Conditions and Diseases Risks

Over the course of a lifetime, a person will be diagnosed with a variety of medical conditions and diseases. Some will be minor, easily treatable conditions while other may be diagnosed with more serious or even life-threatening diseases.

Signs and Symptoms

Every diagnosis carries with it a different set of signs and symptoms. Not everyone presents with the same symptoms for a specific diagnosis. Additionally, many different diagnoses can exhibit similar symptoms making it the responsibility of the physician to sort through the information and come to a concluding diagnosis and treatment plan.

The signs and symptoms of the most frequently diagnosed conditions and diseases include, but are not limited to:

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)-usually a burning, heartburn-like pain in the chest
• Cancer-depending upon the affected organ, the symptoms are unlimited and can range from unexplained weight loss, pain, or blood in the stool
• Diabetes-frequent urination, thirst, unexplained weight loss, fatigue
• Heart disease-depending upon the diagnosis, the symptoms can include chest pain, shortness of breath, swollen lower extremities or palpitations
• Benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH)-frequent urination, difficulty urinating, urgent urge to urinate or urinary tract infection
• Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-flu-like symptoms, fever, sore throat, body rash enlarged lymph nodes
• Acne-visible pustules, blackheads, whiteheads or other skin eruptions especially on face, back or chest
• Allergy-depending upon the allergen and exposure, the symptoms can include runny nose, sneezing, difficulty breathing and coughing
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)-easily distracted, inattentiveness, inability to sit still and constant motion

Risk Factors to Develop a Condition or Disease

There are many and varied risk factors that predispose a person to the myriad of medical issues that face the general population.

• Race and ethnicity
• Age
• Environmental factors
• Family history
• Gender
• Other contributing medical conditions

Negative Effects of Conditions and Diseases

There are many contributing factors over which a person has no control such as family history, age and gender. There are many other influences that can be altered and controlled such as lifestyle choices and environmental factors. A person can choose to smoke or not. They can practice weight control and exercise, both of which impact heart disease and diabetes. Being healthy is not totally in a person's control but there is an element of responsibility to practice a healthy lifestyle. The reward and outcome will be beneficial over a lifetime.