Background
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a condition often so life-threatening that it affects one’s ability to breathe due to its effect on the individual’s lungs. The disease’s evolution of adverse functional changes, otherwise known as pathophysiology, often begins with tiny air sacs and airways damage (Bollmeier & Hartmann, 2020). With time, its symptoms advance to breathing difficulties from simple coughs with mucus. This damage cannot be cured though specific preventive measures can be taken to reduce the illness’s risk. However, lung cancer’s pathophysiology is incompletely understood due to its rather complicated nature (Inamura, 2017). Several hypotheses have it constant carcinogens exposure results in lung epithelium dysplasia. Continuous exposure, in the long run, leads to protein synthesis and genetic mutations. With such disruptions in the cell cycle, carcinogenesis is promoted, leading to alterations in genetic, epigenetic, and cellular levels (Inamura, 2017). These two conditions are often confused with each other since both affect the lungs.
Nonetheless, in the given scenario, the two individuals are perfect case studies to understand the two conditions’ pathophysiology. The 74-year-old male, who has a long history of smoking, presents the advanced stages of COPD. Over time, the state has caused damage to his lungs, and since it takes time, the symptoms are now more severe (Bollmeier & Hartmann, 2020). After only a few years of smoking, the brother who died of lung cancer presents the disease’s complicated nature’s pathophysiology. If anything, the older brother should have died first, according to his smoking background. It is also evident that the illness acts fast due to the continuous multiplication of the cancer cells leading to breathing disruptions and eventual death.
Lifestyle Habits
These two conditions depend on one’s lifestyle and the habits that one is used to daily. Lung cancer is primarily caused by continued cigarette smoking. In the U.S., such a lifestyle is linked to about 90% of deaths arising from lung cancer (Inamura, 2017). Other tobacco products such as pipes and cigars are also risk factors for the condition. This is because its smoke contains over 7,000 toxic chemicals, which lead to the development of these cancer cells in the lungs (Inamura, 2017). The case is no different for COPD, as over 75% of the cases are linked to cigarette smoking (Bollmeier & Hartmann, 2020). However, exposure to dust, chemical fumes, or air pollution can also contribute to the condition. This is often a warning call to those who do not take necessary precautions in industries dealing with such toxic chemicals.
Physical Activity, Nutrition, Weight Management, and Tobacco and Substance Use
Physical Activity
Regular physical activity has always been linked to a healthy and quality life. This is primarily because it improves heart health and lowers blood pressure. It is accomplished by burning the excess fat, which often coagulates in the veins leading to high blood pressure and increased risk of heart diseases (Palmer et al., 2018). This also lowers the blood’s cholesterol levels, which is essential for proper and healthy blood flow in the body. Physical activity also reduces the risk of certain cancers and type 2 diabetes due to general body fitness maintenance.
Moreover, it ensures that one remains healthy mentally, mainly due to the endorphins released during the process, which boost an individual’s mood. Consequently, this ensures that feelings of depression and anxiety are curtailed (Palmer et al., 2018). Additionally, prioritizing physical activity ensures that an individual has better balance and muscle strength with stronger bones which depict a healthy life. This means that those who do not engage in physical activities often have an increased risk of unhealthy lives.
Nutrition
Nutrition is an essential part of good health and development. It ensures that individuals have stronger immune systems, which allow them to fight diseases better. Additionally, individuals who practice appropriate practice have a decreased risk of contracting certain non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, stroke, and specific cancers (Palmer et al., 2018). Healthy nutrition also ensures that high cholesterol levels in the body are lowered, lowering high blood pressure. However, poor nutrition makes one susceptible to nutritional conditions such as anemia, kwashiorkor, or even marasmus (Palmer et al., 2018). Moreover, when the body lacks certain nutrients, its defense to particular illnesses is weakened. This is why sticking to proper nutrition is often insisted upon as a medical precaution to a healthy life.
Weight Management
Improvements in comorbid medical conditions are associated with proper and successful weight management. This sustained weight loss is primarily essential to the advancement of the health of individuals that are obese and overweight. This also ensures that individuals have reduced high blood pressure (Palmer et al., 2018). Moreover, it provides that an individual’s record improved physical health. Though it is a slow process taken step by step, it ensures that individuals lose excess fat and remain healthier.
