Death can occur as the result of a number of medical and non-medical causes. This includes suicide, accidents, drowning, terminal illness, heart attack, brain haemorrhage and from various illness. According to WHO, the major causes of death consist of lower respiratory infections, chronic obstructive lung disease, ischemic heart disease and stroke. In addition, other common causes of death include pneumonia, Alzheimer’s and kidney disease. Death as the cause of lung cancer has increased from 1.2 million individuals in the year 2000 to 1.6 million in 2012 and similarly death by diabetes has increased from 1.0 million individuals in the year 2000 to 1.5 million deaths in 2012.
Cardiovascular disease
Cardiovascular disease is the one of the common cause of death accounting for 31% (17.5 million individuals) of global death in 2012. Heart attacks and strokes are mostly caused as the result of a blockage that prevents the blood flow to the heart or the brain. The common cause of this is the accumulation of fatty deposit on the inner walls of the blood vessels. The common sign of heart attack is the chest pain, nausea, cold sweat, breathlessness, light-headedness, pain or discomfort in the left shoulder, elbows, jaw, arms or the back. It is believed that most of the cardiovascular disease can be prevented by lifestyle changes by not using tobacco, including a healthy diet, maintaining proper weight and exercise.
Cancer
Cancer is one of the leading causes of death globally accounting for 8.2 million cancer-related deaths in 2012 according to WHO. Cancer is the malignant tumours that can invade adjoining parts and can spread to other organs (metastases). Among men, the common cancer sites are the prostrate, colorectum, stomach, liver and the lung. Among the women, the common sites of cancer include the colorectum, lung, cervix, stomach and the breast. It is estimated that one-third of cancer deaths is the result of unhealthy lifestyle and diet.
Chronic respiratory diseases
This is a group of lung conditions that affects the airways to the lungs and breathing related issues. It includes the primary chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchitis and asthma. According to WHO, 3 million individuals have died of COPD in 2015 and is estimated that COPD will become the third leading cause of death globally by 2030. The risk factors include the exposure to dust, air pollution, tobacco use, occupational chemical exposure and frequent lower respiratory infections in a child. Although no cure is available, treatments can improve breathing difficulties and control the symptoms.
Alzheimer’s disease
It is estimated that around 44 million individuals globally are affected with Alzheimer’s or related dementia. It is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States and the life-expectancy is generally around 4 – 8 years after the diagnosis. Dementia is characterized by the progressive decline of memory and cognitive abilities as the result of damage to the neurons. The symptom of Alzheimer’s includes confusion, memory loss, poor judgment, changes in personality, misplacing things and withdrawal from social activities.
Diabetes
According to WHO, diabetes was the direct cause of 1.5 million deaths in 2012. This is one of the leading causes of heart attack, stroke, kidney failure and blindness. Diabetes develops when either the body cannot produce sufficient quantity of insulin (type 1 diabetes) or cannot effectively use it (type 2) to regulate the blood sugar. Some of the common symptoms of diabetes include frequent urination, extreme hunger, vision changes, excessive thirst, fatigue and unexplained weight loss.
References
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs310/en/
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs317/en/
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs297/en/
http://www.who.int/respiratory/en/
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs315/en/
