Canada’s 5 most deadly diseases
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Find out what the biggest killers are, know their symptoms and cut your risk of developing one of Canada’s most common diseases.
By Tammy Sutherland
From the stories you hear at the water cooler to the ones you watch in nightly newscasts, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by the variety of diseases out there. But if you empower yourself with information, you can cut your risk of developing a deadly disease.
Read on for the warning signs of Canada’s most deadly diseases; they are responsible for the most illness-related deaths in this country, according to 2004 statistics from the Public Health Agency of Canada.
1. Heart disease
According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, heart disease is the number 1 killer in Canada, with someone dying from it, or stroke, in this country every seven minutes.
What is heart disease?
Heart disease describes several conditions that affect your heart by interrupting its blood supply. The most common condition is coronary artery disease, when your heart’s blood vessels become blocked or narrowed. Coronary artery disease can cause chest pains or a heart attack.
Symptoms of heart disease
If you experience the following symptoms, alert someone near you or call the emergency number in your area:
- Pain, often described as a tight burning sensation in your chest, neck, jaw, shoulders, arms or back, that is sudden and won’t go away with rest, or is brought on by exertion and does go away with rest
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea, including vomiting and indigestion
- Sweating with a cool feeling of clamminess
- Fear and anxiety
Preventing heart disease
There are several ways to lower your risk of developing a heart condition.
- If you are a smoker, quit smoking
- Exercise every day and eat a healthy diet that’s low in saturated and trans fats
- Maintain a healthy weight for your frame
- Know your blood pressure and keep it under control
- If you have diabetes, manage it
- Limit alcohol consumption and stress
2. Cancer
About 39 per cent of women and 44 per cent of men in Canada will develop cancer in their lifetimes, according to the Canadian Cancer Society. In 2004, more than 68,000 Canadians died of cancer with lung cancer, colorectal cancer and breast cancer taking the most lives.
What is cancer?
The millions of cells that make up your body are controlled by genes within each cell that are ordered to grow, work, reproduce or die. When your cells follow these orders, everything is fine, but when they get mixed up, the cells can form lumps or tumours, or spread through the bloodstream and lymphatic system. When tumours become cancerous (malignant), they can spread to – and attack – nearby tissues and other parts of the body.
Symptoms of cancer
While cancer symptoms, such as the ones listed below, are specific to different kinds of cancer, it’s important to note that the following signs do not positively indicate a cancer diagnosis. However, if you experience these symptoms, you should consult with your doctor.
Lung cancer symptoms:
- A new cough or changes to your cough
- Breathing problems and frequent lung infections
- Increased or bloody phlegm
- Hoarseness, trouble swallowing or chest pain
- Fatigue, weight loss or lack of appetite
Colorectal cancer symptoms:
- A change in your regular bowel habits
- Blood in your stool or stools that are narrower than normal
- Stomach discomfort, including gas pains, bloating and cramping
- Weight loss, fatigue and vomiting
Breast cancer symptoms:
- Lump or swelling in armpit and/or breast
- Changes in breast, including size, shape and skin texture
- Nipples that are inverted or have crusting or scaling on them
Preventing cancer
According to the Canadian Cancer Society, people can prevent at least half of all cancers with lifestyle habits:
- Don’t smoke and avoid exposure to second-hand smoke
- Eat a high-fibre, low-fat diet, including plenty of fruits and vegetables, and limit your alcohol intake to no more than two drinks a day
- Exercise regularly
- Reduce your sun exposure, particularly between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., and wear sunscreen every day
- See your doctor for regular cancer screening based on your age and family history, and any time you notice a change in your health
- Follow safety guidelines when using, storing or disposing of hazardous materials
3. Lung disease
Almost 20,000 Canadians died of lung diseases (excluding lung cancer) in 2004. According to the Canadian Lung Association, the three most common are chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia and influenza.
What is lung disease?
COPD is a long-term illness that’s usually caused by smoking. It progressively damages airways, resulting in swelling and partial blockage, and damages air sacs.
