Statistics show that 6 in 10 adults in American have a chronic disease. A long-term health condition can impact your quality of life and increase your risk of developing additional health issues. The good news is, simple lifestyle changes can lower your risk of developing many different illnesses and diseases. Here are four common health conditions and ways to prevent them:

1. Obesity

Recent statistics reveal that 73% of adults in the US are overweight or obese. A person is classed as overweight if they have a BMI above 25 and obese if they have a BMI of 30 or higher. Obesity is a widespread and serious health issue that is causing thousands of obesity-related deaths and costing the healthcare system billions of dollars every year.

Being overweight or obese has been linked to serious medical conditions including high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, heart attacks, strokes, and some types of cancer. The easiest way to maintain a healthy weight is by eating a balanced diet, avoiding junk food, and leading an active lifestyle. 

2. Depression

Depression is a common mental illness and 16.2 million adults have at least one major depressive episode each year according to healthline.com. Common symptoms of depression include low mood and energy, a loss of interest in activities, and changes to sleep and appetite. Some people will also experience thoughts of suicide and self-harm.

In some cases, depression can be treated with self-coping techniques. However, more severe depression often requires medication and treatment. Individual and group therapy can be a useful tool to overcome the symptoms of depression. If you are concerned that you have depression, then you should always speak with your doctor for advice.

3. Vision loss

Vision loss is associated with aging and most people experience vision impairment as they get older. Cataracts are one of the most common age-related eye diseases and affect over half of seniors. A cataract causes the normally clear lens in the eye to become clouded. This becomes worse over time until it starts to affect a person’s vision and focus.

Fortunately, cataracts can be treated fairly easily with cataract-removal surgery. After cataract surgery, patients can expect to benefit from enhanced, clearer vision and an improvement in their overall quality of life.

4. High cholesterol

Millions of people in the US have high cholesterol and the condition is thought to affect roughly 1 in 3 adults. When your cholesterol is high, fat is deposited in your blood arteries and this restricts blood flow. Having high cholesterol puts you at a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, heart attacks, and strokes.

Changes to your diet can lower your cholesterol levels and improve your overall heart health. The easiest way to reduce cholesterol is to eliminate foods from your diet that are high in saturated fat e.g. full-fat dairy products and red meat. Regular exercise can also improve your cholesterol and heart health. In some cases, your doctor may prescribe you cholesterol-lowering medications.