Having invaded our lives in 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic immediately occupied the entire media space. Many people have the impression that other diseases have faded into the background, and now all health care forces are being thrown into the fight against the new coronavirus. However, non-communicable diseases still remain the main threat to the health and life of modern people. None of the known viruses can compare with them (yet). Today we will remember some common dangerous non-communicable diseases in women, talk about their risk factors and how to protect themselves from them.
Diseases of the heart and blood vessels
Cardiovascular diseases are the main killers of modern people.
For example, in 2021, according to WHO, they claimed almost 18 million lives. In more than 75% of cases, death results from myocardial infarction or cerebral stroke. But these conditions do not arise out of nowhere - they are preceded by chronic arterial hypertension (high blood pressure), atherosclerosis (a condition in which atherosclerotic plaques are deposited on the inner wall of blood vessels, which clog them), angina pectoris (periodic pain in the chest due to a violation blood flow to the heart muscle). The role of cardiovascular diseases among the causes of death in women is often underestimated. A common myth is that it is mainly a male thing. Indeed, men die from heart attacks and strokes much more often. But among women, these pathologies are also very common. In the early stages, heart and vascular diseases are often asymptomatic. A person can live with high blood pressure for a long time without even knowing it. At the same time, WHO experts argue that most deaths from cardiovascular pathologies can be prevented if you pay close attention to your health and eliminate factors that contribute to their development.
How to protect yourself?
- Switch to a healthy diet. The basis of the diet should be fruits and vegetables. It is necessary to exclude red (pork, beef, lamb) and processed (fried, smoked, grilled, barbecued) meat as much as possible.
- Maintain a normal weight. Excess body weight and obesity are a factor in the development of many diseases.
- Stop smoking.
- Minimize alcohol consumption.
- Exercise regularly.
- Monitor blood pressure.
- Contact medical specialists promptly if symptoms appear.
- If your blood pressure is already elevated, see a doctor and take prescribed medications.
Malignant tumors
Cancer is a large group of diseases, which in terms of mortality is in second place after cardiovascular diseases.
According to the WHO, they have claimed 10 million lives in 2021. In women, malignant breast tumors are most common. More than 70 thousand cases of this disease are diagnosed annually in Russia. The average woman's lifetime chance of receiving such a diagnosis, according to the American Cancer Society, is 13%, or 1:8. In recent years, the prevalence of breast cancer has increased annually by 0.5%. This is largely due to the fact that life expectancy is increasing, and the female population is gradually “aging”. At the same time, the number of deaths from breast cancer is gradually decreasing, thanks to improved treatment and large-scale screening. Another common malignant tumor in women is cervical cancer. True, this is not entirely a non-infectious disease. In most cases, it is caused by an infection caused by human papillomaviruses (HPV). Oncogenic viruses (primarily types 16 and 18) lead to abnormalities in DNA and malignant degeneration of cells. You can get infected during unprotected sex, but even condoms do not guarantee one hundred percent protection. Besides viruses, there are other risk factors.
How to protect yourself?
First of all, the prevention of malignant tumors comes down to a healthy lifestyle. It is important to know about the risk factors for developing cancer pathologies and exclude them. Cancer can be hidden under the guise of many other diseases, so you need to pay attention to any unusual symptoms and consult a doctor promptly. Screening studies - they help detect a tumor at an early stage, when the chances of cure are highest:
- All women over 45 years of age need to undergo mammography - x-ray of the mammary glands - 1-2 times a year.
- For women at high risk, your doctor may recommend screening at a younger age using MRI.
- Once a month, on days 5–6 of the menstrual cycle, you should perform a breast self-examination - even if you are already undergoing mammography. Once a year it is worth undergoing preventive examinations with a mammologist.
- All women who become sexually active need to regularly visit a gynecologist and have smears for cytology and/or HPV testing every few years.
References
- Guidelines MU 3.1.1.2969-11 “Epidemiological surveillance, laboratory diagnosis and prevention of norovirus infection”
- Clinical recommendations (treatment protocol) for providing medical care to children with norovirus infection.
- Clinical recommendations for viral diarrhea/acute gastroenteritis in children in general medical practice
- Methodological recommendations for the use of a set of reagents for the detection and differentiation of RNA of rotaviruses of group A (Rotavirus A), noroviruses genotype 2 (Norovirus genotype 2) and astroviruses (Astrovirus) in environmental objects and clinical material using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method with hybridization-fluorescence detection "AmpliSens Rotavirus / Norovirus Astrovirus-FL" Option FEP/FRT - 2021.
