Top Ten
Leading Causes of Death {US}
Presenter: Evanna Stark
Suicide
10
Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States, with approximately 42,773 deaths every year. Suicide is a form of ultimate self harm, death caused by one's own actions. In basic terms, it's the act of intentionally killing yourself. Suicide happens among young adults, ages 18-25, or those with mental conditions, such as depression.
Warning Signs
Signs
Warning signs of those who are suicidal include:
- withdrawal, feeling isolated
- talking about being a burden to others, feeling hopeless, or having no reason to live
- talking about wanting to die or killing yourself
- extreme mood swings
- increase of intake of drugs and alcohol
*These are only a few warning signs.
Preventing Suicide?
Prevent Suicide!
There are many risk factors that can affect the risk of suicide, which include mental disorders, firearms in the home, prior suicide attempt, any family violence, and incarceration.
Although you cannot prevent someone from commiting suicide, there is a National Suicide Prevention Lifeline you can call if you are suicidal, or if you know someone who is.
Kidney Disease
9
Kidney disease is the ninth leading cause of death, with about 48,146 deaths each year. Chronic kidney disease is the condition in which the kidneys are damaged and cannot filter blood as well as healthy kidneys can. Because of this, waste remains in the blood and body, and therefore, can cause other health problems. Kidney disease is more common among adults older than 70. The risk of kidney disease does increase as a person ages.
Warning Signs
Signs
Warning signs include:
- unintentional, unexplained weight loss
- nausea
- general ill feeling or weakness
When condition has become severe:
- abnormally dark or light skin
- breath odor
- sleep problems
*These are only a few symptoms.
Prevention?
You can reduce your risk of chronic kidney disease by:
- maintaining a healthy weight
- avoid excessive intake of alcohol
- quit smoking
Prevention
Influenza/Pneumonia
8
Influenza/pneumonia is ranked the eighth leading cause of death in the United States, with about 55,000 deaths a year. Influenza is a highly contagious viral infection, more prevalent in the winter. Influenza can be complicated with pneumonia, which a severe, possibly fatal condition which is the result of the inflammation of the lungs. With pneumonia, the air sacs in the lungs fill with pus and other liquid, which prevents oxygen from getting where it needs to go. Anyone can get pneumonia or influenza.
Warning Signs
Signs
Warning signs of influenza include:
- fever
- nasal congestion
- cough
- muscle aches
Warning signs of pneumonia include:
- wheezing
- chest pains
- malaise
- feeling of weakness or ill health
*These are only a few symptoms.
Prevention
You can prevent influenza/pneumonia by:
- yearly vaccinations
- washing hands frequently, especially before/after eating and after using the restroom
- quitting smoking
- good health habits
Prevention
Diabetes
7
Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death. There are about 77,000 deaths each year because of this disease. Diabetes is a condition in which the body is no longer able to safely control the amount of blood glucose, leading to abnormally high levels of blood glucose. This can cause damage to the body's tissues, especially in the eyes, nerve tissues, blood vessels, and gums. This condition is a result of the pancreas' inability to produce enough insulin or use it as well, which makes the sugar build up in the blood. Diabetes can lead to other health problems such as heart disease and kidney failure.
Diabetes Cont.
Cont.
Type 1 Diabetes - an autoimmune condition in which the immune system misidentifies the insulin-producing cells and attacks them. Accounts for 5% of all diagnostics.
Type 2 Diabetes - a condition that can be a result of a combination of lifetime habits and even genetics (can be hereditary). Causes insulin resistance. Accounts for 90% - 95% of all diabetes diagnostics.
Warning Signs
Warning signs of diabetes include:
- frequent urination
- sores that are slow to heal
- more infections than usual
- extreme hunger
- unexplained weight loss
Signs
Prevention
Type 1 diabetes cannot really be prevented because of it being an autoimmune disease. There is no known way to prevent it.
Type 2 diabetes, however, the risk can be reduced by:
- regular physical activity
- maintain a healthy body weight
Prevention
Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer's disease is the sixth leading cause of death. Yearly, there are about 93,000 deaths.
Alzheimer's disease is a type of dementia, which is caused by damage to the nerve cells in the brain. As a result to this damage, neurons can no longer function normally, which causes changes in behavior, memory, and more. Alzheimer's is ultimately fatal.
6
Signs
Signs of dementia include:
- memory loss that disrupts daily life
- confusions with time or place
- new problems in speaking or understanding
- misplacing things, inability to retrace steps
- decreased or poor judgment
- changes in mood and personality
signs
Preventing Alzheimer's?
