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Chronic
diseases
are
prolonged
conditions
that
often do
not
improve
and are
rarely
cured
completely.
They are
also the
leading
causes
of death
and
disability
in the
United
States.
These
diseases
account
for
seven of
every 10
deaths
and
affect
the
quality
of life
of 90
million
Americans.
Heart
disease,
arthritis,
cancer,
diabetes,
hepatitis,
and
asthma
are
examples
of
chronic
diseases.
In 2001,
chronic
disease
accounted
for more
than
two-thirds
of all
deaths
in the
United
States.
The five
leading
fatal
chronic
diseases
are
diseases
of the
heart,
cancers,
stroke,
chronic
lower
respiratory
disease
and
diabetes.
In 2004,
chronic
diseases
affected
the
lives of
countless
Nevadans,
and the
five
leading
chronic
diseases
claimed
the
lives of
11,090
citizens
of this
state.
This
accounts
for
nearly
63% of
all the
deaths
in
Nevada
for
that
year.
There
are many
underlying
causes
of
chronic
diseases.
There is
mounting
evidence
that
communicable
agents
arid
genetic
factors
may be
involved
in
a
variety
of
chronic
diseases.
Viruses,
for
example,
have
been
implicated
as
causes
of some
cancers
(liver
cancer
is
linked
to
hepatitis
B virus
infection;
cervical
cancer
is
linked
to
sexually
transmitted
viruses),
and
bacteria
(H
pylori)
have
been
shown to
cause
stomach
ulcers.
Some
cases of
female
breast
cancer
have
been
linked
to
genetic
defects
(though
this is
a small
minority
of
cases).
The
prevention
of
chronic
diseases,
however,
does not
generally
target
either
infectious
agents
or
genetic
factors.
Lifestyle
choices
and
behaviors
continue
to
dominate
the
causes
of
chronic
disease.
The most
effective
prevention
programs
are
aimed at
known
lifestyle
risk
factors
such as
tobacco
use,
physical
inactivity,
and poor
nutrition.
These
efforts
are
effective
in
lowering
rates of
chronic
disease.
Eating
nutritious
foods,
becoming
more
physically
active,
and
avoiding
tobacco
can help
keep you
from
developing
many of
these
diseases
and
conditions.
And,
even if
you
already
have
diabetes,
heart
disease,
arthritis
or
another
chronic
condition,
eating
more
healthful
food and
getting
more
exercise,
whether
it's a
brisk
walk, a
bike
ride, a
jog or a
swim,
can help
you
better
manage
your
illness,
avoid
complications
and
prolong
your
life.
Chronic
illness
has a
profound
effect
on the
physical,
emotional
and
mental
well-being
of
individuals,
often
making
it
difficult
to
carryon
with
daily
routines
and
relationships:
However,
in many
cases,
deterioration
in
health
can be
minimized
by good
care.
This
often
depends
upon
individual
choices
made on
a daily
basis.
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