What Are Silent Killer Diseases? Get to Know 3 of Them!
Written by Zalfa Imani Trijatna
Normally, we expect each medical condition or disease to present itself with signs or symptoms. We anticipate experiencing those symptoms to indicate what kind of medical condition we have. However, this isn’t always the case.
In some cases, some people have certain chronic conditions without actually realizing them. This is because their conditions produce minimum or no symptoms at all, leaving them with no knowledge of their diseases. Even worse, these conditions are capable of causing death if left untreated. These diseases are what are commonly nicknamed “silent killers.”
According to eMediHealth, silent killer diseases are called silent killers because of their mortality rate and lack of symptoms. Most of these conditions occur due to metabolic or genetic issues, and some can also be attributed to lifestyles. Therefore, the importance of regular checkups for these diseases shouldn’t be understated, as they can act as early detection to help prevent permanent damage and fatalities.
3 major silent killer diseases that you should know
There are several diseases considered silent killers. However, here are the three most common silent killers that you should be aware of.
Hypertension
According to eMediHealth, hypertension is a chronic condition that causes elevated levels of blood pressure in the blood vessels. If your blood pressure reading is higher than normal on at least 3 separate occasions, it’s likely that you have hypertension.
HBP is a chronic condition that develops slowly over time and can be related to many causes and risk factors. People who smoke, drink alcohol excessively, have a family history of diabetes, have elevated levels of cholesterol, or consume too much salt can be at a higher risk of developing hypertension.
Quoted from the American Heart Association, most of the time, hypertension or high blood pressure (HBP) has no obvious symptoms to indicate that something is wrong. Some people with HBP may sometimes experience dizziness, headache, nausea, and fatigue. That said, these signs and symptoms are often misunderstood.
Though there is no cure for hypertension, this condition can be managed effectively through significant lifestyle changes and, if needed, medication. It’s vital for people with hypertension to work with their doctors on treatment and manage their blood pressure levels because, otherwise, hypertension can be detrimental to their health in the long run and put them at risk of heart disease and heart attack.
Type 2 Diabetes
According to Meritus Health, individuals with type 2 diabetes become resistant to insulin or their pancreas will not be able to produce the amount of insulin needed to control blood sugar. Excessive glucose or blood sugar in their bloodstream can adversely affect the whole body, including the cardiovascular system, circulation, eyesight, and kidney function.
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Healthcare providers often use two words when talking about type 2 diabetes – sneaky and silent. Type 2 diabetes is sneaky because it develops over time. Blood sugars increase slowly and gradually. People with type 2 diabetes don’t typically wake up one day with a blood sugar level of 300. It’s also silent because type 2 diabetes often comes with no symptoms at first. Healthcare professionals even say that a person can have type 2 diabetes for years without knowing it.
Initially, symptoms can be mild or even absent. Later, as the blood sugar approaches 250-300 Mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter), a person may begin to experience fatigue, weight loss, excessive thirst, constant hunger and frequent urination. This is why paying close attention to these warning signs is always crucial.
Similar to hypertension, type 2 diabetes is yet to be curable. However, the good news is that if an increased amount of glucose is discovered early, type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed. It can also be controlled by understanding how to make healthy food choices, including physical activities into daily activities, and monitoring blood glucose. These are strategies that can help people with type 2 diabetes keep their blood sugar numbers under control and avoid potential complications.
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
According to Cleveland Clinic, Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a narrowing or blockage of coronary arteries that usually results from plaque buildup. Coronary arteries are supposed to supply oxygen-rich blood to your heart, but when there is plaque buildup in these arteries, it will limit how much blood can reach your heart.
Just like the previous silent killers, CAD is recognized as a silent killer because people can have CAD for many years without having any symptoms until they experience a heart attack, which can be fatal. The plaque buildup leading to CAD takes many years, even decades.
There are many risk factors for CAD. Though some can’t be controlled, there are others you can control by making lifestyle changes, such as limiting your diet in saturated fat or refined carbohydrates, improving physical activities, getting enough sleep, and cutting back on cigarettes or other tobacco use.
If you experience any symptoms mentioned above, seek medical attention immediately, and don’t hesitate to consult with Prixa!
Prixa is a pioneer in digital healthcare that helps companies and patients manage their health in more targeted and effective ways. Various health services, from teleconsultation, arranging doctor's appointments, pharmacy delivery, lab tests, and health content, to inpatient services and direct medical procedures, are available in one platform.
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