People with chronic disease often think that they are free from the disease when they have no symptoms. Having no symptoms, does not mean that chronic disease has disappeared it means it has not reached the incapacitating stages.

Below are the early signs of the following degenerating diseases.

  ARTHRITIS.

Arthritis is the “wear and tear” on the joints such as the knees, hips, and wrists. Its early signs include:

• Joint pain after sitting for a short time or when waking up.
• Stiffness at joints.
• Tenderness and redness at joints.
• Swelling at joints.

 CANCER

Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body. Cancer develops when the body’s normal control mechanism stops working. Old cells do not die and instead grow out of control, forming new, abnormal cells. These extra cells may form a mass of tissue, called a tumour.

Its risk factors include:

• Excessive exposure to sunlight.
• Lack of physical activity.
• Family history.
• Exposure to certain chemicals.
• Poor diet.

SYMPTOMS

• Change in bowel or bladder habits.
• A sore throat that does not heal.
• Unusual bleeding or discharge (for example, nipple secretions or a “sore” that will not heal that oozes material).
• Thickening or lump in the breast, testicles, or elsewhere.
• Indigestion (usually chronic) or difficulty swallowing.
• Obvious change in the size, colour, shape, or thickness of a wart or mole.
• Unexplained loss of weight or loss of appetite.
• A new type of pain in the bones or other parts of the body that may be steadily worsening, or come and go, but is unlike previous pains one has had before.
• Persistent fatigue, nausea, or vomiting.
• Unexplained low-grade fevers with may be either persistent or come and go.
• Recurring infections which will not clear with usual treatment.

  STROKE

 Stroke is a blockage of blood flow to the brain. The signs include:

Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially one side of the body.

Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding.

• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.
• Sudden severe headache with no known cause.

– If someone notices any of these signs, see your doctor immediately!

HEART ATTACK

A heart attack is a blockage of blood flow to the heart. Its warning signs may include:

• Shortness of breath.
• Irregular heartbeats.
• Dizziness.
• Nausea.
• Uncomfortable pressure or pain in the chest.

– If you notice any of these signs, see your doctor immediately!

OBESITY

Obesity is a chronic health condition of being above normal body weight. It is a risk factor for other chronic diseases such as arthritis, stroke, heart attack, asthma, Type 2 diabetes, and other social and emotional issues. Obesity is often related to a person’s lifestyle such as:

Lack of physical activity.

High fat/calorie diet.

SYMPTOMS.

Obesity is diagnosed when your body mass index (BMI) is 30 or higher. To determine your body mass index, divide your weight in pounds by your height in inches squared and multiply by 703. Or divide your weight in kilograms by your height in meters squared.

People with chronic disease often think that they are free from the disease when they have no symptoms. Having no symptoms, does not mean that chronic disease has disappeared it means it has not reached the incapacitating stages. Below are the early signs of the following degenerating diseases.

CANCER

Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body. Cancer develops when the body’s normal control mechanism stops working. Old cells do not die and instead grow out of control, forming new, abnormal cells. These extra cells may form a mass of tissue, called a tumour. Its risk factors include:

• Excessive exposure to sunlight.
• Lack of physical activity.
• Family history.
• Exposure to certain chemicals.
• Poor diet.

 SYMPTOMS

• Change in bowel or bladder habits.
• A sore throat that does not heal.
• Unusual bleeding or discharge (for example, nipple secretions or a “sore” that will not heal that oozes material).
• Thickening or lump in the breast, testicles, or elsewhere.
• Indigestion (usually chronic) or difficulty swallowing.
• Obvious change in the size, colour, shape, or thickness of a wart or mole.
• Unexplained loss of weight or loss of appetite.
• A new type of pain in the bones or other parts of the body that may be steadily worsening, or come and go, but is unlike previous pains one has had before.
• Persistent fatigue, nausea, or vomiting.
• Unexplained low-grade fevers with may be either persistent or come and go.
• Recurring infections which will not clear with usual treatment.

CHRONIC KIDNEY FAILURE.

Chronic kidney disease describes the gradual loss of kidney function. Your kidneys filter wastes and excess fluids from your blood, which are then excreted in your urine. When chronic kidney disease reaches an advanced stage, dangerous levels of fluid, electrolytes and wastes can build up in your body it leads to kidney failure.

SYMPTOMS

Signs and symptoms of chronic kidney disease develop over time if kidney damage progresses slowly. Signs and symptoms of kidney disease may include:

• Nausea.
• Vomiting.
• Loss of appetite.
• Fatigue and weakness.
• Sleep problems.
• Changes in how much you urinate.
• Decreased mental sharpness.
• Muscle twitches and cramps.
• Swelling of feet and ankles.
• Persistent itching.
• Chest pain if fluid builds up around the lining of the heart.
• Shortness of breath if fluid builds up in the lungs.
• High blood pressure (hypertension) that’s difficult to control.

Please note that the sign and symptoms of kidney disease are often nonspecific, meaning they can also be caused by other illnesses. Because your kidneys are highly adaptable and able to compensate for lost function, signs and symptoms may not appear until irreversible damage has occurred.

  DIABETES

 Diabetes is a disease in which your body cannot produce enough insulin, cannot use insulin, or a mix of both.

In diabetes, sugar levels in the blood go up.  It is a disease that occurs when your blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high.

Blood glucose is your main source of energy and comes from the food you eat.

Insulin, a hormone made by the pancreas, helps glucose from food get into your cells to be used for energy. This can cause complications if left uncontrolled.

The potential health consequences are often serious.

Diabetes raises the risk of cardiovascular disease and can cause problems with your eyes, kidneys, and skin, among other things.

Diabetes can also lead to erectile dysfunction (ED) and other urological problems in men.

However, many of these complications are preventable or treatable with awareness and attention to your health.

SYMPTOMS OF DIABETES

Early symptoms of diabetes are often undetected because they may not seem that serious. Some of the mildest early diabetes symptoms include:

• Frequent Urination.
• Unusual Fatigue.
• Blurred Vision.
• Weight Loss, Even Without Dieting
• Tingling or Numbness in the Hands and Feet.

If you allow diabetes to go untreated, complications can occur. These complications can include issues with these areas of your body

Skin.

Eyes.

Kidney.

Nerves, including nerve damage.

Amputation.

Pay attention to bacterial infections in your eyelids (styes), hair follicles (folliculitis), or fingernails or toenails. Additionally, make note of any stabbing or shooting pains in your hands and feet. All of these are signals that you may be experiencing complications from diabetes.