What are the General Causes and Risk Factors for Developing Illness?

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General Risk Factors of Illnesses: From Lifestyle to Genetics

 

Unhealthy habits and choices can lead to illnesses. They are primarily caused by practising negative habits like excessive alcohol consumption, lack of exercise, smoking, following a poor diet and more. Read on to discover the general causes and risk factors for developing illnesses.

 

What Causes Illnesses?

 

Illnesses cause functional impairment of the body. They can occur due to different factors, such as infectious agents, environmental factors, and genetics.

 

1. Infectious Agents

 

Here is an overview of some of the illnesses that happen due to infection-carrying agents:

 

Bacteria

 

They are single-cell organisms responsible for illnesses like urinary tract infections, tuberculosis and strep throat.

 

Viruses

 

These microscopic germs are smaller than bacteria and cause diseases. A few types of illnesses caused by viruses are COVID-19, the common cold, etc.

 

Parasites

 

Malaria occurs due to a tiny parasite spread by mosquito bites. There are many other types of parasites as well. For instance, there are parasites which spread to people from animal faeces.

 

Fungi

 

These cause different types of skin diseases like athlete's foot and ringworm. The other types of fungi infect the eyes, brain, liver and lungs.

 

2. Environmental Agents

 

Many environmental agents lead to illnesses in people. Here are a few such agents:

 

Toxins

 

Toxins and chemicals present in the air increase the risk of a person getting an illness.

 

Allergens

 

Allergens trigger allergies in people. For instance, pollen and certain food substances can cause illness in individuals with allergies.

 

3. Genetics

 

Genetics can also bring upon illnesses. There are certain inherited mutations and genes which lead to genetic disorders. For instance, cystic fibrosis is caused by inherited mutations of a single gene.

 

Risk Factors of Developing Illnesses

 

It is very important to recognise and reduce risk factors for managing illnesses. Here are a few such risk factors that cause illnesses:

 

Tobacco Use

 

Tobacco leads to numerous illnesses and is also one of the leading causes of preventable deaths worldwide. All types of tobacco are harmful, and there is no safe level of exposure.

 

Physical Inactivity

 

Leading a sedentary lifestyle leads to a lot of health problems and illnesses. It can also lead to mental health issues like anxiety and depression.

 

Unhealthy Diet

 

When people do not have a healthy or balanced diet, their immune system deteriorates, leading them to be more susceptible to various types of illnesses.

 

Family History

 

Family history influences the health outcomes of an individual. Inherited genetic variations and common environmental factors can have a drastic effect on the possibility of an individual getting an illness.

 

An individual can avoid illness by maintaining good hygiene, adopting good eating practices and staying up to date with vaccinations.

Disclaimer:
This FAQ page contains information for general purpose only and has no medical or legal advice. For any personalized advice, do refer company's policy documents or consult a licensed health insurance agent. T & C apply. For further detailed information or inquiries, feel free to reach out via email at marketing.d2c@starhealth.in