There is no way to prevent Alzheimer's disease. However, it is thought that you can stay mentally active, and maintain a healthy physique and lifestyle.
Prevention?
Stroke
With a yearly 133,000 deaths, stroke is at present with the fifth rank in this top ten countdown.
Cerebrovascular disease are conditions that happen as a result of problems of blood supply to the brain.
5
Warning signs
Signs and symptoms of a stroke include:
- numbness or weakness in the face, arm, leg, especially on one side of the body
- confusions or trouble speaking or understanding speech
- trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- trouble walking, dizziness, etc.
- severe headache with no known cause
signs
prevention
To prevent a stroke:
- healthy diet
- regular exercise
- staying hydrated
- not smoking
- limiting alcohol use
- maintain healthy weight
Prevention
Accidents
Accidents (unintentional) are ranked fourth in the top ten leading causes of death, with about 136,000 deaths yearly, among people ages one through forty-four.
These accidents are unintentional, and there are many ways to prevent them. Most precautions are focused on road safety, which include seat-beat use and imporved awareness of dangers on the road.
4
Chronic Lower Respiratory Disease
3
Chronic lower respiratory diseases is ranked as the third leading cause of death in the United States, with a little over 147,000 deaths yearly. CLRD is a collection of lung disorders and diseases, which cause airflow blockage and breathing-related issues. These disease include COPD, asthma, and bronchitis.
Warning signs
Warning signs of lung disease include:
- difficulty breathing, especially during exercise
- a persistant cough with phlegm
- frequent chest infections
signs
Prevention?
To prevent lung disease:
- quit smoking
- avoid secondhand smoke
- avoid air pollution
- avoid chemical fumes
- avoid dust
Prevention
Cancer
2
Cancer is the second leading cause, with around 590,000 deaths yearly. Cancer is a group of diseases characterized by uncontrolled cell growth and spread of abnormal cells. The most common types of cancers include breast cancer, prostate cancer, and leukemia. If not controlled, it can lead to death.
Anyone can get cancer, however, the risk increases with age.
Cancer can be a result of genetics, and other risk factors, such as lifetime habits. Lung cancer accounts for more deaths than any other cancer in men and women.
Preventing Cancer?
Prevention
A major portion of cancers can be prevented. All cancers caused by heavy smoking or excessive intake of alcohol can be prevented. For reducing risk of these cancers you can:
- keep a healthy weight
- healthy diet
- regular exercise
Some cancers are related to infectious agents such as hepititus, HPV and HIV. These can be prevented with behavioral changes and vaccinations.
Heart Disease
Heart disease, is ranked as the #1 leading cause of death in the United States, with over 610,000 deaths each year, affecting both men and women. Many heart problems are connected to the term heart disease. Many heart conditions are a result of plaque buildup in the walls of arteries. The narrower the arteries are, the more difficult it is for blood to flow to the heart, creating risk for heart attack or stroke.
1
Warning Signs
Warning signs of a heart attack/disease include:
- chest pain or discomfort
- breathlessness
- lightheadedness
- cold sweats
- pain or discomfort in the upper body, arms, neck, jaw, or upper stomach
Signs
Preventing Heart Disease
Prevention
You can prevent heart disease by doing the following:
- avoid excessive intake of alcohol and drugs
- maintain healthy habits and body weight
- eating diet that is low in fats, sugars, and cholesterol
- regular exercise
- reduce stress levels
- quit smoking
Bibliography
Bibliography
*Nichols, Hannah. “The Top 10 Leading Causes of Death in the United States.” Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, 23 Feb. 2017, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/282929.php.
*“Flu vs. Pneumonia: How Can You Tell the Difference?” ARcare, 23 Apr. 2019, www.arcare.net/flu-vs-pneumonia-can-tell-difference/.
*“Type 2 Diabetes Causes.” EndocrineWeb, www.endocrineweb.com/conditions/type-2-diabetes/type-2-diabetes-causes.
*“Heart Disease.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 22 Mar. 2018, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20353118.
*“Cancer.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 22 Apr. 2019, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cancer.
*Stibich, Mark. “Are You At Risk for Chronic Lower Respiratory Disease?” Verywell Health, www.verywellhealth.com/what-is-chronic-lower-respiratory-disease-2224212.
Bibliography COnt.
*“What Is Stroke?” National Stroke Association, www.stroke.org/understand-stroke/what-is-stroke/.
*“What Is Alzheimer's?” Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia, www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-alzheimers.
*“Chronic Kidney Disease.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 8 Mar. 2018, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-kidney-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20354521.
*“Suicide.” Psychology Today, Sussex Publishers, www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/suicide.
