In the recent statistical compilation of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), a majority of the top 10 leading causes of death in the United States are those considered to be critical illnesses.
Topping the list is heart disease. The most common type of heart disease is congenital heart disease. Congenital or hereditary heart disease is considered unpreventable and inevitable as it is passed down from generation to generation. However, some of its causes are preventable; e.g. unhealthy lifestyle, smoking, poor diet, etc. Addressing these causes can prevent a congenital heart disease sequence from ever starting. This along with the other types of heart disease, manifesting themselves usually in heart attacks, holds the number one spot.
Cancer is the number two killer in the list. Cancer occurs when a group of cells divide beyond what is normal, attack and destroy nearby tissues, and spread to the other parts of the body. It is caused by abnormalities in the genetic make-up of the errant group of cells. These abnormalities may be caused by substances called carcinogens (e.g. tobacco smoke), infection, hormonal imbalances, dysfunction in the immune system, and heredity. The leading cancer killer is lung cancer followed by colon cancer then breast cancer.
There have been some concerns that data that will be gathered this 2010 will show cancer as the leading cause of death not just in the U. S. but in the world. The countries predicted to be most affected by this projection are low and middle-income nations. Between 1975 and 2000, cancer cases have doubled. This figure is expected to double again come 2020 and triple by 2030. Proposed causes are increase in tobacco intake and adoption of higher-fat diets.
Landing the third spot as one of the leading causes of death in America is stroke. Stroke occurs when a disturbance in the blood supply to the brain causes a rapid loss of brain functions. This disturbance may be caused by a blockage or by hemorrhage or bleeding. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and smoking can cause the occurrence of a stroke.
Next leading cause is lung diseases. Basically they refer to any disease concerning the lung. Examples of more familiar types of lung diseases are asthma, hay fever and bronchitis. Asthma symptoms include wheezing, tightness of chest, shortness of breath and coughing.
Other critical illnesses included in the top 10 are Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, influenza and pneumonia, and septicemia. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia and usually diagnosed in elderly people. There is no cure available for it, progresses in a degenerative manner, and is terminal. There is yet no conclusive understanding of the cause and development of this disease. Symptoms include inability to retain new memory; and as the disease further develop, confusion, irritability, mood swings, and long-term memory loss.
Diabetes occurs when a person has high blood sugar. This high blood sugar may be caused when the body is not producing enough insulin or is not responding to the insulin it produces. The most common symptoms are increased thirst, increased hunger and frequent urination. Septicemia is an infection of the blood or where there are bacteria present in the blood.
Critical Illness Cover Life Critical Illness Cover Critical Illness Insurance Critical Illness Life Insurance Critical Illness Cover Insurance Critical Illness Life Cover Critical Illness Life Insurance