Diabetes
The prevalence of diabetes mellitus is constantly increasing.
There were 108 million diabetics in the world in 1980, and 422 million in 2014. Type 1 diabetes occurs in children when the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin, a hormone that lowers blood sugar. Why this form of the disease develops is unknown, and there are no effective preventive measures. But type 2 diabetes is mainly a disease of age and poor lifestyle choices. In this case, insulin is produced, but the body has “forgotten” how to use it correctly. The insidiousness of the disease is that it can proceed for a long time with almost no symptoms. Therefore, type 2 diabetes is often diagnosed many years after the onset, when complications already exist. The main risk factors: unhealthy diet, low physical activity, excess weight. Diabetes of the second type can lead to blindness, impaired blood flow in the lower extremities, due to which they have to be amputated, and kidney failure. Diabetics are 2–3 times more likely to have strokes and heart attacks. Diabetes complications kill 1.5 million people every year. Women may develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy because their metabolism changes and the load on the pancreas increases. This can lead to some dangerous complications and increases the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes in the future.
How to protect yourself?
The risk factors and preventative measures for diabetes are the same as for cardiovascular diseases. As you get older, you should periodically check your blood sugar levels. Gestational diabetes in pregnant women is detected during prenatal screening.
What are the symptoms of rotavirus and norovirus?
The symptoms of the diseases are very similar. “They are manifested by high fever, severe intoxication, weakness, abdominal pain, bloating, loose stools, nausea, and repeated vomiting,” says infectious disease specialist at Infectious Diseases Clinical Hospital No. 1 in Moscow Sofia Rusanova .
According to Rospotrebnadzor, the incubation period for rotavirus is from 15 hours to 7 days. With rotavirus infection, a person often experiences cramping pain in the lower abdomen, he may begin to vomit (usually it stops by the end of the first day of the acute period) and diarrhea. Headache, muscle weakness, dizziness and, in children, fever may also be present. Rotavirus infection manifests itself quickly: symptoms reach their maximum development after 12-24 hours, and in general the disease can last from 3 to 10 days.
With norovirus, the first symptoms appear 15-48 hours after infection. This also includes acute diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, headache, and there may also be fever and symptoms of acute respiratory infections. The disease begins with a sharp rise in temperature, followed by vomiting and diarrhea. Signs of the disease disappear after 12-72 hours.
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Depression
Depression is perhaps the most underrated disease on our list.
Many perceive it as simply a bad mood, sadness and melancholy. Such people are often accused of laziness, pessimism, and are advised to rest or get distracted. In fact, depression is a serious illness associated with biochemical disorders in the brain. The patient ceases to experience joy, satisfaction with life, and his desires disappear. He cannot influence it and blames himself. There are currently 264 million people living with depression on Earth, and women are more susceptible to this disease than men. Depression can be difficult to recognize. Main symptoms: constant bad mood, feelings of hopelessness, guilt, sleep disturbances, loss of interest in previously favorite activities, reluctance to do anything, decreased concentration, apathy. If these symptoms persist for more than two weeks, this is definitely a reason to visit a psychotherapist. In severe cases, depression can lead to suicide. Every year, more than 800 thousand depressions end this way. As a rule, these are people from the age group of 15–29 years.
There are several forms of depression, one of them – postpartum – develops in young mothers. Relaxing or walking in the fresh air will not help you cope with depression. Treatment usually begins with medications - antidepressants. This is followed by a course of psychotherapy.
How to protect yourself?
This is a multifactorial disease, so it is difficult for a predisposed person to protect against it. The onset of the disease can be triggered by a serious event, for example, the death of a loved one, divorce, or loss of a job. It is important to be attentive to your health and immediately consult a doctor at the first symptoms.
Let's talk about noroviruses...
23.Apr.2021
The dominant position is occupied by gastroenteritis caused by rotaviruses, which are recorded in 35-40% of patients with acute intestinal diseases (AIE). The second most common etiological factors of viral gastroenteritis are noroviruses, which cause acute intestinal infections in 18-20% of patients.
Let's talk about noroviruses...