Tobacco and Substance Use
Continued tobacco and substance use can be detrimental to an individual’s health. Smoking is a known leading cause of COPD and lung cancer. Alcohol, on the other hand, makes individuals susceptible to liver cirrhosis. Moreover, a constant abuse of these drugs often disrupts people’s mental health leading to depression and suicide (Palmer et al., 2018). These activities are also related to poor physical health as individuals develop hypertension, ulcers, and even malnutrition. This is why a healthy lifestyle often calls for moderated use of these substances or total abstinence.
Current Diet Trend
Ketogenic Diet
The ketogenic diet shares various similarities with the low carb and Atkins diets. It entails a high fat and deficient carb diet with essential health benefits, including weight loss (Batch et al., 2020). It reduces carbohydrate intake drastically and replaces it with fat which puts the body in a ketosis metabolic state. This makes the body more efficient in the production of energy from burnt fats. Additionally, it reduces insulin and blood sugar levels, providing benefits against epilepsy, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and cancer (Batch et al., 2020). The diet exists in different versions, including targeted, high protein, cyclical, and standard ketogenic diets depending on the individual and intended dieting purpose.
With the increased popularity of the keto diet, there is growing concern about its safety and efficacy. Experts have it that the diet is not harmful, with studies suggesting that it is the best for obese or overweight individuals (Batch et al., 2020). Additionally, it is lauded for its role in reducing high blood pressure. However, particular researchers assert that the technique is not any good, mainly because most of the people dependent on it end up gaining weight within a year (Batch et al., 2020). This supports the claims that the dieting is only effective in the short term, leading to severe health ramifications (Batch et al., 2020). With most of its user’s weight-obsessed individuals, individuals warn that it may cause depression, especially after rapid loss and weight gain simultaneously (Batch et al., 2020). Moreover, it results in nutrient deficiencies, constipation, and even kidney stones, which increase susceptibility to heart conditions. Furthermore, individuals who practice it strictly may have eating disorders and constantly isolate themselves (Batch et al., 2020). Therefore, despite its growing popularity, it is not a safe practice as its consequences can in the long-run lead to loss of life.
Patient’s Achievement and Maintenance of a Healthy Lifestyle
There are various tools, strategies, and programs that patients can follow in their lives to help in health goal achievement and healthy lifestyle maintenance. These primarily involve sticking to diets low on fats and ensuring that it is composed of all the necessary nutrients (Faught et al., 2017). Additionally, it is essential to subject the body to exercise and enough sleep. Training ensures that it remains healthy while sleep accords it the desired amount of rest which provides better immunity to infections (Faught et al., 2017). It is also essential to have an active social life as it ensures that one has fulfilling relationships. With such relations, individuals are likely to live healthier lives (Faught et al., 2017). It is also essential to drink enough water as it keeps the body system nourished and healthy. Studies also suggest that it is necessary to constantly undertake screening tests as a precaution for certain conditions (Faught et al., 2017). This makes one aware of their health status and gives the direction to be taken to stay healthier. Through these means, individuals are assured of healthier lives.
References
Batch, J., Lamsal, S., Adkins, M., Sultan, S., & Ramirez, M. (2020). Advantages and disadvantages of the ketogenic diet: A review article.Cureus, 6(1), 67-89. Web.
Bollmeier, S., & Hartmann, A. (2020). Management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A review focusing on exacerbations.American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy, 77(4), 259-268. Web.
Faught, E., Gleddie, D., Storey, K., Davison, C., & Veugelers, P. (2017). Healthy lifestyle behaviors are positively and independently associated with academic achievement: An analysis of self-reported data from a nationally representative sample of Canadian early adolescents.PLOS ONE, 12(7), 181-198. Web.
Inamura, K. (2017). Lung cancer: Understanding its molecular pathology and the 2015 WHO classification. Frontiers in Oncology, 7, 78-90.
Palmer, M., Sutherland, J., Barnard, S., Wynne, A., Rezel, E., & Doel, A. (2018). The effectiveness of smoking cessation, physical activity/diet, and alcohol reduction interventions delivered by mobile phones for the prevention of non-communicable diseases: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials.PLOS ONE, 13(1), 167-189. Web.