Many people are afraid of dying suddenly: they are afraid that a brick will fall on their head, be hit by a car or be swallowed by a shark. In fact, most of us have a more prosaic ending. Scientists analyzed the mortality statistics of US residents for 2013 (these are the freshest statistics available …
10. The tenth line in this sad rating is taken by suicide, or deliberate taking of one's own life: 41 thousand 149 deaths. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among Americans aged 15 to 24 and 25 to 34. Moreover, men become victims of suicide four times more often than women. One of the strategies for preventing suicide is the early recognition of warning signs, such as, for example, frequent conversations about death, use of psychoactive substances, general depression or sleep disturbances.
9. Kidney diseases, including nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis, are in ninth place in the ranking. They are responsible for the deaths of 47 thousand 112 people in 2013. Nephritis is inflammation of the kidneys that can be caused by an infection or an allergic reaction to the drug. Nephrotic syndrome is characterized by an accumulation of protein in the urine. Causes of this condition include infection, drug reactions, cancer, immune disorders, diabetes, or lupus. Nephrosis is damage to the kidneys that can be caused by pain medications or chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, lupus, or high blood pressure.
8. Influenza and pneumonia killed 56 thousand 979 Americans in 2013. Influenza is a respiratory illness caused by a virus. Elderly people, children, and pregnant women are especially at risk of developing complications associated with it. A seasonal flu shot can help prevent infection. Pneumonia, a complication of the flu, occurs when viruses or bacteria in the lungs cause an infection. At the same time, children under 5 years old and adults over 65 years old are in the high-risk group. The salvation lies in vaccination and hygiene.
7. Diabetes mellitus claimed the lives of 75 thousand 578 American citizens in 2013. A condition characterized by abnormally high blood sugar levels can lead to kidney failure, blindness, heart disease, and even limb amputation. Risk factors include obesity, old age, heredity, and lack of exercise. Regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight can reduce the risk of developing the disease.
6. Alzheimer's disease is not just memory loss and is the most common form of dementia among older people. In 2013, she killed 84,767 US residents. The disease is characterized by problems with memory, thinking and language skills, which greatly complicates a person's daily life. Alzheimer's disease usually begins at the age of 60. With increasing age, the risk of developing the disease also increases. The hereditary factor also plays an important role here.
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5. In fifth place is the stroke: 128 thousand 978 deaths. A stroke occurs when blood flow to a specific part of the brain is disrupted, resulting in cell death, or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts. A stroke can lead to speech difficulties, paralysis, and death. Risk factors include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes, overweight or obesity, excessive alcohol consumption, and smoking. In general, men have a higher risk of stroke than women. A healthy diet, exercise, and a healthy weight will reduce the likelihood of developing disease.
4. Accidents or death from related injuries is 130 thousand 557 deaths in the US in 2013 and the fourth place in the ranking. The main killers in this category were road accidents, which resulted in the death of 33 thousand 804 people. And also falls from a height - 30 thousand 208 deaths and accidental poisoning - 38 thousand 851 deaths. Accidents are typical for all age groups, there is no distinction between the old and the young, but there is still one feature: the victims of accidents are most often people aged from one to 44 years.
3. Chronic diseases of the lower respiratory tract close the top three. They are responsible for the deaths of 149,205 Americans in 2013. The main killer is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Chronic bronchitis, characterized by swollen and narrowed airways, can cause emphysema, destruction of the alveoli, and damage to the lungs. Smoking is the leading cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Men who smoke are 12 times more likely to die from COPD than non-smokers, so quitting this addiction can lower your risk of developing COPD.
2. In second place in the ranking is cancer, which caused the death of 584 thousand 881 people in 2013. There are many different types of cancer, but they are all associated with uncontrolled cell growth. While men are most at risk for prostate, lung and colon cancers, women are more likely to have breast, lung, and colon cancers. In general, lung cancer is leading among both men and women. Hereditary factors, improper lifestyle can contribute to the development of the disease. Conversely, quitting bad habits, such as smoking, can reduce your risk of several types of cancer, including lung and kidney cancer. There is also medical evidence that a diet rich in non-starchy fruits and vegetables may reduce the likelihood of developing esophageal and stomach cancers. Obesity can lead to the development of several types of cancer, including colon and uterine cancers.
1. The leader of the rating, ahead of the terrible oncology and tragic incidents, is heart disease. The number one killer claimed the lives of 611 thousand 105 US residents in 2013. This is about a quarter of all deaths in the country. The most common types of heart disease are coronary artery disease and heart rhythm disturbances. Risk factors include obesity, smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol. Accordingly, controlling your cholesterol and blood pressure levels will help reduce your chances of developing heart disease.
Alexander Kornev