Top Health Conditions Affecting Americans

by Jackarthur1 Jack Writer

Nowadays, many medical marvels can extend our lifespan. However, each day the health problems list gets longer and longer. Though there are a lot of medications and treatments to control the symptoms of these diseases, we often put a lot of effort into managing them but not on prevention.

In this article, we will explore the top health conditions affecting Americans. What are they? How do they affect us? And, what are the possible solutions?

What Are The Biggest Health Issues In America?

According to the Bloomberg Healthiest Country index, the US has a good ranking health positioning in 35^thplace. This index ranks it depending on certain factors like life expectancy, obesity, and water access. While it ranks on top of other countries like Spain or Japan, there are still significant health concerns to consider.

So, what are the top health conditions affecting Americans? According to the Blue Cross Shield National Index, here are the five top health concerns:

· Hypertension

· Depression

· High Cholesterol

· Coronary Artery Disease

· Type 2 Diabetes

1. Hypertension

Blood pressure is the pressure from the blood traveling through your arteries. Normal blood pressure should be below 120 mmHg systolic blood pressure, and less than 80 mmHg diastolic blood pressure. A person is considered to have high blood pressure when they have a higher number than those noted above.

According to the CDC, in 2019, more than half of the deaths had hypertension as a primary or contributing cause. Additionally, it is said that only 25% of those that have hypertension have it controlled either through diet or medication.

One of the most common reasons we often see high levels of high blood pressure is salt consumption. The daily recommended sodium intake is 2,300 mg per day or around one teaspoon.

However, the FDA states that Americans often consume more than recommended. The average consumption is 3,400 mg per day. Eating more sodium means that your body retains more water. This leads to more water passing through your arteries which causes an increase in its pressure.

To avoid developing high blood pressure or to help manage the condition. Ensure that you are eating less than 2,300 mg of sodium per day. Avoid canned or ultra-processed foods since they are often very high in sodium. If you have packaged food, make sure that it has less than 140 mg of sodium per serving to be classified as low in sodium.

2. Major Depression

Major depression is one of the most common mental illnesses Americans often have. Around 8% of the US population suffers from major depression, affecting more women than men. When left untreated, it can significantly impact your quality of life.

If you have any of the following symptoms, you must consult your healthcare provider to begin treatment.

· Feeling sad or in a depressed mood

· Loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed

· Changes in appetite

· Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much

· Thoughts of death or suicide

While you must consult with a doctor, there are some things that you can do to manage or avoid depression.

· Take some sunlight. Daily exposure to sunlight increases your vitamin D, which has been proven to impact your mood.

· Meditate. It can help you clarify your thoughts and learn how to control stress.

· Do some exercise. Exercise releases serotonin which is the happy hormone.

3. High Cholesterol

According to the CDC, over 12% of the population has high cholesterol levels. High cholesterol levels could lead to having a decrease in your heart health.

The body has a natural mechanism of regulating blood cholesterol. We can either get cholesterol through our diets or by internal production. If we have a higher cholesterol intake, the body compensates by decreasing its production.

However, a high cholesterol diet, large consumption of fried foods, or even genetics can affect your cholesterol levels in some cases.

To avoid or manage high cholesterol levels, ensure that you eat at least 5-6 portions of fruits and vegetables per day. Additionally, make sure that you eat at least 25 g of fiber per day. This can be obtained by consuming superfoods like veggies, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds.

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