Pneumonia occurs when an infection settles in the air sacs of your lungs, overcoming your body’s normal defenses.
Influenza is when a strain of the influenza virus infects your nose, throat and lungs. Healthy adults can generally fight off the flu with a few days of rest, but for seniors, children and anyone suffering from other respiratory diseases, it can be fatal.
Symptoms of lung conditions
Don’t hesitate to see your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms.
Symptoms of COPD:
- Shortness of breath, feeling like you’re breathing through a straw
- Increased mucus and coughing
Symptoms of pneumonia:
- Cough and/or yellow-green mucus
- Shortness of breath and chest pain
- Fever and/or fatigue and a general feeling of unwellness
Symptoms of influenza:
- Headaches, chills, cough, fever
- Loss of appetite and throat irritation
- Fatigue and muscle aches
- Runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes
Preventing lung disease
Keeping your lungs strong and healthy is your best defense against respiratory diseases. There are several ways to keep your lungs in fighting condition:
- Don’t smoke and avoid any exposure to second-hand smoke
- Wash your hands often and prevent the spread of infectious lung diseases like colds and flu by covering your coughs and sneezes
- Reduce your exposure to indoor air pollution at home and at work by using an exhaust fan when you cook and wearing a protective mask when you work with chemicals
- Exercise regularly
4. Alzheimer’s disease
According to the Alzheimer Society of Canada, about half a million Canadians suffer from Alzheimer’s and related dementia. Diseases of the nervous system, such as Alzheimer’s, took the lives of more than 10,000 Canadians in 2004.
What is Alzheimer’s disease?
Although often mistakenly considered a normal part of aging, Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive, degenerative illness that occurs when natural self-repair and self-healing mechanisms of the brain become overwhelmed, causing the destruction of vital brain cells.
Symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease
There are several clues that indicate the onset of Alzheimer’s disease:
- Memory loss that becomes frequent and affects daily functioning
- Difficulty performing familiar, lifelong tasks
- Losing simple words or substituting wrong words, making sentences impossible to understand
- Disorientation of place and time
- Decreased or poor judgment and difficulty with abstract thinking
- Misplacing items in odd places
- Unprovoked mood swings and significant personality changes
- Passivity and loss of initiative
Reducing your risk of Alzheimer’s disease
Although you can’t prevent Alzheimer’s disease, you can reduce the risk or slow progression of the disease.
- Stay socially and mentally active
- Exercise regularly and follow a healthy diet
- Don’t smoke
- Protect your head from injury
5. Diabetes
Endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases, including diabetes, were responsible for more than 10,000 deaths in Canada in 2004. The Canadian Diabetes Association estimates that 2 million Canadians have diabetes.
What is diabetes?
There are three types of diabetes: Type 1, generally diagnosed in children and adolescents, occurs when the pancreas can’t produce insulin, a hormone that regulates your energy. With Type 2, which is usually diagnosed in adults, the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or the body doesn’t use the insulin that is produced effectively. Type 3 is a temporary condition that occurs during pregnancy and is more commonly referred to as gestational diabetes.
Symptoms of diabetes
Everyone aged 40 or older should be screened at least every three years for diabetes, particularly since many people with Type 2 diabetes may not display any symptoms. But if you experience any of the following, you should be tested:
- Abnormal degrees of thirst
- Frequent urination
- Unprovoked weight gain or loss
- Blurred vision
- Infections that are frequent or recurring
- Delayed healing time of cuts and bruises
- Numbness or tingling in hands and/or feet
- Erectile difficulties
Prevention
It is believed that you can prevent or delay the onset of Type 2 diabetes with:
- A healthy diet
- Weight control
- Exercise
Early detection is key to successfully treating many diseases, including the ones listed above, so know your risk factors, pay attention to symptoms and visit your doctor regularly. Adopt healthy exercise and eating habits and you’ll be giving your body the care it needs to stay well.