Nature of Major Illness

It is important to understand the basic nature of chronic illnesses such as atherosclerosis, emphysema, osteoarthritis, and cancer. First, these diseases are universal; we all have tendency toward them. We differ from each other in how rapidly the tendency toward actual illness is increasing in our bodies. Second, these conditions progress in our bodies, often for decades, before they cause any symptoms, you have the tendency toward them, but you don’t feel sick. The conditions may begin in your 20s, 30s, or 40s and not be detected until perhaps 40 years later. Third, these disease tendencies are slowly progressive unless they are prevented. The important factor is how rapidly these conditions are progressing in you. Fourth, the diseases have “risk factors.” Risk factors cause the progression to be more or less rapid than otherwise. Strictly speaking, risk factors do not cause the disease. They affect the rate of development.

It is important to remember the following:

1. Prevention changes the rate of development of disease.
2. Attention to health risk factors improves the quality of life more than the quantity.

The illness and pain associated with disease are the real problem. These can be greatly reduced by a good plan for health. For example, after stopping cigarette smoking, you return to normal risk levels for heart attacks after only two years. After ten years you are at nearly normal risk for lung cancer. In only a few weeks, exercise programs begin to contribute to your health and well-being. For most diseases, not only can you slow the rate of progression, but you can also reverse part of the damage. This means that by developing the habit of health, even after a condition has appeared, you can reduce the amount of illness you will have in your life.