Tp 10 Causes f Disability Disability can happen t anyne, f any age. Thugh sme may be the result f accidents r injuries that are unavidable, many disabilities are the result f diseases and health cnditins that can be prevented. With simple lifestyle changes, such as exercising, eating healthy, minimizing stress, and getting mre sleep, yu can help reduce yur likelihd f becming disabled. Listed belw are the tp leading causes f disability in the U.S. accrding t the Wrld Health Organizatin (WHO), ranked frm highest t lwest based n a measured unit called disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) that represents the ttal number f years lst t illness, disability, r premature death. 1. Neurpsychiatric Disrders (18.7 DALYs) Mental and Behaviral Disrders (13.6 DALYs) Addictins t drugs, alchl, and medicatins Eating Disrders, such as anrexia and bulimia Md Disrders, including biplar disrder and depressin Sleep Disrders, such as insmnia It s imprtant that treatment be sught and maintained, as many mental and behaviral disrders may lead t wrsening symptms and risky behavirs when left untreated. Page 1 f 6
Neurlgical Disrders (5.1 DALYs) Neurlgical disrders are diseases f the brain, spine, and the nerves that cnnect them. These include ALS, Parkinsn s disease, multiple sclersis, epilepsy, and strke. Because sme neurlgical disrders may be prgressive, meaning they can wrsen with time, clse mnitring and medical care is essential t a persn s verall wellbeing. 2. Cardivascular and Circulatry Diseases (16.8 DALYs) These include heart disease, heart attacks, ischemic strke (the mst cmmn type), heart failure, and arrhythmias. Heart diseases are very preventable. Yu can start by knwing yur bld pressure and keeping it under cntrl, exercising regularly, quitting smking, and eating lts f fruits and vegetables t maintain a healthy weight. 3. Neplasms (15.1 DALYs) Neplasms are essentially tumrs (abnrmal grwth f tissue) that frm in sme part f the bdy. Sme are benign (nn-cancerus) and thers are malignant (cancerus). Sme cancers can be screened thrugh rutine exams such as mammgrams r clnscpies; thers may be harder t detect and require bldwrk r ther tests. That s why it s imprtant t visit yur dctr regularly and nt miss any cancer preventin screenings recmmended by yur physician. Page 2 f 6
4. Musculskeletal Disrders (11.8 DALYs) These range frm back pain that becmes chrnic, t genetic disrders that affect the spine r muscles, t amputatins that may impair a persn s ability t wrk r perfrm daily functins. Start stretching and exercising regularly, and make sure yur wrkstatin is ergnmic t prevent any wrk-related injuries. Dn t ignre pain! Pain is yur bdy s way f signaling that smething is wrng. Visit a medical care prfessinal that will help determine the cause f yur discmfrt, as well as prvide yu with ways in which yu can prevent further injury. 5. Diabetes, Urgenital, Bld, and Endcrine Disease (8.0 DALYs) Of these, the mst cmmn in the U.S. is diabetes, particularly Type 2 diabetes. Diabetes means yur bld glucse, r bld sugar, levels are t high. Fr thse with unmanaged r severe diabetes, there is an increased risk f blindness, renal failure, and amputatin. Begin eating healthier and managing yur weight. If yu ntice an increase in fatigue, hair lss, r uncntrlled appetite, these may be signs f an endcrine disrder. If s, talk t yur general physician; he r she may recmmend yu see a specialist. 6. Chrnic Respiratry Diseases (6.5 DALYs) Cmmn chrnic respiratry diseases include asthma, chrnic bstructive pulmnary disease (COPD), lung cancer, and sleep apnea. If yu re a smker, it s time t quit, as smking will nly wrsen any existing breathing prblems and increase yur risk f lung cancer. Page 3 f 6
7. Other Nncmmunicable (Chrnic) Diseases (5.1 DALYs) They are nt passed frm persn t persn, but tend t be f lnger duratin and prgress slwly. These include heart disease, strke, cancer, diabetes, lung disease, as well as ther lng-term health cnditins like fibrmyalgia, dementia, r digestive disrders. Risk factrs are a mix f genetics (yur family histry), lifestyle, and yur envirnment, s limit alchl, quit tbacc use, eat healthy, and exercise. 8. Unintentinal Injuries (Nn-transprt) (3.6 DALYs) Drwnings, burns, and falls are sme f the mst cmmn injuries. Children and the elderly are mre at risk. Minimize risks by maintaining a safe hme, wearing well-fitting shes, and bserving yur surrundings fr any hazards. 9. Self-harm and Interpersnal Vilence (3.1 DALYs) Self-directed vilence r injury, such as cutting, severe drinking, r attempted suicide, can lead t disabling and even deadly cnsequences. Unfrtunately, peple with chrnic illness r disabilities are even mre at risk f engaging in self-harm activities. The signs f suicide can be many, but if yu r smene yu knw needs help, d nt hesitate t cntact the Natinal Suicide Preventin Lifeline 1-800-273-8255. Page 4 f 6
10. Transprt Injuries (3.0 DALYs) We all need t g frm ne place t anther, but we can d s safely by wearing seatbelts, driving at r belw the speed-limit, and nt driving while under the influence f drugs r alchl. Make sure t always fllw the guidelines set fr child car seats and t educate yur teen n car safety. T learn mre, g t www.safercar.gv. Page 5 f 6
References US Burden f Disease Cllabratrs. The state f US health, 1990-2010: burden f diseases, injuries, and risk factrs. JAMA, 310(6): 591-608, 2013. Jni and Friends can assume n liability in the recmmendatin f any prduct, service r rganizatin, nr des this cnstitute an endrsement. Jni and Friends, 2017 Used by permissin f Jni and Friends P.O. Bx 3333, Agura Hills, CA 91376 www.jniandfriends.rg Page 6 f 6