List of the Deadliest Diseases in India

Chronic diseases in India cause 53% of all deaths. According to WHO’s prediction, fatal diseases will cause death for over 60 million people in the next 10 years. Most of these chronic diseases are going to be heart diseases, brain strokes, cancer and diabetes.

Read further to know more about the most dangerous diseases in India with the causes, symptoms and prevention.

Diseases are majorly of types, such as infectious diseases, physiological diseases, hereditary diseases (genetic and non-genetic), and deficiency diseases. You can also categorise chronic diseases as communicable and non-communicable. Diseases in this list belong to both types.

1. Cardio-vascular Diseases

Cardio-vascular diseases consist of a range of illnesses or complications of your heart. One of the most popular diseases in India is a cardiac attack. These have been a leading cause of death in India for over two decades.

Symptoms

• Chest ache, timely tightness or pressure in your chest.
• Fast or slow heartbeats and shortness of breath.
• Pain in throat, neck, jaw, upper abdomen, etc.

Causes

• An unhealthy diet that comprises a high intake of red meat, alcohol, etc.
• A physically inactive lifestyle that results in obesity
• Excess caffeine and drug consumption.
• If you are born with or have a family history of cardiovascular defects.

Preventive Measures

• Start with a healthy diet adding more natural sources of protein and fat than animal-based sources. Choose foods that provide good cholesterol, high fibre, omega 3, vitamins and minerals.
• Lead an active lifestyle and engage your body more in movements.
• Have a track of your weight, blood pressure level and cholesterol level.
• Give up smoking.

Foods that can lower the risk of deadliest diseases related to the heart are – fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables, low sodium canned vegetables, protein-enriched fish, omega 3 fish oil, poultry, nuts, legumes and low-fat dairy.

2. Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is another most dangerous disease that counters around 2,20,000 deaths a year in India. According to WHO’s statistics of 2011, India has 2.2 million cases among 9.6 global cases of TB. Our government started the National TB Elimination Program to knock out this primary reason for death by 2025.

Symptoms

• Cough that persists for more than 3 weeks.
• Bleeding with cough.
• Chest pain or pain during breathing or coughing.
• Fever, night sweat and chills.
• Losing appetite and weight along with fatigue.

Causes

• Getting affected by the bacteria that causes TB, named mycobacterium tuberculosis.
• Low immunity as a result of malnutrition and hunger.
• Air pollution.
• Weakness due to other illnesses.

Preventive Measures

• Prevent yourself from one of the most dangerous diseases by covering your face with a mask and protecting yourself from pollution.
• Your diet must include vitamin A, B complex, C and E, and Zinc along with protein

Some must-have food items are orange, pumpkin, mango, carrot, tomato, nuts, whole grains, seeds, chicken, eggs, soya chunks, etc.

3. Respiratory Disease

Respiratory infections such as acute bronchitis, asthma, pneumonia are popular diseases in India. In developing countries such as India, these diseases still cause death to the large underprivileged section.

Symptoms

• Sneezing and coughing.
• Runny or congested nose.
• Breathing problem.
• Sore and aching throat.

Causes 

• Severe smoking.
• Dust or air pollution.
• Exposure to toxic chemicals, smoke or dust.
• Present from birth.

Preventive Measures

• Quit smoking.
• Avoid areas with air pollution.
• Wear a mask to protect yourself from pollution.
• Exercise and try to breathe fresh air.
• Use an air purifier.

Prevent this most dangerous disease with good foods. Fruits and vegetables like pumpkins, apples, blueberries, beets, tomatoes, red cabbage, and lentils are some must-haves. Spices that help protect your heart are pepper and turmeric.

4. HIV/AIDS

Considered taboo, HIV has been one of the deadliest infectious diseases causing death in India. Our country is facing the 3rd largest HIV epidemic in the world. Around 2.1 million people have been estimated to live with HIV in 2017. It starts with acute HIV and progresses to AIDS.

Symptoms

• Cough, fever and night sweats.
• Headache, muscle pain and joint ache.
• Sore throat and mouth with pain.
• Bulging lymph nodes.
• Losing weight.
• Other illnesses such as diarrhoea and pneumonia.

Causes 

HIV is caused by a virus, which progresses to AIDS by destroying the white blood cells. White blood cells are largely responsible for your immune system. HIV, being the most dangerous disease, destroys these cells and weakens your body to turn into AIDS.

