Chronic degenerative diseases are non-communicable illnesses that are prolonged in duration, do not resolve spontaneously, tend to worsen over time if not addressed and are rarely cured completely when addressed in later stages. Examples of chronic diseases include heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes, osteoporosis, degenerative arthritis or degenerative joint disease and even some autoimmune disorders.
• Chronic diseases cause 7 in 10 deaths each year in the United States.
• About 133 million Americans—nearly 1 in 2 adults—live with at least one chronic illness.
• More than 75% of health care costs are due to chronic conditions.
• Approximately one-fourth of persons living with a chronic illness experience significant limitations in daily activities.
• The percentage of U.S. children and adolescents with a chronic health condition has increased from 1.8% in the 1960s to more than 7% in 2004.
• Heart disease and stroke are the first and third leading causes of death, accounting for more than 30% of all U.S. deaths each year.
• Cancer, the second leading cause of death, claims more than half a million lives each year.
• Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure, non-traumatic lower-extremity amputations, and new cases of blindness each year among U.S. adults aged 20–74 years.
• Arthritis, the most common cause of disability, limits activity for 19 million U.S. adults.
• Osteoporosis is the number one cause of spine and hip fracture among older adults
• Obesity has become a major health concern for people of all ages. 1 in every 3 adults and nearly 1 in every 5 young people aged 6–19 are obese.
Although chronic diseases are more common among older adults, in more recent years we are seeing that they affect people of all ages and are now recognized as a leading health concern of the nation. Chronic degenerative diseases are the most common and costly of all health problems. Four common, health-damaging, but modifiable behaviors—tobacco use, insufficient physical activity, poor eating habits, and excessive alcohol use—are responsible for much of the illness, disability, and premature death related to chronic diseases. Growing evidence indicates that a comprehensive approach to prevention can save tremendous costs and needless suffering, because these diseases are preventable and in early stages reversible…so why isn’t anyone talking about it??
How can a degenerative disease be reversible but not curable? Degenerative disease is damage caused by deterioration, not by a viral or bacterial infection. The root cause of degenerative disease is the body being unable to heal properly from the deterioration of normal wear and tear on the body due to long-term assaults on the body from lack of good nutrition, exercise, adequate rest and from consuming too much sugar, unhealthy foods, alcohol, and from not consuming enough healthy foods such as fresh, organic fruits, vegetable, lean meat, fish and eggs. “Degenerative disease is reversible” means the body can heal many types of deterioration if the deterioration is not too severe and if the body is given the nutrients and protection from free radicals it needs to heal. Of course, it’s 100 times easier to prevent degenerative disease than to stop and reverse degenerative disease.
If you would like to be coached into a healthy lifestyle to prevent these degenerative diseases, or if you need help to overcome and possibly reverse the effects of a degenerative disease you have been diagnosed with, just call (239) 243-8735
and schedule your consultation with Dr. Hoch.