Introduction
This is a report on behaviors that can be destructive to one’s health. In this report, I will show that health behaviors are very vital in increasing life expectancy and healthy years that one lives. This report will serve as a wake-up call for people to view health from a more comprehensive perspective. As Corbin et al. have argued, a healthy person functions well by displaying efficiency in physical, emotional, spiritual, social and intellectual activities (4). A healthy person has therefore been described as one who is beyond the freedom of disease definition (Corbin et al. 2 & 3). In this report, I will describe how the following affect life and what can be done to improve one’s health: stress, tobacco, alcohol, drugs, diabetes, and cancer.
Stress
Corbin et al. have claimed that everyone can be affected by stress. They further claimed that adults are subjected to great stress once on a weekly basis. Stress sources have been categorized into three groups; major life events, daily hassles, and the environment. Major life events include job loss, deaths, births etcetera; daily hassles include issues like traffic jams while environmental issues may include climatic conditions which are not conducive (Corbin et al. 348).
Stresses have been noted to cause two types of responses: physiological and cognitive responses. These responses have further been noted to result in emotional outcomes such as depression and anxiety and physical outcomes for instance muscle tensions, suppressing of the immune system which may result in causing diseases (Corbin et al. 350). It has been noted that moderate stress is healthy as it helps people to step up their performance level (Corbin et al. 348).
Corbin et al. have claimed that having an internal locus of control is healthy as it enables an individual to address the stressing factors as opposed to individuals with external locus control who more likely resort to passive means in managing stress (355). To manage and reduce stress an individual should get involved in physical activities that are enjoyable. Getting enough sleep can reduce stress. It is also significant that people monitor themselves to identify the time they are most productive and thus maximize that time (Corbin et al. 365).
Tobacco
Tobacco has been identified as a leading cause of mortality. Tobacco contains compounds collectively referred to as carcinogens (Corbin et al 385). The carcinogens have been known to affect all the body organs leading to a general deterioration of the body health. It has been identified that there are possibilities that tobacco causes more ailments than is thought. Tobacco has been noted to cause cancer (oral cavity cancer, cancer of the esophagus, throat and larynx cancer), high blood pressure, gums which are infected, ulcerated and inflamed gums, and rotting of teeth which exposes the roots leading to premature loss of teeth (Corbin et al. 389).
Quitting smoking has been described as a hard task for many reasons. Many smokers have claimed that the craving that follows when one attempts to stop smoking makes it very hard for one to stop smoking. As a result, it has been advised that when one attempts to quit smoking there is a need to be prepared by understanding why there is a need to quit smoking, why, if any, an early attempt had failed, the most challenging situation one is likely to face after quitting smoking and how it will be met and available resources such as friends who can help in the process of quitting. It has been shown that being well prepared to quit smoking is significant. It has been advised that nicotine replacement products should be used accompanied by physical exercises to assist in quitting smoking. New options for instance Chantix are readily available and have been found to work more efficiently than the early options (Corbin et al. 390).
Alcohol
Alcohol has been ranked third in causing deaths and health problems in the United States. The effect that alcohol has on an individual has been noted to be a function of the body fatigue, the amount of food in the stomach, medication being taken, the rate of consumption, the body size/weight among other factors. Alcohol has been associated with a number of negative health outcomes with the most established being liver disease (Corbin et al. 397). It has generally been shown that women are more affected by alcohol than men. Heavy drinking among women increases the chances of causing damages to the liver, brain and cardiovascular. The reproduction system and breasts are negatively affected. Pregnant women who drink are likely to contact fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) characterized by low birth weight, stunted growth and retardation in mental growth (Corbin et al. 401).
Heavy drinking has been associated with negative health effects on people. Moderate drinking has been viewed to be safe and even healthy. It has been advised that people should adapt to moderate drinking as opposed to over drinking. Before drinking it is advisable for one to eat enough food particularly those rich in protein and starch. For those who have an alcohol problem, it is advisable that they seek help from groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) (Corbin et al. 404).