Spread of the Disease

• It spreads through blood, semen or vaginal secretions during unprotected sex.
• Using needles or syringes to take IV drugs.
• Spreads to a child in a mother’s womb during pregnancy or from breastfeeding.
• Carnal relation between men.

Preventive Measures

• Have protected carnal intercourse.
• Be informed about your partner’s HIV status before getting involved in any oral, vaginal or anal intercourse.
• Use post-exposure prophylaxis and pre-exposure prophylaxis if there is any chance of being exposed to HIV.
• Use a fresh and clean needle for injection.
• Start taking immediate medication if you are caught with HIV AIDS during pregnancy.

Foods that help prevent and fight HIV are - chicken, fish, meat, eggs, grains, nuts, white beans etc. you must include fruits and vegetables like avocados, broccoli and any leafy vegetable in your diet.

5. Cancer or Malignant Tumour

Another most dangerous disease is cancer that causes 9% of deaths in India. Cancers such as breast cancer, lung cancer and colorectal cancers are among the most common death-causing ones in India.

Symptoms

• Fatigue and weight loss or gain.
• Building up lumps, cysts or thickening areas under your skin.
• Change in skin colour or texture.
• Cough, shortness in breathing and difficulty in swallowing.
• Change in bowel system and uncomfortable digestion.
• Continuous fever with night sweat.
• Pain in several parts of your body, including muscle and joints.

Causes

• Leave tumours, cysts, lumps or any skin problem unchecked and untreated.
• Passive or active smoking.
• Family history with cancer.
• Inborn or transmitted from the mother’s womb.

Preventive Measures

• Routine check-up of any type of skin thickening, lump, cyst, or tumour.
• Quit smoking and restrain from drinking alcohol.
• Protect yourself from excessive sun exposure.
• Follow a healthy diet and avoid junk food.
• Opt for immunisation against viruses that increase your risk factors.

Foods that can lower your risk of getting cancer are- berries, beans, carrots, broccoli, nuts, flaxseeds, citrus fruits, etc.

6. Diabetes Mellitus

India stands 2nd globally for having 1 diabetes patient in every 6 people. It is another disease that falls among deadly diseases that affect insulin generation in your body..

Symptoms

• Increasing urinary frequency.
• Losing weight, hunger and thirst.
• Fatigue and drowsiness.

Causes

• Poor diet and extreme unhealthy food intake.
• Unfit lifestyle and no exercise.
• Excessive sweet or carbohydrate-based food intake.
• Obesity and stress.

Preventive Measures

• Put a pause on a sedentary lifestyle and start exercising daily.
• Add more fibre and protein to your food intake.
• Try to be physically active in as much as daily work.
• Restrain smoking and drinking.
• Avoid junk food and adopt a sugar-free and carbohydrate-free diet.
• Maintain a healthy weight and track of your sugar level regularly..

Fight diabetes by including foods such as green and leafy vegetables, beans, avocado, chia seeds, eggs, fatty fish, etc.

7. Chronic Diarrhoea

Another most dangerous disease that usually causes death to children is chronic diarrhoea. In India, it tolls approximately 1.1 Lakh children under the age of 5 every year.

Symptoms

• Runny and loose stools with mucus in it.
• Extreme abdominal pain and bloating.
• Blood in stools sometimes.
• Feeling of the urgency of bowel movement.
• Weakness and nausea.

Causes

• Regular consumption and usage of unclean water.
• Poor immunity due to hunger and malnutrition.
• Unhygienic habitat and poor sanitisation.
• Less accessibility to hygiene and medical facilities.

Preventive Measures

• Follow a healthy diet enriched with protein, carbohydrates and healthy fat.
• Eat fruits and vegetables for nutrients like sodium, potassium and other minerals.
• Drink and use purified water.
• Quit drinking alcohol and avoid taking steroids and aspirin.

Diarrhoea can be the most dangerous disease that claims lots of life. But you can prevent and cure it with proper foods. Such foods can be bananas, potatoes, rice, oatmeal, coconut water etc.

When it comes to the most dangerous disease, you probably think of a disease that causes death. But a deadly disease will not always cause death but affect your life. Several diseases can make you and your family suffer for the rest of your life. But taking proper measures at an early stage can be preventive as well.

A deadly disease can cause fatal conditions to you and the people around you. But you can fight it if you listen to your body’s call and take proper measures and prevention. Above mentioned are some deadliest diseases in India that you can by following the stated measures.