Comscore Beacon Diabetes - AskMen

Life-Threatening Illnesses

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15.7 Million Americans have diabetes. The disease is simple: the body does not produce or use insulin properly. The illness can cause a plethora of problems, such as blindness, kidney problems, infections, strokes, etc. Once a person develops diabetes, the individual must take insulin shots or pills each day and maintain a strict diet.

How to prevent it
Why some people develop diabetes is still unclear, but a person's weight and level of exercise seem to influence it. Diabetes is also inherited, so if someone in your family has diabetes, you might want to visit a doctor. Many Americans have diabetes and don't even know it. Symptoms such as fatigue, extreme hunger, weight loss, and vision changes are all signs of the disease.

Respiratory diseases

For the last few years, respiratory problems have been on the rise. 17 million Americans have asthma and each year, 5000 Americans (mostly children) die of asthma-related respiratory complications. Bronchitis and emphysema, on the other hand, kill over 80,000 people each year. The diseases are caused by inflammation of the respiratory system due to allergy or mucous.

How to prevent it
Asthmatics should know what they are allergic to and should avoid drinking milk because it stimulates the production of mucous. 65,000 people die of bronchitis and emphysema caused by cigarettes, so avoiding cigarettes goes without saying. There are many different types of drugs and treatments available on the market that can help.

Pneumonia & Influenza

Pneumonia and influenza are silent killers. Few ever worry about those two diseases even though they kill over 60,000 Americans each year. Pneumonia and influenza, or "the flu," cause respiratory problems by infecting and inflaming the lungs. If untreated, they can be fatal.

How to prevent it
Pneumonia and influenza come from bacteria and/or viruses. When the immune system is weakened, either by way of illness, age, malnutrition, extreme cold, etc., they can strike. There are vaccines against many forms of pneumonia and influenza. Once you are stricken, however, antibiotics are a good way of dealing with the problem, just don't wait until the last minute.


160,000 people die of strokes each year. The older you get, the higher your chances of having a stroke. Men, African-Americans and individuals with a family history of strokes are particularly at risk.

Strokes occur when a blood clot obstructs an artery or blood vessel, preventing blood from reaching a part of the brain. When that happens, brain cells die; pain, partial paralysis and even death can follow.

How to prevent it
Your chances of having a stroke are 4 to 6 times higher if you have high blood pressure or hypertension. See a doctor if you have an irregular heartbeat; this can cause strokes, among other things. Also, make sure you don't have high cholesterol, don't smoke, don't drink, and make sure to keep fit. Sleep apnea (not breathing enough while you sleep) can also indirectly cause strokes.

What are the most prevalent diseases you need to be wary of?

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