World Health Day: 5 things about your health that you must not take for granted

April 7 celebrates World Health Day to create awareness of a specific health issue which is a priority area of concern for the world. This year the day celebrates the work of nurses and midwives and reminds world leaders of the critical role they play in keeping the world healthy, amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

There are little things in life that we pass off thinking they mean nothing. Be it a persistent cough, or drastic weight reduction, or even broken sleep. However, these could be precursors to some serious health conditions.

On World Health Day, here’s looking at a few conditions you should be aware of and get immediately checked for a healthier future.

1. Broken sleep
A lot of us are unable to get a long deep sleep at night, fretting over nothing and constantly waking up. While we may not think much of it, the NHS UK says regular poor sleep puts a person at risk of serious medical conditions, including obesity, heart disease and diabetes. It also shortens a person’s life expectancy.

Sleeplessness could also mean that a person is suffering from Obstructive sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome or delayed sleep phase disorder. 

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While obstructive sleep apnea is caused by a blockage in the upper airways, restless leg syndrome causes uncomfortable sensations in the leg causing a person to repeatedly wake up.

Also, Read: Those late nights and lack of sleep can give you diabetes, if this study is to be believed

2. Persistent coughing
While you may shrug off your persistent coughing as being nothing out of the ordinary, a persistent cough could actually be a precursor to asthma. According to Harvard Health, while wheezing and breathlessness are usual symptoms of asthma, not all patients wheeze.

Some just cough. According to them, in most cases, cough-variant asthma produces a persistent, dry cough that occurs throughout the day and night. Exposure to allergens, dust, cold or even exercise could trigger the condition.

3. Climbing stairs
There are young and healthy people for whom climbing stairs might become an issue. 

While one may think it is due to tiredness, it could be that the person has unhealthy lungs, or is suffering from high blood pressure. A person with high BP gets easily exhausted while walking fast or climbing stairs. They are more prone to heart attacks as well.

4. Hypotension
A medical term for low blood pressure, it could actually be a precursor to Parkinson’s disease. A 2016 study published in Movement Disorders Clinical Practice found that about 25% of people who suffer from Parkinson’s disease experience postural hypotension. 

Hypotension happens when the blood pressure drops rapidly and significantly upon standing from sitting or lying down.

Also, Read: Pilates is just perf for you if you want to improve your blood pressure, says study

5. Constipation
   A number of people suffer from bowel issues each morning. Some people even suffer from fewer bowel movements. Constipation could, however, be a precursor of certain diseases like stroke, diabetes and Parkinson’s disease. 

The condition could also point towards hormonal problems including an underactive thyroid gland. As per a study in the journal Medicine, in a total stroke population of 1385 people who were investigated, 601 patients, having suffered from constipation.

Also, Read: 5 foods in your kitchen right now that are bursting with dietary fiber