Living With a Healthy Lifestyle Has Positive Benefits
Health, as defined by the World Health Organization, is a condition characterized by prevention, protection and management of health. Over time various definitions have also been employed for various purposes. For the United States the Department of Health and Human Services defines health as “the ability to attain and maintain a healthy weight for a reasonable period”. On another level, “health” is defined as the ability to lead a happy and successful life. According to these definitions, the definition of health is more than an abstraction, it is a means of evaluating the quality of life.
Health can be affected by a variety of factors. In developed countries, the major cause of death is heart disease, which is largely caused by high blood pressure or other underlying conditions. In undeveloped countries the leading cause of death is infant mortality, probably because of underdevelopment of large muscles and organs or exposure to infectious diseases. Despite the fact that medical advances are many times more advanced in undeveloped countries than in developed ones, the vast majority of deaths due to chronic heart disease, respiratory disease and infectious diseases still occurs in developed countries. This is most likely to be attributed to poor diet and lack of exercise (which is also prevalent in undeveloped countries), the higher incidence of infectious diseases being spread through crowded spaces such as public baths or swimming pools and by non-medical people who may not be aware of good hygiene practices.
Infectious diseases account for a large percentage of deaths worldwide. The most common of these is influenza or avian flu. Some of the other causes of deaths worldwide are measles, which is caused by a virus affecting the lungs; diarrhea, which is caused by a bacterium that affects the intestines; hepatitis B and C, which are acquired infections; heart disease, which is a cause of death for millions of people each year; cancer, which is the second most common cause of death; accidents, which are mainly caused by traffic accidents or faulty products; smoking, which causes lung cancer; and birth defects, which are caused by genetic abnormalities in newborns. In order to avoid all of these life-threatening diseases, it is highly recommended to follow a healthy lifestyle through exercise and a balanced diet, both of which will reduce the risk of acquiring one of these diseases.
Unprotected sexual intercourse can also result in the spread of some communicable diseases. Unprotected sex can transmit bacterial and viral infections such as gonorrhea or genital warts, as well as other sexually transmitted diseases. Unprotected intercourse can also transmit HIV, the main cause of AIDS. For this reason, the risk of acquiring communicable diseases is a serious health issue. It is advisable to have safe sex, and to use protection when engaging in sexual activity.
Life expectancy at birth is a major factor that contributes to overall health. Life expectancy has been increasing steadily around the world, but most of this increase has occurred in undeveloped countries, where overall health is still poor. In undeveloped countries, people have shorter life expectancies than those living in developed countries, primarily due to lower life expectancy for women and higher life expectancy for men. This situation is especially troubling, because people with chronic diseases are likely to live only a few years, and the effects of living with a chronic disease are devastating.
Living with a healthy lifestyle can help prevent the onset of chronic diseases. A healthy diet, regular exercise, and a good level of personal hygiene can all have a significant impact on your health. These factors may not prevent illnesses like cancer and heart disease, but they can improve your health status and shorten the time that you are prone to acquire a specific illness. Living with a healthy lifestyle can also lead to a longer life expectancy. People who remain active throughout their lives live longer than those who are sedentary. Living with a healthy condition can also help reduce the suffering of your family and yourself, and increase your quality of life.