Very much so. All five of the major causes of death - heart disease, cancer, stroke, lung disease and injury - can result from an unhealthy lifestyle.
Don't smoke or use tobacco. Each year, thousands die too young from the effects of smoking. Many more are living with damaged lungs and hearts as a result of smoking and second-hand smoke.
Heart disease, some cancers, stroke, diabetes and damage to your arteries can be linked to what you eat.
Follow these guidelines for healthy eating. Tips on eating healthy include: enjoy a variety of foods; eat cereals, breads, other grain products, vegetables and fruit; choose lower-fat dairy products, leaner meats and foods prepared with little or no fat; achieve and maintain a healthy body weight by enjoying regular exercise and healthy eating and limit salt and caffeine.
Achieve and maintain a healthy body weight. Carrying too much weight can increase your risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, some cancers, gallbladder disease and arthritis in weight-bearing joints. A high-fiber, lower-fat diet along with regular exercise can help you lose weight and keep it off.
Exercise can help prevent heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, osteoporosis, and depression and can add to overall good health.
How much exercise? Any amount is better than none, however, the current recommendation is 2-3 times per week, 30 minutes each time. Make it part of your life simply by taking the stairs instead of the elevator or by taking a walk once a day.
Sun exposure is linked to skin cancer, which is the most common type of cancer so it's best to stay out of direct sunlight and to wear protective clothing and hats. Use sunscreen before going into the sun.
Get enough sleep each night. You'll feel better. Most adults need seven to eight hours of sleep each night. If you're not sleepy during the day, you're getting enough rest.
Stress may cause health problems or make them worse. Health problems that may be related to stress include fatigue, headaches, heartburn, upset stomach and even heart attack.
Problems from stress may be reduced by avoiding things that cause stress and by learning to cope with the stress you can't avoid. Ways to cope with stress include exercise, learning relaxation techniques and talking with others about what's bothering you.
Talk to your doctor if you have signs of depression. These signs include fatigue, feeling sad or hopeless, eating or sleeping too much or too little, trouble concentrating, or thoughts of suicide. Depression can be treated with counselling & medicine.
You can help keep your cholesterol level down by eating a healthy diet and participating in regular exercise. If you have a family history of heart disease and/or high cholesterol, visit your family physician to discuss whether you need your cholesterol level tested.
How? Have it checked at least once a year at your yearly physical. If it starts to rise, adapt your lifestyle to include healthier eating and exercise. Limit your sodium and alcohol intake and quit smoking. Be sure to take all medications as prescribed by your doctor.
Adults need a tetanus-diphtheria booster every 10 years. Ask your doctor if you need shots that protect against measles, mumps and rubella, pneumonia, influenza.
Breast cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death for women, second to lung cancer.
Examine your breasts every month beginning when you're about 20. Talk to your doctor about how to check your breasts.
Have your doctor check your breasts every year or two beginning when you're 30 and every year when you reach 40 or older.
Also talk to your doctor about when you need a screening test called mammography. Most women should start having them after age 50.
If you're a woman, you can prevent cancer of the cervix (the opening of the womb) by having regular Pap smears and pelvic exams.
Start having them when you begin having sex or by the time you reach age 18. You'll need them once a year at first, until you've had at least three normal Pap smears in a row. After this, you should have them at least every three years, unless your doctor thinks you need them more often.
Health screenings are replacing the yearly physical. Instead of every person getting the same exams and tests, only the appropriate ones are given. Your family doctor will customize your care to suit you. Your doctor will also consider your age, your personal and family history, your health habits, your risks for disease and what you can do to reduce those risks, as well as concerns you have about your health.