Main symptoms of the disease
- intestinal dysfunction, in the form of loose stools, nausea, vomiting, high fever, weakness, loss of appetite.
Norovirus is contagious
. Human infection occurs through consumption of raw water, poorly washed vegetables and fruits, through dirty hands, household items and toys contaminated with microbes. Even the smallest dust particles containing 10 viral particles can cause illness. Norovirus affects all age groups of the population. Norovirus is most dangerous for physically weakened people, the elderly and children.
The transmission mechanism is fecal-oral, and airborne droplets cannot be excluded. The virus is shed from a sick person through natural waste and other secretions, such as vomit. The infection spreads very quickly from person to person. It is transmitted through household contact through dirty hands, contaminated household items or utensils, but most often there is food and water transmission.
Clinical manifestations. When it enters the human body, it begins to multiply in the small intestine. The incubation (latent) period lasts from 24 to 48 hours. The first symptoms appear approximately 1-2 days after infection.
The disease is usually
begins with nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, loose stools appear up to 2-4-8 times a day without blood. The temperature rises in 50% of patients, usually low. Patients may complain of headache, weakness, and muscle pain. Clinical symptoms are observed within 24-60 hours (up to 2.5 days). In some cases, self-healing is possible. The state of health returns to normal within a few days, but the patient can shed the virus for up to 1 month after recovery, which causes infection of others and an epidemic danger. A more severe clinical picture is observed in the weakened, elderly and in patients with reduced immunity.
Norovirus is very resilient: wet cleaning with ordinary detergents and alcohol-containing products does not ensure destruction. The virus is resistant to drying, heating up to 60 degrees, freezing, and is perfectly preserved in ice. Kills only from high concentration chlorine-containing disinfectants and when boiled.
There is no specific therapy for norovirus infection. Most cases of the disease have a self-limiting course; in severe cases, symptomatic therapy is carried out, and plenty of fluids are prescribed to restore the water-salt balance. In a person who has recovered from the disease, immunity is usually not fully developed and is temporary; repeated cases of the disease are possible. There is an innate predisposition to infection; it has been found that people with the first blood group get sick more often, while those with the third and fourth blood groups may have partial immunity.
Basic preventive measures
intestinal infections of a viral nature include:
compliance with the rules of personal hygiene (thorough washing of hands before eating and preparing food, after using the toilet, flushing feces with the toilet lid closed);
thorough processing of vegetables and fruits (pour boiling water over them); eating thermally processed foods;
Washed dishes, especially for preparing infant formula, must be scalded with boiling water.
consumption of guaranteed safe water and drinks (boiled water (bottled), drinks in factory packaging);
bathing children under one year of age in boiled water. Brush your teeth only with boiled water;
exclusion of contacts with people who have the slightest signs of ill health, especially digestive disorders;
For preventive purposes, it is advisable to take biological products that ensure the barrier function of the intestine such as “Acilak”, “Acipol”, “Bifidumbacterin”, “Lactobacterin”, “Linex” and others;
When the first signs of the disease appear, you should consult a doctor.
Anastasia Nagornyuk
, infectious disease doctor , Nyagan City Clinic
Alzheimer's disease
Healthy people retain a clear mind until old age, and a noticeable deterioration in memory, thinking and changes in behavior most often indicate a serious illness - dementia (in common parlance - “senile dementia”). When elderly relatives begin to behave eccentrically and forget everything, this is perceived as a natural phenomenon. There are currently approximately 50 million people living with dementia on Earth, and more than 10 million new cases are diagnosed every year. Most often, the disease begins after 60 years of age.
There are different forms of dementia, the most common being Alzheimer's disease. It accounts for 60–70% of all cases. This is a chronic disease that is constantly progressing. At first, its symptoms can be very mild and almost unnoticeable, but eventually the person stops recognizing loved ones and cannot cope with the simplest tasks like getting dressed and washing. He constantly needs care and supervision, and this places a huge burden on all relatives.
Unfortunately, Alzheimer's disease is incurable. But there are medications that help to significantly slow down its progression and keep symptoms under control. Treatment should begin at the earliest stages.
How to protect yourself?
To reduce the likelihood of developing dementia, doctors recommend regular exercise, mental work (even banal crossword puzzles or playing checkers are useful), maintaining a normal weight, eating right, and giving up smoking and alcohol. Social isolation is a risk factor for dementia, so older people need regular interaction.
