reduce engagement in healthy behaviors, such as regular physical activity. Physical inactivity is a major contributor to non-communicable diseases and mortality, emphasizing the need to address these issues within the AA community.

    How to Survive During Rising Costs and Government Shutdown

    With the government shutdown, many aspects of daily life have been severely impacted. The rate of food insecurity is increasing, and challenges related to housing, transportation, and other social determinants of health are becoming more pressing. SNAP benefits have been frozen, leaving many families struggling to put food on the table. As a result, more individuals and families are turning to food pantries and community resources for support.

    At the same time, the cost of food and necessities continues to rise, deepening the struggles faced by countless households. These are difficult times, but I want to encourage everyone affected to stay strong, remain hopeful, and trust that better days are ahead.

    Here are some practical ways to cope and survive during the rising costs and government shutdown:

    Prioritize Your Needs

    • You must focus on needs such as housing, food, transportation, utilities, and medication.
    • Decrease or pause non-essential spending, such as new purchases, entertainment, or dining out.

      Manage Your Money Wisely

    • Avoid any unnecessary debt.
    • Prioritize rent/mortgage and food.
    • Discuss with your utility company, landlord, or bank to explore any available payment plans or deferments during the shutdown.

    Explore any available community resources

    • Assess community and faith-based resources (Local food banks, churches, non-profits) for support with food and bills.
    • Check your city’s website to find out what supports are available to access.

       Protect Your Mental and Emotional Health during the difficult time

    • Financial insecurity can be draining. Stay connected with family, friends, and coworkers for emotional support.
    • Get good exercise, rest, and be consistent with your routines
    • Have faith and be hopeful that the challenges are temporary and will surely pass
    • Focus on what’s within your control.

    Maintain Perspective

    • Use this period to build your financial discipline and strength
    • Celebrate each time you pay a bill and make meals; a win is worth celebrating
    • Reflect on value by focusing on more relationships, essentials, and faith than on any material things

    The four-stage process to regain control of Postpartum Depression

    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. 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  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).

    The four-stage process to regain control of Postpartum Depression

    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 regain control of their thoughts and feelings as despair lifts.

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