Drugs
The youth has been identified as the group which abuses drugs most. Drug abuse has been shown to have a variety of negative health effects which include physiological and psychological effects. For instance, it has been noted that narcotics have the following physiological effects: pain blockage, depressed respiration, nausea, nostril irritation, impairing of the immune system, lowering of sexual drive, etc. The psychological effects which have been associated with abuse of narcotics include euphoric feelings, mental distress, and drowsiness. Heroin causes the following physiological effects: bacteria endocarditis, clotting of blood, brain abscess, serum hepatitis, risks of miscarriage, stillbirths, and toxemia. General abuse of drugs has negative effects on the body in one or more ways which lead to minimal functioning of the body. For pregnant women, drugs have adverse effects on the unborn baby (Corbin et al. 410).
Corbin et al. have argued that the best way to avoid the problems associated with drugs is to completely avoid taking illegal drugs. They have also warned against the misuse of legal drugs (Corbin et al. 419). For those who have already got into using illegal drugs and have a desire to quit the authors advise that they make use of programs such as Al-Anon Family and Alcoholics Anonymous (Corbin et al. 419).
Cancer
The greatest risk factor identified for lung cancer is smoking. Spouses of smokers are also at risk of contracting lung cancer. Apart from smoking some compounds such as asbestos, and radon has been linked with causing cancer. Lung cancer is characterized by chest pain, persistent coughing, recurring bronchitis or pneumonia and spit which has some spots of blood. Types of cancer include uterine and ovarian cancer, skin cancer, anal cancer, bladder cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, endometrial cancer, esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, rectal cancer and renal cancer (Corbin et al. 438).
There exist various methods of managing and preventing cancer depending on the type of cancer in question. Avoiding smoking will help one not to contract lung cancer. For those with skin cancer, it is advisable that they make use of sunscreens and recommended lotions when exposed to sun rays. Chemical and physical blocks are also recommended for use (Corbin et al. 442).
Diabetes
Diabetes has been ranked sixth in the list of leading diseases causing death. Diabetes results from imbalances in the level of insulin in the body. It has been noted that diabetes shortens the lifespan and causes both short and long-term complications. Diabetes is of two types; type I and II diabetes. It is advisable that a healthy body fat level is maintained as this has been found to be effective in reducing type II diabetes. Sugar levels ought to be maintained at healthy levels. Sugar levels can be regulated by ensuring that simple carbohydrates are limited and complex carbohydrates increased. There is also a need for increased physical exercise as this will help to bring down the sugar level in the body. A person suffering from diabetes should learn to recognize the symptoms of diabetes such that remedial actions are taken in time (Corbin et al. 444).
Conclusion
Stress affects an individual’s health physiologically and cognitively. Some of the symptoms which result from stress include muscle tensions, suppressing the immune system which may result in causing diseases. Enjoyable physical activities and getting enough sleep can be used to reduce stress. Tobacco smoking causes lung cancer, high blood pressure, gums that are infected, ulcerated and inflamed gums, and rotting of teeth which expose the roots leading to premature loss of teeth. Nicotine replacement products should be used accompanied by physical exercises to help in quitting smoking. Heavy drinking has been associated with negative outcomes such as liver disease, brain and cardiovascular disorders. Drug abuse has been associated with physiological and physiological effects such as bacterial endocarditis, clotting of blood, brain abscess, serum hepatitis, risks of miscarriage, stillbirths and many more negative effects depending on the drug abused. Cancer is a serious disease that is characterized by chest pain, persistent coughing, recurring bronchitis or pneumonia and spit which has some spots of blood. Diabetes results when a body is unable to balance insulin levels in the body.
Reference
Corbin, Charles, Welk Gregory, Corbin William, and Welk Karen. Concept of Fitness and Wellness: A comprehensive Lifestyles Approach. New York, USA: McGraw-Hill. 2009. Print.