Avoiding Lifestyle Diseases in the Future

In simple terms, lifestyle diseases are medical disorders resulting from unhealthy choices you make in your everyday life. Conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and thyroid are rising in the country. According to the GOQii India Fit Report 2020, almost 62% of the respondents were under high-risk or borderline for lifestyle-related ailments.

Additionally, this report showed that people in the age group of 19-30 were at higher risks of such conditions. Diabetes and thyroid have seen a significant rise, and India is known as the ‘diabetes capital of the world’, with more than 70 million patients.

Causes

Lifestyle-related conditions develop over several years. However, completely curing such ailments is difficult. Some common causes of these medical conditions include:

  • Physical inactivity and sedentary lifestyle
  • Unhealthy dietary habits
  • Irregular and inadequate sleeping patterns
  • Stressful living
  • Excessive smoking and alcohol consumption

Symptoms of some common lifestyle diseases

  • Obesity: If you are overweight, there is a higher risk of conditions like hypertension, cardiovascular conditions, breathing trouble, and diabetes
  • Arteriosclerosis: The arterial blood vessel walls thicken, and their elasticity reduces, which results in chest pain, blood circulation issues, and heart attacks
  • Stroke: When blood carrying vessels have blocks, it may cause oxygen deficiency to the brain, resulting in a stroke

Preventing lifestyle diseases

You can avert these ailments by:

  • Consuming a well-balanced diet that includes plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables
  • Undertaking some form of physical activity for 30 minutes at least five times per week
  • Eliminating the consumption of alcohol
  • Quitting smoking
  • Keeping weight under control to prevent obesity
  • Getting adequate sleep and adhering to a pre-determined schedule
  • Avoiding stress by practicing breathing exercises and meditation

How health insurance helps in financial stability

If you are diagnosed with a lifestyle-related illness, the treatment is required over the long-term and is expensive. To ensure you and your family do not face financial difficulties while undergoing treatment, it is important to avail of a health insurance plan. Here are five advantages of these plans:

  • Cashless treatment within network hospitals, making the claim procedure quick and hassle-free
  • ‘Health Returns’ reward points for staying active and living a healthy lifestyle, which may be redeemed for medications, diagnostic tests, or for paying the renewal premium of your medical insurance policy
  • No-Claim Bonus (NCB), which is beneficial in increasing the basic sum insured (SI), providing greater coverage over the long-term
  • Access to experienced healthcare professionals via chronic management program that helps improve the quality of life if you are diagnosed with a lifestyle-related condition
  • Premium paid on the mediclaim policy is eligible for tax benefits under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act, 1961

Several insurers allow you to increase the coverage by providing additional riders, which include accidental death, disability, and critical illness health insurance for an extra premium. You can also buy a standalone critical illness plan to protect your savings, particularly if you have a family history of these ailments.