Health: Risk Prevention

Alcohol

The regular consumtion of too much alcohol can increase your blood pressure and lead to liver failure, heart failure, strokes, cancer and other diseases. It can lead to obesity, and alcoholism increases the chance of suicide and accidents.

The risk of cardiovascular disease with a moderate level of alcohol consumption (on average one to two glasses per day for women and men respectively) is actually lower than for those who drink no alcohol at all. 

High blood pressure

Chronically high blood pressure puts more stress than normal on our heart, which results in our heart muscle becoming thicker and stiffer over time.

As well as, this high blood pressure (which generally goes unnoticed) is a known risk factor for strokes, kidney failure and heart failure.

If there are other risk factors as well as high blood pressure, such as obesity, smoking, high levels of cholesterol or diabetes, then this considerably increases the risk of heart attacks and/or strokes.

High Cholesterol

With higher levels of LDL cholesterol in our blood (LDL=the 'bad' cholesterol), this increases the risk of  coronary artery disease and strokes.

When other risk factors are also present, such as high blood pressure and smoking, the risk is even higher.

Chronic Stress

Stress can lead to the development of chronic diseases.

Scientists have discovered links between coronary artery disease, stress in daily life, lifestyle and social-economic status. These factors can increase already existing risk factors.

We often compensate for stress by leading an unhealthy lifestyle.

Under pressure it is common to smoke more, eat more and drink more alcohol than usual. Stress if often an early symptom of physical and/or metabolic problems, which can be clinically detected.

Smoking

The risk of coronary artery disease is 2-4 times greater for a smoker than for a non-smoker. Smoking cigarettes is an independent messenger of the sudden death of patients with coronary artery disease: smokers are twice as much at risk than non-smokers.

Smoking cigars or a pipe increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and strokes, even though this is slightly lower compared with smoking cigarettes.

Passive smoking also increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, even for non-smokers. Smoking also increases the risk of cancer of the lungs, throat, mouth, bladder and stomach. It speeds up the aging process in most of the organs, most visible in the skin. Smoking equally speeds up the development of respiratory disease and chronic back pain.   

Lack of Physycal exercise

A lifestyle which involves little physical exercise increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and obesity. Regular efforts of middle to high intensity levels of exercise help to prevent this.

Regular physical exercise, combined with a healthy diet, helps to keep cholesterol levels, blood pressure, possible diabetes and especially weight under control.

Above all the risk of osteoporosis, premature development of arthritis, joint complaints and reduced mobility is higher for those with a lifestyle which lacks physical activity. This can lead to a higher chance of falls in old age, which is an important reason for hospitalisation and often death.   

Environmental factors

Just like every other living creature, our quality of life depends on the environment in which we live.

Since man came into being his genetic material has evolved along with his natural environment.

In our current society there are a large number of damaging environmental influences, to which we have not yet had the chance (and especially the time) to adapt genetically.

In many cases this can lead to major disorders in health and well-being, which often resulting in deadly diseases.

The basic requirements for an environment which ensures a good quality of life are:

• air
• drinking water
• food - sleep
• sunlight
• social interaction with others 

A number of important risk factors are therefore air pollution, polluted drinking water and food, noise pollution, light pollution and disturbing social intraction. Each of these risk factors can contribute to chronic stress which lays the foundations for premature aging and the devlopment of chronic disease.

At the Wellness Kliniek we routinely screen for these (and many other) risk factors, so that we can offer a number of solutions to reduce the risks in your environment.

We adhere to scientifically responsible techniques and solutions to address these risk factors in an individual and personalised manner.

Obesity and being overweight

Your weight: a major aspect of your health

People with excess body fat - especially when it is stored around the middle - have a seriously increased risk of cardiovascular disease and joint problems.

Obesity overburdens the heart and joints.

Obesity often goes together with increased blood pressure, bad cholesterol levels and an increased risk of developing diabetes type II. 

Obesity is a proven factor which effects brain activity on several levels ( and therefore general success). Many people find it difficult to lose weight, even though losing 5kg can make a considerable difference to someone's risk profile.