Lifestyles and their Association with Respiratory Diseases
Author : Shashi K Agarwal
Abstract :
Several respiratory diseases have a serious impact on global morbidity and mortality. Besides chronic diseases like asthma, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung cancer, these also include cases of pneumonia. COPD is a progressive and debilitating disease that is linked to recurring respiratory symptoms with frequent exacerbations. The decline in lung function eventually leads to cor pulmonale and respiratory failure. Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways that causes wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. It significantly impairs life with recurrent bronchial symptoms and frequent rhinitis. OSA is associated with periods of reduced or absence of airflow through mouth or nose resulting in loud snoring, caused by upper respiratory tract airway obstruction during sleep. Due to non-salubrious nocturnal sleep, these patients have excessive daytime sleepiness or fatigue. Lung cancer is common, accounting for an estimated 12% of the global cancer burden. It is extremely lethal, with the five-year relative survival rate being only 19%. Lung cancer deaths account for 1 in 5 cancer deaths worldwide. Pneumonia, both bacterial and viral, also plays a notable role in global morbidity and mortality. Most of these disorders can be substantially reduced in incidence by following healthy day-to-day behaviors. These include abstinence from smoking and alcohol intake, avoiding sedentary life, and partaking in a regular exercise program, a diet that is primarily plant-based, and maintaining normal body weight. Healthy lifestyles also dramatically reduce the impact of these diseases, leading to a better quality of life and a decrease in mortality. This manuscript discusses the relationship between healthy lifestyle behaviors and common respiratory diseases.
Keywords :
Smoking, COPD, asthma, obstructive sleep apnea, lung cancer, lifestyles
