Exercise May Be As Effective As Drug Therapy For Common Chronic Diseases

Chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes are becoming more common today, causing more deaths and disabilities as well as higher cost of healthcare. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that about seven out of ten Americans die from chronic disease each year.

It is also alarming to know that in the last decade, one out of two adults suffers from at least one type of chronic disease. 

What are the Most Common Chronic Diseases?

The most common chronic diseases include heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, obesity, respiratory diseases, and arthritis.  Heart disease, cancer, and stroke rank first, second, and third as the leading cause of death in the USA while arthritis is the leading cause of disability. It is estimated that one out of three individuals born in 2000 will develop diabetes sometime in their life.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (or COPD) is the third leading cause of deaths related to smoking.

Causes of Chronic Diseases

Studies show that there are four common risk factors that may lead to chronic disease. These include poor nutrition, excessive alcohol drinking, tobacco smoking, and lack of exercise. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), if these risky lifestyle factors were eliminated, about 80% of most chronic diseases (heart disease, diabetes, and stroke) would be prevented.

Lack of physical activity is one factor that increases one’s risk for obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

To reduce one’s risk factors and prevent chronic disease, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has issued the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, which complements the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The guidelines advise adults to do moderate-intensity exercises at least 150 minutes weekly, or vigorous aerobic exercise at least 75 minutes weekly. One can also combine these activities at an equivalent rate.

Read More: Chronic Disease And Diet- What Can It Mean For Me?

Recent studies suggest that one way to improve one’s risk for developing fatal complications from any of these burdensome conditions is to increase one’s level of physical activities.