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Prevention and awareness of chronic diseases
Some chronic diseases are preventable. If your doctor has already diagnosed you with a chronic disease, it is also possible to reduce its impact by following the treatment plan recommended by your doctor and by modifying your lifestyle. Regular medical checks coupled with a healthy lifestyle can help you avoid disease and increase your chances of detecting illness early treating it effectively and preventing complications.
Cardiovascular diseases
These include heart, stroke and vascular diseases, and are mainly caused by a damaged blood supply to the heart, brain and legs. You are at much greater risk of developing cardiovascular disease if you have one or more of the following:- you are a smoker
- are overweight
- have high blood pressure
- have a high cholesterol reading
- are physically inactive
- have diabetes.
- Heart Foundation of Australia, 1300 362 787 (Heart Foundation Heartline)
- National Stroke Foundation, 1800 787 653 (Stroke Line).
Diabetes
Diabetes and its complications are the cause of a great deal of ill-health, disability and premature death in Australia. Diabetes-related complications include heart disease, stroke, vascular disease, blindness, kidney disease, amputation of limbs and impotence.For type 2 diabetes, strong risk factors include age, having a family history of the condition and certain ethnic backgrounds, such as Southern Asian, Middle Eastern, Polynesian, or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander. Type 2 diabetes is projected to become the leading cause of disease burden by 2023, partly attributable to the expanding problem of overweight and obesity.
Early detection and good management are the keys to diabetes control. Good glucose control can delay the onset and slow the progress of complications in all types of diabetes.
Talk to your doctor or contact Diabetes Australia 1300 136 588.
Asthma
Asthma is a common chronic inflammatory condition that causes widespread narrowing of the airways. Symptoms of asthma include wheezing; coughing; chest tightness and shortness of breath. Symptoms can be triggered by colds and flu, exercise, air pollutants, tobacco smoke or allergens.Information is also available from:
- Asthma Australia 1800 645 130
- National Asthma Council Australia 1800 032 495
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Stopping smoking or reducing tobacco use is the most effective way to reduce the effects of COPD. Early diagnosis is also important in the management of COPD, so it is important to speak with your doctor about any symptoms you may have, such as fits of coughing or increased breathlessness. Further information is available from the Australian Lung Foundation 1800 654 301.Breast cancer screening
Breast cancer is the most common cause of cancer death in Australian women. The biggest risk factor in developing breast cancer is increasing age. Research has shown that organised breast cancer screening programs are effective in reducing deaths from breast cancer.BreastScreen Australia is a program for women without breast cancer symptoms and signs. It provides free screening, at two-yearly intervals, to all women over 40, and especially women aged 50 to 69 years. Its aim is to reduce deaths from breast cancer through early detection of the disease. There are over 500 screening centres in urban, rural and remote areas. Contact BreastScreen Australia 13 20 50.