More Americans getting multiple chronic illnesses

long story short - these are all preventable diseases that evolve from a sedentary lifestyle. You don't see any of these in Africa, or other poverty stricken places, they are all related to food excesses and lack of exercise. They hardly existed 100 years ago, when nobody had a car, but instead walked everywhere, chopped wood for the fire and grew vegetables!

 

For more than 90 per cent of people with high blood pressure, the cause is unknown. This is called 'primary' or 'essential hypertension'.
In the remaining 10 per cent or so, there is an underlying cause. This is called 'secondary hypertension'.
Some of the main causes for secondary hypertension are: chronic kidney diseases, chronic alcohol abuse,hormomal disturbances and endocrine tumors.
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/hypertension.htm



Scientists are still working on the cause of diabetes. Since there are different types of diabetes, each type has a unique possible cause.
The main cause of diabetes is the body's failure to produce enough of the insulin hormone. Another cause could be that the body develops a resistance to insulin. Type I diabetes is caused by decreased insulin production. Type II is insulin resistant in peripheral tissues. In juvenile diabetes, the cause could be a lack of vitamin D.
There is also gestational diabetes that only occurs in pregnant women. These are only a few of the different types of diabetes.

It is suspected that there may be many contributors to diabetes. Genetics, environmental factors, obesity, lack of exercise, and high fat diets are just a few causes linked to diabetes. You cannot become a diabetic just because you eat a lot of sugars and candies, but if you are predisposed to the disease these factors may raise your risk of becoming a diabetic.

http://www.allaboutlifechallenges.org/cause-of-diabetes-faq.htm



These health problems did exist a 100 years ago BUT there were no/if any tests or treatments for them. The average life span 100 years ago was what maybe 50?, we are now living longer and should expect to see multiple illness/system failures as the body ages.

 

BUT, 100 years ago, people died of polio, diptheria, TB, etc. et al

HOWEVER,
It also derives from our insistence on blocking ALL "germs" (bacteria) from our systems.

For instance, did you know that antacids, that block the production of stomach acids that break down the foods we eat, will create dangerous bacteria in our intestines, spleen, bladder, kidneys, and liver? Bacteria that WOULD HAVE BEEN broken down with natural stomach acids?

And, YES, WHAT we eat contributes to the "acid reflux" and heartburn....BUT, years ago, people were eating the same things we do today, drank a glass of milk, and were still healthy.

But, all in all, I believe people suffer from more and varied diseases today, because we are so "germ phobic".

Judi Kay

 

My point is that the so-called Third World does not suffer from these diseases. Diabetes, hypertension, strokes, raised cholesterol etc do not exist in Africa!
So why the difference - it can be diet and/or exercise.

People still die of diptheria, TB, etc in countries that do not have vaccine programs. IF we had to drink the filthy water they do, we would get ill. Its only by the grace of God that we have 'happened' to be born into communities where there is drinking water readily available.

But despite such unsanitary conditions, theresidents of Africa remain just as healthy as the so-called civilised world. Call it what you like, but the level of fitness is declining in the US and Europe. Studies show that the average 50 year old has a healthier heart than a 15 year old. Scary stuff. The Drive-thru generation has something like a 30% chance of a stroke before age 45. I'll try to find that study again, so i can quote more accurately.

 

Candy was a luxury during the medieval ages, but I'm sure diabetes and these other health problems were around for much longer than one would think. The king of the land "owned" all the game in his country. Meat was a rich people food, so the king and his nobles and knights ate the luxury food. The peasants ate bread and vegetables. They were often hungrier, but they ate more nutritionally sound food. If it wasn't poisoned by mold that is.